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Tryout Expectations & Information

 

 

Tryouts at So Cal Thunder All Stars are designed to give every athlete the opportunity to showcase their skills, work ethic, and attitude. Our official tryouts take place over two days, allowing coaches to fully evaluate each athlete’s abilities and determine the best team placement. Makeup tryouts will be one day only and will cover the same evaluations in a condensed format.

 

All athletes must know which level(s) they are trying out for before arriving. Each level has specific skill requirements that athletes are expected to demonstrate. To help prepare, we have posted skill requirement videos on our YouTube channel, YouTube, linked within each level description. These videos clearly explain the tumbling skills needed for that level and should be used as a training guide leading up to tryouts.

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When arriving at tryouts, athletes must be prepared to:

  • Demonstrate the tumbling skills shown in the videos for the level(s) they selected

  • Perform the tryout dance, which must be memorized from the YouTube tutorial

  • Participate in a flyer evaluation where athletes will be assessed on body positions, flexibility, and technique (for those trying out as flyers)

  • ​Athletes should arrive prepared, confident, and ready to work hard. Coaches are looking not only at skills, but also attitude, effort, coachability, and teamwork. Coming prepared by reviewing the videos and practicing the required skills will help athletes have the best possible tryout experience.

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We’re excited to see everyone bring their energy and talent to the floor and kick off another amazing season of Thunder. ⚡

Tryout Videos Below

Level One Tryout

Athletes trying out for a Level 1 team at So Cal Thunder All Stars should be prepared to confidently demonstrate the following skills:

  • Forward roll

  • Backward roll

  • Cartwheel (both sides preferred)

  • Roundoff

  • Handstand with control

  • Bridge / backbend

  • Backbend kickover

  • Front walkover (Required for Elite)

  • Back walkover (Required for Elite)

  • Standing two connected skills (ex: back walkover → back walkover)

Note: Athletes should focus on clean technique, control, and confidence when performing each skill. Coaches will also evaluate body control, flexibility, and overall tumbling potential during the tryout process.

Level 2 Tryout

Athletes trying out for a Level 2 team at So Cal Thunder All Stars should be prepared to confidently demonstrate the following skills:

  • Roundoff

  • Back walkover

  • Front walkover

  • Roundoff → back walkover

  • Back walkover → back walkover connection

  • Front walkover → roundoff

  • Standing back walkover

  • Back handspring drills and progressions (strong technique and readiness)

Level 2 Elite Required Skills

  • Standing back handspring

  • Roundoff → back handspring

  • Multiple back handsprings (Preferred)

Athletes should demonstrate strong technique, body control, and consistent execution. While not all Level 2 athletes will have a back handspring yet, coaches will evaluate power, technique, and readiness to safely progress into handspring tumbling during the season.

Level 3 Tryout

Athletes trying out for a Level 3 team at So Cal Thunder All Stars should be prepared to confidently demonstrate the following skills:

  • Standing back handspring

  • Multiple standing back handsprings

  • Roundoff → back handspring

  • Roundoff → multiple back handsprings

  • Standing back handspring series

  • Strong front walkover and back walkover technique

  • Front walkover → roundoff → back handspring

  • Standing back handspring → back tuck

  • Roundoff → back handspring → back tuck

  • Roundoff → multiple back handsprings → back tuck

Athletes should demonstrate strong tumbling technique, power, and consistency. Coaches will also evaluate control, rebound, and readiness for elite tumbling progression, including tuck-level skills.

Level 4 Tryout

Athletes trying out for a Level 4 team at So Cal Thunder All Stars should be prepared to confidently demonstrate the following skills:

  • Standing back tuck

  • Standing back handspring → back tuck

  • Standing multiple back handsprings

  • Roundoff → back handspring → back tuck

  • Roundoff → multiple back handsprings → back tuck

  • Strong rebound and connected tumbling passes

Preferred / Advanced Level 4 Skills

  • Standing back handspring → back handspring → back tuck

  • Roundoff → back handspring → back handspring → back tuck

  • Specialty passes (punch fronts, jump to tuck, etc.)

Athletes should demonstrate power, strong technique, and consistency in their tuck-level tumbling. Coaches will also evaluate connections, height, control, and overall readiness for high-level tumbling and advanced combinations expected at Level 4.

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