2015 TRYOUT MANUAL

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2015 TRYOUT PACKET

This packet of information is a tool to help guide you through the selection of your new team! Included are suggestions on how to run your first meeting, as well as how to select judges for your tryouts.

We are your go to source for all things Spirit and Dance year-round! Do not hesitate to contact Matt Goto for all Spirit questions (mgoto@varsity.com) and Lauren Snook (lsnook@varsity.com) for all Dance questions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Tryout Checklist

2. Orientation Meeting

3. Pre-Tryout Clinic

4. Material

5. Judges

6. Scoring GuidelinesSample Score Sheets (Dance, Cheer, Song/Pom, Mascot, Pep Flag)Judges Master & Tabulator Master Score Sheets

If you attended a 2014 USA Summer Training Camp, you are a USA VIP! Be sure to log in to the VIP website for your complimentary tryout material. If you did not attend a USA summer training camp last summer, please e-mail Matt (Spirit) or Lauren (Dance) to get your tryout material. For more information than ever before, please visit usa.varsity.com or call 800.886.4USA.

Enjoy the rest of your season and we can’t wait to see you at our next USA event!

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Tryout Checklist

JANUARYSet the parent orientation meeting date, tryout clinic and tryout dates with the school.• Check the school activity calendar.• Where will clinic/tryouts be held (gym,

auditorium, etc.)? Reserve the facilitiesand complete the appropriate paperwork.

• Make sure your dates get added toschool’s calendar on the website.

Request tryout judges.• Visit http://www.usacamps.com/Tryout

Judges.aspx to request USA judges forimpartial and knowledgeable scoring orcall 800.886.4USA.

• Obtain and turn in information requiredin order to cut checks for judges.

Look at dates/locations & camp types for USA Summer Training Camps on usa.varsity.com.• Match your teams’ needs with a USA

camp type (Elite, Traditional, etc.), thenlook for dates/locations specific to thattype. If you don’t see exactly what youneed, call Matt Goto (Spirit) or LaurenSnook (Dance) at 800.886.4USA. We’llhelp find the training camp for you!

• Set uniform fitting dates with yourVarsity Apparel Rep now that yourtryout date is concrete.

• Register for USA Camp and enteryour tryout date by calling your Varsity

Apparel Rep, Matt Goto or Lauren Snook, or go online at usa.varsity.com. You can estimate the number of camp partici-pants now, and then update that number online upon completion of tryouts.

FEBRUARYAssign a parent to be the Tryout Assistant so nothing falls through the cracks. You have a lot on your plate with the end of the season banquet, senior night, competitions and basket-ball games. Parents would love to help you out by making copies of paperwork, reaching out to feeder schools, following up with cutting checks for judges, snacks on the day of tryouts for the seniors and judges, and assisting in any other way.

Publicize the parent orientation meet-ing, tryout clinic and tryout dates.• Update your page on the school’s

website• Create and play tryout promo videos

during school video announcements• Make announcements at feeder

schools• Make promotional social media

squares for your program’s socialmedia outlets

Assign an adult or captain to continue making announcements and social media posts through tryouts.

continue...

“The secret to getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks,

and then starting on the first one.” – Mark Twain

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Tryout Checklist cont.Prepare all paperwork for distribution at the parent orientation meeting.• General Tryout Information

(see page 2a for an example)• Important Dates

(see page 2b for an example)• Expenses

(see page 2c for an example)• Agreement Form

2 to 3 WEEKS PRIOR• Conduct Orientation Meeting for

parents and applicants. Distribute allforms. Communicate expectations andobligations. Be clear on due dates.

• Confirm Judges. Send informationsheets with arrival time, your cell phonenumber and directions. Make sure topad in enough time prior to the starttime to review scoresheets and yourexpectations with the judges.

• Have Clinicians or Seniors Learn theUSA Tryout Material. Set a deadlinefor them to know the material and haveit performance ready. The studentslearning the material will likely performit the way they are taught, so be surethe clinicians teach with strong, clean,sharp motions.

