squads competing at lower levels hmmmmm

Date: Sat Oct 20 9:40 AM, 2007

RE: squads competing at lower levels hmmmmm

Date: Sat Oct 20 9:50 AM, 2007

I think this subject all comes down to what skill level do you have? And not just that, but what skill level does majority of your team have? It's all up to the gym to decided what is best for their program. Good luck to everyone and whatever level they persue this season!

Date: Sat Oct 20 10:05 AM, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

I agree. Because in the end the kids are going to be sad that they keep losing and the parents don't want to keep paying or return next year if they keep losing. You will probably end of dropping back to your original level before nationals.

I agree too i would not pay to keep my kid in a program that didnt place the squads in proper levels and nationals is too late how do you get the squad ready mentally for nationals to do well when theyve been losing because the gym made a poor decsision to put the squads in a higher level
if the squad does not have at least 90 percent of the cheerleaders at the level then they should not compete at that level especially for a first competition
which means if you have 20 girls on a squad and only 6-10 can do standing tucks etc there is no way they should compete level 4

i agree with cheergyms philosophy they are staring their squad at level 4 to see how they do because they are preppared at levl 4 to compete and then they can make the decision to move up

put your squads at the proper level in the end its not the status of what level your gym compete at but how well they do at their levels

i would not payto keep my daughter at a gym with squads competing at levels that are too hard i would pull her or not reurn next season

Date: Sat Oct 20 10:13 AM, 2007

UCFMom wrote:

looks like our team is in the minority here. All our teams are going to be challenged this season. Even our little 4 year old...hehehehe.

The UCF coaches explained that all our teams should be held down if we were looking for full squad back handspring, back tucks. But our girls won't be growing in the other areas of cheerleading. We have girls that have been cheering at the level 2 for 4 years now. they probably will not be classified as a level 3 cheerleader for may more year. The coaches still want them to learn to base over their heads and move on in the stunting area.

Our girls will need to work really had this year but will gain so much more in the end.

are you sure you are really not the owner or a coach who needs to justify why you are competing at a higher level
this doesnt sound like a parent
and if so you are way too familiar with the program and why they choose levels

hmmmmmm hmm

Date: Sat Oct 20 10:17 AM, 2007

Marlon wrote:

I see what both sides are saying. As a coach of a team that has competed level 5 in the past, and are now going level 4, I can truely say that they definately have had their work cut out to go level 4. We have very few level 5 cheerleaders on our 36 member team. (Level 5 to me is to have all jumps into a tuck, over half the squad with round-off handspring fulls, double twist cradles from all stunts, kick double baskets and really strong work ethic and motivation) I understand people think that just because a team was 5 the year before, when they comepte 4 the next year it is so called "sand-bagging", but no one ever knows the truth about the teams. Return ratios, new cheerleaders talent levels, etc. Dont think because a team was 5 the year before that they are 5 the next. You will have to wait for the first comp to truely see. I feel, all teams should compete at a level where they know they will be on top of their game, not having to worry if its going to hit, or if so and so will throw their skill. Before you accuse squads of competing at lower levels, you might want to ask yourself why you are worried about it? I know my team is on top of their game, do you know if yours will be? I cant wait for the first competition!! Bring your A game!

marlon
that is what makes you a great coach
you should never put your teams out to fail and they should compete at the level they are confident in
if your team is not hitting stunts and passes before a comp consistently then they dont belong in that division
excited to see your squads always fun to watch

Date: Sat Oct 20 1:07 PM, 2007

Will Pyramids ever be level 5, if they have the ability? Or has it been decided they will be level 4 (which I think was decided before anyone knew who would be on the team, from what I had read before the season started). Correct?

Date: Sat Oct 20 1:26 PM, 2007

I agree with both philosophies. I think it's great to start at a higher level to challenge yourself, see how you do. You'll soon know if it works. If it doesn't, you make the adjustment and move down a level, but at least you tried. On the other hand I also agree to start at a level you are comfortable with and work your way up (if you have the talent to do so). MOst teams wouldn't cheer below what they are capable of because parents wouldn't want to pay that kind of money to not advance or utilize skills, but in Pyramid's case 15 of 18 members of the team cheer at both levels so it works for them. They get the best of both worlds so to speak. Whether that's fair or not differs depending on who you talk to.

