Q: What if I don’t know what position I am in stunts?
A: That’s ok! The coaches can find a position to suit you and will teach you the necessary grips during tryouts. If you are an incoming or current TCHS Student (8th-11th grade for the 2024-2025 school year) we will be holding two clinics prior to tryouts (April 8th and 22nd) where we will work on stunting and tumbling. This is a great opportunity to get some practice before tryouts begin!
Q: What if I have experience in multiple stunt positions?
A: Great! We love versatile athletes. The needs of our program change year to year and its important that athletes are flexible and able to step in to any stunt position needed.
Q: Will we be picking our own stunt groups or do the coaches put together random groups?
A: Both! We understand that some girls have stunted together in the past and would like to show the coaches what they have been working on. We will, however, be moving people around throughout tryouts to see each athlete's versatility.
Q: Do I need previous experience to tryout?
A: No! One of the biggest things the coaches look for is dedication and coachability. You do not need to have prior experience so long as you show you are dedicated to learning the sport including tumbling and stunting skills.
Q: What are the tumbling requirements?
A: We are a competitive program and tumbling expectations are associated with that. The suggested tumbling is as follows:
Varsity: Standing Tuck, Cartwheel Tuck, Roundoff Backhandspring Tucks, Layouts, and Fulls
Junior Varsity: Standing and running Backhandspring Series, cartwheel backhandspring and Roundoff Tuck/Backhandspring Tuck
Q: Is it possible to make a team without the required tumbling?
A: Yes. The tumbling expectations are a guideline for the level we expect each team to be at. We do, however, look for well-rounded athletes so it is possible for an athlete to make a team without the suggested tumbling IF they excel in every other area of the sport (stunting, jumping, sideline presence, leadership, etc.) On the same token, it is also not guaranteed that having the suggested tumbling means you will make the associated team. The coaches look at the big picture while making all team selections. If you have Varsity level tumbling but are NOT at the Varsity level in stunting, motions, and sideline presence, the coaches may place you on JV until you are at the Varsity level in all other areas.
Q: What exactly do we do at tryouts? What is the material?
A: Each athlete is responsible for learning the tryout material AT HOME prior to tryouts from the videos sent out by the coaches. The tryout material will not be taught at tryouts. To give you an idea of the final evaluation, athletes will tryout in groups of 3. Each athlete will be asked to show their highest standing tumbling pass, highest running tumbling pass, toe touch, additional jump of their choice (hurdler, pike, double toe touch, etc.), sideline chant, and fight song. Additionally, all flyers must show their body positions (left AND right heel stretches and ONLY left scorpion, scale, and arabesque)
Q: How are the teams announced?
A: We announce our teams via Instagram @timbercreekcheer. Each athlete will be assigned a tryout number. We will post ONLY the numbers of the athletes who have made each team.
Q: Is it possible for a freshman to make Varsity?
A: Yes, but it is not common. High School cheer is VERY different than all-star cheer and it sometimes can take an athlete a year to learn the proper UCA sideline presence that is expected at the varsity level. A Freshman can, however, make the varsity team if they excel at ALL aspects of high school cheer at the varsity level (stunting, tumbling, jumps, and most importantly sideline presence including sign work!!)
Q: I’ve tried out in the past and did not make a team. Is it worth it to tryout again?
A: Yes! The needs of each team changes each year. If you are passionate about cheering for Timber Creek, always put yourself out there. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
Q: If we had a physical done for last year's tryout do we need to get another one?
A: Physicals are valid for one calendar year. If you have not received a new physical since last years tryout, it is likely you will need a new one. It is important to note the date your current physical expires and schedule a new physical and upload it to athletic clearance PRIOR to your physical expiring. Any athletes with an expired physical will not be able to participate in any practices, games, or competitions. Please visit the "physical instructions" tab for more info on how to be cleared for tryouts.
Q: Are there costs associated with TC Cheer?
A: Yes. All sideline athletes will have to purchase the practice wear from Varsity Spirit and all new athletes will be required to purchase the mandatory season items from Varsity Spirit like poms, bows, backpack, rain jacket, etc. In addition, our sideline athletes also pay for our 4 day stunt camp that we attend each summer at UCF. All uniforms are issued by the program and returned at the end of the season so there is no cost associated with uniforms. Any athletes who are selected for our competition team will also have competition fees when that season starts. All fees are broken down in the tryout packet which will be emailed to anyone who has filled out the tryout interest form.
Q: What are the clothing requirements for evaluations?
A: All athletes should wear a plain white t-shirt tucked in to black or purple athletic shorts (NOT nike pros or spandex), athletic shoes and socks, and hair pulled back away from the face with a bow. This photo is a good example of the expected attire for all athletes trying out. There is not a set dress code for the clinics on May 16th and 17th.
