Study Smart:Stand Out at School

Pep Squad Survival Tips!

Why Join a Pep Squad?

Q. Rallies, half-time shows, games...what would they be like without the cheerleaders, dance teams, band, pagentry groups, drill teams and other pep groups?

Answer: Boring! Support your school! Show your spirit and learn great skills for your resume like: team work, ontime performance and discipline. It's time consuming and a lot of hard work, but being on a Pep Squad really pays off!

Just Thinking About Pep Squad?
Here are Some Skills You May Need

This is a sport. It requires total dedication, strength and lots and lots of practice. Expect to do and be your best. -- Ashley.t

For Cheerleading:

• Be ready to really sell (perform) a sideline cheer or chant.
  
  
• Be ready to do jumps, tumbling and splits.
  
  
• Attitude is everything.
  
  
• Learn how to memorize movement routines quickly.
  
  
• Learn to be precise in your movements.
  
  
• Watch your space and placement when practicing.
  
  
• Learn good vocal skills -- how to be loud without killing your voice.
  
  
• Learn showmanship. Sell what you're doing with enthusiasm.

For Dance Teams

• Pirouettes
• Splits
• Toe Touches
• Gymnastics abilities
• Double turns
• Leaps
• Axles
• Fouette turns

Before the Try-Out

• Go to the person in charge of the try-outs and talk to them.
  
  
• Find out what skills you'll need. Gymnastics and dance training is great.
  
  
• Will there be a cheer/dance/flag clinic and what date and time?
  
  
• Find out what kind of time commitment this will be.
  
  
• Really decide if you want to do that much work.
  
  
• Find out how much it will cost in money as well as time.
  
  
• Find out what to wear, and what the rules on hair and footwear are.
  
  
• Practice as much as you can before.
  
  
• Find out if you'll be allowed to try out with a partner.
  
  
• It's best to work together, for support, but plan to try out alone.
  
  
• That way if one of you sprains an ankle, it won't hurt the other.
  
  
• Get your signed parent permission form in early. Don't forget it!
  
  
• Find out if there is going to be an interview.
  
  
• In an interview, expect questions like "Why are the pepsquads important to our school?" or "Tell us what is school spirit?"
  
  
• Your overall spirit, confidence and poise will count as much as your ability.

Practice a lot. Try different things you haven't done before. Try harder things or things you've seen girls in cheer do. If you have a friend in cheer ask her for some help on stretching warm ups or moves. Give it all you got and don't be shy! Show (the) full inner you. -- Nicole.d

Now get the scoop on clinics and try-outs

Thanks to Nicole, Heidi, Corinna, Anulkah and Katie for their ideas and tips.

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