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University of Maryland Cheerleading Spirit Squad Tryouts

 

**2010-2011 Spring Tryout Application - Please Submit ASAP to Register for Tryouts**

 

SPRING TRYOUTS (for the 2010-2011 Spirit Squad Team)

    TRYOUT DATES & TIMES (information last updated 2/9/2010)

      Friday, April 30, 2010 - Material Learning Evening
      7:30 pm - 9:30 pm       - The fight song, dance, cheer and jump sequence will be taught.  Stunt groups will be formed.  To learn the material prior to tryout attend the Spirit Squad college prep clinc.  Click here for information regarding the college prep clinic.

      Saturday, May 1, 2010 - Formal Tryout Day
      10:00 am - 12:30 pm - Material review, stunt warm-up and gymnastics warm-up (spots will not be provided)
      12:30 pm - 2:30 pm - Participants will be free to leave for lunch or practice in the open gym or rest
      2:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Formal tryouts

      **1st round cuts posted by 9:00 pm, Saturday, May 1, 2010.**

      Sunday, May 2, 2010 - 2nd Round Tryouts & Madatory Meeting Day
      1:00 pm - 7:00 pm - 2nd round cuts and meeting for those that have made it through 1st cuts.

      **2nd round cuts posted at www.marylandcheerleading.com by 11:00pm, Sunday, May 2, 2010.**

    TRYOUT LOCATION

      University of Maryland
      Auxiliary Gym of the Comcast Center (located on the ground level)
      Terrapin Trail
      College Park, MD 20742

    DIRECTIONS TO TRYOUTS

    PARKING The closest parking lot to the Auxiliary Gym is lot 4b.  Parking is free without a permit on Sundays.  Enter the Comcast Center on the ground level and the auxiliary gym is the first door on the left side.

    TRYOUT ELIGIBILITY Tryouts are open to potential incoming freshman, transfer students and current University of Maryland undergraduate or graduate students.  Applicants that are on the waiting list or applicants that have been accepted for the spring semester rather than the fall, ARE permitted to tryout.  Students accepted for the spring rather that the upcoming fall semester must enroll in the “Freshman Connection” program in order to participate on the Spirit Squad.  For more information about the “Freshman Connection” program, please visit:  http://www.oes.umd.edu/fc/

    SPIRIT SQUAD POSITIONS AVAILABLE A total of 28-37 females along with 8-10 males will be selected to make up the entire Spirit Squad program including returning Spirit Squad members (all returning Spirit Squad members are required to try out every year).  The entire Spirit Squad program will separated into Red Team (2-3 all-girl stunt groups with 3-4 co-ed couples) and White Team (3-4 all-girl stunt groups with 3-4 co-ed couples) once mandatory practices start in August.

    SCORING PROCESS

        ENTRANCE (10 Points) Tryout participants will tumble out with their tryout group on the hard wood floor as if they were tumbling out for a basketball time out or when our football team scores a touchdown.  THE DIFFICULTY OF THE PASS WILL NOT BE SCORED DURING THE ENTRANCE PORTION OF THE TRYOUT.  Participants will be scored on the how confident they are when they tumble out.  Those that hesitate or stop mid-pass will receive 0 points on this category.  Males are not required to tumble, however, it is a bonus for those that can.

        SPIRIT (10 Points) Female participants will be expected to spirit to their position.  Those that SMILE, exude confidence, use sharp motions, those that throw random skills (kicks, jumps, handsprings, tucks, etc.), and have lots of energy will be scored the highest.  Again, difficulty of skills will not be scored during this section- the focus is spirit, energy and enthusiasm.

        TUMBLING (10 points for standing tumbling,  10 points for running tumbling) Each person will be expected to throw their most difficult standing and running tumbling skills on a regular cheerleading mat.  Those that hesitate for a long time or crash on their skill will receive 0 points for this category.  Participants are encouraged to throw safe skills that they have mastered prior to tryouts.  The University of Maryland Cheerleading staff will NOT provide spots at tryouts.  The minimum gymnastics requirement to tryout for the Spirit Squad as a female base is a standing tuck.  The minimum gymnastics requirement to tryout as a flyer is a standing back-handspring.  All standing and running passes will receive a 10 point bonus for passes that include and land a full twisting layout.  Males are not required to tumble, however, it is a bonus for those that can. 