• Give Seniors their assignments, suchas clinic check-in, “good luck” postersfor the day of try-outs, who will leadwarm-ups, who is demonstrating what,who is teaching what, who will work thewarm-up area for tryouts, who will workthe door, etc.

• Review all music selections, includingthe warm-up music and routine music,to make sure they are all appropriate.

• Verify that checks are being pro-cessed and set aside cash forsnacks for seniors and other helpersfor the day of tryouts.

• Arrange for sound equipment andmats as needed.

WEEK OF TRYOUTS• Collect all paperwork and verify

eligibility requirements.• Attend and supervise all clinics.

Be visible and available to answerquestions at all times.

• Take roll each day.• Make bold, legible numbers for try-

outs and get the supplies needed toattach the numbers to the participants.

• Prepare enough copies of thescoresheets for judges.

• Maintain a positive learning environ-ment and set the tone for a fantasticnew year!

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TRYOUTS• Post/announce selected squad

members.• Update your camp participant num-

bers online or call Matt or Laurenfor assistance.

• Send an e-mail to the parents andsquad members letting them knowhow excited you are for a great yearand that they will play an importantrole not only on their team, but will helpelevate school spirit and pride for thecommunity as a whole! They are partof something bigger!

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Orientation Meeting

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In an effort to avoid future problems, it is important for the advisor to clearly commu-nicate the responsibilities and demands of being a member of the team. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to conduct an orientation meeting before the tryout process begins.

Invite all interested students and their parents to the meeting. You may even consider making this a mandatory part of the tryout process. Inviting the parents will ensure that they know the time and financial commitment their family will be making if selected for the team. If you choose not to invite parents, you should, at the very least, provide candidates with informative handouts that can be taken home for parents to review.

Be up front and honest with information that pertains to being on the squad.

TRYOUT PROCESSIntroduce and preview the tryout require-ments and process. Give specific informa-tion regarding clinics, forms to be turned in, date(s), time and location of tryouts and the number (or general number) that will be selected for each team.(see 2a for an example of the general tryout information)

CONSTITUTION AND CONDUCTDiscuss and review all rules and regu-lations governing the team. Make sure everyone knows the expected behavior as a member of the program and what the consequences will be if expectations are not met. Be sure to include academic requirements.

TIME COMMITMENTMake candidates aware of the length of the season, practice schedules and the time involved in preparing for competition (if this applies). You may wish to hand out a preliminary calendar of events that in-cludes estimates of practice times, stunt/skills clinics, USA summer training dates and game commitments. (see 2b for an example of important dates)

With so many demands on a student’s time, the answers to questions about how much commitment is necessary to participate on a team will allow individu-als to decide whether this is an activity that is feasible for them.

FINANCES AND COSTSBe sure to think about the “hidden costs” involved in being on a team. Uniforms, spring training, summer training, competi-tion, coaching fees, etc. all add up quickly. Be honest with parents and participants about the financial obligation involved. Fundraising opportunities should also be discussed here. (see 2c for an example of estimated expenses)

AGREEMENT FORMAn “Agreement Form” that has all of the above commitments and requirements clearly stated will help keep expectations and obligations clear. Require that this form be signed and returned by the stu-dent and the parent, prior to the tryout.

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Example 2a:

GENERAL TRYOUT INFORMATION

Informational meeting: [Date & Time][Location – be as specific as possible][required attendees]

Tryout dates: [enter Clinic & Tryout Dates/Times][enter which dates are required]

Tryouts are open to rising 9th – 12th grade students. Please see the tryout applica-tion for a breakdown of which squads each rising grade level is eligible to try out for. Results will be [e-mailed/posted] by [enter date and time].

Tryout attire for [enter dates of clinic/tryouts]:

• Shorts (black or _________, no logos, no writing on backside and no rolled shorts)

• T-shirt (plain white t-shirt, no tank tops, no sleeveless, no pockets, no gym or teamlogos or writing)

• No jewelry should be worn for cheer tryouts

• Hair should be worn in a [insert ponytail for cheer or bun for dance or coach’s choice]

• [Insert shoe style – cheer shoes, jazz shoes, etc.]

