Transcript of Try Out Chat
with Kaitlin
March 13, 2001

Kaitlin Mizikar has over 16 years experience as a Cheerleader, including college varsity. She has also coached competitive and recreational Cheerleaders as well as judged Cheerleading competitions. Here is the transcript from her chat on March 13, 2001.

cheerleadingADM: Welcome to our try out chat with Kaitlin Mizikar
lilsweetie: i have never been a cheerleader but my friends say i should try out
lilsweetie: my friends say i am really good
KaitlinMiz: That's cool, no one is born a cheerleader
KaitlinMiz: everyone has to have a first try out

lilsweetie: i know but i am really nervous
KaitlinMiz: everyone gets worked up before a try out even if it's their 51st tryout
KaitlinMiz: Just practice, practice, practice
lilsweetie: i have been!
KaitlinMiz: and then it will seem second nature to you
KaitlinMiz: Good!
lilsweetie: i hope so

KaitlinMiz: what all do you have to do for your try out or don't you know yet?
lilsweetie: i have 2 make up a cheer
lilsweetie: dance
lilsweetie: i have 2 know how 2 do a kartwheel
KaitlinMiz: Well start on the cheer now if you haven't already because that is the hardest part
lilsweetie: i know!!! :(
KaitlinMiz: cartwheels are easy
KaitlinMiz: don't stress that
KaitlinMiz: And the dance
lilsweetie: i also have to do a toe touch which is easy
KaitlinMiz: if you stay sharp it will look good
KaitlinMiz: good at least you have a good attitude about that
KaitlinMiz: make sure you don't drop your chest in your tt though
KaitlinMiz: bring your feet to your hands not your hands to your feet
lilsweetie: I have been practicing all the time!!
lilsweetie: OK thanx !

KaitlinMiz: Do you have a try out coming up?
DivaCheerleader: Yeah itz 4 pommers and cheerleading so I need to know how 2 dance to
KaitlinMiz: Well I wish I could teach you that over the Internet but I don't think that's possible
KaitlinMiz: do you have any specific questions or problems
KaitlinMiz: Use me, I'm all yours
DivaCheerleader: @ my school itz called spirit team and ya dance and cheer
DivaCheerleader: well...
DivaCheerleader: Let me think there tons of stuff I don't know how to but cant think of anything off the top of my head
KaitlinMiz: oh no don't you hate that?
DivaCheerleader: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KaitlinMiz: Well let me just give you one big pointer
KaitlinMiz: make eye contact with the judges because then if you mess up they are looking at your face and not your body that just messed up
DivaCheerleader: When I do a hi V or a low v and my hands r in fists should I put my fists towards me or facing out
KaitlinMiz: Also if you mess up just keep smiling, because chances are that they don't know the routine and wont notice your mess up
KaitlinMiz: your thumb should be towards the crowd/judges/front
KaitlinMiz: do you understand what I mean?
DivaCheerleader: K Thanxs.. Ya I understand
KaitlinMiz: good

DivaCheerleader: Is there any difference between an eagle spread and toe touch cuz we r required to do a toetouch and I'm not sure which 1 I know
KaitlinMiz: A spread eagle your knees are facing the front a toe touch they are facing the ceiling and you are piked at the butt
KaitlinMiz: Chest up on both
DivaCheerleader: My try outs are April 20 it seems long sometimes but when Ii really think its coming kwik
KaitlinMiz: Practice, practice, practice
DivaCheerleader: o ok I know what u mean
KaitlinMiz: then things will be very easy for you at the try out

DivaCheerleader: any good stretches to help me do a toe touch
KaitlinMiz: Yeah when ever you are just sitting around watching TV or doing homework
KaitlinMiz: sit in a straddle
KaitlinMiz: every once in a while lean your chest forward as much as you can
DivaCheerleader: k.That will help thanx
KaitlinMiz: hold for like 20 sec. then sit up again
KaitlinMiz: Also a lot of a toe touch is muscles
KaitlinMiz: you have to be able to snap your legs up there
KaitlinMiz: and with out the proper muscle training it's hard to do even if you are very flexible
KaitlinMiz: anything else?
KaitlinMiz: I'm here to help and you're the only one on right now
KaitlinMiz: So ask away

