EAST MECKLEBURG HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING TRYOUT PACKET

VARSITY/JUNIOR VARSITY CHEERLEADING SEASONS

Thank you for your interest in trying out for EMHS cheerleading! In this packet, you will find the following
information: tryout information with a list of important dates, an information sheet, the Rules for
Cheerleading, and the Statement of Permission and Agreement. You will also need to complete and turn in a
Physical Form, Insurance Verification Form, copy of your most recent report card, Proof of Eligibility
and two letters of reference from a teacher (from the past two years). These forms can be found on the
CMS website. Please read and understand all the enclosed information before tryouts.

Kind Regards and Good Luck!

Cheerleading Tryout Dates:

● (PAPER WORK MUST BE TURNED IN BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN ANY CLINICS)

● Try-outs will be held on August 3rd-5th from 9:00-11:00 am. Tryout material will be taught during this
time.
● Official tryouts with a judge’s panel will take place on August 6th from 9:00-11:00 am.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for cheerleading, a student MUST have:

 Been Promoted
 Passed 3 of 4 classes taken the previous semester
 Achieved a 2.0 grade point average for the previous semester
 Been present 85% of the previous semester

The following MUST BE turned in BEFORE you can participate in clinics or tryouts:

● High School Athletic Pre-Participation Form and the NCHSAA Sports Participation Examination Form
 Insurance Waiver and Release Form
● Completed Information Sheet
● Statement of Permission and Agreement
● A copy of your year-end report card; please do not send the original.

Note: The deadline for turning in this paperwork is July 31st; however, the earlier you can get this paperwork
in, the better. Participation in cheer clinics or try-out clinics will be prohibited if any of the forms are missing or
incomplete.

Selection of the cheerleaders will be based on the following:

● A cheer, chant, and dance that will be taught to you during the clinic. You will also be required to
create an original cheer within a group.
● Jumps (A toe touch, a side herkie, and a front hurdler are required- descriptions and pictures of
these jumps can be found on the UCA website. (varsity.com)
● Athleticism and physical fitness
● Scholastic achievement and eligibility
● Conduct
● Attitude, initiative, teamwork, leadership, work ethic, and enthusiasm

What do you wear to tryouts?

o During clinic days please wear a sports bra, appropriate length shorts and a t-shirt or tank top. Dress
as if you would dress for cheerleading practice. Shorts should be three inches long from the top of
your leg. Sports bras must be worn and not seen. No basketball shorts or pajamas. No denim shorts,
 jewelry, or artificial nails. Your hair should also be in a pony tail or bun. No long hair is allowed.
(This is a safety issue).
o On official try-out day, you will need to wear dark colored shorts (black or navy blue) and a solid
white t-shirt or tank top. Your hair should be in a pony tail off your shoulders, and no jewelry should
be worn or artificial nails. Nails should be painted clear.

o Please do not wear any previous cheerleading/dance attire during tryout week or items from other
schools.

Estimated Costs
We realize that Cheerleading in an expensive sport, however we try to cut the cost down as much as possible through
fund raising and taking care of what we have. There are, however, certain items that can not be passed down from
squad to squad and have to be purchased by the individual. In addition, wear and tear requires replacement of
uniforms, warm-ups, etc. We will be ordering them through Varsity, the leading cheer apparel company, and the
cheerleader will be responsible for paying for them. While I can’t give you an exact amount I can give you an estimate
that should be fairly close.

Shoes, Hair Bow, Socks (1 pair), carrying bag (tote or book bag style), bloomies, pom pom, mid-drift, Warm Up
(Jacket and Pants) = $246.00
2 Day Practicewear: (Shorts, Skort, T shirt, V neck shirt) = $113.00
Uniform: 2 choices (we will decide on the one we want) Premium uniform: $199.00, Package uniform:
$141.00
Camp: 2 day (held at East the week of Aug 10th) (Final Date and Time to be announced) $147.00 per
cheerleader (Camp will be required should you make the squad)
PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE APPROXIMATE COST USED FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

I look forward to seeing you at tryouts. If you have any questions,

please contact: Carol Parrish – carol.parrish@cms.k12.nc.us, cell: 704-996-0112
Check the East Mecklenburg Cheerleading Web Page often for updated information:
eastmecklenburgcheerleading.weebly.com

Carol Parrish, M.S.,NBCT

EMHS Head Cheer Coach
Carol.parrish@cms.k12.nc.us
Cell: 704-996-0112
 Information Sheet

Please complete the following information. Please write LEGIBLY.

