If you have class with a member of the cheer squad, try talking to her before the bell rings. If you can choose your seat, try sitting next to her in class so you can chat. Ask to sit with the cheer squad at lunch. While you may feel awkward doing so, remember that the worst thing that can happen is they’ll say no.
Be kind to yourself. Do not say anything to yourself that you would not say to someone else. Check yourself throughout the day to make sure you’re staying confident. If you screw up on a test, you may think, “You’re so stupid. I can’t believe you did that. " Stop and correct yourself. Instead, think, “Everyone makes mistakes. I’ll do better next time. " Surround yourself with positive people. Stay close to friends and family members who are encouraging others. Try to be equally kind and enthusiastic in return.
Work on your overall wellbeing. This will make you feel better about yourself. For example, do not watch TV all night. Instead, work on activities that make you feel good. Get your homework done, go out with friends, or work on a hobby. Set goals and pursue them. This will also help bolster your confidence. For example, say you want to finish a book you’re reading. Set out to read a certain number of pages each day.
Laugh throughout the day. This can raise your heart rate, blood pressure, and mood. Watch a funny video clip online. Watch a movie you like. Hang out with a friend who makes you laugh. Stretch throughout the day when you’re feeling sluggish. A good stretch can help increase your energy and mood. Make sure to get adequate sleep each night. A regular sleep schedule can help improve your overall energy.
Make sure each meal contains healthy, complex carbohydrates. Your body needs carbs for energy, so eat things like oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat bread, and other nutrient-rich carbs. Get some fruits and vegetables in with every meal. Have a side salad with lunch. Add some fruit to your morning cereal. Snack on assorted vegetables or fruits between meals. Go for lean sources of protein like low-fat dairy, poultry, and fish. A lot of people think cheerleaders do not eat a lot. This is not the case. If you’re going to be working out in preparing for tryouts, a lot of healthy food is necessary for energy. Do not try to restrict your diet too much.
Running or biking can help build endurance. If you have a gym membership, or if there is a gym at your school, try riding the elliptical machine, a stationary bike, a treadmill, or the stair master. Strive to keep your heart rate up throughout the workout. Push yourself a little more each week to add length to your workout. Remember, start slow. If you haven’t worked out in a while, you may want to stick to 15 or 20-minute sets and build up from there.
Aim to weight train 2 to 3 times a week. Make sure not to weight train two days in a row, as this can cause strain. You can use weights or a weight machine at the gym. You can also do things like push-ups, sit-ups, and Pilates, which use your own body as a weight. If you do make the team, you will probably need to cut back on weight training during cheer season. You’ll be doing a lot of weight training just during practice, and too much weight training can cause injury.
Breathe correctly. Your breathing affects how your voice sounds. Do not take shallow breaths. Take big, deep breaths that fill your lungs with as much air as possible. Use energy when you speak. You want to sound enthusiastic. Make sure you’re using your cheek muscles as you talk, as this will affect how your voice comes out. When you speak, pull away from the muscles inside your throat the same way you do when you yawn. This will cause your voice to sound bigger, without sounding loud or shrill.
Watch for signs of overtraining. You may feel a sense of heaviness, ongoing soreness in your muscles, lack of appetite, decreased concentration, and tiredness throughout the day. You may also feel an increased desire to skip workouts, as your body is warning you you’re overdoing it. If you’ve been overtraining, talk to your doctor about what you should be doing differently. You should also take a few days off of training to let your body recover.
Ask other people who have auditioned. Every squad has different expectations regarding how to audition. Some squads may disapprove of you bringing in a spirit poster, while others may encourage it. You may be expected to wear school colors for some schools, while other schools may simply require you to wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move around. Talk to the coach or the head cheerleader. Ask him or her for tips on how to audition. Go to some games. Try to memorize some of the cheers and moves. Make sure you’re able to keep up with the team.
Make time to practice every day. Schedule time in your day-to-day schedule for practice. You could, for example, practice for an hour after dinner each night. If you have friends auditioning as well, ask them to practice with you. You guys can help keep each other on track.
Relax and do your best when you’re auditioning. Remember, cheerleaders, are supposed to make the game fun for everyone. If you’re having fun, you’re more likely to look like cheerleader material.
You can always get involved with the cheer squad in some other way. You can volunteer to help out with coaching, for example, or a position like a team manager.
