2026 Tryout Material Information

Use the videos below to help you learn the tryout material.

Band Dance- Ripples will be learned according to your CURRENT grade level.

  • 6th Graders and Freshmen- Learn 1st Ripple
  • 7th Graders and Sophomores- Learn 2nd Ripple
  • 8th Graders and Juniors- Learn 3rd Ripple

**The band dance video does not teach you the words, only the motions. Focus on learning the motions first. The words are on the document titled "2026 Tryout Material Words."

**A video with both the words and the motions will be posted soon, and we will go over the words with the motions at our tryout clinics as well.

Sideline- replace the word "Cats" with "Longhorns"

Cheer- replace the word "Tigers" with "Longhorns"

Tryout Format and Information

Each Candidate will try out individually.

Spirit Out- You will spirit to the middle of the mat (panel 5).

Show Your Number- Once you have reached the middle of the mat, turn around and show your tryout number (pinned to your back) to the judges

(Optional) Standing Tumbling- You will be asked if you would like to show the judges any standing tumbling skills (BHS or Back Tuck). If you do not tumble, you can just say no.

2 Jumps: You will show a toe touch, and then one other jump of your choice. The jumps should be two separate jumps, not connected, and you can take a few seconds to catch your breath between jumps.

Band Chant: After jumps, pick up the provided set of poms and put your hands (poms) on your hips. This will indicate that you're ready for your band chant music. Band chant music will begin and you will perform the band chant.

Crowd Leading: Immediately after band chant, spirit, catch your breath if needed, and then begin the sideline, then spirit, begin the cheer

Spirit Out: Immediately after finishing the cheer, spirit out of the gym and exit.

Tryout Tips!

Poms will be provided and will be placed in Panel 5. You DO NOT need to bring your own poms.

You will use Poms for the Band Chant only.

Do jumps, kicks, and tumbling during spiriting between sections of tryout material! That's a great time to showcase skills!

Yell ACTUAL WORDS and hit ACTUAL SHARP MOTIONS and CLAPS during spiriting.

DO NOT yell "WOOOOOO" or "WOOHOO," those are not words.

Use interjections ("yell with us!" "C'mon!" "Get Loud!" "Let's Go!") during pauses or claps in the cheer.

When practicing on your own, PRACTICE YOUR SPIRITING WITH THE TRYOUT MATERIAL (it's harder than it looks, and it's harder to catch your breath and cheer after spiriting)

If you need assistance with the call, you may ask a coach to call the sideline and/or cheer for you, and we will do so without any point deductions. Any further assistance needed with cheer or sideline words beyond the call will result in point deductions.

If you mess up, you may either just play it off and keep going, or start over, it is your choice.

SMILE and look like you're HAVING FUN! Terrified or serious looking cheerleaders aren't fun, they're actually alarming and kind of scary. Be FUN, HAPPY, ENERGETIC, and SHARP!