MSU Spirit Squad Tryout Tips

Be True Maroon by being a part of one of the Mississippi State University Spirit Squads! Coed & All Girl Cheerleaders, Pom Squad dancers, and the Bully mascot program all fall under the Spirit Squad umbrella. Tryouts are May 9-10 for coed and May 10-11 for All-Girl at the Palmeiro Center. You must register online to be eligible, and registration ends May 8th.

· The co-ed squad cheers at all football games, men's and women's home basketball games and home SEC volleyball games.

· The all-girl squad cheers at home football games and select away games, men's and women's home basketball games, and home SEC volleyball games.

· The Pom Squad attends home football games, men's and women's home basketball games and home SEC volleyball games. They also do performances at various home football games, men's and women's home basketball games, home SEC volleyball games and various other events on campus.

If you or your student is thinking/planning on trying out for Mississippi State Cheer, here are 10 tips from a former Mississippi State Cheerleader to help you through the process!

1. SIMPLICITY IS KEY

Tryouts are not the place to try a brand-new skill and hope you land it. You want to be confident with what you’re performing, so stick to the skills you are comfortable with, and the judges will see you as a consistent athlete.

2. LOOK THE PART

Each cheerleading squad has a certain “look” to their team. Make sure you research what this looks like. You can do this by looking at cheer posters from previous years and looking at the veterans’ social media and seeing how they have dressed/looked for previous tryouts or gamedays. At tryouts, the judges will judge you on appearance, so make sure your hair, outfit, and makeup all look clean and put together.

3. HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE

No matter what happens on this day, always show that you have a positive attitude. The judges are constantly watching, and if you are sitting by yourself in a corner on your phone, this will not look good on you and they will take note of this. Be social and talk to others. Even if your stunt falls or you stumble on a tumbling pass, get up and smile and wave because they want to see that you can get back up and keep going with a smile on your face!

4. BE COACHABLE

The best athletes are willing to take advice from coaches and other athletes. The veterans know what they are doing, so if they correct your technique on a certain skill, LISTEN!

5. BE CONFIDENT

Whether you are a nervous wreck or feeling relaxed, look confident! This is a very positive trait when it comes to cheerleading because you will be performing in front of thousands constantly. Be LOUD and very interactive in the cheer portion of the tryout, because that is the most important part.

6. DON'T SHOW THAT YOU'RE NERVOUS

Tryouts are a very nerve-racking time for new candidates and veterans as well. Take a deep breath, visualize your tumbling pass or stunt, and put a smile on your face. Act like you know what you’re doing. It always helped me to take a few deep breaths and talk to my partner before we competed. We had a handshake we did before every stunt and every competition, and that helped with both of our nerves.

7. BE A TEAM PLAYER

Coaches and judges are looking for team players. They want people on their teams who are easy to work with and get along well with the team. Cheer other people on while they are trying out! During past tryouts, everyone was able to watch as you tried out. This can be a good thing because you can have people cheering you on!

8. BE VERSATILE

Be flexible. On all-girl for example, if the coach asks you to switch positions, you want to have experience in that other position. If you are a side base, for example, practice maining as well so that you won’t be caught off guard if asked to switch for a stunt.

9. ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE

No matter what the outcome of the weekend is, trying out for college cheer is an experience like no other. You meet so many new people, and are placed in an atmosphere you’ve most likely never been in before. Take it all in and enjoy it!

There is absolutely nothing like cheering at a home football game in front of 50,000 cheering fans! It is the experience of a lifetime and you will make friendships for a life time!

For more information about Mississippi State Cheer Tryouts, visit their website.