high school tryouts

[che08er]

My niece recently tried out for Varsity cheerleading at her high school.  All requirements needed for tryouts were met.  She is a three year cheerleader and this would have been her fourth year as a senior.  Unfortunately, for reasons we don't know, she did not make it.  Is this common in tryouts for one Senior out of 9 (only 5 were three year cheerleaders including her) not to make it?  Is it possible for my sister to ask to see judges sheets for her daughter? 

[Kong]

My niece recently tried out for Varsity cheerleading at her high school.  All requirements needed for tryouts were met.  She is a three year cheerleader and this would have been her fourth year as a senior.  Unfortunately, for reasons we don't know, she did not make it.  Is this common in tryouts for one Senior out of 9 (only 5 were three year cheerleaders including her) not to make it?  Is it possible for my sister to ask to see judges sheets for her daughter?

If your sister has questions about why your niece did not make the squad, there is no reason why she shouldn't ask the coach those questions.  The manner in which she asks may very well dictate the type of answer she receives.  For instance, if your sister has an accusatory or spiteful tone, the coach may be much less likely to give an answer.  If the questions are posed in a way to try to understand what she did wrong (even if she met all requirements for tryouts, she may not have met them with the same execution level as those who made te squad), then the coach may be more willing to answer the questions.

Also, don't expect the coach to release the score sheets to a parent or even let a parent see the score sheets.  Personally, I know of very few coaches who allow the score sheets to become public knowledge and even fewer who would show you the scores of anyone other than the child of that parent.  In other words, your sister may get to see her daughter's scores, but would not get to see how they compared to other scores at the tryouts.

I also wouldn't mention anything about her being the only senior to not make it or being only one of five three year cheerleaders to make it.  Most coaches, especially coaches of competitive programs, will take the best athletes, so the amount of years that someone has been on the squad are irrelevant.  If others have better skills, they will make the squad over a potential fourth year member...especially if they are underclassmen and will be around for several years.  Competitive coaches would want to look to build for the future, and a senior cannot help them in that capacity.

Good luck!

Kong

[LCSD1 coach]

I don't know about other coaches but I do let not only the parent but the participants to see THEIR score sheets.  NO ONE ELSES score sheets only theirs.

[che08er]

I knew some of you would have good suggestions, and answers, and I thank you.     I wish more schools would develop a system where the four year cheerleaders automatically make the squad, or better yet, let the coach pick her team and not outside judges.   

[Kong]

I absolutely agree that coaches should be able to pick their teams without outside judges.  All other athletic teams (with maybe the exception of a dance team) are able to choose their own teams, so why not cheerleading?  I do, however, have a problem with letting four year cheerleaders automatically make the squad.  It would allow the seniors to get empathetic and not work as hard (what would be their motivation to do well at tryouts).  As leaders, that would set a bad example for the underclassmen.

Kong

[coolcoach]

I can agree with you on the "choosing your own team" thing? I happen to choose my own team and wouldn't have it any other way.

However, I don't agree with automatically placing seniors on the team. I don't feel as though that's fair. This would mean EVERY senior would make it, even the ones who were habitually late, lazy, etc. the previous years. It breeds complacency. Making everyone work equally for a spot keeps everyone maintaining their skills and working their hardest.

[LCSD1 coach]

WE here in Wyoming are encouraged to pick our own squad.  I have always had judges but I do make the final decision.  And as far as seniors making it I'm sorry when you walk through my door there are no classes.  WE have no freshman, sophomore, juniors, or seniors.  We have a team.  Leave that seniority stuff at the door.  Everyone must try out.  I will not take a senior back if I think she is not right for the squad.  There is not I in TEAM but there is an I in Instructor and I make the decisions.  There was a little rumor going around our school that I always take seniors even if they have never cheered before.  I have cut several seniors and don't mind cutting when I feel its right.  I put an end th that rumor immediately by reminding some of the little girls that were spreading these rumors of the 4 seniors I cut last year.  I am only allowed 8 so I have to pick who I think will do the best on my squad.

[che08er]

I can agree with you on the "choosing your own team" thing? I happen to choose my own team and wouldn't have it any other way.

