Louisiana State University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
Planning to try out for the Louisiana State University cheerleading team? This guide covers everything you need to know about Louisiana State University cheer tryouts, including requirements, skills evaluated, and preparation tips. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Louisiana State University competes at the NCAA Division I level in the SEC.
About the Louisiana State University Cheer Program
The Louisiana State University cheerleading program supports university athletics and represents the school at competitions, games, and community events. The program values athletic excellence, school spirit, and teamwork.
Official Tryout Information
Tryout requirements can change year to year, so always confirm deadlines, materials, and eligibility on the official university pages before making travel plans or submitting applications.
Tryout Requirements
- Enrollment: Currently enrolled LSU student or admitted incoming student
- GPA: Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA required
- Physical: Must pass a physical examination
- Insurance: Proof of health insurance required
- Experience: Previous cheerleading experience strongly recommended
Skills Evaluated at Tryouts
- Tumbling: Standing back handspring required; running tumbling preferred
- Stunting: Coed stunting technique evaluated
- Jumps: All jumps evaluated for height and technique
- Motions: Sharp, precise motion technique
- Voice: Strong projection to lead Tiger fans at Death Valley
Preparation Tips
- Learn LSU traditions: Know the LSU fight song, Tiger Rag, and Geaux Tigers chant
- Practice coed stunting: LSU is a coed program – perfect your flying or basing technique
- Build tumbling: More tumbling skills make you competitive – see our tumbling tips
- Condition for Death Valley: LSU games are intense and hot – build your stamina with strength training
- Be loud and proud: LSU cheerleading demands big personality and fearless crowd leadership
What to Expect on Tryout Day
On tryout day, arrive early with all required materials. The typical process includes:
- Registration and check-in
- Group warm-up and stretching
- Individual skill evaluation (tumbling, stunting, jumps)
- Material learning (fight song, cheers, band dances)
- Group performance evaluation
- Interview with coaching staff
After Tryouts
Results are typically announced within 24-48 hours. If selected, attend the mandatory team meeting. If not selected, ask coaches for feedback to improve before next tryouts.
More University Tryout Guides
See our other guides: Kentucky, Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, General Tryout Tips.
Final Preparation Checklist
Use this checklist during the final two weeks before tryouts. It helps you stay organized and prevents last-minute mistakes that can hurt your confidence on evaluation day.
- Confirm paperwork: Make sure your tryout registration, physical form, proof of insurance, academic information, and any required waivers are submitted before the deadline.
- Practice the material daily: Fight songs, sideline cheers, and band dances should feel automatic. Coaches notice athletes who learn quickly and perform confidently.
- Clean your tumbling: Do not chase new skills at the last minute. Focus on landing your strongest skills with good technique, pointed toes, tight arms, and controlled finishes.
- Polish your jumps: Practice jump entries, arm swing, toe point, hip rotation, and clean landings. A technically clean jump sequence can separate you from athletes with similar tumbling skills.
- Prepare your tryout outfit: Wear fitted athletic clothes, cheer shoes, and secure hair. Avoid jewelry, loose clothing, or anything that distracts from your technique.
- Bring the right mindset: Coaches are evaluating coachability, effort, attitude, and team fit as much as physical skill.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying skills you cannot hit consistently: A clean back handspring is better than an unsafe or sloppy tuck. Only show skills you can perform reliably under pressure.
- Ignoring school traditions: University cheerleaders are crowd leaders. If you know the fight song, chants, mascot traditions, and game-day style, you look more prepared.
- Low energy between turns: Coaches watch you even when you are not performing. Stay engaged, encourage others, and keep a positive presence.
- Poor communication in stunts: Count clearly, listen to corrections, and stay calm. Safe stunting depends on timing and trust.
- Overtraining the week before: Fatigue causes mistakes. Taper your training, stretch, hydrate, and arrive fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need elite tumbling to make the team?
Elite tumbling helps, but it is not the only factor. Coaches also evaluate stunt technique, jumps, motions, voice, leadership, attitude, and how quickly you learn material. If your tumbling is not the strongest part of your tryout, make sure your motions, spirit, jumps, and coachability are excellent.
What should I focus on if I only have one month to prepare?
Focus on consistency. Clean your strongest tumbling skill, stretch daily, improve jump technique, learn school traditions, and practice performing with confidence. Use our guides on cheerleading tryout tips, jump height, and warm-up routines to build a focused plan.
How can I stand out from other athletes?
Show that you are prepared, energetic, safe, and coachable. Learn the school-specific material early, answer feedback quickly, perform with strong facial expressions, and support other athletes during the process. Coaches want talented athletes, but they also want reliable teammates who represent the university well.
Related Cheerleading Resources
Before tryouts, review our cheerleading for beginners guide, flyer technique guide, base technique guide, and cheerleading shoes guide. These resources help you prepare physically, technically, and mentally for a stronger tryout performance.
