Have you ever wondered what it was like to experience a high school cheerleading tryout? Well, let me tell you the process for becoming a Canyon cheerleader!
It all starts off with attending the mandatory tryout meeting. These are usually held approximately two weeks before the actual tryout date. At this meeting, our coaches cover all the details you would need to know and be aware of in order to be on the team. This includes prices of summer camps, outfits and spirit wear, important dates, and what a real commitment it is to be a part of the Canyon Cheer team. Attending the meetings are a crucial part of the tryout process; without attending, many won't know what they are getting themselves into.
The tryouts, however, last four days. The first three days are where you learn and prepare for the fourth day, the day of the actual tryout.
On the first day, you will be separated into groups of four, which is the group you will try out with. Coaches then start to begin teaching motions. These consist of “High V,” “Low V,” “T,” “Broken T,” “Daggers,” “Gold Post,” and others. You will also learn some cheer jumps. After they go over those plenty of times, they will start to teach you a cheer to practice.
A new cheer is created by our coaches every year specifically for tryouts, so it's fair. Depending on how much time is left, they may start to teach you a dance routine that will be used in your performance.
The next day, coaches go over everything you learned the previous day. If you had not finished learning the dance yet, they will finish teaching that. Coaches will also put you back in your group of four and begin to teach your group how to do stunts. They mainly go over “Thigh Stands,” “Halfs,” and, if your group gets there, “Extensions.” Practicing stunts takes over the rest of that day.
On the third day, they go over everything and answer all the questions anyone may have. This day is mainly for you and your group to put together your routine and practice everything together to make sure it looks good for the judges.
On tryout day, you and your group will be given a number, and once the judges call in your number, it's go time! They will have you stand in a line and one-by-one ask you to show off your jumps. After that, they will ask for any tumbling skills, which is not needed to try out but is preferred. They will then have you perform the cheer they taught, and lastly, they play the music for your routine, which includes the dance and stunts you learned.
After that, you are done! All you have to do is wait for the next day where Canyon Cheer posts the results on their Instagram. If your tryout number is on the page, congratulations, you made the team! Good luck, Cowboys!