• Makeup should be [insert your preference – game day ready, natural, etc.]

All paperwork must be completed and turned in before you are allowed to participate in the [clinic and/or tryout]. All forms are available by contacting [insert info here]. You will not be allowed to tryout if you are missing any paperwork. All paperwork is due to [insert name] by [insert time and date].

Tryouts will begin at [insert time] on [insert date]. Doors will be closed at that time. Cell phones must be turned off. Tryouts are closed to the public.

For any questions or concerns, please contact Coach [insert name] at [insert preferred method of contact – cell phone and/or e-mail].

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2b

Example 2b:

2014-2015 IMPORTANT DATES

This is a tentative schedule. The dates, times & locations may change.

[Insert Orientation Date]: Mandatory Orientation Meeting for [parents/spiritleaders/ dancers] at [insert time, date, location] for current and incoming students interested in trying out for the 2014-2015 [spirit or dance] team.

[Insert Paperwork Deadline]: Deadline for turning in all paperwork. All outstanding balances must be cleared.

[Insert Clinic/Tryout Dates]: Clinic and tryouts will run from [insert time] at [insert location].

[Insert Spring Skills Clinic Date]: Spring skills clinic from [insert times] held at [insert location] for those who make the team.

[Insert Uniform Sizing Date]: Mandatory uniform sizing date. Varsity meets at [insert time/location] and JV/Freshmen meet at [insert time/location].

[Insert USA Summer Training Camp Dates]: Summer training camp at [enter location].

[Insert Fundraiser Date]: [insert activity – car wash, mini camp, etc.]

Summer Practice Schedule: [insert days/times/location]

Fall/Spring Practice Schedule: [insert normal school year days/times/location]

Competition Season: Extra practices prior to competitions may be added. [Use if this applies.]

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EXPENSES FOR 2014-2015

Please note that these expenses are an estimate and are subject to change.

Example 2c:

Item Estimated CostSpring Skills ClinicUSA Summer Training CampCamp/Practice ClothesCheer Bag -- New Member

Returning MemberUniform(s) -- New Member

Returning MemberShoes Warm-Ups -- New Member

Returning MemberBowsCompetitions Entry FeesCompetition ChoreographyBasketball ClinicTOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSES

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Pre-Tryout ClinicYou will need to conduct a tryout clinic to teach standardized material and help candi-dates prepare for the actual tryout itself. The tryout process should be rewarding for all can-didates. One of your main goals should be to have students go away from the experience feeling positive about themselves and their accomplishments regardless of the outcome of who makes the team.

CLINIC SCHEDULEClinics should take place roughly one week prior to the tryout. Avoid scheduling clinics during particularly busy weeks of school activities. Attendance need not be manda-tory, but some schools award points in the tryout process based on attendance to help set the tone regarding practice during the upcoming year.

USA suggests a three to four day clinic (1-2 hours per session) to allow material to be broken down slowly. This prevents novice candidates from being too overwhelmed and becoming frustrated by the tryout process. After learning all required material, ample time should be given to allow individuals to practice on their own or in small groups.

To assign numbers and groups, have each candidate randomly draw for order just prior to the tryout. Write down each candidate’s name and corresponding number. At this point, the candidates can get together with their tryout partner or other members of their group (i.e. 1-2 or 1-3) to practice and review. This is es-pecially important if you have roll-offs or any kind of partner work in the mandatory routine.

CLINICIANSThe person or people you chose to run your clinics often set the tone for the tryout. Re-member to select wisely when delegating this type of authority and responsibility.

Frequently, graduating seniors or alumni of-ten run the clinics, or you may bring in an out-side professional.* When assigning duties to seniors or alumni, be sure to make your ex-pectations clear and specific. Prior to the clin-ics, review the material that the clinicians will teach to ensure it reflects the skills you are looking for in your squad, as well as listen to the music to make sure it is appropriate.

Clinicians must understand the importance of not teaching or showing material to any-one before the clinics. Also stress the need for neutrality throughout the tryout process and be sure that clinicians do not offer assis-tance to any candidates outside of scheduled clinic times.

