Expert: Kimmi - 3/7/2010

Question
I have junior varsity tryouts on march 26th and i am nervous.....i have a roundoff back tuck on spring floor but not on dead floor and we tryout on dead floor should i throw i have done it once or twice on grass. i have a back handspring and i have been on a gymnastics team for a year and a cheerleader for 3 years what are my chances of making because i am going up against for other rising freshman and 12 returning sophmores im scared because i wanna make the team really badly. oh and i am trying out as  a flyer....one problem i have never flown i have always been the base and im scared to fly how do i hide that im scared and get through flying with out freaking out?

Answer
Hi Hayley,

  First of all, I can't tell you whether or not you're going to make the team because I don't know what the coach is asking for - like if she/he wants everyone to have back tucks or what. Also, I don't know the skill levels of the other people trying out.

  Next, don't throw a trick on a bare floor unless you're ready. Make sure your coach knows that you have the trick and can perform it. If she wants to see you do it on the floor, maybe she can spot you.

  Finally, are you trying out as a flyer because you want to be a flyer or is someone telling you to. Because if you don't want to be a flyer, no one should force you. If you do want to be a flyer, the best way to get over your fear is to keep breathing, trust the people basing you, and pick something to spot and keep your eye on it the entire time.

Good luck on your tryouts! Let me know how it goes!

Happy Cheering,
Kimmi