Expert: Pamela Enders - 4/11/2011

Question
My tryouts are in a month. And I feel really discouraged. I have a really great coach and I also am a great tumbler. But the problem is that there are going to be a lot of girls trying out for cheer this year because they have built a new school and a lot of girls that cheered the year before are going to try out. Also there are girls that are beyond perfect. I was wondering what I could do to feel like I have a chance at making it.

Answer
Dear Cindy,

Please check out my blog which has lots of articles about how to prepare for tryouts.  Or consider purchasing my program - The Mental Game of Cheerleding: Tryouts which can be found under "Cheer Tools" on my blog - http://www.confidentcheerleadingblog.com

Please remember that your attitude and behavior are very important to the judges/coaches.  Several told me recently that they'd rather have someone who is motivated and has a good disposition than someone who is an ace athlete.

Truly, your attitude is critical.  Judges/coaches like cheerleaders who are warm, friendly, enthusiastic, eager to learn, helpful to others, etc.  Show those characteristics and you'll be ahead of the game.

Realize that you have no control over who else tries out or how good they are so don't waste time on fretting about things you have no control over!  Instead, focus on things you DO have control over like your attitude, getting enough rest, putting in the time to practice and getting ready for the big day.

Be sure you find out from a reliable source, like the coaches, exactly what the requuirments are.  Show some initiative and they will like that!

You can practice getting your nerves under control by doing this simple exercise: close your eyes and exhale as slowly as you can, letting out all of your breath.  Repeat this 3 to 5 times and tell yourself, "with each out breath I am relaxing more and more."  Then right before you go in front of the judges, exhale slowly a few times to re-connect with that sense of inner calm.

Smiling is important but smile like you mean it!  Connect with your audience!  Practice at home in front of the mirror and also set up a room with pillows or stuffed animals to act like the "audience" and cheer in front of them with the intent of smiling and connecting with them.

Use visualization.  Close your eyes, get yourself relaxed, and "see" yourself, with your mind's eye at the tryouts peforming well.  Really enjoy the image and create a "power word" for that image.  Repeat this over and over.  Then, at the tryouts, repeat your power word to yourself to reconnect with that positive image.

Ok - good luck!

Dr. Pam
http://www.confidentcheerleadingblog.com