How to Project Confidence in a Crowd (7 Tips)

Crowd confidence is an essential trait that aspiring pro cheerleaders should have. It is the first thing judges look for in a candidate during the auditions. Why? Because if you lack the confidence to face a crowd and a panel of judges, you won’t have the confidence to dance in front of thousands of people during an NBA or NFL game. To project confidence while impressing the crowd in an audition, here’s what you need to do.

1. Maintain an assertive, energetic, and sexy posture

At the preliminary part of the auditions, you’ll stand beside other candidates. Most of these candidates are experienced and have auditioned for other pro cheer squads before. They have learned that to project confidence and impress the judges, they need to stand up straight with their shoulders down and slightly pulled backward while their heads face straight forward.

Think that this part of pro cheer auditions is just like a beauty pageant minus the question and answer portion.

2. Choose to be an optimist

Don’t entertain negative thoughts during the auditions. It may be unavoidable to do so but worry about what happens after when the auditions are over.

To keep an optimistic mind, remember all the hard work you have done during audition preparation. Don’t undervalue all your efforts such as physical training, dieting, makeup application practice, dance practice, and confidence-building. Be proud of your progress!

3. Loosen up

Pro cheer auditions may be like a competition because you’re fighting for a position in your dream pro cheer squad. But you shouldn’t let that pressure get to you. Plan which makeup style you’ll wear, what dance routine you’ll showcase, and how you’ll respond to the judges’ questions. Stick to that plan. Take deep breaths if you’re nervous and trust yourself.

4. Watch your arms and hands

Maintaining an assertive, energetic, and sexy posture isn’t just about avoiding to slouch. You must be aware of what you do with your hands. Crossing your arms is a big no-no. That’s aggression, not an assertion.

Avoid putting your fingers in your shorts as if they were pockets. Avoid fidgeting. Avoid holding one arm with your other hand and rubbing it. Let your hands hang by your sides naturally while you maintain your proper audition posture.

You can choose to put one hand on your side and let the other hand hang naturally or put both hands on your waist.

5. Keep on smiling

Without an expression of joy, your assertive pose will look intimidating. That is why you should match good posture with a smirk, grin, or smile. Remember, the goal is to project confidence, not over-confidence.

6. Maintain proper eye contact

While you project confidence, it’s very important that you maintain eye contact. If a judge talks to you, look straight at their eyes back. If nobody is talking to you, look at the crowd. Look for familiar faces. Bring someone you know to the auditions for a confidence boost. If you’re alone, glance at friendly faces and smile at them.

7. Embrace failure

It’s normal to think that you won’t make it during an audition once you see that there are other candidates better than you. To tell you the truth, you have a 50-50 chance of making it to the 2nd rounds. Sometimes thinking about that makes you commit dancing mistakes or inarticulation.

But you shouldn’t let that slim chance of success throw your confidence off during the audition process. Just focus on sticking to your plan. Keep on maintaining eye contact, your posture, smile, optimism, and relaxed state. Remember the things that other candidates do better and use them in the future.

Your first pro cheer squad audition may not be successful. But in my experience, it’s better to fail at first because when your second opportunity comes, you’ll feel less pressure and perform better at winning the judges and the crowd’s favor.

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