DivaCheerleader: How much did you give points 4 sharpness and loudness
DivaCheerleader: Well like how did you score them
KaitlinMiz: It depended on how much the coach had on the score sheet
DivaCheerleader: ooo
KaitlinMiz: But sharpness is one of the main things to being a cheerleader
KaitlinMiz: loudness isn't as important by far
KaitlinMiz: clarity of the words is though
DivaCheerleader: When u were a cheerleader about how often did you practice
KaitlinMiz: during the season or for try outs?
DivaCheerleader: Like did you have time for homework and doin other stuff
KaitlinMiz: well I was also a soccer player, teaching dance, and involved in my church youth group

DivaCheerleader: What is a good chant for the spartans?
KaitlinMiz: Diva what are your school colors
Divacheerleader: Well take ur time I dont need them right away I just thought if any body new any that would be good my colors are blue and silver
KaitlinMiz: Spartan X Spirit X Come on Crowd lets hear it, Stand up and Scream, Go Spartan Team?

girl10099: do you guys think freshmen should be allowed to try-out for varsity?
KaitlinMiz: Yes
KaitlinMiz: I think that if a freshman is better than a senior then the freshman should make it over the senior

Divacheerleader: This is kinda a dumb question so dont answer it if you cant but what could I do for eight counts of music if they are going 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4 BOOM
KaitlinMiz: for the last 1234 you could do a toe touch and then go down to your knees on the floor with your head down for the boom
KaitlinMiz: or you know what you could go, 1 =high V legs together 2=arms circle down around front (toe touch prep)
KaitlinMiz: 3=toe touch, 4=ground on knees head down
KaitlinMiz: boom=head up
KaitlinMiz: snap it up
KaitlinMiz: Hey I have something for you for those counts
KaitlinMiz: 1= cross over with your right foot in front of left bending both knees slightly, left hand tucked under left butt cheek, right in broken T
KaitlinMiz: 2=step out with left leg and straighten both knees pointing left foot to side, left hand still tucked, right arm in T
KaitlinMiz: 3=cross over with left foot in front of right bending both knees slightly, right hand tucked under right butt cheek, left in broken T
KaitlinMiz: 4= step out with right leg straightening both knees pointing right foot to side, right hand still tucked, left in T
KaitlinMiz: 1=legs snap together, arms high V
KaitlinMiz: 2,3= arms circle down around to T, knees bend to jump to toe touch
KaitlinMiz: 4= down to ground, in squat position, head down arms down by sides supporting you so you don't fall over
KaitlinMiz: Boom= snap head up
KaitlinMiz: What do you think?
KaitlinMiz: Do you understand?
Divacheerleader: Thats really good!
Divacheerleader: ya
Divacheerleader: Thanks so much That will really help me

Mal: so anybody got any tips?
KaitlinMiz: What do you need tips on?
Mal: jumps
Mal: I just cant do them
KaitlinMiz: What jumps and how much time to you have to perfect them?
Mal: about 2 months , toe touch and table top
KaitlinMiz: For your toe touch work on just doing some high kicks to either side, make sure your knee is to the ceiling and your hip is rolled under, also keep your chest back
KaitlinMiz: For the table top, you want to sit in that position on the floor and lean forward to stretch the muscles
Mal: OK
KaitlinMiz: Then you want to do kind of what I told you to do for your toe touch, while standing
Mal: OK
KaitlinMiz: snap your front leg into the position it needs to be in , do that several times, same with the back leg
Mal: yeah
KaitlinMiz: This trains the muscles to what position they need to be in, and it's easier to get them to the right position if you are only doing one leg at a time
Mal: OK I get what your saying
KaitlinMiz: Then you just have to do the jump, try getting some ankle weights, just light ones, and doing your jumps with those on, then when you take them off your jumps will be so much higher
KaitlinMiz: But you have to consistently do your jumps with the weights if you want to see an improvement, don't think that an hour with them on will make a difference
KaitlinMiz: You have to do it every day for a good while
KaitlinMiz: Also try doing your kicks with the weights and just some straight jumps with the weights
Mal: cool thanks

cheerleadingADM: Thank you so much Kaitlin!!
KaitlinMiz: Not a problem
KaitlinMiz: Let me know about another time.

Check the Cheerleading Chat Schedule

Previous Articles