Hey everyone!

Right now, I am helping the middle school squad I help coach prepare for high school tryouts. I thought I would share some of the things we have been doing to get ready.

First, run a mile. Even if your high school does not require the mile for tryouts, it is important to help build stamina. About 22 laps around a standard size basketball court or 4 laps around a football field make a mile. If you are running around your neighborhood or street, have your parents track a mile and run that path often... It may be difficult at first but running the mile will get easier, I promise!

Do backbends! Several of the girls who came to workouts struggled to do backbends. Try to hold backbends for at least 30 seconds but try for a minute. To make the backbend more challenging, extend your legs to straighten them and make sure your arms are locked and beside your ears. This puts your body in perfect backhandspring form. Backhandsprings help will stomach and arm strength and tumbling.

Do pushups and sit ups. Cheerleaders need arm and core strength. Make sure you are working every day to develop and strengthen these muscles.