I'm new at dance anything. I have little rhythm and no dance skills. I'm trying out for POMS and I have to know how to do:

-splits (left and right) I didn't even know there was a difference
-leaps (left and right)
-pirouettes (single and double)
-toe touches
-fouettes
-axles
-middle in second leap
-illusion
-c jump
-turning c jump

i dont know what half this stuff is and the only person that i could talk to in person to help that is a gymnastics genious is my ex's current. grr.

any tips? i've got clinics on the 13th 14th and 15th and tryouts on the 16th.

Thanks
Charity.

As you have yet to see a response, I am going to be the one to tell you this... Based on your own admission of little rhythm and no dance skills, I do not think you are going to make poms this year.

This doesn't mean you can't try and I do not know the team, these may be the offical requirements, but maybe the team isn't meeting these at this time. But, if they are, you aren't going to be able to learn these skills in three weeks without several hours to professional dance training and even then the chances are slim. The fouettes, double pirouettes and axels are especially difficult to learn as gaining a center and developing your turn technique is not something that happens overnight.

Please, please, please understand I am not trying to hurt you. However, as a veteran coach I have seen girls who don't have the skills come into tryouts and they seem to be four times as crushed when they don't make it. The skills listed are not beginner skills. They take training, which is something you don't have at this time.

My recommendation for you is to enroll in a technique class at a local dance studio for the year. It's still early so you should be able to easily find one. Then speak to the pom coach about your desire to join and have her suggest other things you should be doing. Then next year you will be set to join the team.

Well, I really appreciate what you're saying and I've put in some thought about it and I kinda realized it on my own that it would be extremely hard. But I think I'm going to try out anyway just so I can see what I would have to face when I did it for real next year. I understand what you are saying and I thank you

Charity

for you spilts right is when the right leg is in front and left is when the left leg is in front.

I'm glad you are going to try out even though you know you probably wont make it, it does show you want this. I would be prepared though for most things to be over your head so dont freak out.

Here is some of the terminolgy
Pirouettes-- www.youtube.com . . . this is a triple but it shows the basic concept

Toe touch-- www.youtube.com . . . the first move not the flip

Fouettes-- these are really really hard www.youtube.com . . .

middle leap-- www.youtube.com . . .

illusion-- www.youtube.com . . . 2:40 in

c jump--www.youtube.com . . .

and thats all i could find

You may also want to post this in the dance team board, since the requirements listed seem to be more of a dance team rather than pompon. You may get more help that way.

Anyway, congrats on trying out!! It's so difficult trying a brand new sport and if it's something you want, it's an excellent idea to attend the tryout to see what you could face next year. I did the same thing with a pompon team (not my schools, it was an All Star team throughout the state) and when I tried out the second year, I was MUCH more prepared than the other girls because I already tried it once. So good luck!

Regardless of other requirments, the coach will look at your attitude and your poise. If this is somthing you do want to pursue, then by all means I would go to the try-out do your best, keep your smile, never let it fade. Maintain a can do attitude, and willingness to work hard. These are other things that impress coaches. Good Luck-keep at it!