Cheer Tryout Information (2024)

During the season, Angelo State will have one cheer team to serve the campus. The cheer team will attend select home athletic events, post-season games, skill-related program events, Admission, Office of Development, and San Angelo and campus community events. The team will be comprised of about 30 members.

The team will be required to practice six hours a week. This will include six skilled-focused team practices. Team members will also be required to attend two hours of study hall.

Team members are not required to have tumbling but is preferred. The stunting skill level required for the team will depend on the skills displayed at tryouts in the stunting section.

Required Forms

Students interested in trying out for either team are required to submit the following documents to be eligible. We are having summer tryouts for select open positions that we are looking to fill. Forms will close on June 28, 2024:

  • ASU Cheer Team Tryout Application
    Application if you are trying to join our team for the first time
  • Returning Team Member Tryout Application
    Application if you have already cheered at least one season at Angelo State.
  • ASU Cheer Tryout Release
    Please complete the Tryout Release PDF and submit the file at the ASU Cheer Tryout Release Form
  • ASU Cheer Tryout Head Shot Submission Form
    Headshot should be a forward-facing photo — does not have to be formal.
  • Insurance Proof Submission
  • Physical Submission
Cheer Tryout Information (1)

Tryout Dates and Location

  • When:
    • Applications for December Tryouts open Nov. 1, 2024
    • Applications for Spring Tryouts open Feb. 1, 2025
  • Where:
    • Ben Kelly Center for Human Performance

Tryout Format and Attire

Females: Plain black T-shirt (no words or graphics will be allowed), black spandex or athletic shorts, white socks, cheer shoes, white bow, low ponytail parted to the side of choice, and game-face ready.

Males: Black T-shirt (no words or graphics will be allowed), black shorts, white socks, and cheer shoes.

Candidates will take part in a two-round format. Round One will be conducted via video tryout, and Round Two will be in person, by invitation only.

Round One

Video submissions will be due by Dec. 1, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Candidates selected to advance to Round Two will be notified via email by 5 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2024.

Note: December Tryouts will only be open to current ASU students and accepted Spring Transfers for the upcoming Spring Semester only.

Round Two
In-Person Evaluations
  • Dec. 5, 2024, from 5:45 – 8 a.m.
Team Meeting
  • Virtual Team Meeting – Dec. 10, 2024, at 6 p.m.

Important dates: Move back in for the Spring Semester will be dependent on the basketball schedule.

Round One

Video submissions will be due by April 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Candidates selected to advance to Round Two will be notified via email by 5 p.m. on May 5, 2025.

Note: Spring Tryouts are open to current ASU students, transfer
students, and incoming students accepted to ASU.

Round Two
In-Person Evaluations
  • May 10, 2025, from 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Team Meeting
  • May 10, 2025, from 4 - 8 p.m.
    • 4 p.m. – Doors Open
    • 4:05 p.m. – Welcome and What to Expect
    • 4:20 p.m. – Uniform Fitting
    • 5 p.m. - Review Team Handbook
    • 7:30 p.m. - Candidate Signing


Round One

Video submissions will be reviewed within seven days of submission. Video submissions will close on June 28 at 11:59 p.m. Candidates selected to be on the team will be notified via email within seven days of submitted video footage. If submitted on June 28, applicants will be notified via email by 5 p.m. on July 3.

Note: Summer tryouts are open to current ASU students, transfer students and incoming students accepted to ASU.

TEAM MEETING
  • Virtual Team Meeting – July 3, 2024, at 6 p.m

Important dates: Move back in for the fall semester will occur
on July 28, 2024.

Round One

All applicants are required to submit a tryout application and the required
paperwork to be considered.

Videos are required to be submitted as a YouTube link. Please submit links
using the ASU Cheer Video Tryout Submission Form.

Video submissions for Round One must be submitted by the deadlines outlined below:

  • December Tryouts: Dec. 1, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
  • Spring Tryouts: April 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
  • Summer Tryouts: June 28, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

Video Format

  • Name
  • Age
  • Current high school, college, or gym

Note: Introductions should be filmed in an area away from loud
environments. Distractions can impact the overall score.

Note: Participants are required to complete the outlined skills in the order detailed below.

  • Game Day Spirit and Motion Technique
    • Perform sideline cheer
    • Perform ASU fight song
    • Perform ASU band chant

Note: Video examples of each routine can be found under the
“Additional Information” tab.

  • Jumps and Jumps to Skill - Please perform the following skills:
    • Right Hurdler
    • Toe Touch
    • Left Hurdler
    • Pike
    • Double Toe Touch to Standing Tumbling Skill
    • Double Toe Touch to Back Handspring
    • Double Toe Touch to Multiple + Back Handsprings
    • Double Toe Touch to Back Tuck
    • Double Toe Touch Full
    • Double Toe Touch Back Handspring Layout/Full

Please perform as many of the skills listed below as you can.

