Expert: James - 1/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hey I'm Samantha, I'm 13 and I would love to try out for junior varsity next year! My sister says that I might be too old since I can't do any stunts or tumbling. I weigh 128 pounds am I also too fat? So basically I want to know if I'm to old and if not what should I do to get started if my mom doesn't have a lot of money? and am I too fat? Should I work out?
please please help me this is my dream :)

ANSWER: First off you are never too old, granted I'm a guy which does have its differences but I never did my first stunt until I was 23. As far as "too fat" don't speak about yourself that way. No matter what you weigh you are going to want to work out. Granted at 128lbs you're not going to be a flyer so you want to do pushups, situps, and run to gain strength so you can become a base. Your mother not having alot of money will not hurt you as long as you want to tryout for a school squad and not an all-star squad (which you would have to pay for). Rule #1, never ever ever give up on your dream, even if you get cut once. I got cut the first time I tried out and then I ended up being a college cheerleader for 3 years and captain of the squad my last year so you can't give up. First you need to either find a friend at school who is a cheerleader or talk to the coach and ask them what they look for at tryouts that way  you know specifically what to do and what they look for. Then as I said you need to jog (you can start out walking and build your way up) and some other cardio (i.e. jumping jacks or jump rope) and as I said before and pushups & situps and any other exercises the coach might suggest. Good luck.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you. You suggested going for a school squad, which I was planning on doing, but my parents are pretty set on moving this summer. I'm in 8th grade and I've been told that I need to try out for junior varsity cheerleading at the end of 8th grade for 9th grade. The problem is that I'm not sure what high school I'll be going to so how will I try out for junior varsity?
Also I would like to try some dancing like dance teams and such.. so what should I practice before I try out for dance?

Answer
That may be true, this could fall under the never give up category. You might have to practice all next year and speak with the coach etc.. and then tryout to cheer for your 10th grade year. That is I mean if you don't know where you're moving to yet or have no way of getting there for tryouts. Don't let that shake you though, as I said rule #1 is never to give up. As far as dance teams go I honestly have no experience with them. I'd search here on allexperts to see if there are any volunteers for dancing and if not i'd ask one of the female cheerleaders on here. They typically have alot more experience with dancing than us guys do..lol. Good luck again, i'm sure if you don't give up and try as hard as it seems you will that you'll succeed.