Taking Steps to Becoming A Cheerleader

     You were at a school game this year or you happened upon a cheerleading competition on ESPN, Fox Sports Network, or some other sports channel.  Once you saw the the lights, uniforms, routines, and stunts a spark lit inside your heart.  You want to become a strong stunting, strong willed, and smooth dancing athlete. A Cheerleader! 

     Getting started in the world of cheerleading is easier than one my assume and in the same token can be a challenge. There are a few steps one needs to take to begin a life as a cheerleader.  First and foremost decide whether school cheer or competitive all-star cheer sparks your interest.  This will determine how you will approach your personal training in order to become the athlete you would like to be.

     For the School Cheer path:

• Contact the coach/sponsor of the program to find out any all necessary tryout information
• What you will need to know are the tryout dates, the format for tryouts, the financial cost, and if your GPA will play a part in the tryout process.  A large number of schools now have the "no pass, no play," rule.

• To increase the odds of making your schools' cheer team, invest in tumbling classes.  There are various facilities that offer weekly tumbling classes.  By doing this you will get your body is great physical condition to handle the physical stress that comes with the title of cheerleader and also for most school cheer teams that attend competitions, tumbling is the area that will give you the edge over another person trying out without tumbling skills.

     For All-Star Cheer Path: For those interested in all-star competitive cheerleading there are a few more steps but that pay off will be worth the effort.

• First, take the time to search cheerleading gyms in your area.  Narrow your final choices down too two or three.
• Potential cheerleaders and guardians should visit each gym and get information about the gym.  What you want to find out is; How long they have been in business, How many different squads they have, how many competing levels they have, their uniform style, and how often they travel for competitions.  Lastly, when tryouts for the new season are held.
  
• Do not be timid to ask about the total financial responsibilities.  You want to know upfront what are the monthly tuition, if the tuition includes tumbling classes or not, competition, choreography, uniform, and music fees.  Also if any of these fees are non-refundable. 
• Once you've selected the cheerleading program you want to tryout for, sign up for tumbling classes at that specific gym.  This will help you achieve any required tumbling skills needed and also allow you to get used to the environment in that gym and meet current cheerleaders.

In a nutshell those are the basics for those interested in becoming a cheerleader and also food for thought for parents that may see cheerleadering as a great activity for their child.  It helps to stay educated and informed, regardless of the sport.