University of Alabama Cheerleading Tryout Guide

The University of Alabama cheerleading program is one of the most recognized programs in the SEC and all of college cheerleading. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Crimson Tide competes at the NCAA Division I level. Alabama cheerleaders perform in front of over 100,000 fans at Bryant-Denny Stadium and thousands more at Coleman Coliseum for basketball games. Making the Alabama cheer team requires elite athletic ability, strong fundamentals, and the kind of commanding spirit that can lead one of the largest and loudest crowds in college football.

About the Alabama Cheer Program

The University of Alabama cheerleading program supports the university athletic department by performing at football, basketball, and volleyball games, as well as community events and university functions. Alabama is a coed cheer program, meaning male and female athletes stunt together. The program has a strong tradition of excellence and high expectations for its cheerleaders both athletically and academically. The coaching staff looks for athletes who can combine powerful tumbling and stunting with the charisma and confidence to lead the Tide Nation crowd on game day.

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.

• Official Alabama spirit squads page
• Official Alabama cheer tryouts
• Official Alabama spirit squad coaches

Tryout Requirements

• Enrollment: Must be a currently enrolled UA student or an admitted incoming student
• GPA: Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA required; higher GPA preferred
• Physical examination: Must complete and pass a physical examination before tryouts
• Health insurance: Proof of current health insurance coverage required
• Experience: Previous cheerleading or gymnastics experience at the high school or all-star level is strongly recommended
• Application: Submit the tryout application before the deadline

Skills Evaluated at Tryouts

Tumbling

• Minimum: Standing back handspring
• Preferred: Standing tuck, running tumbling through layout or full
• Technique and consistency are more important than just landing the skill. See our back handspring guide and standing tuck guide.

Stunting

• Females: Flyer positions – liberty, heel stretch, scorpion, bow and arrow, scale. See our flyer technique guide.
• Males: Coed basing strength and technique – toss hands, full-ups, and extension-level stunts
• Ability to hit solid positions, maintain stability, and execute clean cradles and dismounts

Jumps and Motions

• All cheer jumps evaluated for height, technique, rotation, and landing
• Sharp, precise motion technique for game-day performance
• Improve your jumps with our jump height guide

Spirit and Voice

• Ability to lead the Alabama crowd with energy, enthusiasm, and strong voice projection
• Knowledge of Alabama traditions and cheers is a significant advantage

Preparation Tips for Alabama Tryouts

• Learn Alabama traditions: Know “Yea Alabama!” the fight song, the Rammer Jammer cheer, and the Roll Tide Roll chant. These are essential game-day elements.
• Practice coed stunting: Alabama is a coed program. Female candidates should have solid flyer body positions. Male candidates should be building upper body strength for coed basing.
• Build tumbling skills: A running tumbling pass through a tuck or layout sets you apart from other candidates. See our tumbling tips for training advice.
• Condition for game day: Alabama games are long, hot, and physically demanding. Build your cardiovascular endurance with home conditioning workouts and strength training.
• Be confident and loud: Alabama expects their cheerleaders to command the stadium. Practice projecting your voice and performing with authority.
• Work on your performance quality: Alabama values athletes who look polished and perform with energy from start to finish.

What to Expect on Tryout Day

Arrive early with all required materials including paperwork, a water bottle, snacks, and proper athletic attire. The typical tryout process includes:

1. Registration and paperwork check
2. Group warm-up and stretching period
3. Individual skill evaluation (tumbling, stunting, jumps)
4. Material learning session (fight song, sideline cheers, band dances)
5. Group performance evaluation in small groups
6. Interview with the coaching staff

After Tryouts

Results are typically announced within 24-48 hours. If selected, you will attend a mandatory team meeting covering practice schedules, expectations, uniform fittings, and summer conditioning plans. If not selected, request feedback from the coaches to understand what to improve for next time. Many successful Alabama cheerleaders did not make the team on their first attempt.

More University Tryout Guides

See our other SEC guides: Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, LSU. Also see our general tryout tips guide.

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.