Student Name: Student ID #:

Current Grade Level: School you attended the year prior:

Home Address:

Home Phone: Cell Phone:

Email address: Birthday:

Parent/Guardian Name:

Home address (if different from above)

Parent/Guardian Phone (If different from above)

Mother’s Work Phone: Mother’s Cell Phone:

Mother’s Email:

Father’s Work Phone: Father’s Cell Phone:

Father’s Email:

Emergency Contact Name: Relationship to You:

Emergency Phone: Emergency Cell Phone:

Allergies/Health Problems/ Medications (Please describe in detail):

Were you involved in any behavior infractions (ISS or OSS) during the school year? If yes, please explain on a separate
sheet of paper.
 Statement of Permission and Agreement

If you make the cheerleading squad, realize that you are making a commitment to East Meck High School, your coaches, your
teammates, and yourself for the complete season (full year). The decision to tryout should not be taken lightly. You will be
expected to put cheerleading as one of your top priorities. Furthermore, as a representative of EMHS, you must maintain
proper behavior at all times. You must follow the cheerleading guidelines set forth in the CMS Cheerleading Constitution.
Students who break the rules will be disciplined. By making this commitment to the East Mecklenburg High School
Cheerleading program, you will receive many valuable and rewarding educational experiences that you will remember long
after you graduate from high school. These activities will not only channel your enthusiasm and spirit in a constructive and
beneficial manner, but will give you a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Student Agreement

I, ___________________________________, have read and understand the RULES FOR CHEERLEADING. I agree to abide by the policies
described if I am chosen as a member of the squad. I am agreeing to the information in the packet and understand that failure
to adhere to these rules policies could result in dismissal from the squad.

_____________________________________
Student Signature

_____________________________________
Date

Parent/Guardian Agreement

I, ___________________________________, the parent or legal guardian of __________________________, have read and understand the RULES
FOR CHEERLEADING and the TRYOUT INFORMATION. I agree to abide by the policies described if my child is chosen as a
member of the squad. I also agree to the financial obligations as they are described in the information provided. I understand
that failure by me or my child to adhere to these policies could result in dismissal from the squad.

_____________________________________
Parent Signature

_____________________________________
Date

Rules for Cheerleading

Purpose
The objective of the EMHS High School cheerleading squad is to effectively execute a school spirit program that supports the
athletic teams and promotes the school itself. Cheerleaders will serve as positive role models and leaders for EMHS and
should promote sportsmanship within our school and among other schools. The highest priority should be to display and
encourage spirit and pride for EMHS.

Squad Members and Practices

 Members will be chosen at a formal tryout session.
 The JV squad will consist of up to 12 students who will cheer at JV football and basketball games and will
participate in some pep rally events.
 The Varsity Football/Competition squad will consist of up to 15 students who will cheer at all Varsity football
games, competitions, and pep rally events.
 If a member of a squad is removed from a position, a replacement will be determined by the coach, Athletic
Director, and Principal.
Practices and Games
 Squads will have practices each week. A tentative schedule will be given out at the beginning of each month. All
practices are mandatory, and other schedules should revolve around cheerleading practices. Additional practices
may be added when needed.
 During football season, games are usually held on Thursdays for JV and Fridays for Varsity. You will also be given
a schedule at the beginning of the season, and cheerleaders will be expected to be present at all games, including
playoff games.
 During basketball season, games are normally held on Tuesdays and Fridays. Occasionally, games may be held on
other days of the week (especially during inclement weather when games must be pushed to the next night).

Attendance Requirements
 ABSENCES CAN BE THE DOWNFALL OF A GREAT CHEERLEADING SQUAD! If one or more squad members are
absent from a practice or game, the other members are forced to make last minute changes. This can be both
stressful and dangerous to squad members.
 You will be expected to be at all games and practices. Jobs, club activities, extracurricular activities, doctor’s
appointments, etc. must not interfere with cheerleading.
 If you commit to cheerleading you are committing to attend every game. Unexcused absences are those caused by
anything other than illness or family emergencies. In addition, just because a cheerleader asks to be excused
doesn’t mean that the excuse will be granted.
 If you are ill or have a family emergency, the coach needs to be notified by a parent or guardian in order for this
absence to be excused. Please notify the coach before the absence or as soon after as possible; only under
extreme circumstances will prior notice not be expected. If the coach is unavailable, please leave a message.
 As stated in the Guidelines for CMS Athletes, students must be present half the school day (2 full class periods) to
be eligible for practices and games scheduled for that day.
 If a student is assigned to ISS, the student may not participate in any scheduled event for the time the athlete is
assigned to ISS. In addition, the athlete will be benched for ISS counseled and/or dismissed from the squad for
OSS.
Grades
 A minimum of 2.0 GPA must be maintained throughout the cheering season.
 Because cheerleaders are students first and athletes second, weekly progress reports will be turned in so the
coach can monitor academic progress.
 If at any time you are failing a class, you will be required to attend tutoring, and failure to attend tutoring will
result in benching.
 From the time the F is written on the progress report, you have two weeks to pull the F up before a more severe
consequence is given.

