I was just reading on whatisprox.com about USASF rule changes. The two that stand out from this post were 1) no more declined at large bids handed down, and 2) all teams must perform in prelims. If it's true and these are the new rules, kudos to them. The handing down of declined bids was getting ridiculous and never made sense anyway (either you earn it or you don't, you know)? And I always felt all teams should have to perform in prelims, or at least make the partial bid teams perform. How do you guys feel about these new changes? Do they make sense to you?
Rule Change 1: No passed @large bids. I completely agree with this. With so many bids being handed out now it was really watering down the bids. Glad they were listening to the complaints on this one.
Rule Change 2: All teams compete in prelims. I find this very interesting and hope it will stop companies like Cheersport from changing from Tier 1 to Tier 2 company. Cheersport decided to become a Tier 2 company which would give them more bids overall and put more teams in finals. Basically, they are not giving out any Full Paid bids this year, but giving out tons of Partial Paid Bids. They even say on their website that this will give them opportunity to put more teams straight to Finals. I think USASF saw the loop hole and is now closing that hole. But, if ALL teams have to compete in prelims, then what is the advantage of giving out Full Paid bids?
__________________
"Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."
Acts 13:14-16
Yes, the advantage of a full paid bid should be about finances and having a company pay/sponsor your trip to Worlds. IMO it should have never been about a free pass all the way to the finals because there are too many opportunities to try for these fully paid bids. Also if a team already has one it goes down to the next team, who should have to prove they deserve to be there. I think they are definitely moving in the right direction.
Yes! I totally agree with the no passing down a bid. It's the old saying "earn it or burn it!"
However, I really do not care for a couple new rules USASF put in place this season.
1. The co-ed international category is a scary one for me. It concerns me in two ways:
a. 14 year old cheerleaders will be allowed to compete with very strong MEN. The stunts are going to be very scary. I think this is just so dangerous. And I know that the guys are could be extra careful BUT, well let me just say, it's so much easier to throw a 14 year old than an 18 year old.
b. The fact that the underaged cheerleaders (not adults yet) are going to be interacting with Adults. Now, I know that all is suppose to be watched carefully, but this is one situation i wouldn't want may underaged daughter to be involved in. If you know what I mean.
2. The Senior Open (18 and under) category is another area that is bothering to me. I know that this division left the door open for small gyms that may not have the population to create TRUE junior teams or TRUE senior team, but when you open this level to co-ed, this ABSOLUTELY distroys the all girl teams. How, is a small girls team going to be able to compete against a team of 20 people and 4 of them guys? Come on now this is something I am having a difficult time with.
Ok! You all can set me straight, but now this is how I view the cheerworld.
i like the fact that bids will no longer be passed down. if the first place team declines their bid, the second place team doesnt deserve it. the first place team obviously earned it and has a reason for declining.
but, idk if i like every team competing in prelims. that seems like it would take away some of the excitement of winning a fullpaid bid (besides the price ofcourse) but idk, i might warm up to the idea....
cheermom wrote:Yes! I totally agree with the no passing down a bid. It's the old saying "earn it or burn it!"
However, I really do not care for a couple new rules USASF put in place this season.
1. The co-ed international category is a scary one for me. It concerns me in two ways:
a. 14 year old cheerleaders will be allowed to compete with very strong MEN. The stunts are going to be very scary. I think this is just so dangerous. And I know that the guys are could be extra careful BUT, well let me just say, it's so much easier to throw a 14 year old than an 18 year old.
b. The fact that the underaged cheerleaders (not adults yet) are going to be interacting with Adults. Now, I know that all is suppose to be watched carefully, but this is one situation i wouldn't want may underaged daughter to be involved in. If you know what I mean.
2. The Senior Open (18 and under) category is another area that is bothering to me. I know that this division left the door open for small gyms that may not have the population to create TRUE junior teams or TRUE senior team, but when you open this level to co-ed, this ABSOLUTELY distroys the all girl teams. How, is a small girls team going to be able to compete against a team of 20 people and 4 of them guys? Come on now this is something I am having a difficult time with.