Date: Sat Oct 20 2:10 PM, 2007

You brought up a really good question. I also had heard that the Cheergyms.com gyms would not have any level 5 teams due to trying to make an awesome All American team and that to be on AA you also had to be on a level 4 team at your own gym. Is this the future for cheergyms.com? They may have shot themselves in the foot with this. For some athletes, its not enough to just be on the AA team, they would also like to compete level 5 on their home team. Especially for the true level 5 athletes. Maybe they should just stop goping after the All American team and just go with the talent they have in their own gyms.

UCFMom · Veteran Member

HAHAHAHAHAHA! you have got to be kidding me. no, I am not an UCF employee, I think they would fire me on day one. I am a mom that has seen the all-star curcuit for many years and I am the typical mom that asked a million questions. I ask these questions because I want to be knowledgable in the sport my daughter loves. That's all!

I can't wait to see everyone next weekend! Good luck to all!

Date: Sat Oct 20 2:45 PM, 2007

I think it's really kinda sad that most of these people think the most important thing about cheerleading is winning. If this is the only important factor all teams should go level 1 and never challenge themselfs. oh wait, that won't work. Everyone would be in level one and there would only be 1 winner. Then there would be a million losers

Date: Sat Oct 20 3:04 PM, 2007

>>i agree with cheergyms philosophy they are staring their squad at level 4 to see how they do because they are preppared at levl 4 to compete and then they can make the decision to move up

so if they have the ability to move up, will they? that is the key question

Date: Sat Oct 20 3:42 PM, 2007

Exactly, you are saying you agree because they have they talent to be level 4 then why are they even trying to form an all american team?

Date: Sat Oct 20 3:47 PM, 2007

we all know "winning" is NOT the most important thing in all star cheerleading. if it was, then everyone would gym hop, noone would worry about cost, injuries, qualified and certified coaches etc. etc. winning is not the most important thing but with all the hard work and hours these kids put into their sport, you can't loose all the time. It just beats you up too much.

if there are teams that NEVER win then they need to examine their own coaching staff, practice policies, etc. etc. there is probably something wrong within the gym.

Danny · Senior Member

so if they have the ability to move up, will they? that is the key question

No. The Pyramids and Motions level 4 teams are true level 4 and will compete there from start to finish.

Date: Sat Oct 20 4:27 PM, 2007

I heard that Pyramids Small 4 team has full squad fulls.

Date: Sat Oct 20 4:52 PM, 2007

off the top of my head i can name at least 10 girls on Pyramids Small Senior 4 team that have fulls if not doubles.

these are the same girls that are also competing on one, if not two, of cheergyms AA teams. to me it is so unfair for a level 4 team who work their butts off to have to compete against a team that is "truly level 4"

i feel bad for other kids in other programs who really deserve to win.

Date: Sat Oct 20 5:45 PM, 2007

Here is the beal people. Cheergyms.com is doing this so lets get over it. If they want to compete down all year. Then so be it. If you lose to them, then oh well. I am on a level 4 team. None of us have fulls, but we all are working super hard. If we lose to them, oh well. I have also heard that Pyramids Small 4 has 14 fulls too. To me I am sad for those girls. They do not get to perfrom the skills that they have. They do on the AA, but it would seem like such a bore to compete level 4 if you had the level 5 skils. Oh well, not my problem. I will compete against all year and if I lose trying my hardest, I will give them a big high 5 and move on.

Cheer On.

Date: Sat Oct 20 6:04 PM, 2007

UCFMom wrote:

looks like our team is in the minority here. All our teams are going to be challenged this season. Even our little 4 year old...hehehehe.

The UCF coaches explained that all our teams should be held down if we were looking for full squad back handspring, back tucks. But our girls won't be growing in the other areas of cheerleading. We have girls that have been cheering at the level 2 for 4 years now. they probably will not be classified as a level 3 cheerleader for may more year. The coaches still want them to learn to base over their heads and move on in the stunting area.

Our girls will need to work really had this year but will gain so much more in the end.