        FIGHT SONG (10 points) Participants will be perform the University of Maryland “Victory” fight song to music.  They will be judged on confidence, energy, motions, smiling, pom usage, sign usage, and ability to throw their standing tumbling (handspring or tuck) within the routine without hesitation. 

        CHEER (10 points) Participants will be judged on crowd leading ability.  The judges will be looking for confidence, sharp motions, strong voice and spirit during and after the cheer.  Males will use a megaphone (provided by Maryland).  Males will be scored on strong voice and confidence.

        JUMPS (10 points) Participants will be expected to throw 3 consecutive jumps.  1 of the 3 jumps must be a toe-touch.  The other 2 jumps can be toe-touches or other advanced jumps.  Participants will be scored on proper technique and the height of the jump.  Motion technique should be strong during the jump approach and toes should be pointed.

        STUNT (10 Points) Participants will be required to perform the most difficult stunt or series of stunts that they can do with the group that they have available.  Flyers will be judged on flexibility and twisting technique.  Flyers that can demonstrate the following skills will be scored the highest: heel stretch, bow-in arrow, scale, scorpion and arabesque.   Flyers that can double twist dismount will be scored higher.  For bases, judges are looking to make sure that participants use their legs when executing the stunt, provide a strong pop for the dismount, and that they catch high and absorb on the cradle.  Males will be required to demonstrate their most difficult unassisted co-ed partner stunt.  A mat will be available for this portion of the tryout.

        FITNESS (10 Points) Each participant will be given a score on the appearance of their physical fitness.  Spirit Squad Team members are expected to run a mile in 8 minutes once practice starts in August and team members regularly run 30 minutes before each practice.  It is strongly encouraged that participants that try out participate in regular cardiovascular activities and lift weights prior to tryouts in order to demonstrate exceptional fitness at tryouts.  As Division I collegiate athletes, team members are expected to maintain a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index).

        COLLEGIATE APPEARANCE (10 Points) Participants should look their best!   Female participants should wear full hair and make-up.  Hair should be half-up, half-down with a red bow.  Participants can feel free to pick a style (curly or straight) that best suits them.  Make-up should include natural colors, applied heavily (performance make-up), including red lipstick.  All participants are expected to wear a black sports bra and black cheer shorts or fitted spandex shorts.  All tattoos should be fully covered, all jewelry must be removed (covering piercings with tape is not acceptable), and all finger nails should short and safe. Male participants should well groomed and wear a white t-shirt and dark athletic shorts.

        OVERALL ENERGY, ENTHUSIASM, SMILES, CONFIDENCE (10 Points) Being a spirit cheerleader requires a lot of energy and confidence!! Participants should be enthusiastic, confident and smile throughout the tryout process!

        OVERALL IMPRESSION (10 Points) Participants will be scored on their overall impression including confidence, posture, knowledge of material, energy.

    *Please note: no prior cheerleading experience is necessary for males.  Male participants should be athletic and in good physical condition.  Stunting skills will be taught at the time of tryouts.

    TRYOUT PREPARATION TIPS

        SPIRIT SQUAD TRYOUT TIP #1: Skills (gymnastics, stunting, etc.) are very important to being on the Spirit Squad, as with any college program; however, being a good cheer"leader" is also very important.  We look for people that have the whole package; therefore, tryout participants should make sure that their motions and facials are strong.

        SPIRIT SQUAD TRYOUT TIP #2: It's strongly recommended that tryout participants attend a College Prep Clinic hosted by the University of Maryland Spirit Squad.  The tryout material (dance, fight song, cheer, etc.)  will be taught at the clinic, therefore all of the participants that attend the clinic will have several months to practice the material before live tryouts.  Click here for the 2010-2011 college prep clinic information.

        SPIRIT SQUAD TRYOUT TIP #3: Be in exceptional physical shape (you should be running, weight training, etc. prior to tryouts).

        SPIRIT SQUAD TRYOUT TIP #4: Be prepared to throw your tumbling on a regular cheer mat.  The Spirit Squad cheers on grass and gym floor, in addition, the NCA College National Championship is on a regular cheer floor.  Therefore, the skills that you can do on a spring floor are no longer relevant in college.  Please be mentally prepare for that change.