However, I don't agree with automatically placing seniors on the team. I don't feel as though that's fair. This would mean EVERY senior would make it, even the ones who were habitually late, lazy, etc. the previous years. It breeds complacency. Making everyone work equally for a spot keeps everyone maintaining their skills and working their hardest.

I can also agree with you at some point about the "Senior" girls automatically making it, but (you knew there would be a but) you weed out those that have those tendencies that you described.  Why keep someone on a squad that continually breaks the rules.  If they are habitual, then after so many times, they are off the squad, and must try out the next year.  The judges don't know the character of a girl, just that she can tumble, jump, stunt and look good on the floor.  I know that when my daughter was a cheerleader, character evaulations by the teachers were part of the scoring.

Again, I come back to the coach knows these girls better than an outside judge, and we need to be pushing for all those coaches out there who don't have this opportunity.  It's like Kong said "everybody else gets to pick there team, why not cheerleading coaches?"    

[che08er]

I don't know about other coaches but I do let not only the parent but the participants to see THEIR score sheets.  NO ONE ELSES score sheets only theirs.

I myself, nor my sister, would  want to see anyone elses score sheets.  That would definitely cause trouble.  I applaud you for allowing the parents and participants see their score sheets.

[che08er]

WE here in Wyoming are encouraged to pick our own squad.  I have always had judges but I do make the final decision.  And as far as seniors making it I'm sorry when you walk through my door there are no classes.  WE have no freshman, sophomore, juniors, or seniors.  We have a team.  Leave that seniority stuff at the door.  Everyone must try out.  I will not take a senior back if I think she is not right for the squad.  There is not I in TEAM but there is an I in Instructor and I make the decisions.  There was a little rumor going around our school that I always take seniors even if they have never cheered before.  I have cut several seniors and don't mind cutting when I feel its right.  I put an end th that rumor immediately by reminding some of the little girls that were spreading these rumors of the 4 seniors I cut last year.  I am only allowed 8 so I have to pick who I think will do the best on my squad.

And who better than the instructor/coach to pick her own squad.  "You" know these girls better than anyone else, and have that opportunity.  I can't imagine being a coach and not having an input as to  who is on my squad, and who is not.  I would be the one saying "ugh, one more year, just one more year"

[LCSD1 coach]

I can also agree with you at some point about the "Senior" girls automatically making it, but (you knew there would be a but) you weed out those that have those tendencies that you described.  Why keep someone on a squad that continually breaks the rules.  If they are habitual, then after so many times, they are off the squad, and must try out the next year.  The judges don't know the character of a girl, just that she can tumble, jump, stunt and look good on the floor.  I know that when my daughter was a cheerleader, character evaulations by the teachers were part of the scoring.

Some girls are known for stirring the pot.  Others get the senioritis (spelling) and feel that they don't have to live by the rules.  I kind of like a younger squad myself.  So if I have a girl that I have been having trouble with I don't care what she can do.  Bringing down the unity of the squad is one thing you can get kicked off for.  I certainly would not bring someone back if they were a problem child.

[che08er]

I can also agree with you at some point about the "Senior" girls automatically making it, but (you knew there would be a but) you weed out those that have those tendencies that you described.  Why keep someone on a squad that continually breaks the rules.  If they are habitual, then after so many times, they are off the squad, and must try out the next year.  The judges don't know the character of a girl, just that she can tumble, jump, stunt and look good on the floor.  I know that when my daughter was a cheerleader, character evaulations by the teachers were part of the scoring.

Some girls are known for stirring the pot.  Others get the senioritis (spelling) and feel that they don't have to live by the rules.  I kind of like a younger squad myself.  So if I have a girl that I have been having trouble with I don't care what she can do.  Bringing down the unity of the squad is one thing you can get kicked off for.  I certainly would not bring someone back if they were a problem child.

I love your view on things and especially love your quote at the bottom.

[bchscheer]

I know this situation must be hard for the cheerleader and her mom to handle.  Rather than the parent asking, what about the cheerleader?