Ok! You all can set me straight, but now this is how I view the cheerworld.
Have a great day, everyone!
Cheermom,
Just a few clarifications regarding your post. 1. Int'l Coed has always been 14+ age. It did not change this year. USASF "says" they started this division specifically for the teams outside US because they set their age categories different. Not sure I buy that, especially now that their is a junior division. But I do agree with the concern of 14 year olds being on teams with adults, no age limit. Not for my kids, thank you very much.
2. I don't think I understand what you are saying. The Senior Open division specifically states "NO Males" and is level 2,3,4 only. Or did I miss a rule change somewhere?
__________________
"Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."
Acts 13:14-16
I just got through reading USASF website for 2008 Worlds. Int'l Open team members changed from 35 down to 24! And they added LEVEL 6 with 24 max members, age 17+. WOW! The Int'l Junior teams are 36 members. Sounds like USASF is following more of the College guidelines for Int'l Open teams. I think most of the US teams that were competing Int'l div were really College Level 6 teams that moved down and added more high school kids just for Worlds. I think we will see a big difference this year and lots more teams competing Level 6.
__________________
"Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."
Acts 13:14-16
2. The Senior Open (18 and under) category is another area that is bothering to me. I know that this division left the door open for small gyms that may not have the population to create TRUE junior teams or TRUE senior team, but when you open this level to co-ed, this ABSOLUTELY distroys the all girl teams. How, is a small girls team going to be able to compete against a team of 20 people and 4 of them guys? Come on now this is something I am having a difficult time with.
2. I don't think I understand what you are saying. The Senior Open division specifically states "NO Males" and is level 2,3,4 only. Or did I miss a rule change somewhere?
Well, I just rechecked the site one more time to make sure I am clear on the Senior Open category. I needed to double check because you are so right on 99% percent of the time. ;~) It says "(0-4 males)" and is levels 2, 3, 4.
Like I stated before this is huge blow to the all girl teams.
Honestly I think this whole Open division thing is a crock of you know what. It is a loop hole. USASF members made such a big deal about little girls being on level 5 teams ect. ect. and the age was lifted in progression. Well some girls on Level 4 teams are truly Level 5 athletes but their gym cannot field a Level 5 team. I don't think it should be about the skill level. I truly believe it is a maturity issue. Levels 2,3 and 4 are still going to have teeny age flyers.
I would like to see the Open division go away and make these gym owners truly start paying attention to their younger teams and building up their younger age athletes and creating some true competition on Junior and Youth divisions. Don't get me wrong my daughter LOVED her Senior 5 team, but I know many times she felt like an outsider because of her age and I truly belive that if she would have been on a high level 4/5 Junior or Youth team she wouldn't have lost that love of cheer. Thats enough rambling from me.
Hey CheerMama tell us how you really feel? You go girl.
I can kinda understand both sides of the discussion.
here is a senario for you:
you have a SMALL gym that has ol say 45 girls in the gym.
The gym has a huge group of girls that are youth age. Oh, and lets say but 2 girls in the youth level are just novice skills. (those 2 girls have amazing tumbling - layouts and standing back tucks...just keep this in mind.)
then you have a cluster of girls that are in the age of 13-17. However, in this cluster of girls there are only about 14 girls on this team. However, these girls are dedicated to their sport and have made excellent progress in their tumbling (Their tumbling skills can allow them to complete at a level 4 - girls with standing back tuck, etc).
How might you handle this situation? Would you make those 2 youth aged girls stay down and cheer with their age group, knowing that these girls will never be able to throw a skill passed a backhandspring OR would you move these two girls up with the older team and allow them to grow and "hang" with the girls that have equal tumbling skills?
Hey CheerMama tell us how you really feel? You go girl.
