Once a year, schools across the nation open their gymnasium doors to overly spunky, school-spirited students that aspire to wear the school’s name across their chests. Cheerleading tryouts bring people of all kinds together in the pursuit of one goal: to be able to hold the coveted pom-poms on the sidelines of the school’s athletic games and possibly compete at competitions. Among the many eager students that show up, you will always be able to spot these 11 types of people.

1. The painfully-confused-about-the-material cheerleader

After reviewing the tryout material multiple times, this cheerleader still has absolutely no clue what happens after the first clap. She can’t yell the correct words to the cheer while doing the motions at the same time. Many people, out of the goodness of their hearts, will offer their help and even send her videos of themselves doing the cheer so she can practice. No matter what, she still will never remember what comes after the first clap.

2. The returning cheerleaders who really don’t need to tryout

These are the girls that have been on the team before, but the coach requires them to try out every year. Sometimes, depending on what the coach’s threat is, they stress about the tryout because they fear their spot could be taken by a newbie. They spend the majority of the tryout sizing up anyone that could be competition to their spot. These girls always wear a team T-shirt to make it clear to the newbies that they were on the team last year.

3. The dancer turned cheerleader

With years spent on a stage, this girl is a pro at performing for a crowd. She has a beautiful stage presence and picks up the tryout dance like she's known it for years. Her flexibility is better than most flyers, and her feet are always pointed in her jumps. However, when it comes time to tumble, you will find her hiding in the corner.

4. The “know it all” cheerleader

A personal favorite, this is the one that trots into the gym like she owns the place. Warm-up is spent listening to her talk about all of her great cheerleading experiences and really makes it seem like she would be a great addition to the team. She talks about how she is a flyer, but as you look at her, you know she doesn't fit the flyer mold. Then you keep an eye out throughout the tryout and realize she is just all talk and no skill.

5. The cheerleader who fears the judges

This girl was the one helping everyone else with the tryout material because she knew it so well. When it came time to face the judges, she completely blanks on what to do. She panics and scrambles to try and remember something to show the judges. She later exits the gym with a devastated look on her face and tears forming in her eyes. The judges, who are usually very nice people, are easily mistaken as scary monsters that cause everything you ever knew to fall out of your brain.

6. The gymnast turned cheerleader

You ask her why she is trying out for the cheer team and her answer is: “this school doesn’t have a gymnastics team, so this is the closest thing I could find,” and it is said exactly like in the "Bring it On" movie. This girl really is not too interested in yelling the cheers, but the minute coach says to line up for tumbling, she pushes to the front. She has great technique and no fear after years of doing crazy skills on the beam, bar, and vault.

7. The panicked cheerleader

This girl second-guesses everything. She gets herself so worked up that she can barely even think straight to do the cheer. When trying to practice the cheer herself she will mess up just a little bit, and then runs to the nearest person to do it with her. After asking 200,000 questions, she has you second-guessing what you are doing, too. A chill pill needs to accompany her water during the next break.

8. The never cheered, danced, or tumbled a day in their life cheerleader

You always feel bad for this girl because she tries so hard but her lack of training makes it impossible to keep up. You question why she would even come to tryouts only to make a fool of herself, but at the same time you admire her confidence.

9. The underdog cheerleader

You see this girl walk into tryouts and you quickly peg her as not being a threat at all. She wears running sneakers on her feet, a generic T-shirt, running shorts, and her hair down. During stretches, you notice she is not anything special and stop paying attention to her. Out of the corner of your eye during a water break, you notice her flawlessly doing the chant you just learned and practicing a beautiful hyperextended toe-touch. Just when you are about ready to choke on your water in shock, she runs and warms up a double full on the gym floor. Your water bottle drops to the floor and you put on your game face on, it just got real, Miss Nobody.

10. The male cheerleader

It never fails that at least one guy will show up wanting to be on the all-girl squad. Some do come with the serious intention of being on the squad. His strength would be helpful for stunting, and he has no fear to tumble. However, there is always that one guy that you question what his actual motive is for wanting to be a cheerleader with a bunch of pretty girls. He wears basketball shorts, some other sports T-shirt, and non-cheerleading sneakers.

11. The All-Star cheerleader

After attending all the major All Star competitions and probably owning a couple of jackets, rings, and medals to prove it, she decides to try something new. You know she has absolutely no clue how to do sideline cheers and chants. Holding pom-poms or a megaphone for the first time will come with some confusion and a picture to send to her All Star friends. She comes into tryouts wearing some kind of All Star competition T-shirt, Nfinity sneakers on her feet, and a huge bow facing forward in her hair. Her All Star practices looked something like this, so she is a little out of place for school cheer.

Click here to view: Practicing Double-Ups

I am sure at your cheerleading tryouts you will find a combination of a couple of these types, or maybe you could add a few more to this list. Nevertheless, cheerleading tryouts bring out many emotions, from excitement to disappointment. For many, there is a lot on the line because cheerleading is more than just shaking pom-poms on the sidelines.