August 13, 2012

PEMBROKE – The UNCP cheerleading squad will hold its summer tryout on August 16 at 3:30 p.m., while the dance team will hold its tryout on August 17 at 2:30 p.m., in the English E. Jones Center auxiliary gym, head coach Rebecca Kenney announced Monday.

Persons wishing to try out for the squad must be a full-time student at UNCP and have an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better. Candidates must also be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the University and have sufficient physical fitness, strength, and athletic skills to perform the cheerleading, dance, and mascot activities.

Each person wishing to tryout for cheerleading or dance needs to fill out a tryout application and read and sign the policies and procedures as well as provide one letter of recommendation. Those trying out must wear black shorts and a plain white top when reporting.

For more information on the tryouts, please contact Kenney by phone at (910) 522-5724 or by email at rebecca.cooper@uncp.edu.

DOWNLOADABLE FORMS
Spirit Squad Policies
Tryout Application

UNCP CHEERLEADING TRYOUT SKILL CRITERIA
The head coach of the UNCP Cheerleading squad will select members of the team. Members will be chosen based on the following criteria:

1.    Motion Technique
       Evaluated on sharp/tight motions, motion placement, knowledge to remember and overall technique and execution.
2.    Dance
       Evaluated on rhythm, sharpness, creativity, difficulty, knowledge to remember and overall technique and execution.
3.    Jumps
       Must demonstrate a toe-touch (Russian), a front hurdler, and a pike jump; Evaluated on height, form, technique, pointed toes and overall execution.
4.    Stunts
       Must demonstrate at least three stunts. These stunts include a double-base extension, a liberty and basket toss. Co-ed partner stunts will also be
       allowed (toss to hands, walk-in, toss to liberty, etc); When dismounting these stunts, you must perform a pop cradle. Full and double twisting cradles
       are preferred. Execute sharp and clean stunts; Evaluated on technique, stability, form, attention to safety, dismount and overall execution.
5.    Tumbling
       Evaluated on the demonstration of a standing back-handspring and/or standing back tuck, round-off back-handspring series, round-off back tuck,
       round-off back-handspring back tuck and other advanced tumbling skills.
6.    Appearance
       Your appearance should be neat and clean. Hair should be pulled back and out of your face and eyes. Your should wear a white t-shirt or tank top (with
       no writing) and black shorts.
7.    Voice
       Your voice should be loud, strong, and able to lead a crowd during a game! Your voice should have spirit and enthusiasm.
8.    Crowd Appeal
       This consists of smiling, appropriate facial expressions, and overall spirit and enthusiasm.


GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DANCE TEAM
-Leaps; Right, Left and Middle/ second.
-Toe touch
- C- Jumps
- Reverse leaps
- Double Pirouette
- Illusions
- tilt (aka Sparkle)
- Barrel (aka calypso)
- Helicopters
- Axels
- Flick or suprise leap
- Right, left and center splits
- Heel stretches
- Chanee & P- Kay turns
- Fan kicks
- Hitch Kicks
- Pencil Turns
- Shoulder rolls
- Fire Birds (aka Ring Jumps)

ADVANCED REQUIREMENTS FOR DANCE TEAM
- Switch leaps
- Double Toe Touch
- Switch middle
- Turning C (roll to floor)
- Fouettes (at least two, straight or bent leg)
- Triple Pirouette
- Chanee P- K Fouette
- Turning split leaps
- Tours
- Tour jette
- Turning leg hold.