What Not to Do at Cheerleading Tryouts

To every athlete walking into cheerleading tryouts this season: we see you.

Coaches are just as excited—and just as anxious—as you are. Tryouts are a clean slate, the first look at a new team. We’re watching every detail, not because we want to catch you slipping, but because we want to build something strong. From the moment you enter the gym, evaluations begin. And while stunts and tumbling are part of the score sheet, there’s more to it than that.

These are the most common red flags we see at cheerleading tryouts. If you recognize yourself in any of them, use this as a reset. The goal is to help you succeed—not call you out.

1. Showing Up Late (and Unprepared)

Strike one: You walk in five minutes late.
Strike two: You’re holding a Starbucks cup.

You’re already behind. You’ve disrupted the schedule, distracted the room, and signaled that being on time—and fully ready—isn’t your priority. This isn’t just about one day. It’s about the season ahead. Are you the athlete we can rely on to be early, focused, and locked in?

Tryouts are your first impression. Make it count.

2. “I Only Fly”

One of the most common phrases that sends up a red flag is “I only fly.” That mindset limits you before we’ve even begun building stunt groups.

We only need so many flyers on a team. And the truth is, the most valuable athletes are the ones who can step into any role—flyer, base, back spot—and do what the team needs. If you truly want to stand out, show that you’re willing to adapt. Be the person who says, “Put me wherever you need me.” That’s what coaches remember.

3. Bringing a Negative Attitude

You throw a standing tuck and fall. It happens. But what you do next tells us more than the fall ever could.

If your first move is to punch the ground, roll your eyes, or storm off? That’s the red flag. Cheerleaders need resilience. The athletes who pop back up, smile, and ask, “Can I try that again?”—those are the ones we trust in pressure situations.

Your attitude under stress is part of your tryout, whether it’s written on a score sheet or not.

4. Acting Like You Already Made the Team

Some athletes walk in assuming their spot is secure. Maybe you were on the team last year. Maybe you’ve competed for years. None of that guarantees placement today.

Every team has new needs. Every season is different. The athletes who earn a spot are the ones who treat tryouts like it matters—because it does. Cheerleading tryouts are a reset button. Everyone starts fresh.

5. Asking “What Can You Do for Me?”

This one hurts to see as a coach. When athletes approach tryouts asking what they’ll get—lead roles, stunt positions, or perks—it signals the wrong focus.

A team doesn’t revolve around individual requests. A strong team is built on athletes who ask, “How can I help this group succeed?” Coaches remember the athletes who want to be part of something bigger than themselves.

6. Freezing When Things Go Wrong

You forget the dance. You miss a count. It happens to everyone. But freezing mid-routine and staring at the floor shows us something deeper—how you might react on competition day.

We’re not expecting perfection. We’re watching how you respond to mistakes. If you keep going, rejoin the group, and finish strong, that’s a green flag. We can work with that.

7. Trying to Be the Boss Instead of the Leader

There’s a difference between being helpful and being controlling. Every year, someone tries to fill the leadership gap left by seniors, and it comes out as bossy rather than supportive.

Saying “That’s not right” or correcting other athletes during tryouts isn’t leadership—it’s overstepping. Real leaders listen, encourage, and lead by example. Coaches are always observing how you interact with others, not just how you perform skills.

Final Advice from Your Coach

You won’t make or miss the team based on one skill. It’s your body language, your willingness to grow, your mindset when things get tough. Cheerleading tryouts are where we start building trust, and that starts with how you show up—on time, focused, coachable, and ready to be part of something bigger than yourself.

Give everything you’ve got. Hit those motions tight, stick your tumbling with confidence, and walk out knowing you did all you could. Most of all, make us remember your name for the right reasons.

Stay prepared for cheerleading tryouts all season long—visit cheerdaily.com.