Tutoring
 Cheerleaders are encouraged to attend tutoring on all off days.
 If the cheerleader must attend tutoring on a practice day, the cheerleader must inform the coach the day
before the practice day and bring a note to practice from the teacher, and must arrive no later than 3:15.
Uniforms
 We are in the process to determine the need to purchase new uniforms. At this time it is still being
determined who will purchase the uniforms. This will be a discussion for the students that make the
squad. If the athletic department purchases the uniform they are the property of the EMHS athletic
 department and will be returned at the end of the season or if the cheerleader quits or is dismissed,
he/she is expected to retun all uniforms/equipment within five days of termination.
 Washing instructions will be provided when uniforms are distributed. At the end of basketball season, uniforms
are to be turned in dry-cleaned.
 All altered uniforms must be restored to their original size before being turned in at the end of the cheering
season.
 Damaged or lost uniforms will be replaced by the cheerleader.
 A cheerleader may not represent another sport (soccer, track, baseball, etc) while in uniform.
 JV Cheerleaders choosing to stay for a Varsity game must change out of the cheerleading uniform and into regular
clothing.
Fund Raising
 Every cheerleader will be expected to support all fundraising events which support the team.
 Failure to participate and meet your quota of fundraising can result in dismissal from the squad.
 Turning in fundraising money after the due date will result in being benched.
Transportation
 If a parent is going to pick up their cheerleader at an away game, the coach must speak to the parent at the game.
If the coach is unaware of a change in transportation, a cheerleader may get left behind because the coach
assumes the parent will be there and will not account for her on the bus ride back. The coach cannot go searching
through the parking lot for parents. They must come and see the coach before you leave with them. If the parents
do not speak to the coach, you are expected to ride the activity bus back to East.
 Your parent is the only one you are allowed to leave a game with, not friends.
 Cheering is not allowed on the bus. It distracts the driver, coaches, and other team members.
Expected Behavior
 All CMS and EMHS High School guidelines must be followed at all times.
 Consequences will be issued for misbehavior or poor conduct
 Promote a positive image for the school community—your peers, parents, teachers, and community members
 While representing EMHS, cheerleaders must not:
 Drink alcoholic beverages
 Use controlled substances
 Use tobacco products
 Show unsportsmanlike conduct
 Use profanity
 Show displays of affection
 Be academically dishonest
 Cheerleaders must wear the designated uniform to school on the day of a game.
 Attend all practices and games.
 Your attitude and ability to work with other different personalities must be exceptional.
 Lying or fabricating the truth will not be tolerated and can result in immediate termination from the squad.
 Part of a coach’s job is to know where you are at all times during practices, games, and special events.
Consequences will be issued for failure to follow the coach’s direction or to stay in assigned areas during events.
 While safety is our number one goal, please understand that you should expect bumps, bruises, and other
occasional minor injuries. This is all part of cheerleading.
 Cheerleaders can not wear or loan EMHS cheerleading uniforms/outfits when attending activities not sanctioned
by EMHS.
 All official cheerleading decisions and activities will be made by the coaching staff. All coaches and captains are
to be given respect and cooperation by cheerleaders and parents at all times. Lack of respect will not be
tolerated and can be grounds for dismissal.

*Being in correct uniform means wearing the appropriate uniform—sports bra, bloomers, hair ribbon, socks, shoes,
having hair pulled up. Complete uniform also means wearing no jewelry, glitter, or fingernail polish. Your nails must be
trimmed short, and no acrylic nails or tips will be worn.

