Kids Leaving allstars and Pop Warner for High School Cheer

Date: Thu Jul 10 12:03 PM, 2008

Kids Leaving allstars and Pop Warner for High School Cheer

Date: Thu Jul 10 12:09 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

The new thing now is kids returning to high cheer. Pop Warner numbers are down and with so many allstar team and coaching leaving to go to allstars why are kids going to high cheer. What's your thoughts?

I coach pop warner and after signups this year i lost 5 girls to middle school cheer and 3 to high school cheer

Date: Thu Jul 10 12:41 PM, 2008

Yes I heard alot of the kids are returning to high school because Pop Warner has no thrill in the skills that can be done. They should look at the levels of skills for each division and maybe kids will stick to it.

Allstars on the other hand I have no idea why they are leaving to go to high school cheer.

Date: Thu Jul 10 1:12 PM, 2008

i would assume because of the costs.

Date: Thu Jul 10 2:36 PM, 2008

We lose about 50 kids - even the extremely talented ones - every year to High School cheer. I get that they want to wear the skirts in front of the boys (you can call it school spirit, but we all know better!), but what can be done to keep these kids in all-stars?

Date: Thu Jul 10 3:20 PM, 2008

I see the problem of really talented kids leaving great all star programs for high school after having great success on thier teams as well. My daughter did both HS and her all star team her freshman year and was counting down the days for HS to be over and done. She hated every minute of it. It was scary to be stunting with inexperienced stunt groups and the lack of hard work and determination really bothered her. After a year of trying to figure out why they choose it and I would say 90% of the kids I know who have left all stars for HS love it-go figure. I really think it comes down to the social aspect of it, earning the skirt (popularity)and not having to work so hard. My nick name for HS cheer is "Lazy Cheer" It is really frusturating to watch these girls work so hard to gain level 5 skills and then walk away and hand it to these HS coaches on a silver platter! It kills me!! confused

Date: Thu Jul 10 3:22 PM, 2008

It's all about being involved in high school cheer and other activities. With allstar cheer thats all you have time for, I rather have my child involved and experiance several other activities in high school other than just allstar cheer.

Date: Thu Jul 10 3:23 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

i would assume because of the costs.

Our HS teams in our area range from $2500.00-$4000.00 a year depending on if they compete! Ouch!

Date: Thu Jul 10 6:16 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

It's all about being involved in high school cheer and other activities. With allstar cheer thats all you have time for, I rather have my child involved and experiance several other activities in high school other than just allstar cheer.

Please, this is so far away fromthe truth. All Star is way less time commitment than all stars. High school has games EVERY week, early mornining practices, away camp, pep rallies and other things you have to be committed to. I know SEVERAL people who have done both or just all stars and have VERY involved social lives. Its called time commitment.

I think the major reason is practice time and competition schedules. You have to make it work. Major gyms on the east coast only practice 1, maybe 2 times a week. Twist and Shout only meets once a week, CEA only once, Cheer Athletics only 2 times for an hour and half. You can't make these all star kids practice 10 hours a week and do other activies. You have to make practice efficient.

Date: Thu Jul 10 7:58 PM, 2008

I'm reading thru these responses and one thing that has not been mentioned is that a lot of High Schools have competition teams. Some are really good. So if you like to compete you still have that outlet. Also face facts little girls grow up wanting to be a High School cheerleader. It's a big deal for some kids. Unfortunately a lot would like to do both but the schedules conflict and I think there are some High Schools that won't allow them to do both. Talking to some moms that have kids on High School squads the cost is not that much cheaper, when you figure in traveling and extra expenses.

Date: Thu Jul 10 7:59 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:
I'm reading thru these responses and one thing that has not been mentioned is that a lot of High Schools have competition teams. Some are really good. So if you like to compete you still have that outlet. Also face facts little girls grow up wanting to be a High School cheerleader. It's a big deal for some kids. Unfortunately a lot would like to do both but the schedules conflict and I think there are some High Schools that won't allow them to do both. Talking to some moms that have kids on High School squads the cost is not that much cheaper, when you figure in traveling and extra expenses.

