Hey I saw a lot of your teams perform in San Diego. I was wondering why with so many teams there are so little of them competing in advanced devions. There are a lot of teams in intermediate categories, and some of them look like they could handle the competition. Just asking....really the rutines were very fun to watch and I hope to be seeing you guys perform in future competitions
I agree ~ But it's not right for teams that compete in Advanced most of the year then move down to Intermediate to guarantee them winning a National Title!
Great Point. I think it would be great if there was some kind of registration system. Teams need to decide in what level they're going to compete early on so that sandbagging to a lower level is put to an end.
On the other hand..........when a team does sandbag, they are only allowed to do what you in that division have been doing all year long so you actually should be more prepared than them right? If not, you yourself might be in the wrong division.
Make sense?
In California we make the mistake of of thinking we're a more advanced team than we are. (3 fulls does not an advanced team make) So we compete all year long in advanced until we start traveling and realize that we're out of our league. Then we drop down and get harrassed by other teams saying that we're sandbagging.
The challenge for all All Star coaches is to explain to their teams, "hey guys, we're a novice team this year and that's where were going to compete" but then still motivate them to achieve skills that they'll NEVER be allowed to compete.
It's tough.
There's a fine line between doing what's best for the kids in your program and looking like your stealing National Championships. In my opinion it is a small percentage that compete out of their level solely for a banner.
I'm going to choose to believe the best in everyone.
If you truly want to understand the leveling system, please take the time to read this explanation. After you do, you'll watch competitions in a much different way. If you're confused about a term or need a definition please email me at danny@cheergyms.com. I'll be glad to help.
My "only 'fools' would compete in an advanced division without 'fulls'" was just a little funny from me. . .I know that it takes more than just a full to make an advanced team - stunts, choreography - it's the total package!! I love your explaination though. . .it gets down to the nitty gritty. Sand baggers are not very nice! But everyone likes winning! A lot of gyms don't care what they have to do to get the win. . .unfair? Maybe. . .but it will probably never stop - unfortunately!
its very true what they say about sand bagers....and it probably will not stop, but for once id like to see some teams step it up and go through a season without changing their level. I mean it isn't it a good challenge to be in an advanced category, it isnt just about winning. Its about doing your best and seeing where that puts you. I personally know that when you go up against teams that are better than you, it really its great to see how well you do in comparison, and where you match up. It would also be great if at least one of our programs coed teams decided to stay in an advanced levels, I mean we have what 4 coed teams and not one of them in an advanced category, I think at least one of them should have tried to stick it out
Because a team is a coed team, it doesn't automatically make it advanced...you have to have the "advanced" skills in order to have a true "advanced" team. Just because the word "Advanced" is after your team's name on a competition schedule, it doesn't mean that you belong there.
I agree, although I do think that any team can be one more level up if they work hard enough, instead of down. Some gyms (yes in nor cal, very few though) have ALL advanced teams. Like if you are a full year team, you are advanced. So it shows what a lot of hard work and dedication can do. I agree that there should be different levels for different skills but going down a level later in the season... How about just work harder?!
yeah. obviously a lot of "advanced" teams in nor cal would get killed somewhere else in the country...and obviously there are different skill levels and not all teams should be the same level. There was a reason why they started making skill level divisions...but there is something to be said about working up to that advanced division. I have seen a lot of teams (in a lot of different programs) that compete in intermediate and have the potential to compete advanced. As a competitor I and i was on a team that had has some fulls and can probably get doubles out of stunts with a little more work...i would rather push ourselves to compete in advanced and not ever get first than win intermediate. As a competitor, I think its much more rewarding.
But it is tricky business deciding on division especially since what you start in at the beginning might not be where you could be by the end of the season.
I agree with "someone". its hard to be in advanced division, but untimatly if u can push yourselves, then do it. Why work half the season on somthing only to drop down and find yourselves winning in lower division. After all, does the win feel all that deserved in the end. I too noticed that some programs choose tohave all advanced teams when they are full year, maybe this is a good thing, although i can see where it may have potential problems, still I give credit out to all the teams that work hard through out the season to defend their name in an advanced level...You guys rock!!!
I understand what you are saying about being advanced half of the season and then start traveling and then become novice or intermediate. I just think if you have been a coach for a while you should know what is out and expect that the advance teams in any catergory is going to be tough and will most likey meet every requirement then you should start your team in adavanced and just stick to what you know your team and handel. sometimes it does seem that some of these teams just want the trophy or the banner and expect to win just becuase they have snadbagged toa lower division. I don't think tha tit is fair to other teams is the lower catergories that have been working all season to win and don;t becuase other teams just want the banner, the trophy or the jacket. Just a curious thought
