How to Prep for Cheer Tryouts
Many people dream of being part of a cheer squad. To make that dream a reality, though, you have to be prepared for the amount of time, and energy, that the hours of practicing, performing, competing, and fundraising will consume. You have to be able to handle the expenses of cheerleading uniforms, cheer shoes, travel costs, food on the road - expenses that can add up to a significant amount. Cheerleaders happily make the choice to take on these demands because they want to be part of a team. Not to stand out themselves, but to make their squad’s performance and their school spirit as strong and excellent as it can be.

Every school has their own standards for cheerleaders, and the cheer coach or school administrators will be glad to let you know what you need to do in terms of paperwork. Make sure you take your time to fill it all out completely, and be aware of requirements that need to be accomplished before a deadline, such as medical exams.

That’s the easy part, though. Preparing for the cheerleader tryouts is a much more physical process. Cheerleaders have to have the strength of a gymnast, the flexibility of a dancer, and the stamina of a long-distance runner to be able to shout cheers, do stunts, and keep their spirit strong all the way through a game or competition. Taking lessons in any of those disciplines is a good idea, but you’ll get the most valuable information from present or previous cheerleaders who know what it takes. They may be able to teach you previous routines, and certainly will have suggestions about how to get in shape for your tryout.

Don’t stop there, though - remember, while you are trying to become part of a team, you want to stand out from the rest of the candidates. Do research on sites such as YouTube to learn how other squads do the motions, and practice in front of a mirror. Are your arms fully extended? Does your leg need to kick higher? How about your facial expressions- just because you’re doing hard work doesn’t mean you should look like it!

Make sure you also dress accordingly. You not only need to act the part, but like the part as well. Soffe cheer shorts are always a fan favorite as they come in a variety of colors that are sure to match your school and are perfect for cheerleaders on a budget. Chasse makes cute lycra cheer skirts that have built in shorts and also come in basic school colors. They have matching racer-back tank tops with support.

Once you’ve got the basics down, ask friends and family to watch you, to help you fine-tune your performance. Your job is to motivate - so make eye contact, smile, get them excited. Do that, and you’ll be ready for the judges’ table.

Come back next week for our feature article about how to perform in front of the judges’ tables plus tips on how to stand out once you’re in front of the judges.

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Cheerleading uniforms can present a challenge when trying to keep them clean during football, basketball and soccer seasons. While they can usually be worn for one or two games, they need cleaning after lots of rigorous activity, especially when the uniforms are primarily white or have white trim. If not laundered properly, they can melt, snag, run or discolor.

Here are a few do’s and don’ts to make sure your uniform makes it through the cheerleading season uninjured:

-Don’t use dry-cleaners. This causes material to stiffen, fade and bubble. It also takes on a yellowish hue, which is very noticeable next to an unblemished uniform.

-The first time you launder it, wash each garment separately in a cold tub of water. Rinse thoroughly in cool water.

-Cheer and Tide laundry detergents are the most popular for colorfast clothing. Use these for regular washing to make sure colors don’t bleed or fade. These detergents also gets the dirt and odors out, including rings around the wrists and collar.

-Avoid fabric softener, which sets stains and dirt, making it difficult to get the uniform clean.

-If quality detergent is unavailable, soak your uniform in cold water for at least an hour to make it wearable in between washings.

-Be sure to remove items promptly from the washing machine to avoid excess wrinkles.

-Hang up uniform pieces to dry thoroughly using a plastic or molded hanger. Clothespins and wire hangers can make creases and misshape the fabric.

-Don’t put your uniform in the clothes dryer. This will round out pleats and may leave bubbles from the heat.

-Don’t use a warm iron. This melts the material or leave discolored marks. If you do have excess wrinkles, you can use a stand up power steamer. Because the heat is not as high as an at home iron, it will not scorch the material.

Uniform care for stains can be tricky. Follow these guidelines for best results:

-Don’t use bleach. This strips the color, leaves ugly spots and damages the fabric. White uniforms do not get whiter, they turn yellow.

-Use color-safe bleach alternative or an oxygen-based all-fabric bleach to get out tough stains.

-Soak the garments in cold water before laundering.

-Rub a little detergent into the stained area. Let it stand for a few minutes before laundering as usual.

If you’ve already caused damage to your uniform and its starting to look a little frumpy, check out new uniform styles and camp wear at Campus Team Wear. We have a range of uniform styles at a range of reasonable price points.

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Cheerleading is not only fun and active but also demanding on all parts of the body. But the feet are the ones taking most of the abuse. With tumbling, stunting, and dancing, cheerleading requires a supportive yet flexible shoe made tough enough to withstand constant motion.

Important factors to consider when choosing a cheerleading shoe include price and budget, comfort and support, as well as quality and durability. As with most things, you get what you pay for. Investing in a quality pair of cheer shoes will save money on upkeep and replacement in the long run. Once you have determined your budget, choose a shoe at the upper end of your range that will offer a higher level of quality.

Cheerleading shoes must be comfortable and well cushioned for jumping and tumbling. Stunting requires finger grips or heel grooves with flexible support for adequate safety. Scalloped arches and ankle support are other additional features. A recommended shoe is the Asics Gel-Comp 2. They offer all of these features and are a good investment because they are durable. If the budget is a little tighter, the next best choice would be the Asics Cheer 5. It’s a comfortable shoe at a comfortable price, while maintaining quality.

For those who are in pom squads or squads that don’t stunt, dancing shoes must be lightweight with breathable support reinforced at the heel and ball of the foot. They also need to be flexible and supportive. Rebok’s Sis Boom Rah 2 is lightweight with all the dance essentials and is a very high quality shoe. Nike’s Sideline Cheer has good arch support at a medium price point, and for a few dollars less, Chasse Rocket’s have excellent heal and ball cushioning. Make sure that the shoes have a proper fit for each member of the squad. Allow each member to walk and move around in the shoe. Inquire about the return policy for the shoes you choose.

To determine which functions and aspects of a shoe are most important, it will be necessary to evaluate the activities of your squad. A squad that focuses primarily on tumbling or stunting should prioritize supportive and flexible shoes. If dancing is your main emphasis, shop for more lightweight and breathable shoes. Determining the needs of your squad based on activities will help you choose the right shoe.

Style is another important factor to consider. If your squad is involved in many activities, it may be wise to choose a white shoe with interchangeable color insertions. Kaepa carries cheer shoes that have inserts for two colors and gives you an entire pack of color options including metallics to choose from. They also have a variety of styles and price points available with the color kit.

Permanently colored shoes can also create a bold and sharp look for competitive cheer squads. Try to find a shoe that is easily cleaned and maintained. You’ll want a shoe that can hold up for the entirety of the cheer season.

Popularity: 53% [?]