LAKE ZURICH HIGH SCHOOL

For JV and Varsity Cheerleading

FOR: Incoming Freshman, Sophomore,

Junior & Senior LZHS Students

When: Saturday, April 9, 2011,

8:00am – 5:00pm
Where:Lake Zurich High School Main Gym

The LZHS 2011-2012 Cheerleaders will be chosen

by the coaching staff with the assistance of
independent specialty consultants. The number of
individuals on the team will be determined by the
coaches. There is no minimum skill requirement to
try-out for cheerleading, however varsity
cheerleaders are expected to have a minimum of a
standing back handspring, with a preference for a
standing back tuck.

Visit us at:
www.lzhscheerleading.org
for additional try-out information
and mandatory try-out paperwork.
 LZHS Cheerleading Try-outs
Saturday April 9, 2011
Thank you for your interest in LZHS Cheerleading! We have a strong cheerleading tradition here at Lake Zurich
High School and are excited to see so many new people interested. Cheerleading is considered an IHSA sport;
thus we follow the LZHS Athletic Code, and the IHSA and NFHS cheerleading rules. We currently have a
Varsity and Jr. Varsity cheer team. We are a highly competitive program. Football season being the 2nd week
in August, and runs through Thanksgiving. Competition season for IHSA runs through the middle of February.
This includes winter break. Practices and competitions will be held over winter break and are mandatory.
In addition, Varsity cheerleaders cheer at all Varsity boys home football and basketball games and some away
games; The JV cheerleaders cheer at all home sophomore boys’ football and basketball and some away games.
Cheerleaders will cheer at any other game deemed necessary by the coaching staff. All cheerleaders practice 4
days/week plus have approximately 1 game/week. If you are on an extra curricular team of some sort, this is
not allowed to interfere with LZHS Cheerleading. For example: if you are on an extra curricular volleyball team,
your practices or games for this team are not excused for cheer practices or games, therefore you may want to
consider being on one team or the other, not both. You cannot be on an all-star cheerleading team and be a
member of the LZHS competition cheer team. This is an IHSA rule and there is NO flexibility on this.

Cheerleaders are responsible for shoes ($70/season), body suits ($30), briefs ($15). The LZHS Cheerleaders
attend cheer camp in the summer. Camp will be July 25- July 28. The cost is approx. $335 for camp and an
additional $60 for camp/practice clothing. Cheerleading is a sport in which students’ earn a letter. Therefore all
cheerleaders pay an athletic fee of $225 at the start of the school year. Cheerleaders are also required to pay a
summer practice fee of $100. As part of our practices, the LZHS Cheerleaders tumble at an offsite tumbling
facility one day/week. Price is approx $70/month.

Jumps, stunting, tumbling, running, conditioning and cheering at games are a mandatory part of
cheerleading at LZHS. Cheerleaders at LZHS are not one dimensional. All Cheerleaders are expected to
be versatile. You may be asked to learn a new position. If you are not interested in learning and
perfecting all these skills, you should not try out for cheerleading.

This will be a one day, all-inclusive try-out. Prospective cheerleaders will be taught a side line cheer, a short
dance, jumps & stunts. Try-out will include the side line cheer, dance, tumbling, stunts and jumps. Try-outs will
be in an open gym format. Teacher/coach evaluations will be considered at try –outs. Cheerleaders must wear
black shorts, white t-shirt and blue hair-bow for the try-out. Hair that reaches the shoulder must be pulled
back. No Jewelry is allowed. This includes belly rings. Medical tags are allowed but must be taped to the
body. All potential cheerleaders will have an individual photo taken upon registration. This will be attached to
their try-out application and teacher/coach evaluations and is used to assist the coaching staff with visual
recognition during the selection process.

The LZHS Cheerleaders host several fundraisers during the year. These fundraisers are mandatory.