Coaches reserve the right to make changes/additions to the rules as needed. In addition, if you have any questions or
concerns, please respect the following chain of command: Squad Coach, Athletic Director, School Principal
Timeline:
Conditioning workouts (not required)
East Mecklenburg High School (alternative site may be determined) (check at eastmecklenburgcheerleading.weebly.com for
exact location)
July 27-30th 9:00-11:00 wear tennis shoes, shorts, and t shirts. Hair should be pulled up in a pony tail or bun.
Tryouts/Cheer, Chant, and Dance will be taught
August 3rd-5th 9:00-11:30 wear tennis shoes, shorts, and t shirts (see information above for specifics)
Official tryout
August 6th 9-11:30
Squads will be announced at 1:00 p.m. (Check eastmecklenburgcheerleading.weebly.com) and a notice will be posted outside
of room 201.
Cheer Camp
Week of August 10-15th (Dates are still to be determined)

Since we are not holding conditioning workouts until the end of July what can you do to be conditioned when we begin. Below
is a listing of activities that you can do on your own prior to our official conditioning.

Perfecting your Jumps

How do you get that unbelievable hyper extended jump? Its two parts practice, four parts
technique, six parts stretching, and eight parts exercises. That’s right… exercises!
Some people are born with great flexibility and strength. Others have to work at it. These
exercises will help improve your jumps. Just like any exercise, start with a warm-up, don’t
overdo it and be patient! You may not see results for a few weeks, but when you do, you’ll
be a part of the 10%, not the 90%!

Leg Explosions
To get that elusive height, try these exercises. In addition to height, you’ll also end up with
strong leg and calf muscles!!! Start with your feet together. Take a slow dip so that your
knees are no further than a ninety degree angle. Explode into the air without using your
arms. As you land, absorb the landing and return to the ninety degree angle and explode
again. This is the exact same move you will use when you perform your jump, so make it
perfect before you move on.
Start with three sets of five controlled jumps and work up to doing 15 in a row.

Sitting Toe Touches

This exercise helps to isolate the hip flexor and abdominal muscles that lift the legs into the
jump position. Start by sitting on the floor in a tuck position. You should be balanced so that your feet are slightly off the floor
and your arms are in “daggers”.
Next, quickly lift your legs and arms to the toe touch position and return to the seated tuck position as quickly as possible. It
will take several of these to learn the proper balance. Focus on good technique, keeping your toes pointed, your legs straight,
and your back upright. In addition to the increased strength, this exercise helps you to practice the proper technique of “sitting
back” in your jumps.
Again, start with three sets of five and work up to 15 reps in a row.

Straddle Lifts
This exercise, and its variations, really isolates the hip flexors. Since this muscle is rarely used in other exercises, take caution
not to overdo it in the beginning! Start by sitting on the floor in a straddle position. Place your hands on the floor on an
imaginary line drawn between your knees. This helps you not to sit back and use your abs (remember, we’re working the hip
flexors here!).

Lift one leg about two inches off of the floor for a count of two and then set it back down. Keep your leg straight and your toe
pointed. Then, repeat with the other leg. Do these five times (approximately 10 seconds on each leg). Work slowly up to
holding each leg twice for a count of five, and then once for a count of ten. Once you have built up some strength, you can lift
both legs at once. Remember NOT to lean back! You can also perform “reps” with this exercise by lifting the leg(s) up in
repetition without letting them touch the floor.

Remember the key to a good toe touch is good form in the air with hips under shoulders, straight and flexible legs, and height.
You can achieve all of these things by working on the exercises every day. To see your progress, videotape your jumps each
week and compare them to the previous week and to the first session!
Jump conditioning
If what you are looking for is a jump conditioning routine that is based on lots of repetition, you have to try this advanced jump
drill. After only a couple of weeks of practice, it is really starting to make a huge difference in my team’s jumps. Not only does it
build stamina, this drill develops timing and synchronization as well.

Work on your squad’s jump technique before doing this drill. Make sure their technique is perfect before moving on to this
routine. Part of the goal of this conditioning is to make perfect jumps effortless. It would be counterproductive to drill jumps
with poor technique.
Set them up in a formation, but make sure to mix up the formations from practice to practice so that no one is always in the
back. Put on some fast-paced cheer music and start counting!