  • Running Tumbling
    • Round Off Back Handspring
    • Round Off Three + Back Handsprings
    • Round Off Back Handspring Back Tuck
    • Round Off Back Handspring Layout
    • Round Off Back Handspring Full
  • Standing Tumbling
    • Back handspring
    • Back handspring series (two or more connected)
    • Back Tuck (with or without back handspring)
    • Layout (with or without back handspring)
    • Standing full (with or without back handspring)

  • Males: Required to perform each of the group stunts listed and partner stunt. Two of the group stunts must be performed in two different positions.
  • Female Flyers: Required to perform each of the group stunts listed and partner stunt.
  • Female Non-Flyers: Required to perform each of the group stunts listed in
    a minimum of two different positions.
  • Female Multiple Positions: Required to perform each group stunts listed and partner stunts listed for female positions.

Note: If a candidate is unable to perform a skill that is listed, they
will not receive points toward their overall score for the stunts that were not showcased. Skills need to be performed at an extension level if possible.

Group Stunts (Bold)
  • Set One
    • Extension Pop Off
    • Extension full down / double down
    • Walk-in extension from the front pop off
    • Extension front flip
    • Full up to extension full down / double down
  • Set Two — One-leg Stunts
    • Liberty
    • Heel Stretch
    • Arabesque / front flip
    • Full Up Liberty Double Down
  • Set Three — Baskets
    • Straight ride
    • Toe touch
    • Twist/kick twist
    • Tuck/x out
Partner Stunts
  • Coed Partner Stunts
    • Shoulder stand
    • Chair sit
    • Assisted hands pop off
    • Assisted hands press extension pop off
    • Toss hands pop off
    • Toss hands press extension
  • All Girl Partner Stunts
    • Shoulder stand
    • Assisted hands pop off
    • Assisted hands press extension pop off

To review point breakdown for each stunt, visit the point breakdown.

Please read the question out loud before answering and follow the order of questions as listed below. Failure to follow the order of the questions as listed below may result in points lost.

  • Cultural fit
    • What does the ideal team culture look like to you?
    • How do you think you can contribute to our current team culture?
    • What does it mean to be a representative of Angelo State University?
  • Social skills
    • Which personality traits do you value on your team
    • What type of attitudes or behaviors do you think are beneficial to a team?
    • Please describe a conflict you had with a previous teammate and the ways in which you worked to resolve it.
  • Teamwork
    • How can a cheerleader showcase to their team that they are a team player?
    • How do you build a positive rapport with your teammate? How about your coaches?
    • Describe what being a part of a team means to you.
  • Self-awareness
    • Describe your biggest strengths and how you think they will be beneficial to the program.
    • Describe your biggest weaknesses and how you plan to improve upon them.
    • Please prioritize the following from most important to least important and explain why, work, school, family,
      cheer, and friends.
  • Interpersonal skills
    • Describe a past situation where you had to interact with “difficult people” and how you handled it.
    • Please describe your communication style between you and your teammates.
    • Please describe your communication style between you and your coach
  • Dependability/Accountability
    • Discuss your understanding of the word dependable and how it pertains to cheerleading.
    • How can a team member showcase that they are dependable to their coach?
    • When you make a mistake, how do you go about taking accountability for your actions?
  • Overall
    • What are your overall goals for the team for the season
    • What are your personal goals for the season?
    • Why should we choose you to be a member of our program?

Round Two (In Person)

Candidates will take part in an open practice-style format where they will review the Sideline Cheer, ASU Fight Song and Band Chant with the current team members.

Videos are posted in the “Additional Information” section.

Dates

In-person tryouts will be held on the dates outlined below:

  • December Tryouts: Dec. 5, 2024
  • Spring Tryouts: May 10, 2025

Schedule

  • Practice starts/warmups (dynamic warm-up, tumbling, jumps)
  • Perform fight song, cheer and band dance
  • Begin stunt open gym with team
  • Open skill work with team
  • Closing remarks

Along with the above categories, candidates can anticipate being evaluated on their intra/interpersonal skills, including but not limited to adaptability, self-management, verbal communication, non-verbal communication, listening skills and program fit.

Additional Information

  • Fully-funded program with no out-of-pocket cost to join
  • Scholarships of up to $1,000/year (waives out-of-state tuition)*
  • Paid uniforms and accessories
  • National competition opportunities
  • Paid travel expenses for out-of-town games and competitions
  • Meal per diems when traveling
  • Travel to all away football, post-season volleyball, and post-season basketball games
  • Access to an athletic trainer and athletic training facilities
  • Cheer for NCAA DII Athletics
  • Priority scheduling each semester

*The ASU Cheer Team has up to 32 scholarship positions and potentially 5-10 non-scholarship positions. The head cheer coach has the final call on the team size.

Current ASU Students

To qualify, current ASU students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher at the time of tryouts and be of full-time academic status in good standing with the university.

