Pope Cheer

Pope Cheer Tryouts – FAQs

When are tryouts?

Clinics / Evaluations will be April 11-14, but videos to learn the cheer, chant, and dance will be available online beginning as early as March 15. Candidates are expected to learn the tryout material on their own. Clinic time is reserved for stunting, tumbling, and performances.  

How many people will make the squad(s)?

Squad composition varies from year to year, as does the number of girls selected for each squad. For the 2021 – 2022 cheer season, coaches will place qualified girls on squads based on the following:​

• Varsity Competition / Football

  • 9th – 12th graders

  • Athletes must maintain tumbling / stunting skills throughout the season.

  • Generally speaking,  Varsity cheerleaders should have advanced tumbling with a minimum back handspring. However, ALL interested candidates are encouraged to try out for the competition team regardless of tumbling ability.

  • Multiple stunt groups – including bases, backspots, and flyers – are needed, so selection will be determined by which combination of stunt positions will make the squad the most competitive.

• JV Competition / Football

  • 9th – 11th graders

  • JV comp members should have some tumbling; however, ALL interested candidates should try out regardless of tumbling ability.

  • This squad may become sideline only if there is not enough interest in a JV competition team. In that case, the team would cheer both JV and Varsity sideline. 

• Varsity Basketball: 

  • 9th – 12th graders

  • Athletes will be placed on 2 or more squads, and games will be divided

  • Athletes who do not wish to cheer competitively will be considered for basketball squads only

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What skills do I need to make the squad?

During tryouts, coaches will evaluate jumps, tumbling, and stunting ability, knowledge of material, motion technique, and vocal projection. Candidates are also evaluated on their spirit, enthusiasm, and positive attitudes.

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What kind of time commitment does cheerleading take?

This depends on the squad you make. Here’s a general guideline:

JV and VARSITY FOOTBALL/COMPETITION TEAMS:

• May Mini Camps (June 2-4)

• UCA Summer Camp (June 21-25)

• Region Cheer Competition in November

• Practices twice a week end of May through July (except for the GHSA Dead Week)

• Choreography (3 days in July)

• Practices 3-4 days a week once school starts

• 1 football game per week from August to November

• 4-8 Saturday Competitions (September – November

VARSITY SIDELINE BASKETBALL

• Practices 1-2 days a week beginning in late September or early October

• 1 (occasionally 2) games per week from November through end of February

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Are parents expected to volunteer at events?

YES! The Pope Cheer Association (our booster club) is one of the best at Pope High School. The only way we maintain these standards is with parent volunteers. Each year, we ask parents to sign up for at least 6 volunteer opportunities, such as: mini-camp help, squad reps, photographers, Homecoming and Senior week volunteers, and many others. Without parent volunteers, we will be unable to continue the traditions that have made cheering for Pope HS so special for our girls.

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