TRYOUT PREPARATIONDuring clinics, the clinician or advisor should review the actual tryout process, explaining the order in which the material and skills are to be performed.

If time permits, you can conduct a mock tryout to give the candidates a better idea of how the tryouts will run. This should be optional and positive feedback and encouragement from the clinicians is very important.

*USA provides tryout clinicians for a nominal fee. To schedule, call 1.800.886.4872.

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MaterialBe sure that the skills you require of your squad are reflected in all of your material taught at clinics. Is learning quickly impor-tant? Is the ability to choreograph important? These questions, along with many others, are the things you should ask yourself.

Many cheer squads include a game situation to which the participants must respond and lead the crowd in a cheer. USA recommends that you teach a short game-action cheer/sideline. This is a good test of the candidate’s crowd leadership skills and shows how she/he will perform in a game situation. Remem-ber, however, that leading the crowd is a skill that can be taught and new spiritleaders may need a little coaching.

In addition, you should teach a required rou-tine/cheer to be performed by all participants. Make sure all basic skills are incorporated into the routine. Watch the length. It does not need to be long. Some teams also require the can-didates to make up an original routine/cheer. If squad members will never need to choreo-graph for themselves, this is not necessary.

If you are teaching a dance routine and a cheer(s), you should teach the dance first, since this is usually the hardest to perfect.

RECOMMENDED MATERIALUSA recommends the following material for each program. Of course, this may vary de-pending on the caliber of your candidates and emphasis of your squad.

Dance• Across the floor combinations• Your teams’ style of dance routine

(jazz, hip hop, etc.)• Original Routine (optional)

Cheerleader• Game-Action Cheer/Sideline• Performance Cheer (include jump)• Funky Cheer Dance (6-8 eight 8 counts

of cheer type moves to music)• Stunts and/or Gymnastics (optional-

may be performed during entrance,depending on your surface)

Songleaders/Pom• Game-Action/Sideline Cheers• Song/Pom Routine (includes kicks,

turns, leaps)• Original Routine (optional)

Mascots• Game Situation Improvisation• Musical Improvisation• Original Routine/Skit

Pep Flags/Short Flags• Game-Action/Sideline Cheers• Pep Flag Routine (include single and

double flag tricks and twirls)• Original Routine (optional)

If you attended a USA summer training camp, you are a VIP and have access to material through the VIP website. If you did not attend a USA summer training camp, please contact you State Director at 800.886.4USA.

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JudgesProtect yourself from any accusations of bias by letting “outside” people judge and total the scores. These two areas are where most im-proprieties are charged. Using judges who are closely related to the participants (senior team members, alumni, etc.) or those who have no technical knowledge of cheering or dancing (other team coaches, faculty, athletes, etc.) may jeopardize the validity, neutrality and cred-ibility of the results. Also, advisors should avoid judging to eliminate any appearance of favorit-ism. All judges should be approved by school administration prior to the tryout process.

SELECTING JUDGESYour panel should include three to four judges. Qualified people include:

• Professional judges• Local college cheer/dance

team members• Active advisors in your area

or league• Dance teachers from your

school or community• Former standout cheerleaders/

dancers (out of school more thantwo years)

FEESIn most cases, judges should receive some compensation for the service they provide. How much compensation depends on the amount of time they spend at your tryouts and their qualifications. On average, most tryouts take about two hours to complete. If you have a large number of candidates or if you are run-ning tryouts for more than one team, the try-out may take significantly longer.

A reasonable fee for judges is $25.00 per hour, with reimbursement for gas if there is extensive travel involved. Find out from your accountant if social security numbers or any other type of personal information is neces-sary in order to process checks. It is prefera-ble to give judges a check at the tryout, rather than mailing it afterwards.

PROFESSIONAL JUDGESDependent upon your school’s location, USA will be glad to provide judges for your tryouts. Call 800.886.4USA for rates and further in-formation.