For cheerleaders that don't make the teams that I coach, I let them know that if they have questions I would be happy to discuss it with them.  I actually won't discuss it with parents because they aren't there during clinics or tryouts so anything they had to say would be hearsay and nothing I have to say is going to make a difference for them.
Especially if the girls that are cut are underclassmen, I would want them to know what to work on for next year.  We are strictly game squads, not competative.

I can only imagine how tought is must be for your niece.  I would encourage her to talk with the judges herself - again remembering not to compare herself to others.  Ask what they would have liked to see different from her.

Good luck

[Chem]

My niece recently tried out for Varsity cheerleading at her high school.  All requirements needed for tryouts were met.  She is a three year cheerleader and this would have been her fourth year as a senior.  Unfortunately, for reasons we don't know, she did not make it.  Is this common in tryouts for one Senior out of 9 (only 5 were three year cheerleaders including her) not to make it?  Is it possible for my sister to ask to see judges sheets for her daughter? 

I have a similar situation

We asked to see my daughter's score sheets.  We wanted a meeting with the coach, & principal (she keeps the score sheets),  but instead the scores were just handed to us by another principal. 

I have a couple of questions about tryouts/score sheets, etc.  I hope you can help.
First they scored lower on 4 categories since last year, one being running tumbling.  A ROTuck last year was a 7, this year a RO HandTuck was two 6's and one 7.  I'm not sure if it was speed or what. 

The cheerleaders were told that if they did a standing tuck, even if they touched, they would get points. The team has to have some form of a tuck to try out, but most of the girls already had their running tucks or better.   I'm not sure where the points would be put because there is no category for that.   Can anyone tell me where that might go on the score sheet or would it more helpful if I typed the categories?

 We also noticed where they missed two ½ points of the score totaling another point.   Example her sheet said 210 and her actual score would have been 211.  Difference of 70.0 versus 70.3.  Should she bring that to their attention?   Any help is appreciated.

 

[dmjshriver]

I think it should be your niece who approaches the coach to talk to her about her scores. I feel at the high school level, girls should be able to voice their own concerns without parents interceeding. I am not sure exactly what her score sheet looked like, but often there are many factors that play a role in whether a candidate is chosen for a varsity team. Especially for veterans those can include her conduct and behavoir over the previous seasons, attendance at practice and events, how well did she work as a "team" member, etc. Also, if she holds a certain stunting position, were there an abundance of talented girls vying for that particular position? For example, at the end of the winter 2010 season all of my varsity back spotters will be graduating, so I am definitely looking for girls to step up and fill that need possibly as early as Fall 2009 season. In Fall 2010 I could definitely be in a position where a strong back spotter could make the team with weaker skills in let's say tumbling or jumps because the team needs to fill that position. This is where it is always to a girls advantage to be versitile. I do not have the luxury of a Freshman or JV team, nor am I allowed "alternates". So there can be many factors that ultimately determine whether a candidate is selected on a squad. I don't know if this helps, but I'm sure the coach could give your niece details about the selection process.

[ucaCHEERalum]

Ok...so, she is a senior...thats one tough nut.  Stinks that she didn't make it and I feel bad for her.  Requirements should really be called MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS - ok great you can do it...but what else can you give me?

Maybe I'm just a guy bein' a guy...but I don't see how going and asking the coach what she did wrong will help her in any way...honestly...if it isn't going to make a difference (which it more than likely won't) why go through the hassle of reliving the rejection (and hearing the truth about why she didn't make)

(sheesh - that makes me sound like I've been dumped a ton, oh well)

Now, if she wants to cheer in college, I would suggest that she contacts the school she wants to go to, get in touch with the cheer coach there and flat out ask what she needs to do to be ready to cheer for her school of choice.  She should go to games, any apperances, and or competitions that they might attend so she can get a feel for their "style" of cheerleading (some schools are really tight with their motions, others more casual, some jump & kick, others wouldn't dream of it, etc. etc.).

Also, I know that I give prospects that ask a copy of our male or female workout - heck the more prepared they are when they get to tryouts the better it is for me.

Just a different perspective I suppose - no use in dwelling on things you can't change.

[dmjshriver]

Sounds like good advice from cheeralum, keep looking forward...good luck!!