I can kinda understand both sides of the discussion.
here is a senario for you:
you have a SMALL gym that has ol say 45 girls in the gym.
The gym has a huge group of girls that are youth age. Oh, and lets say but 2 girls in the youth level are just novice skills. (those 2 girls have amazing tumbling - layouts and standing back tucks...just keep this in mind.)
then you have a cluster of girls that are in the age of 13-17. However, in this cluster of girls there are only about 14 girls on this team. However, these girls are dedicated to their sport and have made excellent progress in their tumbling (Their tumbling skills can allow them to complete at a level 4 - girls with standing back tuck, etc).
How might you handle this situation? Would you make those 2 youth aged girls stay down and cheer with their age group, knowing that these girls will never be able to throw a skill passed a backhandspring OR would you move these two girls up with the older team and allow them to grow and "hang" with the girls that have equal tumbling skills?
I understand the situation but I still feel strongly about this because, every person has a decision to make and if your child is truly that gifted, I would make the extra drive to a larger gym, (I know I might be shot down for this comment) but even in the Olympics there are some great athletes out there who just aren't of age yet to compete, so they have to make due with competing at their own age level until theu reach that age. I believe a prime example is Kiara. She is doing other things, I am sure one day she will make it to the Olympics but right now she is not of age.
I know of many gyms that have girls that have standing tucks and layouts and are still on Youth Level 2 teams because it is appropriate for them and their frame of mind. I understand that there might be some frustration involved with your child not being able to compete to their full potential on a Youth 2 team but they could do individuals as many do because they would rather stay at their small gyms There is also the option to compete in T and T if your child excels at tumbling but there isn't an option for that specific level of cheer. Cheer isn't just about the tumbling.
Just because my child has the ability to do something doesn't mean they are physically or emotionally ready. I won't mention specific activities I will leave that up to you to figure out Another activity is driving some kids drive tractors and trucks on their farms at the age of 12 , but that doesn't mean they are emotionally ready to be out there driving with older people.
I don't think 8 year olds should be on Senior age teams, When my daughter was put on Senior 5 at the age of 8 I was so excited, but I didn't know any better of what the reprucusions could be. My bubbly little 8 year old turned into a tumbling machine that rarely showed emotion or excitement or true feelings and characteristics, She was trying to become a little teenager and being on the Senior team the girls didn't have the same likes and she struggled because this was not her peer group. Sure she excels in tumbling but it wasn't just about the tumbling. She enjoyed cheer before she could tumble. She has asked me if she could do the Level 2 team with her sister, but I felt she should take the year off to become a kid again and not have to worry about anything else.
All Stars has a big turnover and right now this a really hot topic because it is happening to us, in a few years when its a whole bunch of new people and they understand that the norm is 12 and up for Seniors it won't be an issue anymore. Just as it was for kids that grew up and got their licences in the 80's and 90's They were not restricted from having other kids in their vehicles, now kids are.
Give it some time things will be better when everyone has adjusted to the new rules.
Okay so now that I have published a book, who wants to publish it LOL
I have to agree with you there I see to many times these really young girls on teams with much older girls and the age difference is really evident because the young ones get ignored during long comps and they are just sitting around because they have different interests so the younger ones get left out its kinda a sad to see it happen but what can you do?
It's not just being ignored and feeling like an outsider -- there are many things "seniors/teens" discuss that an 8 or even a 10 year old just does not need to hear. Boys, periods, S** -- you know the drill. I think its okay (depending on the child) to bump them 1 age level up (youth to junior), but youth to senior -- thats tough call, unless there were 2 or 3 girls the same age on the team, maybe it would be okay, but definetly not the only girl.
Well, you all have VERY value points. I think what it comes down to is the parents of the youth cheerleader that is being asked to move up. If the parent has strong convictions that their kid should remain with her friends at the youth level, then that parent needs to let the coaches know. Hopefully, the coaches will understand the parents' request and not allow the move to happen. Now that would be a great gym. (The offer was made but the parents best wishes for their cheerleader was granted.)
