Tryout Dilemma: fall vs. spring

[Sonrisa23]

Ever since I've been coaching and even when I was a cheerleader at my former HS, we always had cheerleading tryouts in the Spring (somewhere between April and June). Our athletic director is not allowing us to hold tryouts in the spring anymore and is making it mandatory to hold tryouts in the fall. Any advice to have a good outcome for tryouts and a successful year???

Thanks!

[RPCmme]

The expectation of "fall tryouts"...is that prior to the start of school, before fall sports' games begin, or anytime prior to midterms?

[Kong]

Is this a decision exclusive to your school or is this because cheerleading is considered a sport in your state?  If the former is the case, you may want to make a case as to why it is much safer for cheerleading coaches to pick their squads and begin going through progressions (stunts) PRIOR to the fall.  If it's the later, I'm sure some coaches here who have the same problem (cheerleading is a sport) can give you some sound advice.

Good luck!

Kong

[DubleDwn]

I have a similar problem.  This is a my first year coaching at this particular school and they began the hiring process late in the school year so there was no way to hold try outs.  Now we have to hold them in the fall.  Any advice on how to make tryouts successful would be appreciated.

[RPCmme]

Prior to knowing when the tryouts need to be held, my first piece of advice is to not try to get tryouts completed too quickly.  Give yourself a week or so to advertise, promote, alert, and encourage applicants to tryout.  The beginning of the school year is such a hectic time, so make sure that you have the best crew from which to select squads.

Also, make the tryout routine/material similar, if not exactly, what you would like at games or the pep assemblies.  This would allow for a smooth and quick transition from tryouts to game preparation to game readiness.

[Diptera]

Our tryouts for any sport/club/activity are always in the September when we go back to school; and that is the same for the rest of the UK. I find it a really strange concept to organise teams and clubs before the start of a new school year, especially as some are held really early on! We take the first week/10 days to promote what we are doing, speak about it in assemblies and form time and also take the opportunity in lessons. This next year with my new cheerleading squad I will be doing short demos in each assembly and showing a video clip of our performance. Usually by the start of the third week back every thing is settles, organised and running.

[Sonrisa23]

Thank you to all who have replied.

We are holding tryouts the first week in September. (The most craziest time of year).

I just think it is not safe to put our cheerleaders at risk by holding tryouts so late. It's absurd.