       

VIDEO TRYOUT INFORMATION (SPIRIT SQUAD)

It is strongly recommended that participants tryout in person; however, video tryouts are available.  Video tryouts must be postmarked 14 calendar days prior to the live tryouts.  If you need to tryout by video, please follow the steps below:

      Step #1: Write a letter to the coaching staff explaining why you cannot attend the live Spirit Squad spring tryouts.   You will need to include this letter with your video.

      Step #3: Video tape the skills below.  Make sure that you are dressed in appropriate tryout attire: females should be in a sports bra and cheer shorts, with full hair and make-up, as if you were trying out in person;   Males should wear an athletic shirt and shorts.  Please make sure that your VHS video tape or DVD is labeled with your name, telephone number, and email address.

        FEMALE VIDEO CONTENT

          STANDING AND RUNNING TUMBLING: You may show as many standing and running tumbling skills as you want; since you are not trying out in person, the more we know about you, the better.  You should show all of the skills that you write on your application.  All tumbling skills should be performed on a non-spring floor surface with shoes on.

          DANCE: Show 4 or more 8-counts of any dance.  You do not need to make up this dance; it can be from one of your routines.  **Judges Tip** Judges will be looking for sharp, crisp motions, performed at a fast pace, while still exemplifying rhythm and dance ability.  Make sure that you smile and use genuine facial expressions (look like you are having fun).

          CHEER: Show a cheer or chant.  You do not need to make up a cheer; it can be one of your high school cheers or from an all-star routine.  **Judges Tip** Judges will be looking for sharp, crisp motions executed with proper technique.  Make sure that you smile and use genuine facial expressions (look like you are having fun).  Make sure your voice is strong and confident.

          JUMPS: Demonstrate 3 consecutive jumps.  1 of the 3 jumps must be a toe-touch.  The other 2 jumps can be toe-touches, or you can perform other advanced jumps.  **Judges Tip** You will be scored on proper technique and the height of your jump.  Make sure your motion technique is strong during your jump approach and make sure you toes are pointed.

          STUNTS: You should demonstrate at least two stunting skills.  If you can perform combination stunts or creative stunts, you should show them.  If you can perform multiple positions, for example, if you can base and fly, or base and back spot, demonstrate it on your video.  Flyers, you do not have to co-ed stunt for your video.  The University of Maryland Spirit Squad is a small co-ed team, therefore, most flyers will all-girl stunt.  **Judges Tip** The judges will not be looking at whether or not you are co-ed or all-girl stunting, they will be looking at your flexibility, flying and twisting technique.  Flyers, if you do not have a strong enough stunt group to demonstrate your flexibility, then show it on the ground.  Flyers that can demonstrate the following skills will be scored the highest: heel stretch, bow-in arrow, scale, scorpion and arabesque.   Flyers that can double twist dismount will be scored higher.  Bases, judges are looking to make sure that you use your legs when executing your stunt, provide a strong pop for the dismount, and that you catch high and absorb on your cradle.

          INTERVIEW: Tell us a about yourself!  **Judges Tip** Tell us something interesting about yourself and/or your family, something that is completely unrelated to cheerleading, that will make the judges remember you.

        MALE VIDEO CONTENT

          STANDING AND RUNNING TUMBLING: Gymnastics is not a requirement for males, however, having gymnastics skills is definitely desired.  If you have any standing or running tumbling skills please demonstrate them on your video.

           

          CHEER: Show a cheer or chant.  You do not need to make up a cheer; it can be one of your high school cheers or from an all-star routine.  Judges will be looking for sharp, crisp motions executed with proper technique.  Make sure your voice is strong and confident.

          STUNTS: You should demonstrate at least two of you most difficult stunting skills. 

          INTERVIEW: Tell us about yourself!

      Step #4:  Mail your Tryout Application and Video to:

      University of Maryland Spirit Squad
      Attention: Coach Jamie Little
      Comcast Center, University of Maryland
      Terrapin Trail
      College Park, MD 20742

      Step #5: Call or e-mail Coach Jamie Little (JLLittle@umd.edu or 301-314-2358) to verify that your application and tryout video are received.