CONFIRMATIONConfirm your judges by phone and later by email. Plan ahead. Demand is great for judg-es during peak months. When confirming, include the tryout location, date, arrival time and approximate length of the tryout. If you are available by cell phone, leave judges that number in case of any emergencies the day of the tryout. If you choose to use USA judg-es, the confirmation process is handled by the USA main office staff.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTTo maintain the credibility and integrity of your tryout process, avoid using judges who have worked directly and/or extensively with any of the candidates. Avoid using judges who may have a long-term acquaintance with a candidate.

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Scoring Guidelines

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A simple scoring system will allow judges to fo-cus on selecting the most qualified candidates and will make tabulation much easier. Make sure judges understand your scoresheet and how you want it to be used. Factor in enough time to review your scoresheet and expecta-tions with the judges.

TEACHER EVALUATIONSTeacher evaluations are a positive way to in-clude academics and leadership skills in the tryout process and may also bring potential problems to your attention. Most advisors av-erage the teacher evaluations and then factor them into a participant’s final score. Be sure to check district and school policies govern-ing the use of teacher evaluations for squad candidates.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (G.P.A.)If used as part of the scoring process, the ap-plicant’s overall G.P.A. should be multiplied by 2.5 to count as 10% out of a possible score of 100 points. If you wish to weigh this more heavily, then adjust the number you multiply by accordingly. Many schools have a mini-mum G.P.A. requirement that must be met before allowing an individual to tryout.

SCORESHEETSNo candidate should ever see any score or points other than their own. Some advisors choose to show the applicants their com-ments so they may improve. Remember that comments from score sheets are only valu-able if the judges are qualified and trained in giving constructive criticism.

Call your USA State Director at 800.886.4USA with any questions.

The following section contains several sam-ple scoresheets from which you may choose. Look them over carefully to see which best reflects your program, then make any nec-essary changes and have them reviewed by your administration.

SCORESHEET Option #1 (No Original Routine Required)If your school uses a choreographer and/or relies upon clinics/camp to provide material, you do not need the candidates to make up anything original for the tryout.

SCORESHEET Option #2 (Original Routine Required)If choreography from squad members is ex-pected, then requiring the candidates to make up an original cheer/routine will help to see what type of a contribution a candidate may make.

SCORESHEET Option #3 (Mascots) Mascots should tryout individually, in the mas-cot costume if possible. Be prepared with a few game situations, props and short music selections to use during the improvisation section.

JUDGE’S MASTER SCORESHEETBe sure to provide each judge with a master score sheet. This should be used by the judg-es to help them keep track of their scores and remain consistent.

TABULATOR MASTER SCORESHEETThis sheet should be used by the tabulator to help average the judge’s scores. Have some-one double check the mathematics to make sure no mistakes are made.

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2015 TRYOUT PACKET

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USA TRYOUT SCORESHEET(Dance - No Original Routine Required)

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Tryout Participant ____________________________________# ________________Team_____________________

( + ) Indicates a Good Performance (√ ) Indicates Improvement Needed

CATEGORY COMMENTS SCORE

APPEARANCE

Clothing Posture

Grooming/Neatness Poise

DANCE TECHNIQUE

Body Control Turns

Precision/Sharpness Leaps/Jumps

Energy Kicks

Timing/Rhythm Head Movements

Coordination Footwork

Flexibility Arms

SHOWMANSHIP

Facial Expression Audience Appeal

Eye Contact Recoveries

Confidence Projection

JUDGE _______________________________________________________ Total Score____________________

This score sheet developed by the United Spirit Association - Copyright 2014

TRYOUT SCORE SHEET(Dance - No Original Routine Required)

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TRYOUT SCORE SHEET(No Original Routine Required)

Tryout Participant ____________________________________# ________________Squad_____________________

