Texas Tech University

Cheer Tryouts

2021-2022 Texas Tech Cheer
Tryout Dates

Monday, April 19:
Videos Due & Application Closes; 5:00 PM, CST

Tuesday, April 20-25:
Coaches' Assessments & Video Review Period
Squad positions and/or invitations may be awarded upon video received.

Monday, April 26:
In-Person Tryout Invitations sent out

Saturday, May 15 - Sunday, May 16:
In-Person Tryout & Practice - Invites/Qualifiers ONLY
*Adjustments could be made pending COVID-19 limitations for on-campus events.
*Finalized details will be sent out with invitation.
*Masks must be worn.

 

 

  • INCOMING NEW STUDENTS (incoming first year/transfer students):
  • Deadlines & Tryout Dates
    • Tryout Applications  due by April 19, 5:00 PM CST
    • April 19 - Qualifying Videos Due
    • April 26 - In-Person/Final Tryouts Invitations sent out
    • May 15-16 - In-Person/Final Tryouts
    • Watch social media (Instagram & Twitter: @ttucheer / @texastechcheer on Facebook) for deadlines and updated/adjusted decisions and deadlines.

Qualifying Video Tryout Format/Overview:

    • PERSONAL INTERVIEW:
      • Must be newly filmed; little to no distractions in video.
      • See Interview Section below for questions.
      • Full body view then zoom into waist-up with clear face visible while speaking.
      • Attire: black workout/cheer practice attire
        • Males: black shirt, black athletic shorts; facial hair trimmed/shaved, hair combed, no jewelry.
        • Females: fitted black athletic top or sports bra, black spandex shorts; hair curled 1/2 up with white bow, no jewelry. 
    • GAMEDAY:
      • Gameday material video link. 
      • Emailed to candidates once tryout application is received.
      • Little to no distractions around while videoing. Important for us to to able to see motions and hear volume in voice. 
      • Same attire as interview.
      • See Gameday section below for details. 
    • CHEER SKILLS:
      • Newly filmed material preferred - abiding by/with COVID-19 safety measures (masks worn)
      • Limit clips from previous competitions - if safe, try to video your skills/material for this tryout video.
      • If needed, you may include a small collection of skills from recent practices, games, competitions. Prefer any skills selected for video be within the 2020-2021 season
      • Tumbling skills need to be (highly preferred) filmed on dead-mat
        • Limit skills being filmed on spring floor.
      • CoEd Females must be top position in stunts (flying on one male base).
      • CoEd Males must be base position lifting one female.
      • All-Girl candidates can be flyer or base. Clearly identify which position you are wanting to highlight and be evaluated on. If multiple positions, make sure we see whole stunt in that skill position. Does not have to be filmed from front view (example, if back base, we need to see you throughout stunt).
      • Tumbling skills may be on spring floor if that's what videos you have. Exception is for standing tuck - this must be on dead-mat, grass, or rubberized track. Spring floor tumbling will be taken into account compared to dead-mat skills submitted.
      • If in a group/team setting, clear documentation must be submitted with video outlining the candidates position at the opening and throughout the evaluation portion. Multiple videos of variety of skills are encouraged.
      • See Preferred Skills below to consider including in video collection.

    • >> Personal Interview Section:

    • Please speak about each of the following bullets.
      Make sure we can hear & see you throughout this portion of the video.
      Wear correct attire. Show full body then zoom-in to waist-up with clear face visual while speaking.
      Collegiate image and responses will be evaluated.

 

    • Introduction of Candidate:
      • Name, age, hometown, which squad you're trying out for (CoEd/All-Girl)
    • Cheer Background:
      • Experience, school/all-star gym name, number of years involved in cheer.
      • Indicate level of squad/team (JV, Varsity, Senior Open Large CoEd L6, etc.)
    • Questions to Answer:
      • Why do you want to be a member of the Texas Tech Cheer Program?
      • If selected, what characteristics, traits, cheer strengths, etc. do you feel you would bring to the squad?
      • Which one-word would your most recent coach describe you as that best fits your personality/work ethic/cheerleader abilities?
      • Any additional details you wish to share.
        • Things to consider including: major injuries, major issues within a current/previous team, any hardships that might need to be known, etc. 

>> Gameday Section:

        • In correct tryout attire, perform the following gameday material as taught via video we send once your tryout application is complete. 
        • Front view (you facing camera)
        • Collegiate image, endurance, motion technique, memory, and general gameday appearance/energy will be evaluated. 
          1. Texas Tech Fight Song (one take, videos can't be spliced together)
          2. Sideline Chants (one intro/lead-in, motions THREE times, clean/spirit after each; all chants in one video - please do not separate each chant into separate videos)
          3. Sideline Traditional (one take, videos can't be spliced together)

 


>> Cheer Skills:

Recommended or preferred skills to have in your video collection:

Standing Tumbling:

      • *REQUIRED SKILL: Standing Back Tuck, on dead-mat, grass, or rubberized track
      • Standing Full (if you have skill)
      • Three (3) connected jumps (variety of jumps preferred)
      • Toe-Touch Back Tuck
      • Additional Standing Tumbling Passes (max of 3 additional passes, if you choose to include)
        • Examples, not limited to: BHS-Back Tuck, 2BHS-Full, 2BHS-Whip-Full, Jumps to elite tumbling, etc.
        • Execution and difficulty level will be evaluated.
        • Please note any skill on spring floor MUST be executed on dead-mat, when given opportunity. If you can't do skill on dead mat, please do not include spring floor version. 

