Tryout Judging Criteria

General Tryout Criteria: 

YOU MAY ELECT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR COED, ALL GIRL, OR BOTH (please specify on registration form)

• In person tryouts only--no video tape submissions will be allowed for tryouts.

• Voice Quality: voice tone, projection, ability to lead a crowd 
• Showmanship: Enthusiasm, sharp motions, crowd appeal 
• Coordination: ability to perform skills exactly as taught 
• Appearance: personal grooming, neatness 

Attire 

Dress modestly yet appropriately for cheerleading tryouts. Tank tops or tops that reveal the mid-section are not permitted. Clothing worn at tryouts must be clear of team names or logos. 

Immodest or inappropriate attire may have a negative effect on your score. 

Women
A tight fitting SOLID colored t-shirt with biker shorts under solid colored cheer shorts with cheer tennis shoes. 

Men
A solid colored t-shirt with athletic shorts and tennis shoes. 

Coed Stunt Squad Applicants 

Women 
Running Tumbling: Ability, Technique, Execution, and Difficulty. Minimum requirement is a round off back handspring back tuck. Layouts, fulls, whips, and passes with multiple elements are scored higher. 

Standing Tumbling & Jumps: Ability, Technique, Flexibility and Height in toe touch, Execution, and Difficulty. Minimum requirement is a standing toe touch back tuck. Multiple jumps ending in a back tuck are scored higher. 

Partner Stunt: Ability, Technique, Confidence, Safety, Execution, Flexibility, Difficulty, and Tight Form. The ability for the majority of the men trying out to stunt EASILY with you is an important factor. A toss heel stretch full down is the minimum requirement. Possible stunts may also include: arabesque, scorpion, Nike or scale, Bow and Arrow with double downs from extended stunts, full ups, rewinds, etc. 

Judging will also include Overall Effect, Appearance (BYU image), Poise under pressure, Projection, Showmanship, Confidence, Enthusiasm, and Form. 

Men 
Running Tumbling: Ability, Technique, Execution, and Difficulty. Minimum requirement is a round off back handspring; a round off back tuck is encouraged. Layouts, Fulls, Whips, and Passes with multiple elements are scored higher. 

Standing Tumbling & Jumps: Ability, Technique, Flexibility and Height in toe touch, Execution, and Difficulty. Minimum requirement is a standing back tuck *note - this carries a large point value and without this skill, you will not be considered for the squad. 

Multiple jumps ending in a back tuck are scored higher. 

Cheer: Projection, Motions, Crowd Leadership and ability to interact with the crowd, Execution, Confidence, Correct arm angles, Hand positions, Sharpness, Execution (including body placement) and precision, and Memory under pressure. The cheer will be taught at the tryout clinic. 

Partner Stunt: Ability, Technique, Confidence, Safety, Execution, Flexibility, Difficulty, Strength, and Coordination. The ability for the majority of the women trying out to stunt EASILY with you is an important factor. A toss heel stretch is the minimum requirement. (A more advanced stunt in strength and technique may be substituted for the toss heel stretch.) Possible stunts may also include: torch grip stunts, one armed stunts, full ups, rewinds, etc. You may be asked to perform a heel stretch full down with ALL the females trying out during the final cuts. 

Overall Effect: Appearance (BYU image), Poise under pressure, Projection, Showmanship, Confidence, Enthusiasm, Form. 
 

All-Girl Squad Applicants 

Dance: Timing, Rhythm, Coordination, Showmanship, Execution including body placement and precision, and Memory under pressure. The dance will be taught at the tryout clinic. The fight song may also be taught and evaluated. 

Cheer: Projection, Motions, Crowd Leadership and ability to interact with the crowd, Execution, Confidence, Correct arm angles, Hand positions, Sharpness, 

Running Tumbling: Ability, Technique, Execution, and Difficulty. Minimum requirement is a round off back handspring, standing tuck. Cheers will be taught at the tryout clinic. 

Judging will also include overall effect, appearance (BYU image), poise under pressure, projection, showmanship, confidence, enthusiasm, form, personality, stage presence, group stunt ability, technique, safety, execution, flexibility, difficulty, and tight form. We will be looking for ability in all the group stunt positions (ie. flyer, base and spotter). 

All aspects of group stunting will be evaluated. Ability to perform as a base, spot or flyer will be taken into consideration. We are looking to fill ALL the group stunting positions (base, spot, flyer). Knowledge of proper group stunting technique as well as group stunting safety are required. Advanced stunts (ie retakes, full ups, reloads, rewinds ) are a plus. A stretch full or double full will be a basic requirement for a flyer. All flyers should also be able to demonstrate good air sense and body awareness in general. 

Mascot (Cosmo) 

Cosmo has become a very athletic icon of BYU. ESPN was quoted as saying; "He [Cosmo] is probably the most athletic mascot at the university level." BYU is looking for people that can add to this level of performance ability. For more information about tryouts for the BYU Mascot please call 801.422.7613 or email cosmo@byucougars.com