How to Write a Cheer for Tryouts

Trying out for a cheerleading squad is a nerve wracking experience. Whether it's a high school, college or professional squad you're auditioning for, a major factor in determining whether or not you make the cut is the cheer you perform on audition day. While it might seem simple, writing a good cheer for cheerleading tryouts takes some research into the team you are trying out for, as well as some creativity in choosing original wording.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper and pen
  • Rhyming dictionary (Optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Do some research on the team you are trying out for to determine their colors and mascot (if they have one). The best cheerleading cheers are ones that include a personal element of the team within the chant, so keep in mind team symbols when writing your cheer later on. One of the first cheerleading teams ever, founded at Princeton University in 1870, used cheers that focused solely on their mascot, a tiger.

    • 2

      Think of words that rhyme with the team colors, mascot or team name. An important element of writing a good cheer is making it original; don't simply replace well known cheers with your team's characteristics. Make sure your cheer has original rhymes and rhythms. Write down each word and the rhyming words you have selected to go with them.

    • 3

      Choose a few "power words" that you would like to incorporate into your cheer. These are words that serve as motivational tools for the team you are cheering for as well as calls for fan support. They can include words such as "Go," "Fight" or "Win." The most important part of a cheer is motivating the crowd and getting the spectators pumped up, so make sure your cheer reflects your understanding of this important principle. Make a list of your power words.

    • 4

      Write down your rhyming words, team characteristics and power words in paragraphs of four lines. Do not worry about the rhythm or flow of the cheer yet. Do this multiple times using many different combinations.

    • 5

      Choose one of the combinations you have put together and tweak it a bit to make sure it includes your team colors, name or mascot, as well as at least one power word. If you need filler for your cheer, add in elements of the sport you are cheering for or any sport in general. For example, "Defense," "Score" and "Attack" are all general filler words that apply to any sport.

    • 6

      As a final touch, insert physical elements such as claps and stomps to your cheer to really make yourself stand out at tryouts. Claps and stomps are an integral part of any cheer; despite the fact that most tryouts don't call for recruits to invent entire choreographies, inserting these important elements will set you ahead of the competition.