Cheer Video Tryout Information

Video tryouts are not encouraged and not accepted every year. Special situations only. Highly recommend attending live tryouts if possible.

All-Girl Tryouts | CoEd Tryouts

To Make Video Tryout Request:
Email: bruce.bills@ttu.edu
Subject Line: Your Name - Video Tryout Request

Call: 806-834-2338; Monday-Friday 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Will only talk to student/participant - no parent calls.
Leave detailed message if not answered. Include a good call back day/time frame and number.

Electronic Submissions (YouTube links or DropBox files):
Email: bruce.bills@ttu.edu
Subject Line: Your Name - Video Tryout

Video Tryout Requirements

• Completed Tryout Application
  
• Must have met/visited with Coach Bills to gain video tryout permission by March 1.
• Must be extended an invitation to tryout via video by coach. Not all requests will be granted.
• Freshmen/Transfer Students - Accepted to TTU for Fall 2019.
• Current TTU students:
  • Enrolled full time (Undergraduate: 12 hours, Graduate: 9 hours)
  • Cumulative & Current GPA of 2.0 or above
• Pay Video Application Fee ($75 - nonrefundable)
  • Mail in prior to Tryouts, videos will not be watched until payment received.
  • Texas Tech Cheer
    Attn: Bruce Bills
    2526 15th Street, Box 45014
    Lubbock, TX  79409 
  • Cash or Checks - made out to TTU Cheer, with your name in check memo line.
• One Personal Letter stating why you want to be a part of the Texas Tech Cheer, what you feel you bring to our team, and reason(s) you have to miss live tryouts. (emailed or mailed with payment)
• Private YouTube link or Dropbox link.
• Video filmed on dead mat (tumbling can not be on spring floor).
• Little to no distractions in background or around you during tryout process.
• Clear view of you throughout entire video.
• Does not have to be professionally made. Clean, steady, good sound/video quality.
• Video Links must be submitted by Monday, May 13, 2019 at 5:00 PM CST.
• You will receive confirmation of Coach for getting video and your assigned tryout number. Follow social media day of tryouts for your number to know your progress in tryouts.

Video Tryout Attire

Video Tryout Elements & Format

1. Individual Interview:

• Please speak about each of the bullets below:
  Make sure we can hear & see you throughout this portion of the video.
  Wear tryout attire. Show full body then zoom-in to waist-up with clear face visual while speaking.
  
  
  • Introduction of Candidate: Name, Age, Hometown, which Squad you're trying out for
  • Cheer Background (experience, location, number of years, level, squad type, etc.)
  • 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 that you would bring to the squad?

2. Gameday Section:

• Texas Tech Fight Song and Sideline Chant. 
  • Taught via YouTube link once tryout application packet is completed.
  • Each candidate will be scored on motion technique, performance, and projection.
  • Perform chant 4 times total (one intro/lead-in and three times with motions)

3. Standing Tumbling & Jumps Section:

• Standing Back Tuck
• Standing Full (if you have skill)
• Three (3) connected Jumps (variety of jumps preferred)
• Toe-Touch Back Tuck
• One Additional Standing Tumbling Pass
  • examples: BHS-Back Tuck; 2BHS-Full; 2BHS-Whip-Full; etc.
• One Additional Jumps to Tumbling Pass
  • examples: double toe touch-back tuck; hurdler-toe-pike-full; max of 3 connected jumps

4. Running Tumbling Section:

• Two Running Tumbling Passes
  • at your best tumbling level; prefer to see two different passes

5. Stunt Section:

• Co-Ed Squad Candidates:
  • Extended Toss to Lib 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)
  • Elite Entry, if able, to extended stunt showing best Body Position(s) with Double Down Dismount
    • Options to consider: rewinds, front/back-handspring up, cartwheel up
    • Female candidates judged on body positions and double down. 
    • Male candidates judged on technique and strength.

• All-Girl Squad Candidates:
  • Identify which position(s) you are showing before each stunt.
  • Can show multiple positions per stunt skill.
  • Two-Person Based stunt group: (main base and one side base lifting flyer)
    • Toss or Hands/Prep-Level press to Extension or Lib; pop-off dismount
    • Toss/Straight-Up to Extension or Lib; pop-off dismount
  • Three-Person Based stunt group: (main base, side base, back spot lifting flyer)
    • Full-Up entry into Stretch with Double Down

Video Tryout Reminders

• Wear the same attire as if you were trying out in-person.
• Do your hair and make-up as if you were trying out in-person.
• Please do not edit/cut skills per line item. You may stop filming after each tumbling pass/stunt.  
  (You can have as many attempts, just only show us one continuous filming per skill requirement listed above.)
• The technique portion does not have to be a continuous filming.
• Make sure the angles and lighting show us the best view of you, your performance, and the execution of skills.
• You are allowed, but not required to overlay music to the skill sections of the video.
• All Videos must be received by Monday, April 30 at 5:00 PM CST.
• Submit via email (bruce.bills@ttu.edu) private YouTube link or Dropbox file. Please do not send in video as attachment.

General Information

• Review Program Expectations
• Video requests must be made and approved by March 1.
• Videos submitted by 5:00 PM on Monday, May 13.