One other note... Some can't afford to do both!

Date: Thu Jul 10 11:11 PM, 2008

I've known a few girls that have gone from all stars to high school and it used to perplex me, but I think I now understand why they made the choice. In some cases the people who make the move were incredibly passionate and dedicated to their gym for a long time. They love cheering, love all stars, and love their gyms. For years they have been putting their team first: before dances, dating, hanging out with friends, doing anything on the weekends, relaxing, etc. And its not just the time, those of you who are really dedicated to your teams know that it consumes your thoughts and mindset which (while you're in it) is really great. But sometimes people get burnt out or they realize that they've only got a bit of time left in HS and they look at their friends and realize that they've missed out on some stuff and want to experience it. The grass always seems greener on the other side...but sometimes I think our tastes just change and while for a while you might be looking for something really competitive and driven but later be done with that and want something more laid back or social. Of course it also often goes the other way around.

Date: Thu Jul 10 11:16 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

I've known a few girls that have gone from all stars to high school and it used to perplex me, but I think I now understand why they made the choice. In some cases the people who make the move were incredibly passionate and dedicated to their gym for a long time. They love cheering, love all stars, and love their gyms. For years they have been putting their team first: before dances, dating, hanging out with friends, doing anything on the weekends, relaxing, etc. And its not just the time, those of you who are really dedicated to your teams know that it consumes your thoughts and mindset which (while you're in it) is really great. But sometimes people get burnt out or they realize that they've only got a bit of time left in HS and they look at their friends and realize that they've missed out on some stuff and want to experience it. The grass always seems greener on the other side...but sometimes I think our tastes just change and while for a while you might be looking for something really competitive and driven but later be done with that and want something more laid back or social. Of course it also often goes the other way around.

Yeah, but how can allstars keep that from happening?

Date: Fri Jul 11 5:04 AM, 2008

I think the bottom line is time. People who want to make time to do all star cheerleading do it. As far as high school competition teams, ya its an outlet, but not if you want to take it to next level. Even collegiate cheer is nothing on all star cheer. I look at all star cheer like gymnastics or studio dance. Those who pursue it long term end up really having a passion for the sport of cheerleading, not to be social or popular. believe it or not, many parents push their kids to cheer for the local school team, almost obsessed with it. They think it some entrance for social acceptance and popularity. I work with several school teams in Northern California and know this is the case. "That is my daughter on the football field, bla bla bla"I also think in California, the sportis just gaining more popularity.

CheerTyme Owner · Senior Member

I have had a few girls leave our All Star program for their HS cheer teams because they wanted their letter. Also one of the schools in our area were JAMZ national champions in 2007, that was also a big draw for a few competitive ones, at the time. They could wear the skirt at school and still compete. I have also seen a few parents refuse to allow their kids to cheer for All Star but gladly write the check, and head up the booster club for a HS team. I often wonder how important HS cheer is to that child??
I have a few girls who cheer for their HS and still continue with us. They love doing both and say it is a huge strain on the wallet but they also say that All Star and HS are so different that they could never leave one for the other. I also notice that HS cheer has SO much more drama between the girls. I used to coach HS and there are parts of HS cheer I miss but would never choose to coach HS over All Star. I also think All Star is a great outlet for the girls and boys you don't want to be viewed as "rah rah's" There are some HS squads out there that don't have the best reputation, I know quite a few of my girls cheer for me because they wanted to be a cheerleader but wouldn't be caught dead wearing the uniform for their school, sometimes a bad rep and ALOT of drama comes with the HS skirt and alot of the time the school isn't supportive of the cheer program. My HS was that way, they wanted to call us a club and we worked out at Pyramids!!

Date: Fri Jul 11 8:10 AM, 2008

Things seem to be changing. Some of the high schools in my area won't allow the kids to do all star and high school. Even if the practices do not conflict with their high school practice schedule. We have kids that throw fulls now cheering for their high school team that competes at the novice level. The kids want to do both, support their school and be on a competitive team, but their advisor and their coach says no.