The LZHS Cheerleaders will attend summer camp July 25- July 28. Pre camp practices will be July 11-15
and July 18 – 23; daily from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Cheerleading is a team sport, however we do not have a “bench” like other sports. It is important that all
cheerleaders attend ALL practices and games. There is not someone else that can do your job. What we do
requires that everyone is there at all times. If you cannot commit to this, please do not take a spot away from
someone who is willing to commit.

Cheers!

Pam Bonnevier Tiffany Minne

Head Cheer Coach Asst.Cheer Coach
Lake Zurich High School Lake Zurich High School
Coachpam65@sbcglobal.net LZcheerJV@ ymail.com
 TRY-OUT CHEAT SHEET

If you are looking for what skills to be working on, here is a little help:

TUMBLING
Tumbling is not required on JV, however it is encouraged. Standing back handsprings
and Round-off back handsprings are highly recommended. Girls can help their position
with front and back walkovers, ariels and back extension rolls

Tumbling is mandatory on Varsity. A standing back handspring is the minimum

expected skill level. Girls looking to put themselves in a better position for Varsity
should look to show the following skills: Back handspring back tuck (running and
standing), Cartwheel back tuck, standing tuck.

All tumbling skills must be executed on a cheer mat, not a spring floor.

STUNTING
Girls looking to fly at the JV level should be working towards perfecting heel stretch and
arabesque. We are looking for solid flyers that can hit their skills in the air and hold
them for an 8 count. Single leg stunts are not mandatory, however it is what you should
be working towards.

Girls looking to fly at the varsity level should be prepared to execute an overstretch
(bow and arrow), scale and arabesque. Girls should also be prepared to double out of
their single leg skills. Kick double baskets and other multi-skill baskets are encouraged.

Girls looking to base or back at the varsity level should be prepared to execute elite
level basing skills…full-ups, single base skills, and multiple stunt reloads.

JUMPS
All girls should be prepared to execute a single toe-touch, a double toe touch, a double
9, a pike and a front hurdler. Girls looking to reach the varsity level should be working
for inverted toe-touches, double 9’s and pikes that are level to the ground, and hurdlers
that are at a 45 degree angle.

These are some of the skills that we will be looking at as we access each candidate.
Each individual is unique and will bring a unique set of skills with them. One skill does
not make or break a candidate. This is intended as a guide to help you better prepare
for try-outs.
 Lake Zurich High School Cheerleading Try-outs
Teacher/Coach Evaluation Form
(You must have a total of 3 evaluations in order to try out. Only 1 may be a coach
evaluation. You must have a minimum of 2 evaluations from teachers.
Exceptions will not be made.

Student:

Teacher/Coach:

Class/Activity:

The above student is trying out for a position on the Lake Zurich High School Cheerleading Squad for
next year. Please take a moment to evaluate him/her on these items. Please return these forms to the
student or Fax them to the athletic office at Lake Zurich High School (847-540-4737). Thank you for your
help. We couldn’t have great squads without your input!

Sincerely,
Pam Bonnevier, Head Cheerleading Coach
Tiffany Minne’, Asst. Cheerleading Coach

Please score each item.

1. Poor 2. Below Average 3. Average 4. Above Average 5. Excellent

Attendance & punctuality Cooperative attitude

Honesty and dependability Ability to get along with others

General conduct Personality and enthusiasm

Academics

How well do you feel this person could represent Lake Zurich High School
as a member of the cheerleading squad?

COMMENTS:

Approximate current grade (if applicable)

Teacher/Coach signature:
 LZHS CHEERLEADING

Tryout Application

Name

Address

City St. Zip

Phone

e-mail address

School Age Current Grade in school

Cheerleading experience (please list teams, years and positions filled)

Dance experience

Other sports experience

I/We have read and understand the information in regard to LZHS Cheerleading

clinic, tryouts, expenses and expectations.

I/we give our child

permission to attend the LZHS Cheerleading clinic/tryout on April 9, 2011 for the

2011-2012 Cheerleading Squad.

Parent/guardian signature Phone number