TRYOUT CHECKLIST: (start here)

Tryout Clinics: May 13th, 14th, and 16th @ TBD (MMS or KTMS)

• MONDAY, May 13th: Tryout Clinic  

  • • JV & VARSITY: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM * session is for those trying out for JV or a Varsity team 

    • ELEMENTARY & MS:  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM * session is for those trying out for Elementary  / Middle School 

    • Parent Meeting 6:00PM-6:30PM for MS, JV & Varsity level Competition teams

•  TUESDAY, May 14th: Tryout Clinic 

  • • JV & VARSITY: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM * session is for those trying out for JV or a Varsity team 

    • ELEMENTARY & MS:  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM * session is for those trying out for Elementary  / Middle School

• THURSDAY, May 16th: Tryout Clinic  + North Early Tryout**

  • •  JV & VARSITY: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM * session is for those trying out for JV or a Varsity team

    •  JV & VARSITY:  6:30-8:30  * TBD Stunt tryouts + North (LNHS) Student tryouts  (more info to come)

    • ELEMENTARY & MS:  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM * session is for those trying out for Elementary  / Middle School

 
*athletes trying out to be placed on either MS or JV should attend only the JV sessions

**LNHS students that will be attending Prom can tryout on Thursday OR set up a private time earlier if ready. All other members should be trying out on May 18th. If you have any concerns please reach out to us via email!

Tryout Date: May 18th @ TBD (MMS or KTMS)

• SATURDAY, May 18th: TRYOUT DAY! (anticipated time frames, these may increase per registrations) 

  • •  Time blocks coming soon. (9AM-3PM) Each tryout will take about 5 minutes.

               Please see Q&A section below if there are conflict concerns with the dates above

Athletes will be broken into groups to work on all required material for the actual tryout on Saturday. Most of the time will be Coach led, however we will allow some free time for athletes to work on their own and ask questions!

The material taught is very similar to what we would have in a competitive routine and or on the sidelines. All of our squads work towards perfecting the same base skills. How these skills are performed is what's taken into consideration when determining squad placements. 

At these clinics coaches will also be observing soft skills such as:

• Ability to work with others (looking for those that are encouraging and inviting)

• Communication skills (asking for help when needed, listening when others are talking/teaching, paying attention)

• Participation (willing to try new skills, actively engaged in learning the material, following along with the group)

• Work ethic (if your skill didn't go as planned did you try again? looking for those that KEEP going and are willing to put in the extra reps!)

Practice Attire:

• Fitted athletic clothes. Sports bras must be worn under t-shirts, spandex shorts must be worn under loose fitting shorts

• NO JEWELRY! Please leave at home! If your cheerleader has earrings that cannot be removed they must have athletic tape covering the entire piercing (please note this is only an exception for tryouts, and it not encouraged if it can be avoided as it is a safety risk)

• Nails must be trimmed (long nails/fake nails are not allowed while stunting)

• Athletic shoes / cheer shoes if a returning member 

• Hair needs to be secured in a high/low pony. 

• Water bottles are encouraged! 

TRYOUT ATTIRE:

• Plain white/gray shirt (nothing related to Lakeville Cheerleading) 

• Black Shorts (please make sure black spandex shorts are worn under if shorts are loose fitting)

• Athletic Shoes / Cheer shoes if a returner 

• Hair should be completely pulled up into a high or low pony / all loose pieces should be slicked back and completely out of face

  • • Hair does NOT need to be styled in any particular manner, looking for it to simply be cleanly pulled back so we can see faces at all times!

• Makeup is completely optional!

TRYOUT PROCESS: 

• Athletes will check in with a staff member to receive their tryout number (to be worn on shirt). We recommend athletes to check in at least 15 minutes prior to their tryout time. Upon checking in a staff member will confirm the athletes grade & team they are trying out for. The tryout process itself will take about 5 minutes!

• There will be an area for athletes to warm up / stretch / review while waiting for their tryout time

• Once it is their time, a staff member will escort them to the tryout area

  • • • • Athletes will try out in groups of two in front of a small panel of judges

        • judges will let the athletes know which skill/material to perform

          • Tumbling (optional/skill of choice per squad requirements - examples forward roll/cartwheel/bridge/back walkover/handsprings/tuck.) Athletes should only perform skills they are comfortable to do and have done so safely prior. This is not the day to try something new.