Incoming Transfer Students

Students transferring from another college or university must have been admitted to ASU at the time of tryouts and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Incoming Freshmen

Incoming freshmen must have been admitted to ASU at the time of tryouts.

Credit and GPA Requirement For Team Members

All members who make the ASU Cheer Team must be enrolled in and complete at least 12 credit hours each semester. Each member is also expected to maintain a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.0 and be in good standing with the university while on the team. Only the ASU cheerleading head coach may grant exceptions to the course load requirement. Any member who fails to maintain these requirements is subject to dismissal from the team.

Applicants who will be trying out via video submission, please get in touch with the head cheer coach at cheer@angelo.edu with any questions.

Questions? Contact Us!

Office of Student Life
325-942-2062
cheer@angelo.edu
Houston Harte University Center, Garden Level

Quick Links

Cheer Prep Clinics

Request for Cheerleaders

Request for Mascots

Request for Cheer Judges

Meet the Cheer Team

Cheer Tryout Information (2024)

FAQs

What to expect at a cheer tryout? ›

Jumping, Tumbling, and Stunting: If tryouts involve jumping or stunting, the senior members will walk you through the steps. For tumbling, you may be asked to do somersaults, cartwheels, or handstands. Don't worry, first-time cheerleaders, nobody expects you to whip out a back-handspring on your first day!

What do you need to know to join cheer? ›

Common skills needed at top colleges include quadruple pirouette, aerial (preferably both sides), advanced turns, and advanced jumps. Coaches evaluate a recruit's cheer performance, from voice projection to proper motion technique. Every school will ask to see the recruit perform their cheer and fight song.

What questions do they ask at cheer tryouts? ›

What do you think your best qualities are? What do you think you need to work on? What are your goals in cheer, in life? How would you promote positive relationships in the squad?

What is cheerleading tryouts? ›

Cheer tryouts usually vary by coach and age level, but all have mostly the same traits. A warm up, demonstration of skills learned and then the results. Some coaches may do open gyms leading up to the tryouts, some may do a 2–3 day tryout, it really just depends.

What not to do at cheer tryouts? ›

Here are 10 things not to do at tryouts!
  • Do NOT overdo it on makeup. Everyone in the cheer world knows: eyes, lips, and cheeks are a must. ...
  • Do NOT wing it. ...
  • Do NOT stay up late the night before. ...
  • Do NOT skip breakfast. ...
  • Do NOT over stress. ...
  • Do NOT be unprepared. ...
  • Do NOT frown. ...
  • Do NOT wear unnecessary accessories.
May 19, 2017

How do I prepare for cheerleading tryouts with no experience? ›

You need to learn a toe touch, herkie, pike, kicks, right, left, and center split, bow and arrow, bridge, punch, hands on hips, daggers, L, K, T, touchdown, buckets, candlesticks, diagonals, among other moves. Practice these every single day until tryouts.

What do girls wear to cheer tryouts? ›

For cheer tryouts, it's best to wear athletic shorts and tees/tanks and a sports bra to give you the best range of motion and flexibility. You will also want to be wearing cheer specific shoes to give yourself the best traction for your performance.

How do you get fit for cheer tryouts? ›

Sample Strength Training Workout for Cheerleaders
  1. Core Circuit (3 sets of each exercise) Plank (45 seconds) Russian twists (12 reps) Leg raises (12 reps)
  2. Upper Body Circuit (3 sets of each exercise) Push-ups (12 reps) Pull-ups (8 reps) ...
  3. Lower Body Circuit (3 sets of each exercise) Squats (12 reps) Lunges (12 reps per leg.

Do you have to be flexible to try out for cheer? ›

Your job as a potential teammate is to remain flexible. Be willing to try any position throughout cheer clinics! Your versatility as an athlete is far more impressive and valuable than being a one-trick pony.

How much should you weigh to be a flyer in cheer? ›

This erroneous belief has persisted for years, suggesting that only those of lighter weight can become flyers. But it's time to dispel this myth and reveal the truth: your weight does not matter when it comes to being a flyer in cheerleading.

Is 14 too old to start cheerleading? ›

There is no age limit for cheerleading so technically you can start cheering at any age!

Do you have to be fit to be a cheerleader? ›

All Star cheerleading as well as competitive high school and collegiate cheerleading require both physical exertion as well as skill when teams compete against one another at many of the cheerleading competitions that are held across the country.

What do you wear to cheer tryouts? ›

What to wear to cheer tryouts? For cheer tryouts, it's best to wear athletic shorts and tees/tanks and a sports bra to give you the best range of motion and flexibility. You will also want to be wearing cheer specific shoes to give yourself the best traction for your performance.

What to expect at your first cheer practice? ›

Warm up – Bring up heart rate and then stretch. Jumps – Jump conditioning, kicks, and 5 of each jump, jump combos, and the jump sequence in their upcoming routine. Tumbling – Warm up tumbling. Quick Announcements – Remember this is not a meeting practice.

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