Let's flip the script. (Please keep in mind the SMALL gym senario.) Now, what would you do with a gym that has amazing talent at the 12-14 year old level (tumbling wise). And you have 2 girls that are TRULY senior age (with no tumbling). Do you make some of those Junior aged girls move up to the senior level to keep those 2 senior girls on the team or do you ask those senior girls to leave your gym? And how do you think those seniors are going to feel "Hanging out" with junior aged girls? Do you think those seniors will feel left out at competitions?
Actually a few years ago that happened at our gym there were 3 girls that were Senior age that were told there was no team for them because of their lack of skills back when there was Novice, Intermediate and Advanced teams. All that their gym was offering was a Junior Advanced, Youth Intermediate, Youth Novice and Senior Advanced and they ended up coming to our gym and were put on our Senior Level 2 team. So it is not unheard of for people to be told there is no team for them. Now 2 of the girls are still there and they are on the Senior Level 4 and 5 teams
That's really kinda sad. I don't think I would be able to turn cheerleaders away. I really believe cheerleaders can contribute in other areas besides tumbling.
Cheerleading, in general, has really turned into a tumbling dual. And there is really so much more to the over all efforts of each and every cheerleader.
Perhaps, the time for the pendelum to swing back to the middle and look for those well-rounded teams/individuals. Just because you're tumbling your tussy off doesn't mean you're a great dance or motions cheerleader. I do believe it's time to find the best overall cheerleading teams and individuals.
Wow, I really enjoyed reading this .... I can relate on so many levels... Age, ability, balance, peers and there is one major factor that is left out... The parents learning curve! Unfortunately I had no clue what I was walking into when I allowed my 10 year old to move up, it was only our 2nd year in cheer and.... I was excited too! I did not know any better and thought her other activties would support her peer need and I would be getting my money's worth by pushing for more skills. My 10 yr old did as the 8 yr old did mentioned above
I Did not do my homework and spent the last several yrs trying to undo the damage. Self esteem, being a kid, enjoying the sport. Lucky for her, she still loves it , so allowing her to choose at 15 and making an agreement that it has to be fun has made a difference!
I think I enjoyed reading this because it meant I was not alone in my bad judgement call. Hopefully we can help others save those young ones from growing up before their time or destorying their self-esteem trying to keep up with those 3-6 yrs their senior.... Concentrate on that balance.... Being able to dance, base, fly, tumble and execute well, will offer more value than just tumbling.
Couldn't sleep, glad I jumped on the board!!... Have a great weekend!
That is my big thing, I wish my daughters coach could have guided me in the right direction but instead they made the decision for me and persuaded me because they needed her on the 5 team. I believe now they are realizing their mistake of having so many little girls that now most have burnt out. Also a lot of the older ones have left because they don't want to be on a team that brings little girls up to fly and tumble.
It doesn't matter that there is a 16 year old girl that is 110 pounds and 5 feet tall and looks great in the air, because there is a 4'9 girl out there that is lighter. I know because there were girls on my daughters team that had come from other gyms and were beautiful flyers and when they came to our gym they did not have a flying spot because of the 9, 10 and 11 year olds, (My child included) I think it discourages and causes animosity from these older girls when they think I am on a Senior team I will be able to fly and then there is no room for them to because these little girls have replaced them. Many mothers would speak their mind while we watched the practice and wonder why things were done that way.
Yes I am still upset about my daughters cheer career. Hopefully she will return next year. She also makes the age cut off. She turns 11 in December, so hopefully if we go back next year she can be placed on a Junior team since a lot of her friends that have these 4 and 5 level skills wont reach the age cut off.
big sis 
Another activity is driving some kids drive tractors and trucks on their farms at the age of 12 , but that doesn't mean they are emotionally ready to be out there driving with older people. 
