TOP 5 RECRUITING
THINGS TO DO
1. Develop a recruiting plan and get evaluated by college cheer coaches.
What are you currently doing to get evaluated for college cheer scholarships? What results has your current plan produced? If you are not currently being contacted by college cheer coaches at least once per week, then you are not being actively recruited.
You need to be evaluated by as many college coaches nationwide as possible to maximize your scholarship opportunities and securing a college cheer roster spot immediately! Attending available camps and showcases also increases your evaluation exposure to coaches.
2. Create your FREE MyScoutingReport NOW!
Online profiles are the fastest way for college coaches to evaluate a prospects academic qualifications, athletic attributes, highlight/tryout videos, competition schedules, news articles and how to contact you. Create your FREE MyScoutingReport immediately for scholarship evaluation by college cheer coaches nationwide!
3. Take charge of your highlight or tryout video!
DO NOT wait around for someone else to burn game DVD's or edit a highlight video for you! Take control of your recruiting process by taking action each day until your video(s) are complete and accessible by college cheer coaches.
4. Be realistic about your projected college level.
Too many college prospects get focused on cheering ONLY for major NCAA Division I programs, that they miss out on opportunities to compete at a lower level and possibly on a scholarship.
5. DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF!
Time and again college cheer prospects limit themselves to only wanting to compete at a certain level, local area, in-state, U.S. region or certain conferences. The fact of the matter is that college coaches get to choose which players they want on their roster and which to offer scholarships to. It's not the players or parents that choose...once again, it's the college coaches. By limiting yourself to only certain areas for recruitment, you can bet your life that there will be some college cheer coach around the country that could use you!
CHEERLEADING RECRUITING FAQ
1. When does the recruiting process begin?
The first day a student-athlete attends a high school class, they are considered a college prospect for cheer. Recruiting starts early because competition for scholarships is extremely high, even though tryouts are usually required.
2. How do I get discovered?
College cheer coaches can recruit prospects from a trusted neutral source like AASR. If you don't have a discoverable or marketable profile for college coaches to evaluate, then they won't know about you. Remember, if college cheer coaches are not calling you at least once per week, then YOU ARE NOT BEING ACTIVELY RECRUITED! Whatever you have been doing to get evaluated by college cheer coaches has not been working, then it's time to change your strategy!
3. How do coaches evaluate prospects?
The fastest way to get a college coaches attention is with a highlight or tryout video. They can evaluate your cheer skills while at their desk or on their mobile device. Online videos can speed up the recruiting process for both you and college coaches.
4. What is my high school coach’s role?
Most high school cheer coaches also teach classes, and have families, so earning a scholarship is your responsibility. High school cheer coaches that are fortunate to have established relationships with college programs, are usually with a handful of college cheer coaches within their local area or U.S. region.
CHEERLEADING RECRUITING CALENDAR
Freshmen Year
- Research 2-3 schools per week
- Create a list of prospective schools consider both cheer and academics
- Make a highlight film of skills
- Attend camps and showcases with the goals of improving your skills and to gain exposure
Rules/Tips to Remember:
- Coaches can follow your development throughout high school at camps
- Important to do be familiar with the school academically
Sophomore Year
- Continue to research prospective schools
- Attend camps and showcases with the goals of improving your skills and to gain exposure
Junior Year
- Follow-up with cheer coaches in a TIMELY manner
- Send coaches video of your events
- Ask coaches where you stand on their recruit list
- Respond to EVERY cheer coach
- Make visits to schools
- Narrow down your prospective schools list
Senior Year
- Make college visits
- Follow-up with cheer coaches and respond in a TIMELY manner
- Apply to the schools - applications
- Apply for financial aid FAFSA.ed.gov starting Jan. 1st
- Attend tryouts
- Commit and sign with a college program
QUALIFICATIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Knowing exactly what college cheer coaches/sponsors are looking for can make the scholarship process a lot easier for you. Most colleges with athletic programs offer cheerleading scholarships. Knowledge is an extremely important tool in the recruiting process. Learn from AASR's guidelines and make the job of earning a cheerleading scholarship a little easier.
GRADES: College admission qualifies students to tryout for a cheerleading spot.
QUALIFICATIONS: Usually through tryouts.
PROGRAMS PER LEVEL:
NCAA I: 273
NCAA II: 194
NCAA III: 161
NAIA: 112
NJCAA: 47
TOTAL: 787
SCHOLARSHIPS: Vary according to college budget allocation for cheerleading scholarships. Cheerleading candidates should also apply for financial aid, academic scholarships and private
cheerleading scholarships.
CHEERLEADING VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS
How to Film
- Film with an unobstructed view.
- A tripod is highly recommended.
- Do not zoom in and out.
- Do not move the camera while filming.
- Station the camera view so the cheerleader is always in the picture.
Video Editing
- In the opening and closing of the video include the Prospect Name, Graduation Year, School Name, City and State, Email and Phone Number.
- Keep highlight video length around four minutes.
- NEVER use music with explicit language.
SAMPLE CHEERLEADING SKILLS VIDEO