( + ) Indicates a Good Performance (√ ) Indicates Improvement Needed

CATEGORY COMMENTS SCORE

APPEARANCE

Clothing Posture

Grooming/Neatness Poise

CHEER TECHNIQUE

Arm Angles Crowd Leadership

Strength of Motions Jumps/Kicks

Voice Projection Gymnastics/Stunts

DANCE TECHNIQUE

Arm Placement Head Movements

Timing & Rhythm Footwork

Hands/Pom Control Kicks/Turns/Leaps

SHOWMANSHIP

Smile Audience Appeal

Spirit/Enthusiasm Recoveries

Confidence Eye Contact/Facial Projection

JUDGE _______________________________________________________ Total Score____________________

This score sheet developed by the United Spirit Association - Copyright 2014

TRYOUT SCORE SHEET(No Original Routine Required)

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2015 TRYOUT PACKET

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2012 TRYOUT PACKET

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USA PEP FLAG SCORESHEET

Tryout Participant # _____ _________________________________ Squad__________________________

( + ) Indicates Superior Performance ( @ ) Indicates Average Performance (√ ) Indicates Improvement Needed

CATEGORY COMMENTS SCORE

APPEARANCE 10

Clothing Posture

Grooming/Neatness Poise

GENERAL TECHNIQUE 30

Twirls/Flag Control Timing/Rhythm

Flag Placement/Strength Footwork

Ambidexterity Tricks/Tosses

ORIGINAL ROUTINE 30

Creativity Variety

Difficulty Originality

Use of Music Use of Specialties

SHOWMANSHIP 30

Smile Audience Appeal

Spirit/Enthusiasm Recoveries

Confidence Eye Contact/ Projection

JUDGE _______________________________________________________ Total Score____________________

This score sheet developed by the United Spirit Association - Copyright 2014

PEP FLAG SCORE SHEET(No Original Routine Required)

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USA TRYOUT SCORE SHEET(Original Routine Required)

Tryout Participant ____________________________________# ________________Squad_____________________

( + ) Indicates a Good Performance (√ ) Indicates Improvement Needed

CATEGORY COMMENTS SCORE

APPEARANCE

Clothing Posture

Grooming/Neatness Poise

CHEER TECHNIQUE

Arm Angle/Placement Strength of Motions

Timing & Rhythm Jumps/Kicks/Leaps

Voice Projection Gymnastics/Stunts/Turns

ORIGINAL ROUTINE

Creativity Variety

Difficulty Originality

Words/Music/Creativity Use of Specialities

SHOWMANSHIP

Smile Audience Appeal

Spirit/Enthusiasm Recoveries

Confidence Eye Contact/Facial Projection

JUDGE _______________________________________________________ Total Score____________________

This score sheet developed by the United Spirit Association - Copyright 2014

TRYOUT SCORE SHEET(Original Routine Required)

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USA MASCOT SCORE SHEET

Tryout Participant ____________________________________# ________________Squad_____________________

( + ) Indicates a Good Performance (√ ) Indicates Improvement Needed

CATEGORY COMMENTS SCORE

USE OF MASCOT

Characterization Comedy

Pantomime Ability in Costume

GENERAL TECHNIQUE

Arm Angles/Placement Crowd Leadership

Strength of Motions Exaggeration

Rhythm & Timing Improvisation Skills

ORIGINAL ROUTINE/SKIT

Creativity Beginning/Ending

Originality Theme Development

Use of Props Musical Interperation

SHOWMANSHIP

Animation Audience Appeal

Spirit/Enthusiasm Recoveries

Eye Contact Confidence/Naturalness

JUDGE _______________________________________________________ Total Score____________________

This score sheet developed by the United Spirit Association - Copyright 2014

MASCOT SCORE SHEET

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JUDGES MASTER SCORE SHEET

Squad _________________________________ Judge: __________________________________________

Candidate TotalNumber 10 30 30 30 Score Comments

JUDGES MASTER SCORE SHEET

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TABULATOR MASTER SCORE SHEET

Squad _________________________________ Tabulator: ________________________________________________

Candidate Judge 1 Judge 2 Judge 3 G.P.A. Teacher Clinic Total Rank

Number Evaluation Score

TABULATOR MASTER SCORE SHEET

PEP FLAGS CHEERLEADERS MASCOTS ADVISORS SONG/POM

Teamwork | Commitment | Leadership | Technique | Unity

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