• There are 10 categories at 10 points each. 

• A score of 0 will only be given if no material is presented.

• A score of 1-3 will be given for a presentation of skills that need improvement or is below average for that catagory. 

• A score of 4-6 will be given for a presentation of skills that are average, but still need improvement in the catagory.

• A score of 7-10 will be given for a presentation of skill that are ABOVE average and show expertise/mastery of the category. 

• Tumbling (Running and Standing) a pre-determined points. We will take away a point for poor execution, and also can give an addition point for technical excellence.  

• Overall Athletic Ability is the only subjective category, given by coaches and is determined by coachability, general athletic ability and for coaches to determine if the athlete could show improvement or pick up material quickly. We look at athletes mental ability to be able to handle the team they make 

• All other category ranges are described on the scoresheet. 

Process:

• During clinics, we will teach a cheer and a dance. You will be scored on how quickly you pick up material, cheer technique and work as a teammate. We will stunt, tumble and jump. 

• Stunting will be set groups by coaches, then we will continuously swap out positions for athletes to show versatility. Candidates will be judged on how well they adapt, what skills that can do with multiple flyers/positions, and how they work with others. 

Each candidate will then be organized by grade level and alphabetical order. You will be divided into groups or (pods) of 3 to complete the formal evaluation in. 

Formal evaluation:

Each pod (group of 3) will enter the gym together. 

in order, each will individually perform their jumps, and spirit off the the side, where they will wait for their pod to all complete jumps. 

After jumps, all pod members will line up in order and complete the:

1. Cheer

2. Fight Song

3. Dance 

There will be no "re-dos" and each pod will only perform each item once. 

After complete, the group of 3 may exit the gym and stay in the locker room until a coach dismisses them.

• After tryouts are complete, we will sort the scores from HIGH to LOW.

• The top scoring 10th-12th graders will move to Varsity. If a 12th grader doesn't get within the top scores, or fall within the varsity score break, they will not make a squad. 

• At the score break or number break, we will then put the next top scoring 10-11th (potentially 9th depending on numbers) graders on JV. If a 10-11th grader doesn't fall within the natural score break, they will not make a squad as they can not be placed on the 9th grade team. 

• We will then place the highest scoring 9th graders on the 9th grade team team and look for the natural break in scores. If a candidate doesn't stay within the natural break, they will not make a team. 

Injury Guidelines

In the case that an athlete is injured and wishes to tryout, the following must be met:

1. A doctors note stating what they can and cannot participate in, and the estimated date of clearance.

2. A video within 1 year of the tryout date of the skills needed to score. If no video within a year can be provided, the cheerleader must participate to the best of their ability. We reserve the right to reach out to all-star gyms to verify video/skill dates. 

-For full credit, the video must be on hard, non-spring floor. This would include Grass, turf, pavement, hard gym floor or traditional cheer flooring with no springs under. 

-If the video is on cheer or gymnastics spring floor, 1 point will be deducted from the skills value. (Ex: A standing Back Handspring on hard floor is 5 points. If the video is on spring floor, you will only be given 4 points to make it fair to those completing skills on hard floor). 

- Trampoline, air-track, rod floor and other spring/air training surfaces will not be accepted, as these skills are not mastered. 

-Only Jumps, Tumbling and stunts may be omitted with the video guidelines. The cheerleader must participate to their best of their ability in cheer, dance and all other categories.

3. In the case of concussion, or the severe bodily injury of the cheerleader, which would cause a cheerleader to not be able to participate in ANY part the tryout process, The cheerleader would be eligible to complete a late tryout at the time of their clearance under the "MHS late tryout" guidelines. This however, must be completed by May 9th. (six weeks before camp)