_______________________________________________________

I find it hard to understand why your teams have cheered at level 2 for 4 years. It seems like you should have moved them up gradually rather than let them cheer at level 2 for so long. I do agree to challenging your teams. Why did you wait so long to challenge them? Why did they stay at the same level for 4 years. Is this typical girls to be on the same level so long. Maybe one or two years but four years. And not just one or who girls but many girls. As a parent I would not have continued after the first 2 years of the same ole same ole. Good news is it sounds like they are now catching up to speed. I bet you are glad too. Your level 2 teams must have been really good. Did they blow other teams away or what. good luck.

Date: Sat Oct 20 6:30 PM, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

UCFMom wrote:

looks like our team is in the minority here. All our teams are going to be challenged this season. Even our little 4 year old...hehehehe.

The UCF coaches explained that all our teams should be held down if we were looking for full squad back handspring, back tucks. But our girls won't be growing in the other areas of cheerleading. We have girls that have been cheering at the level 2 for 4 years now. they probably will not be classified as a level 3 cheerleader for may more year. The coaches still want them to learn to base over their heads and move on in the stunting area.

Our girls will need to work really had this year but will gain so much more in the end.

_______________________________________________________

I find it hard to understand why your teams have cheered at level 2 for 4 years. It seems like you should have moved them up gradually rather than let them cheer at level 2 for so long. I do agree to challenging your teams. Why did you wait so long to challenge them? Why did they stay at the same level for 4 years. Is this typical girls to be on the same level so long. Maybe one or two years but four years. And not just one or who girls but many girls. As a parent I would not have continued after the first 2 years of the same ole same ole. Good news is it sounds like they are now catching up to speed. I bet you are glad too. Your level 2 teams must have been really good. Did they blow other teams away or what. good luck.

GOOD POINT .. Four years on the same level. How do the girls feel about that? Did your coaches keep your teams in the same level for so long so they can be safe and win. If my daughter was winning at level 2 (Novice) over and over she would be bored. If they were really a level 2 for four years I understand to keep them down hopefully they would have improved before then. I would wonder why they werent improving because we pay so much for cheerleading. I have never heard to keep them at a level 2 for so long.

Date: Sat Oct 20 6:44 PM, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

UCFMom wrote:

looks like our team is in the minority here. All our teams are going to be challenged this season. Even our little 4 year old...hehehehe.

The UCF coaches explained that all our teams should be held down if we were looking for full squad back handspring, back tucks. But our girls won't be growing in the other areas of cheerleading. We have girls that have been cheering at the level 2 for 4 years now. they probably will not be classified as a level 3 cheerleader for may more year. The coaches still want them to learn to base over their heads and move on in the stunting area.

Our girls will need to work really had this year but will gain so much more in the end.

_______________________________________________________

I find it hard to understand why your teams have cheered at level 2 for 4 years. It seems like you should have moved them up gradually rather than let them cheer at level 2 for so long. I do agree to challenging your teams. Why did you wait so long to challenge them? Why did they stay at the same level for 4 years. Is this typical girls to be on the same level so long. Maybe one or two years but four years. And not just one or who girls but many girls. As a parent I would not have continued after the first 2 years of the same ole same ole. Good news is it sounds like they are now catching up to speed. I bet you are glad too. Your level 2 teams must have been really good. Did they blow other teams away or what. good luck.

GOOD POINT .. Four years on the same level. How do the girls feel about that? Did your coaches keep your teams in the same level for so long so they can be safe and win. If my daughter was winning at level 2 (Novice) over and over she would be bored. If they were really a level 2 for four years I understand to keep them down hopefully they would have improved before then. I would wonder why they werent improving because we pay so much for cheerleading. I have never heard to keep them at a level 2 for so long.

My daughter has only been able to perform a back hand spring for several years now. I have spent several dollars in private tumbling and group classes. She is not comfortable throwing a backtuck. She plain will not throw the skill. I have given up on throwing more money towards her tumbling. She is perfectly happy were she is at and doesnt want to change. I have to be okay with that. There are cheerleaders out there that are level 2 cheerleaders for many years and may never advance in tumbling. My daughter is one of them.