High School Creative Ways To Let Girls Know They Have Made The Team.

[vannahlexis]

When I tried out for high school, the coach wrote our numbers on a sheet of paper and sat it on one side of the room, and had the cheerleaders line up on the opposite side of the room. Once my coach left the room, we would run to the other side and just check.

When I tried out for a camp staff, there were 3 separate cuts. Before the tryout even started, you got an acceptance/declining letter, then during tryouts they'd call your number and have half step into the other room, and one half doesn't make it, then the remaining get acceptance/declining letters emailed a few days later.

When I tried out for college, they called off the names of the girls who made it while everyone was in the same room.

The high school tryout was my favorite.

 

[BowsnBling]

How do you all feel about having cuts throughout the week , for example, first day tumbling then we post who is invited back and so on until we are at the number we want.

 

[BuegeSmalls]

How do you all feel about having cuts throughout the week , for example, first day tumbling then we post who is invited back and so on until we are at the number we want.

I think that's fine, especially if you have a huge number of girls trying out so you can cut it down faster to the people who you are really considering.

 

[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

I coached HS Varsity comp up until last year (about 8 years total.)

Announcing teams has always been my LEAST favorite thing to do. EVER.

Our tryouts always conclude on a Friday. When I first started, I would post the list on the gym doors SATURDAY morning (just numbers, no names) EARLY so I knew no one would be there. I feel like that gave everyone Sunday to recover if they didn't make it and to decide if they wanted to try out for JV (whose tryout is later and separate.)

For the past 4 years (and now), we've emailed girls individually on Saturday. If you make it, it says "Congrats, your mandatory team meeting is _________." If you didn't it says "You have not been selected. Feedback sheets are available ______ if you're interested in knowing what could be improved for next year."

I think that the email is pretty good as girls could be at HOME and find out. There are some who will have girls over and hang out waiting for the emails, but overall it's pretty individual.

I'm a big fan of making this as un-embarrassing as possible.

When I cheered in MS + HS (quite some time ago, as I'm almost 30), the numbers were announced OVER THE PA SYSTEM AT SCHOOL. Yes, really. I made it every year so it was never a huge deal for me, but it was CRUSHING for others (think lots of hallway tears, going home "sick.") Hence why I like to keep it low-key.

I'm with everyone else, there's really no way to make this pain-free. You just do the best you can.

 

[FANtasticxo]

I remember trying out for my middle school team, and we all sat on the bench waiting for our name to be called. When we were called we got to stand up and go to the middle of the gym. Everyone made it but one girl. It was awful. In high school we did numbers and the list was posted. That was better but not that much better because even if its anonymous, when everyone is looking all together everyone is going to ask each other. Id say emails are the least painful way to do it.


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[MHSCheercoach]

I'm getting inspiration from all the "baby reveals" and am going to do something similar this year. Each girl trying out will be given a box with their name on it. They will open the box and if they made it, balloons, if not, the box will be empty. Thought it would be fun.
I don't mean to sound harsh as not making the team can be a hard blow, but when we are talking high school, it's time they learn to deal with disappointment. I don't want to embarrass any girls, but I coach in a small town so everyone is going to know who made it and who didn't. We have tryouts on a Saturday morning, the girls have the rest of the day and all day Sunday to gather themselves before school, but before the girls even leave the gym they are posting tweets and Facebook messages, even pictures of who made it. Whether you email them, post a list, or tell them all as a group, there are going to be some who are disappointed.
I've told them as a group, which left three girls out. I've called them in individually with those not making it leaving at that point and the rest going to a classroom to be with their new teammates. I know it's important for us to take the girls emotions in mind especially those that don't make it, but let's also think of those who do make it. It's a big deal to them, it's something to be proud of and they should get to celebrate with their new teammates at that moment.
I've had girls cry, but it was the ones who made it, I've never had a girl who didn't make it that didn't have a good idea it was coming. The girls I've had to cut were okay with it, did it hurt, I'm sure it did, but those who made it gave them hugs and in turn they congratulated those who made it. Perhaps it's because I do coach at a small school, but these girls all know each other very well, having a friend there for you when you find disappointment is better than being all alone in my opinion.

 

[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

^^^^See, I've always had rather large-ish teams. Ex: If I had all of my about 40 candidates in a room, and announced my team of 27 (that is where the break in scores occurred last year) to the entire group, I'd never get out alive.

I've also had parent issues relating to tryouts in the past (e.g. I've been almost cornered leaving school by a parent over tryout results), so I NEED to keep it low key and have everyone be at HOME for the results (i.e. not where I post the list and get cornered trying to leave.)

I think it's great that your kids can display the sportsmanship needed to all be TOGETHER, though.

 

[AScheer]

I'm getting inspiration from all the "baby reveals" and am going to do something similar this year. Each girl trying out will be given a box with their name on it. They will open the box and if they made it, balloons, if not, the box will be empty. Thought it would be fun.
I don't mean to sound harsh as not making the team can be a hard blow, but when we are talking high school, it's time they learn to deal with disappointment. I don't want to embarrass any girls, but I coach in a small town so everyone is going to know who made it and who didn't. We have tryouts on a Saturday morning, the girls have the rest of the day and all day Sunday to gather themselves before school, but before the girls even leave the gym they are posting tweets and Facebook messages, even pictures of who made it. Whether you email them, post a list, or tell them all as a group, there are going to be some who are disappointed.
I've told them as a group, which left three girls out. I've called them in individually with those not making it leaving at that point and the rest going to a classroom to be with their new teammates. I know it's important for us to take the girls emotions in mind especially those that don't make it, but let's also think of those who do make it. It's a big deal to them, it's something to be proud of and they should get to celebrate with their new teammates at that moment.
I've had girls cry, but it was the ones who made it, I've never had a girl who didn't make it that didn't have a good idea it was coming. The girls I've had to cut were okay with it, did it hurt, I'm sure it did, but those who made it gave them hugs and in turn they congratulated those who made it. Perhaps it's because I do coach at a small school, but these girls all know each other very well, having a friend there for you when you find disappointment is better than being all alone in my opinion.