The 8-count goes like this:

1-Set High V
2-Hold
3-Start Jump
4-Hit Jump
5-Land Jump
6-Hold
7-Stand
8-Hold

Using that as your basic count, go through the following set of jumps:
5 T jumps (start with a prep and then jump straight up, hitting a T with your arms)
5 tuck jumps
5 left hurdlers
5 right hurdlers
*Take three 8-counts to breathe*
5 pikes
5 toe touches
10 toe touches
5 toe touches
5 pikes
5 right hurdlers
5 left hurdlers|
*Take three 8-counts to breathe*
5 tuck jumps
5 T jumps
5 sets of double jumps

The only variation in the count is for the double jumps:

1-Set High V
2-Hold
3-Start Jump
4-Hit Jump
5-Whip
6-Hit 2nd toe touch
7-Land Jump
8-Hold
1-Stand AND High V
PHASE 1: “OFF SEASON” WORK OUT PLAN:
Cheerleaders should print a copy to keep as part of their personal journal. Use the check sheet to mark off your
accomplishments each day and note any questions, suggestions, issues at
the end of the week.
MONTHS: June-July

ATHLETES NAME:
_________________________
BUDDY
: ___________________________
WEEK OF:
___________
DAY 1
Activity Reps (Repetitions) Sets (Frequency)
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 OTHER
Cardio: ex. Jog, Run, Elliptical, etc.
30 minutes 3-4x per week N/A N/A N/A
Walking Lunges 20 steps 3x
Squats 30 3x
Wall Sits 1 minute 2x
Handstand Pushups (against wall) 10 3x
Arm Circles (forward and back) 100 each 1x
Push Ups 20 3x
Pike Push Up 10 3x
Crunches, R/L oblique, & bicycles 30, 30 R/L, 60 3x
NOTES
_____________________________________________________________________________
DAY: 2
Activity Reps (Repetitions) Sets (Frequency)
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 OTHER
Cardio (ex. Jog, Run, Elliptical, etc)
30 minutes 3-4x per week N/A N/A N/A
Walking Lunges 20 steps 3x
Hamstring Push Up 40 3x
Calf Raises 50 3x
Second Position Squats 30 3x
Arm Circles (forward and back) 100 each 1x
Tricep Dips 30 3x
Superman & Bird Hold & Pulse Hold 10/pulse 10X 10x
Crunches, Twist & Row, Bicycle 30, 10, 60 3x each
NOTES
DAY: 3
Activity Reps (Repetitions) Sets (Frequency)
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 OTHER
Cardio (ex. Jog, Run, Elliptical, etc)
30 minutes 3-4x per week N/A N/A N/A
Squats 30 3x
Second Pos. Squats 30 3x
Wall Sits 1 minute 2x
Arm Circles (forward and back) 100 each 1x
Push Ups 20 3x
Handstand Hold (against wall) 1 minute 2x
Hollow Hold 1 minute 2x
Superman & Bird Hold 1 minute 2x
Lever Up/Downs w/ legs 10 up 10 down 5x
NOTES
_____________________________________________________________________________
GLOSSARY
Arm Circles:
Hit a “T” motion and use a very tiny & controlled motion to circle arms forward and back.
Bird Hold:
Lie on stomach with arms in a “T” while arching your back. Only hips/lower abs touch the floor. Pulse arms back using very
small move ments. Works back and rear deltoid muscles.
Calf Raises:
Hang heels off a step and slowly lift up and down. Keep ankles in line with knees and hips. Turn toes inward and outward to
work a different section of the muscle.
Hollow Hold:
Lie on back with arms extended overhead while “hollowing out” your body so abs are tight, feet and hands are not touching
the floor.
“Rock n Rolls” may be added (stay hollow roll).
Lever Up/Downs:
Lie on back with hands by your side lift legs on a 10 count until they are pointing to the ceiling. Lower back down using a 10
count. (you can also hold onto a buddy’s ankles).
Oblique (Muscles):
The muscles located on the side and front of the abdomen. This crunch is done
by bringing the shoulder to the opposite knee.
Pike Push Up:
Raise hips up in the air to make an inverted “V” while performing a push up. You may use a spotter at the hips for this.
Reps:
shortened form of “repetitions”.
It is how many times you will repeat a movement.
Rotator Cuff:
The group of muscles and their tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder.
Second Position Squats:
With feet wider than shoulders and toes facing outward perform a squat.
Sets:
The number of times you will perform your assigned repetitions.
Squats:
With feet shoulder with apart and toes forward bend pushing hips to the back as if you are sitting in a chair and then come up
again squeezing your hamstrings and gluteus muscles.
Superman Hold:
Lie on your stomach with arms stretched out in front of you. Only hips stay on the
floor. Hold for 10 seconds and then pulse using small movements your arms.
Wall Sits:
Lean up against a wall and pretend you are sitting in a chair.
Walking Lunges:
Start feet together and then take a large step forward with right foot, bend both
knees (careful not to let back knee hit floor) and then bring hind leg together with the front leg.
Repeat with left.