Running Tumbling:

      • Running Tumbling Passes
        • At your best tumbling level
        • Showcase variety of skills/passes.
        • Execution and difficulty level will be evaluated.
        • Please note any skill on spring floor MUST be executed on dead-mat, when given opportunity. If you can't do skill on dead mat, please do not include spring floor version.

Stunts:

Please practice safe COVID-19 restrictions and stunting technique - including spots - if filming new stunts.

      • Co-Ed Stunts:
        • Female - Flyers; Males - Bases
        • Extended Toss to Lib or Stretch with pop-off
          • Options to consider: Straight up Toss, Full-Up, or Ball-Up
          • Straight pop-off or 360-down/cork screw
        • Extended Toss to Stretch with Double Down dismount
          • Optional toss entry into extended level
          • Double Down Dismount (have spotters available; correct surface restrictions must be followed)
        • Elite Entries, if able, to extended stunts 
          • Options to consider: rewinds, front/back-handspring up, cartwheel up, etc. Stunt series is encouraged with multiple skills connected.
          • Female candidates evaluated on body positions, ease of stunt, collegiate image, stunt difficulty & execution
          • Male candidates evaluated on strength, technique, collegiate image, stunt difficulty & execution
      • All-Girl Squad Candidates:
        • Identify which position(s) you are showing before each stunt.
        • Can show multiple positions per stunt skill.
        • All female groups preferred. TTU does not have small coed, you will be with all female groups.
        • If able to showcase All-Girl Collegiate two-person based stunt group
          • Main base and one side base lifting flyer
          • Toss or Hands/Prep-Level press to Extension, Lib, or Awesome; pop-off dismount
          • Toss/Straight-Up to Extension, Lib, or Awesome; pop-off dismount
          • Practice safe spotting and correct surface restrictions when stunting.
        • Three-Person Based All-Girl stunt group:
          • Main base, Side base, Back spot lifting flyer
          • Preferred at least Full-Up entry into Stretch/Arabesque with Double Down
          • Additional stunts to highlight your position in group.
          • Bases: looking at technique, strength in stunts/dismounts
          • Flyers: looking at technique, flexibility, body positions, ease of stunt

Tryout Notes

      • Wear the correct attire if filming new video clips.
      • New video with skills above is highly recommended. If needing to submit video(s) from previous practices, competitions, or games please provide documentation of which person you are and what skill you execute. Make sure you can visibly be seen throughout section you want evaluated. 
        • Preferred to narrow down best skills into an organized video collection with sections detailed above.
      • Do your hair and make-up as if you were trying out in-person.
      • Please do not edit/cut then splice skills together. You may stop filming after each completed tumbling pass or stunt.  
      • Make sure the angles and lighting show us the best view of you, your performance, and the execution of skills.


Tryout Timeline & Important Dates

      • Tryout Timeline:
        • April 19 - Qualifying Videos & Applications Due
        • April 20-25 - Coaches' Video Review & Assessments
        • April 26 - In-Person/Final Tryout Invitations sent out
        • May 15-16 - In-Person/Final Tryout for Qualifiers ONLY
      • Updates and information posted at:
        • Twitter & Instagram: @ttucheer
        • Facebook.com/TexasTechCheer
        • Website: www.spiritsquads.ttu.edu 

 

How to Submit Tryout Video

  • Complete Tryout Application
  • Pay $25 Application Fee (online system)
  • Incoming New Potential Members:
    • Submit Skills Video
      • Email (bruce.bills@ttu.edu) a YouTube link or Dropbox file
        • Please do not attach videos as email attachments. Organize collection onto a YouTube link, dropbox folder, etc.
      • Videos Due by April 19; 5:00 PM CST
      • Final Video Evaluations will be reviewed through April 25.
      • At anytime in process, once a video is received, a squad position offer or invitation to finals may be made.
      • Finalists will be sent invitation on April 26.
      • Live Final Tryouts scheduled for May 15-16.
        • Additional details will be sent with invitation for finalists only.
        • Masks must be worn.
        • No guests allowed to watch tryouts.
  • Current TTU Squad Members:
    • No video needed.
    • Personal assessment and evaluation with Coach completed by April 19.
    • Pending evaluation, invited into Finals.

General Information

      • Review Program Expectations
      • COED: Up to potentially 30 scholarship positions; potentially 3-4 non-scholarship positions offered.
        • Typically our squad consists of 12-14 females; 16-18 males
      • ALL-GIRL: Up to potentially 21 scholarship positions; potentially 3-4 non-scholarship positions offered.
      • Coach has final call on squad sizes.

Planning Ahead...

Contingent on any updated University's protocol.
Updates will be given to new squad members.

    • CoEd Summer Camp: June 2021
    • All-Girl Summer Camp: July 2021
    • Full Cheer Report/Move In: August 2021

Texas Tech Spirit Program

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