Pro Cheer Auditions: How to Master Grace Under Pressure
Imagine you’re on stage. A few minutes from now, you’re going to perform a routine in a small group for the judges. You feel butterflies in your stomach. Your palms are all cold and sweaty. Deep inside, you remind yourself that you shouldn’t screw this moment. This is your time to show the world what you’re made of - that you deserve a spot in your dream squad.
Feeling mild pressure is a good thing because it drives you to excel. You pay more attention to the moment and maximize the opportunity. The truth is, it’s not just you who feels nervous.
Huge events that mean something in your life, such as the NFL or NBA professional cheerleader auditions, brings out the child in you. You’re exposed and out in the open. No matter how much you want to panic, you can’t. And you shouldn’t.
For most of the time that you are in the public eye, you are expected to look joyful and confident. Yes, even under pressure. No one wants a cheerleader who’s terrified. So here, I’m sharing with you 4 tips to master grace during the auditions. Ready?
Use body language to your advantage.
Amy Cuddy is a social psychologist who studied the effects of posture on a person’s hormones. Research showed that “a high power pose” or standing in a posture of confidence, impacts the testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain. Fake it ‘till you become it.
Though body language may not be everything, it sure does wonders for your performance and improves people’s impression of you. There’s no way for the judges to know how nervous you feel unless you let it show!
Visualize yourself performing and succeeding.
You don’t have to fail on your big day just to realize that you need to practice your dance moves all over again. Fail-proof your performance by mentally rehearsing your success. Worrying about failure does nothing but affect your mood, posture, and facial expression. Athletes practice mental rehearsal, and so should you - because you’re a future cheerleader.
Mental rehearsal entails playing an action or performance in your mind. You simply imagine without doing anything actual. Mental rehearsal is a simple trick that makes you feel calmer. Please don’t think that mental rehearsal is daydreaming because it’s not. It’s deliberate and purposeful.
Be the best version of yourself.
The goal is not just to be yourself, but the best version of yourself. Don’t get distracted by the performance of other candidates or try to compare your preparation with theirs. There’s a whole lot of potential in you and that deserves to be seen by everybody. Being the best version of yourself entails putting all your focus on you.
Own the moment. Remember that you are in full control. Stressing about the things that “could possibly go wrong” won't help. In fact, overthinking kills your performance. There’s a place that deserves your attention and that special place is NOW. Focus on the present moment and you transcend.
Take a deep breath.
Slowing your breath is a proven way to help you relax, according to research findings. No wonder, breathing exercises are highly recommended for patients with anxiety disorders. Change your breathing pattern when you feel nervous. It’ll keep your thoughts still.
When you’re calm, your concentration becomes sharper. Sharper thoughts mean you remember all that you’ve rehearsed and easily master the routines taught in the auditions. You filter out pessimistic thoughts. All it takes is a few deep breaths.
Can you picture yourself dancing under the bright lights alongside gorgeous cheerleaders, cheering for the NFL or NBA?
If you dream of joining a professional dance team audition but have no idea on how to get started, my book entitled Professional Cheerleading Audition Secrets: How To Become an Arena Cheerleader for NFL®, NBA®, and Other Pro Cheer Teams will guide you every step of the way.
I decided to write this book to help you discover the best tips and advice on staying fit and beautiful, adopting the right mindset, maintaining your image, and more - based on my 20+ years of experience in the professional cheerleading industry.
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