You can train for months and still lose your spot to something that has nothing to do with skill: a late form, a video link the coaches can’t open, or a necklace you forgot to take off. College tryout packets are full of rules like these, and several say plainly what happens if you break them. Here are the most common avoidable mistakes, with examples from real programs’ published tryout rules.

For the full tryout process, see our cheerleading tryouts guide. For ways to gain points, see how to stand out at cheer tryouts.

1. Missing a Deadline or Sending an Incomplete Application

This is the easiest way to be out before tryout day. Pitt warns that “incomplete or late applications and videos may remove your eligibility” to try out. Arizona says late or emailed submissions will not be accepted, and that errors in documents or filmed skills “cannot be corrected after the deadline.” Kansas State’s 2026 tryout fee had to be paid by April 1 for candidates to be eligible.

How to avoid it: list every deadline, fee and form from the packet, and submit a few days early. Check our College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory for your school’s process.

2. Forgetting to Apply to the University

Many programs only take students who are admitted. Arizona requires acceptance for the fall semester. Western Kentucky requires candidates to be formally accepted into the university. Louisville asks you to apply to the university before it sends a tryout application. If you plan to try out, apply to the school on time.

3. Skipping Medical and Insurance Requirements

Medical paperwork often has its own timing rules. Pitt asks for a physical from within six months before the tryout, plus sickle cell solubility test results. It notes the NCAA now accepts only solubility test results, not most newborn screenings. UCF requires a sickle cell test and a 2026 sports physical on the first day of clinic. Virginia Tech requires you to be cleared by its athletic trainer before joining an open practice. Book appointments early, because lab results and doctor visits take time.

4. Ignoring the Video Instructions

In a video round, the video is your tryout, and programs are strict about format:

• Arizona says skills must be performed exactly as listed and on the required surface, “or the skill may not be evaluated and could result in disqualification.” Video links that require access approval “cannot be viewed and will not be evaluated.”
• South Carolina doesn’t accept videos by email and asks you not to use links that expire.
• Western Kentucky won’t watch more than one video of the same skill and doesn’t accept footage from camps, clinics or combines.

Test your link in a private browser window before you submit. Our guide on how to film a cheer tryout video covers the common rules.

5. Tumbling on a Spring Floor in Your Video

Many programs want to see skills you can do on a game-day surface. South Carolina requires all skills on a non-spring surface such as a dead mat or grass. San Diego State says “No spring floor.” Florida says skills must be on a hard floor, dead mat or grass with shoes, “or they will not be judged.” California Baptist says any skill shown on a spring floor will have to be redone on a hard floor.

6. Wearing Jewelry or the Wrong Attire

Jewelry isn’t just a style issue. USA Cheer’s college rules prohibit jewelry of any kind, require short fingernails and require soft-soled athletic shoes. USASF rules for all star cheer ban jewelry too (medical ID tags excepted), and say it can’t be taped over. Tryout packets repeat these rules: Kansas State says “Absolutely no jewelry or long fingernails.”

Beyond safety, programs have very different dress codes. Arizona asks women for a bow and hair half-up or in a full ponytail. UCLA asks for hair down, no ponytails and no bows. Fresno State specifies black fitted clothing, a white bow and covered tattoos. Wear exactly what your packet says, not what another school asked for.

7. Not Knowing the Material

Some programs won’t teach you their game-day material at tryouts. Kansas State says its fight song, “Wabash Cannonball” and chant are online and “we will not teach these at tryouts.” Virginia Tech also expects candidates to know the fight song on arrival, and South Carolina expects the same of female candidates. Material can change, too: San Diego State updated the motion work in its female fight song on April 21, 2026. Learn the current version.

8. Throwing Skills You Haven’t Mastered

A crashed skill costs you points and can injure you or your stunt group. Kansas State asks for your “most difficult yet confident pass,” doesn’t allow spotters for tumbling, and expects you to keep performing your tryout skills during the season. USA Cheer’s college rules say skills that haven’t been mastered should be performed only in a supervised practice environment.

9. Breaking Safety Rules at the Tryout

Kansas State says it follows all USA Cheer safety rules and that anyone caught breaking USA Cheer or K-State rules “will be asked to leave tryouts.” It also doesn’t allow stunting, tumbling or jumping on K-State property without a K-State coach or trainer present. Don’t warm up with unsupervised stunts, and don’t perform skills on concrete, asphalt, or wet or uneven ground outside the tryout area.

10. Trying Out Hurt Without Clearance

Hiding an injury can make it worse and hurt your tryout. Programs ask about injuries on purpose: Hawai’i’s audition sheet asks about past or present injuries that could affect your performance, and Arizona requires injured returning members to be cleared by the team physician before they try out. If you’ve had a concussion, get cleared by a health-care professional first. USA Cheer’s concussion resources page links to return-to-participation guidance.

11. Using Last Year’s Information

Tryout pages often stay up after a cycle ends. As of September 30, 2026, Troy’s online tryout application still showed the 2025-26 cycle. Check the cycle label on every page and packet, and email the program if the next cycle’s details aren’t posted yet.

12. Checking Out When You’re Not Being Judged

Your attitude is watched all day. Arizona scores “Attitude, and Effort” and requires candidates to attend the entire tryout “to support all groups.” Stay engaged, cheer for other groups, and take corrections with a quick “got it.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common reason candidates are disqualified?

Programs don’t publish reasons, but their packets say what makes you ineligible: late or incomplete applications, missing fees, videos that don’t follow instructions, and not being admitted to the university.

Can I wear earrings to cheer tryouts?

Plan on no. USA Cheer’s college rules and USASF all star rules ban jewelry of any kind, and tryout packets such as Kansas State’s repeat that rule.

Can I film my tryout video on a trampoline or spring floor?

Usually not for the required skills. South Carolina, San Diego State, Florida and California Baptist all want skills on a non-spring surface.

Sources: USA Cheer, 2026-27 College Cheer Rules; USASF, Rules & Age Grid (2026-27 Cheer Rules); program tryout pages and packets for Pitt, Arizona, Kansas State, Western Kentucky, Louisville, UCF, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, San Diego State, Florida, California Baptist, UCLA, Fresno State, Hawai’i and Troy. Last checked September 30, 2026.