Athletes who wish to be considered for a Competition Squad must participate in the formal tryout process. Tryouts help ensure fair evaluation and proper placement based on foundational cheer skills, performance quality, and overall readiness. Tryout scores will be used to help divide the squad evenly by skill and cuts may be made.  The coordinator(s) and coaches DO NOT judge tryouts - outside judges are hired. If your child does not make a competition squad, they will be placed on a sideline squad.

Tryout Requirements

Tryouts include a dance routine, cheer, jumps, and optional tumbling. Tumbling is NOT required and counts for only a very small portion of the overall score. This is a recreational competitive program—not an All‑Star program—so judges focus on foundational cheer skills such as sharp motions, strong voice projection, timing, and enthusiasm. An All‑Star background is not needed to make the squad.

Senior teen coaches from the Seneca Valley High School Cheer program will lead instruction during tryout week.

Tryout Attire

• Black shorts
• Plain white top (no logos)
• White ankle socks
• Clean, mostly white tennis shoes
• Hair pulled back with a small black, blue, or white tie‑back
• No jewelry, nail polish, scrunchies, ribbons, or “cheer” shorts

Judge Categories

The judges will be considering:

• Appearance - neatness, clean shoes, hair pulled back, etc.
• Personality Projection - eye contact, smile, facials, etc.
• Individual Form - timing, rhythm, precise motions
• Group Cheer - timing and unity with group
• Voice Projection - clear, loud and natural
• Spirit - enthusiasm, ability to motivate crowd
• Jumps - form and height
• Tumbling - technique and form - tumbling is NOT required and only accounts for a very small portion of the score.
• Dance Routine - rhythm and movement
• Overall Performance - overall technique, ability to motivate, energy, etc.

Tryout Procedure

All girls will be identified by number only. Numbers will be picked at random Wednesday night, before tryouts on Thursday. Former cheerleaders will not be identified as such, nor will they receive points for previous cheerleading experience and further, no cheerleader will be guaranteed a spot regardless of previous participation on a competitive squad. Girls will be trying out in groups of 3 or 4, in order of the numbers they have selected. They will try out in front of a panel of 3- 4 qualified judges.

1. Arrive on time (tryouts begin promptly at 5:00 p.m.) and check-in. Parents/guardians will only be permitted in the lobby.
2. Warm-up in the lobby. Make an effort to stretch and warm up prior to arrival.
3. Girls will be dismissed to the lobby when they have completed their tryout.

Advice

SMILE!! Maintain good eye contact with the Judges. Be enthusiastic and natural. Confidence and high energy go a long way

Maintain good posture with feet shoulder width apart and your fists on your waist. You may be asked to repeat a stunt, cheer, chant or dance routine without being penalized.

Remember, the judges understand that everyone will be nervous, but what happens in that room for those 5 minutes is what counts!

Results

Those making the competitive squads will have results posted later that evening via email and on the Facebook Parent Page. They will be posted by number only in ascending order, not by total points scored. Please remember your tryout number. Please do not contact the Coordinators prior to this time for results.  Should you have any questions in regards to results, please email the cheer coordinator inbox: svcheeritloud@gmail.com. Sideline cheerleaders will be contacted by their coaches after coaches are identified.

Tryout practices and the actual tryouts are closed to parents/family members, with the exception of a very brief mandatory parent meeting which will be held during tryout week - Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Choreography Camp

Competitive choreography camp takes place July 27 - 31, 2026, from 8:00am - 10:00am at Top Gun.

It is MANDATORY for all girls wishing to be on the competitive squad to attend.  If you already have a vacation planned or intend to go on vacation during those dates DO NOT register for a Competitive Squad.