Tryout Process
Tryout Process Information
Process:
1. April 3, 6PM
Parents and athletes can attend a “Parent Informational Meeting” in the main gym.
2. Before April 11
Athletes must fill out the online application before first. https://forms.gle/t7F3mnjVJs3UfytJA. Late submissions will not be accepted.
3. Before April 11
Athletes must turn in $15 or pay online for tryouts. This fee pays for the Tryout T-shirt and snacks.
4. Practice all parts in ‘Tryout Components List”.
5. Before April 11
Turn in Parent/Athlete Commitment Form.
6. Before April 11
All athletes are required to have a physical on file at St. Pius X before participation. Please connect Courtney Wohlwend cwohlwend@spxkc.org to submit this information or visit https://spxkc.org/sports-medicine for more information.
7. April 11 & April 12
Attend Tryout Clinics to learn group routines.
8. April 24
Rock your skills at Mock Tryouts
9. April 26
Attend tryouts, do your best. No spectators are allowed at clinics or tryouts.
Results are delivered that evening.
All athletes stay and speak with coach after results are tabulated.
How to Dress
White clean cheer shoes or tennis shoes. Please do not wear these shoes on the street. Always change into these shoes when you arrive. Street shoes will scratch or bring in debris from outside to our gym floors or tumbling mats.
White no show socks.
Plain black shorts
Black tank top and black sports bra. You will receive a tryout T-shirt at the first clinic.
Hair in a high ponytail, tight with no loose strands.
NO JEWELRY, watches, etc.
Modest or no make-up during clinics. Gameday makeup for Mock and final tryouts.
At Tryouts, nails must be neutral in color. After tryouts, during stunting work, competition etc. no nails will be allowed.
Skills to Practice
Spirit “faces”, energy. Use words, jumps, kicks and yell loudly for your team as you enter and exit and after components. High energy is key to exciting and effective cheerleading.
Strong, sharp motions with clean hands, good angles, loud claps, firm stomps.
Point toes in all components.
Flexibility, heel stretches, kicks.
Work to make jumps “level” or better. UCA has several videos that can help. Jumps are expected after cheers, during exciting plays and routines.
Tryout Components List (updated 3/31/2023)
Judges will score in the following categories. Athletes will tryout in a small group of 3 or 4. As a group, they will develop an original cheer or chant together during the clinic. It will be up to the athletes to work together on this. Groups will be assigned at the first clinic. All three athletes will be in the room together during the whole tryout.
o School Song (learned at clinic)
o Group Sideline Dance (learned at clinic)
o Group Cheer (learned at clinic)
o Group Chant (learned at clinic)
o Original Cheer
o Flexibility
Heel Stretch
High Kick Left and Right
o Jumps
Toe Touch
Best Jump (extra credit for a double jump)
o Tumbling
Best running skill
Best standing skill
o Other
Dress, makeup, hair (following instructions)
Spirit In & Out, and in between components
Interview Questions (judges’ choices)
Game Faces, Smile, Poise, Clinic Participation