Expert: Nicole - 6/24/2009

Question
hey. i have a question about cheerleading. i tried out for my highschool cheerleading team last year (i was a freshman) and didn't make it. i was really upet because i have wanted to cheerlead for so long even as a little girl in elemantary school. lol but yeah i didn't make it and still wanna cheer but i'm scared about trying out again. i think one of the main reasons i didnt make it was because of my jumps..how do i get better at my jumps and should i tryout again....i mean do you know ppl who didn make your highschool team b4 but came back again n made it? i jus am scared of tryin again for the second time and not making it. what do you think?

Answer
If at first you don't succeed, KEEP TRYING! Of course you should go back if you feel comfortable. Show the coaches you can do it and can be a cheerleader. My best friend in fact did not make freshman year cheerleading, and when she was a senior she was VARSITY CAPTAIN. Now imagine if she didn't go back sophomore year? She never would have had such a rewarding position and she wouldn't know what she is capable of! If you have the confidence and drive to go back then by all means do so. Take the risk of being cut, because for all you know you may make it. Really think about your tryout from last year, and find what you can improve on. If you don't have any tumbling, maybe enroll in a basic tumbling or backhandspring class at a local cheerleading gym or gymnastics center. As far as your jumps, the key is to STRETCH. Sit in the splits, frog stretch, pike as much as you can! Also, doing basic jump drills like kicks and leg raises increase your muscle strength in your hip flexors to really get those jumps soaring. Most of all, practice and repetition make perfect on jumps. Keep confident and good luck at your tryouts!

Cheers, Nicole