Just wanted some opinions. At tryouts our team (and its level) was put together based on particular skills, but over the summer we lost a couple members and a few have lost their skills, so the team doesn't look as strong as it potentially could have been. Do you stick with the higher level going into competitions and test the waters and drop if necessary, or do you drop one level going into them and work your way up? Or do you stick with the level you chose going into comps and never change? I have seen gyms start at a lower level and it always seems like once they try a higher they go right back to the lower. I have also seen gyms start at a higher level but drop down one, and I have seen gyms never change their level throughout the season even if they are clearly not there.
So the question is, when is the best time to determine your level???
I think the best time to determine levels is at the end of the summer. I think cheerforce does this wonderfully. They have working groups until the end of summer giving the kids time to excel at their skills. I think it is smart because who knows what skills will be thrown at the end of summer rather than tryouts. I think it is smart. Also, sometimes when kids learn which team they make they may quit because it isnt the team they wanted to be on. As far as where to start, you really need to evaluate the skills of the team carefully. If you think they would be better in a level 3 than a level 4 then start them out in three and see how the team progresses throughout the season.
What happened to some on our team is kind of the opposite of what you would expect to happen; they started off strong coming off of the 07-08 season, and at tryouts they looked strong. But summer came along and they didn't work as hard, taking some time off for family vacations, etc.... and now they're having a difficult time getting back into it. The level was determined at tryouts, but I am hoping the coaches rethink it and instead start off one level lower so that they can work their way up. This is based on what I and others have been observing at practices. So I agree it is a smart move to determine your levels at the end of summer, it makes perfect sense to me.
