University of Texas at Austin Cheerleading Tryout Guide
The University of Texas at Austin cheerleading program is one of the premier programs in the Big 12 Conference and all of college cheerleading. Located in Austin, Texas, the Longhorns compete at the NCAA Division I level and perform in front of over 100,000 fans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas cheerleading combines elite athletic skills with the deep traditions and school spirit that make Longhorn Nation one of the most passionate fan bases in college sports. Making the Texas cheer team is a highly competitive process that demands exceptional tumbling, stunting, and crowd-leading abilities.
About the Texas Cheer Program
The University of Texas cheerleading program supports UT athletics by performing at football, basketball, and volleyball games, as well as community events and university functions. Texas is a coed cheer program where male and female athletes stunt together. The program has a long tradition of excellence and expects its cheerleaders to represent the university with class, athleticism, and authentic Texas spirit. The coaching staff values both athletic skill and the personality to lead one of the largest and most passionate fan bases in college sports. Texas cheerleaders are ambassadors for the university both on and off the field.
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: Must be a currently enrolled UT student or an admitted incoming student
- GPA: Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA required
- Physical examination: Must pass a physical examination before tryouts
- Health insurance: Proof of current health insurance required
- Experience: Previous cheerleading experience required for the Varsity squad; the Spirit squad may accept candidates with less experience
- Application: Complete the tryout registration form before the deadline
Skills Evaluated at Tryouts
Tumbling
- Minimum: Standing back handspring for Varsity squad
- Preferred: Standing tuck, running tumbling through layout or full
- Consistency and technique matter – a clean back handspring is better than a sloppy tuck. See our back handspring guide.
Stunting
- Females: Coed flyer technique – body positions, flexibility, and confidence. Master positions with our flyer guide.
- Males: Coed basing strength – ability to toss to hands, extension, and full-up stunts
- All athletes: Clean cradles, solid body positions, and safe stunt technique
Jumps, Motions, and Spirit
- All jumps evaluated for height, technique, rotation, and clean landing – improve with our jump height guide
- Sharp, game-day appropriate motion technique
- Strong voice projection and crowd leadership – the Hook Em Horns crowd demands big energy
Preparation Tips for Texas Tryouts
- Learn Texas traditions: Know “The Eyes of Texas” fight song perfectly. Know the Hook Em Horns hand signal and when to use it. These traditions are sacred at UT.
- Practice coed stunting: Texas is a coed program. Work extensively on your flyer body positions or basing technique before tryouts.
- Build tumbling skills: More tumbling skills make you more competitive. Even a standing back handspring series shows consistency. See our tumbling tips.
- Prepare for the Texas heat: Game days in Austin are hot and humid. Build your cardiovascular endurance with home conditioning and strength training.
- Show Texas-sized spirit: Confidence and enthusiasm are valued as much as athletic ability at Texas. Practice performing with energy and personality.
- Be prepared for a competitive process: Texas attracts top talent from across the country. Every skill and every detail matters.
What to Expect on Tryout Day
Arrive early with all required materials. The typical tryout process includes:
- Registration and check-in with required paperwork
- 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 about experience and goals
After Tryouts
Results are typically posted within 24-48 hours. If selected, attend the mandatory team meeting to discuss schedules and expectations. If not selected, ask for feedback and use it to improve for next year. Texas tryouts are highly competitive – even making it to the final round is an accomplishment worth building on.
More University Tryout Guides
See our other guides: Oklahoma, Kentucky, Ohio State, 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.