          • Jumps

          • Sideline Cheer

          • Dance

          • Fight Song (Varsity only)

• After their tryout athletes will be free to go. Placements will be posted same day via email and social media. NOTE each team will have a mandatory parent meeting, see dates above. Parents will receive the season schedule, cost breakdowns and squad details upon team placements. This information will be emailed to the email used for the Tryout Registration in Community Ed.

Make sure to see team descriptions for tryout tips and expectations!

I have a conflict during the clinics or the tryout date, can I still tryout?

Please reach out to us via Email @ lakevillecheer@isd194.org to set up a private tryout. Thursday's clinic will be the preferred make up date, we cannot guarantee spots on specific teams to be available after Saturday. 

Will everyone be placed on a squad?

We do our best to have a squad option for all that are trying out! Alternate positions may be available on certain squads for those that aren't quite ready but show strong potential.

Can I tryout for multiple squads to increase chances of placement?

Yes! We highly encourage everyone to list the current squad & next level (assuming the commitment level is understood for both). Example a 6th grader can list both Elementary & Middle School. If they do not place on Middle School they will still be considered for Elementary. Please make sure to only list teams that you/your cheerleader is for sure able to commit to. Athletes can only participate on one comp team. Only one tryout is required.

Can I participate on multiple squads?

Yes, but only if the second squad is a sideline squad.. Please note that at the JV & Varsity Comp level, members are required to do Sideline as well.

What determines squad placements?

There are a lot of considerations that go into determining which squad will be best for each cheerleader. Higher level squads will require certain minimum skills however, effort and work ethic will always be taken into consideration. Generally when placing cheerleaders we always have to make sure it will be on a squad that they can continue to grow on, and that the squad as a whole would benefit from having them.

For competition teams: Team size & minimum stunt group requirements plays a large role. For example a squad size of 15 would require there to be a minimum of 3 full stunt groups (groups of 4) that are at the same progression. 

Please make sure to review the team descriptions for each squad's minimum skill expectations.

Some items that coaches will ask when placing an athlete are:

• Did they show strong effort and potential during the tryout clinics?

• Do they appear to be having fun, is this something they will truly enjoy and be passionate about ?

• Is there a position available for them on this squad that they can grow into?

• Do they meet the minimum expectations for this squad?

• Are they at or near the same progression as the majority of the group?

Additional Items we consider for current members wanting to move up a squad:

• Are they ready (both physically and mentally) for the added practices, harder skills, and additional commitment?

• Did they follow all program expectations the following season? (strong attendance, communication, work ethic, respectful to teammates and coaches, positive behavior & attitude )

• Did they progress in skills during the following season?  Soft skills count too!

• Are they currently working to improve skills outside of cheer? Does it appear they have been working even in the off season on skills at home or outside classes?

• Is there a stunting position available for them to continue to grow in?

  • Each squad will have min/max size requirements to stay competitive 

• Was communication between parents and coaching staff positive throughout the season?

What if I (cheerleader) do not have one of the skills listed for the required squad placements, should I still tryout/ could I still make the team?

We strongly to encourage you to tryout regardless. All other skills will be taken into consideration if only one of the minimum skills is not yet met.  We will always recognize athletes that are putting in the hard work and proving their potential. 

Will there be fundraising opportunities or any financial assistance ?

Our booster club works very hard to provide fundraising opportunities throughout the season (for Middle School and up) that can be used to help cover tuition and dues. If you have any specific questions or ideas for fundraising please contact our Booster @ LakevilleCheerBooster@gmail.com

Community Education has opportunities for program members that qualify for financial assistance. If you have any concerns about funding please feel free to reach out to Community ed to discuss possible options. 

I am in another sport that might conflict with practices / games / competitions, can I still do cheer?

Please discuss all concerns with a coach prior to Saturday's tryout. This sport requires complete squad participation, athletes will need to have all potential conflicts announced prior to the season starting.

LINK WILL BE AVAILABLE THE WEEK OF TRYOUTS