My question: How can a school that calls their cheer program a "club" dictate what a "club" member does on their own free time? Most girls on high school dance teams are encouraged to be involved with dance studios. They also compete with those studios. I can't help but think it's an ego thing with some (not all) high school coaches.

Date: Fri Jul 11 9:44 AM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:
My question: How can a school that calls their cheer program a "club" dictate what a "club" member does on their own free time? Most girls on high school dance teams are encouraged to be involved with dance studios. They also compete with those studios. I can't help but think it's an ego thing with some (not all) high school coaches.

They can't. Which is why it blows me away when Parents are okay with this. Who's to say what your child can do on their own free time? All its going to take is a parent grabbing a lawyer and taking it to the school board and telling them that what their child does on their free time is their business.

Date: Fri Jul 11 9:47 AM, 2008

There was a mom at our last gym that was obsessed with her daughter making her High School Team. Mind you this started way back when her child was in pop warner. In sixth grade they swiched to All Stars. Not so much that she wanted to be an All Star just that it was a way to prepare her so she could be the best when she did tryout. This included privates with a special tumbling coach, and extra classes at her own gym. She is an ok tumbler, and can throw up to a tuck, but her form is not all that great. Mom raised holy cain when her daughter was not used as a flyer at one gym and switched to another gym close by. When they did not let her fly right away she raised and even bigger fuss and I think the coach finally gave in and let her fly. She was not the worse flyer, but not the star her mom thought she was. I have seen some cheer moms, but this lady really gave all us cheer parents a bad name. She was possessed into grooming her for High School Cheer, and I think she wanted it a heck of a lot more then her daughter did. Well the daughter is going to be a freshman next year and yes she did make the JV team. Her mom is walking around bragging and it makes me feel ill. She is living thru her daughter to live out her fantasy of what she wanted but never had as a kid. I think its really sad.

Date: Fri Jul 11 9:59 AM, 2008

As a cheer coach in Pop Warner I encourage the kids to do the midseason teams at local gyms. Now that pop warner allow it to happen. In the past they could not but after alot of discussion it finally happened to give them something to do on the off season. Then when they return to my team there skills are even greater. The only problem is when a gym try to recruit them to make them stay by offering all of these deals. It has not happen to any of my kids yet but I have heard about it happening.

I know everyone can not afford to do this but with the few that do the midseason team it makes a difference. The skills they learn for All stars is great.

Hopefully my kids once they age out of pop warner which is 16 they join one on the programs to keep there cheer dream going.

Date: Fri Jul 11 10:07 AM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

There was a mom at our last gym that was obsessed with her daughter making her High School Team. Mind you this started way back when her child was in pop warner. In sixth grade they swiched to All Stars. Not so much that she wanted to be an All Star just that it was a way to prepare her so she could be the best when she did tryout. This included privates with a special tumbling coach, and extra classes at her own gym. She is an ok tumbler, and can throw up to a tuck, but her form is not all that great. Mom raised holy cain when her daughter was not used as a flyer at one gym and switched to another gym close by. When they did not let her fly right away she raised and even bigger fuss and I think the coach finally gave in and let her fly. She was not the worse flyer, but not the star her mom thought she was. I have seen some cheer moms, but this lady really gave all us cheer parents a bad name. She was possessed into grooming her for High School Cheer, and I think she wanted it a heck of a lot more then her daughter did. Well the daughter is going to be a freshman next year and yes she did make the JV team. Her mom is walking around bragging and it makes me feel ill. She is living thru her daughter to live out her fantasy of what she wanted but never had as a kid. I think its really sad.

See this is one of the problems with the mom living there dreams through the kids. My suggestion to all parents let the kids have fun and cheer iwhere they are happy. Coaches should never allow the parents to control what happen with the team. As a cheer parent I pay the bill and let the coach do all of the coaching. Every coach know what skill the kids have mastered and what is the best spot for them on the team. There is no I in team so parents get with it and stop crying about the spot your child get on the team. As long as there is no favoritism then let them cheer and have fun