This Might be Why You Didn't Make the Cheer Squad

Trying out for the cheerleading squad is a dream for a lot of males and females, especially when you get to collegiate and professional levels. However, you got to the cheer tryout only to hear your name be called when they're announcing the cuts. You thought you did everything right and you tried really hard. So what did you do wrong that caused you to not make the squad?

Your attitude: The coaches look at your attitude and can tell whether or not you are being genuine. If you had a bad attitude and it showed or you were trying to hide it, then this would be a red flag for the cheer coaches. This goes along with your spirit; if your enthusiasm was not there, then the coaches will not choose you because they want that good enthusiasm.
Your personality: Were you hiding your personality or were you being you? Sure, you might have a great personality but if the coaches didn't get a chance to see it, then they didn't know it existed and that's a problem.
Your leadership skills: Taking control of situations or helping guide the pack is not something only the coaches do or the assigned captain, it's something everyone can contribute a bit to when the situation calls for it. Each cheerleader has a little captain duties, not just the one with the C on their cheerleader uniform. 
Your team work skills: Did you have conflict with another person at the tryouts? Were you showing that it's either your way or the highway? That's a problem. This also includes if you are helpful to the team or just let things become someone else's responsibility.
You ability to adapt and change: If you are someone who has a really hard time adjusting to different duties that may not be your own, then that sticks out to the coaches.

Don't worry, there is the next year's tryouts for you to go for. Consider these things and practice your moves!

How to Get Guys on Your Cheerleading Squad

So cheerleading is predominantly a women's sport in the current times however did you know that cheerleading started out as a man's deal? Not only that but if you look at college cheerleading squads, there are a fair amount of guys on the cheer squads and they are not ashamed of it. So what are some ways you can get your squad to have a few more guys?

1. Let the females do the selling. A guy is always intrigued when a few cheerleaders come talk to them and ask them to come to their practice and try it out. Also, the cheerleaders know the sport the best so what better representatives than them? The cheerleaders will be able to answer any questions the prospective members have about the sport, the squad, the stunts and cheers, etc. 
2. Look for the guys who seem interested. At almost every sporting event, there are guys who are very into the cheers for the team and go wild in rooting for the team. Try to target these guys as they are already open to the idea of cheering for a sports team. Some people will be harder to recruit than others so look for people who give you at least a little bit of an opening. 
3. Let them know how athletic it is. A lot of guys believe that cheerleading is just a hobby and not a real sport because there is no ball, field, court, rink, etc. The truth is, you have to be pretty strong to be able to lift people up and you have to be coordinated. Let them know it is a workout, lifting weight, each time they do a practice, competition, or game. No, there are not as many components o cheerleading as there are for other sports but that does not mean it is not a sport, let them know this. Chances are, they will be pleasantly surprised. 
4. They will be celebrities... sort of. In most levels of cheerleading, there are more girls than they are guys, even at the collegiate level where there are a lot of male cheerleaders, they are out numbered by their female counterparts. Thus, if they were to join the squad, they would be noticed for sure and complimented for their bravery and courage. It could even get them more noticed by the ladies. 
5. Remind them it is a sport. This was hinted at before that it is indeed a sport despite not having a ball or object that needs to be scored into a net or part of the field. However, it is tough, requires strength, coordination, mental toughness, and it makes you sweat. So bam! It's a sport. 

7 Tips to Prepare You for College Cheer Tryouts

Every year, girls and guys try out for their college cheer squad, whether they are seniors in high school trying to make the squad as an incoming freshman or they are already at the university or college and trying to make it as an current student. Regardless of where you are now, you have to focus on the future, the future of being at your college cheer tryouts and making the squad.

Here are 7 tips to increase your chances of making the squad.

1. Grades. It seems like it shouldn't matter what your grades are in order to be on the cheerleading squad. Well, technically it doesn't since many colleges and universities don't have a minimum GPA requirement to be on the squad; however, schools often have a minimum GPA for students to be enrolled, so if you want to be a student there (and thus be on the squad) then you will have to have a good GPA. In addition to that, your good grades can be something that gets you picked over another contender. 
2. Know the squad's background. Do your research on the squad and see what they're like, what they know, what they do, who's on the squad, etc. When you show up to the cheerleading tryout, you want to show the squad leader and coaches that you are interested in the squad. Look for the squad's requirements to become a member and what is expected of the cheerleaders. Why do you want to be on the squad? What does it mean to you? Know these answers. 
3. Don't skimp on the application. When filling out your cheer squad application, do not do anything less than thorough. Not every school will require this but some do. When doing your research, find out how the squad does their applications, if they do; some schools want photos or videos along with a written application before the tryouts start. 
4. Prepare your first impressions. Know what you will say to people that you meet, have a good smile and attitude. You only get one chance to make a first impression and a bad one is hard to repair. Be on time for the tryouts or prepare to not make the cut and be prepared with everything you will need. 
5. Shape up on your skills. College cheerleading squads want the best; they have hundreds of students trying out for the squad and so they don't have to settle for anyone. Indeed, practice makes perfect. The skills required to be on the squad are much higher than junior high and high school. 
6. Learn new skills. While you need to improve any lacking skills you used in the past, it is important to learn new skills for college. Look for what skills they expect on the squad that you do not know or do already and learn those. 
7. Be a role model. The cheerleading squads like to see that the applicants are people that will make the squad and the school look good. In addition to having good grades and recommendations, giving to charity is also good. Quite a few college cheer squads donate to charity in some way so if you have this done already, they will like to see that. 

So get ready and dominate the college cheerleading squad tryouts! Go into the tryout looking great with new cheerleading apparel, cheerleading uniforms, or even just cheerleading accessories. Contact Gear4Cheer for info or visit our site.