^^^^See, I've always had rather large-ish teams. Ex: If I had all of my about 40 candidates in a room, and announced my team of 27 (that is where the break in scores occurred last year) to the entire group, I'd never get out alive.

I've also had parent issues relating to tryouts in the past (e.g. I've been almost cornered leaving school by a parent over tryout results), so I NEED to keep it low key and have everyone be at HOME for the results (i.e. not where I post the list and get cornered trying to leave.)

I think it's great that your kids can display the sportsmanship needed to all be TOGETHER, though.

Agree with @oncecoolcoachnowmom. I have had some crazy moms, and OVER emotional girls. I want to be no where near the vicinity when some of them find out. I usually find its the worst ones, who have absolutely no chance, that are the most upset. Its best for all in my situation to not do it in front of a group. Not to mention I usually have upwards of 50 or 60 girls trying out. Couldn't imagine making something for all those girls!

In my own experience it was hard either way. I have been the one that was cut and couldn't get out of there quick enough to not cry in front of people. I've also been one to make it and and while I wanted to jump up and down screaming, I couldn't because I felt bad. It actually ruined my moment to have the upset girls there. Just my opinion on big group announcements or displays. I think a special thing would be a place later that day that the new team could get together and celebrate without having to worry about hurting feelings. Maybe a new team dinner or swim party etc.

 

[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

Yes! Varsity is the competitive team so we get a great deal of girls trying out who are highly competitive (minimum tumbling requirement is a running and standing tuck, I have girls throwing fulls at tryouts, a couple all star girls.) They've spent a season or 2 on JV so many of them are hungry to move up so they can compete.

There also is no "automatic spot because you've been on JV for 3 years and this is your senior season." It's all based on skills. I've had amazing incoming freshmen make it over rising juniors who have been on JV 2 seasons. I've had Varsity veterans I've coached for 2 years not make it back senior year.

I made the mistake of sticking around for the list one time when a 2 year veteran ended up an alternate (skill declined, barely made it) and it was just not pretty.

Email is the only way to do it over here. I'll likely be returning to coaching next season this tryout will likely still be results by email. If we did a group balloon release like that, I'd need to hire bodyguards to get out of the building.

ETA: We do have a congratulatory team dinner for everyone who makes it, but that info is given out at the team meeting (info is in the email for those who make it.) We have always celebrated, just not in front of everyone so that no one ends up having to be escorted from the gym by security!

 

[retiredl5cheer]

In college we were brought into the hallway outside of the gym. If your number was called, you went into the gym. If it wasn't, you stayed in the hallway. Those who made it were able to celebrate together, but not in front of those who didn't.

I've experienced it the other way... at NFL tryouts I got cut on stage in front of cameras and hundreds of people. Not a fun experience. The positive was that all those who made it were kept on stage, so I got to grab my stuff and leave without having to face anyone.

I think the biggest thing is keeping the two groups separate.

 

[BuegeSmalls]

At my school it's funny because they send out an email and the yay you made it one is called "yes.doc" so you already know before you open the attachment lol. I'm assuming the you didn't make it one is called "no.doc" but so far I thankfully haven't gotten that one.


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[ErinS]

When I was in middle school trying out for high school varsity, they called your name over the PA system at the end of the school day.

I'd tried out both years of middle school for middle school cheer and didn't make it. The day they announced the results for high school cheer when I was in 8th grade my mom picked me up early from school (surprised me) so I was en route to the front office during the announcement and couldn't hear it. I will never ever forget seeing my mom at the end of a long hallway and I just knew I hadn't made it and that's why she was there. I burst out in tears and started crying and running down the hall and she was standing there smiling like "Erin what's wrong". And I told her I didn't make cheerleading and she was like "what? They announced your name"

She'd heard the announcement and I didn't.

In conclusion this is the worst way to announce a team.

When I was in high school for the next 2 try outs they posted numbers.

I believe my senior year we figured out they posted the names by try out score.

When I coached a middle school team I called each girl personally. I also provided my email to the girls that didn't make it so they could hear why they didn't make it and what they needed to work on


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[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

^^^^See I would LOVE to be able to personally phone EVERY girl. However, I can guarantee that there'd be a mom waiting to old school three-way ambush me or something.

Me: Hey, Suzie. I was just calling to tell you that you did not make the team. You just really need to work on your tum-"
Mom: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE DIDN'T MAKE IT! HER TUMBLING IS AMAZING. SHE WAS ON SENIOR 2 THIS YEAR!"

 

[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

At my school it's funny because they send out an email and the yay you made it one is called "yes.doc" so you already know before you open the attachment lol. I'm assuming the you didn't make it one is called "no.doc" but so far I thankfully haven't gotten that one.


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Oh no!

The subject of the email is 2014-2015 AHS Cheer.

Then the message is in an actual email, not an attachment, so you can't be like "SWEET JESUS THE NAME OF THE DOC SAYS NO!"

 

[BuegeSmalls]

Oh no!

The subject of the email is 2014-2015 AHS Cheer.

Then the message is in an actual email, not an attachment, so you can't be like "SWEET JESUS THE NAME OF THE DOC SAYS NO!"

Hahahah I mean I think it says no? I haven't gotten that one and I don't know anyone that didn't make it well enough to ask lol. But the yes attachment is like a congrats letter with further instructions and then the names of the other people who made it I can't remember the subject of the email :/


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