1. Cheer parents, cheerleaders, and fans- it has probably been said many times before but I'll say it AGAIN...educate your "visitors" and your cheer newbies that it is not cool to roam around DURING a routine at a comp, blocking other people's view of what is transpiring on the mat. We are talking only 2 1/2 minutes of just staying seated in one spot! It is one of those unwritten "ettiquette" items of cheer. In between routines, there is plenty of time to run out and get a Coke or popcorn or whatever.
2. Always applaud in some positive fashion after a routine is through, no matter how bad some teams routine fell apart. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are elite squads. Or gyms for that matter.
3. Is it me or is cheer just going from expensive to really expensive? For instance, it cost $80 for my wife and I to get in at American Grand last weekend. Then, they would not even let you bring in a sealed bottle of water or any food for that matter...but they will sell you those items inside. I know of course that expenses must be paid and a profit shown, but I will also say that that was the smallest American Grand we have attended in the five-six years we have been going. They (competition companies) are pricing themselves right out of it all it would seem for other teams to participate. Get more teams to come and they could lower costs and make a profit still. Soccer would be so much cheaper and people wouldn't roll their eyes when I tell them my daughter plays that sport! But we're not gonna do it-!
4. There needs to be some sort of organized fun activities that keep the kids entertained between their routines...especially the kids who aren't competing. Maybe side contests of some sort like best tumbling pass or who can base the longest etc. I dunno.
5. People should stop predicting results...I'm no expert, but I have attended around 100 events and I have seen just about everything. Unless one has psychic powers or a custom crystal ball, anything can happen at one of these comps. Elite clubs win big and unknowns win big too...that is what I have noticed most of all. Besides, the biggest reason I have my daughter doing cheer is to keep her occupied, focused on something, and out of trouble. The winning and "bragging rights" is VERY secondary to our goal in raising a kid in this wacked out world.
1. Cheer parents, cheerleaders, and fans- it has probably been said many times before but I'll say it AGAIN...educate your "visitors" and your cheer newbies that it is not cool to roam around DURING a routine at a comp, blocking other people's view of what is transpiring on the mat. We are talking only 2 1/2 minutes of just staying seated in one spot! It is one of those unwritten "ettiquette" items of cheer. In between routines, there is plenty of time to run out and get a Coke or popcorn or whatever.
2. Always applaud in some positive fashion after a routine is through, no matter how bad some teams routine fell apart. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are elite squads. Or gyms for that matter.
3. Is it me or is cheer just going from expensive to really expensive? For instance, it cost $80 for my wife and I to get in at American Grand last weekend. Then, they would not even let you bring in a sealed bottle of water or any food for that matter...but they will sell you those items inside. I know of course that expenses must be paid and a profit shown, but I will also say that that was the smallest American Grand we have attended in the five-six years we have been going. They (competition companies) are pricing themselves right out of it all it would seem for other teams to participate. Get more teams to come and they could lower costs and make a profit still. Soccer would be so much cheaper and people wouldn't roll their eyes when I tell them my daughter plays that sport! But we're not gonna do it-!
4. There needs to be some sort of organized fun activities that keep the kids entertained between their routines...especially the kids who aren't competing. Maybe side contests of some sort like best tumbling pass or who can base the longest etc. I dunno.
5. People should stop predicting results...I'm no expert, but I have attended around 100 events and I have seen just about everything. Unless one has psychic powers or a custom crystal ball, anything can happen at one of these comps. Elite clubs win big and unknowns win big too...that is what I have noticed most of all. Besides, the biggest reason I have my daughter doing cheer is to keep her occupied, focused on something, and out of trouble. The winning and "bragging rights" is VERY secondary to our goal in raising a kid in this wacked out world.
Just my soapbox...
Well said, agree 100%! Maybe if we all yelled at the rude parents and kids walking right in front of us during routines they would get the message? Probably not, but I'm going to try next time. Did they allow videotaping, or did they force you to pay $40 to watch your child's performances again? Competition companies need to listen to their paying customers because we really do have choices!
My input... it's also rude for a team to walk off their platform during the ceremony just because they didn't like the placings. I'm just saying... win and lose graciously.
Nine years ago, our Pop Warner coach told us parents the "unwritten etiquette" rule about not roaming around during cheer routines. She actually pounded it into our heads!!
It needs to be brought up during parent meetings at the gym, and us passing it along to those we invite to competitions. Coaches also need to tell their cheerleaders.
I just think people are generally more rude these days and too many have not been taught basic etiquette by their parents.
Nine years ago, our Pop Warner coach told us parents the "unwritten etiquette" rule about not roaming around during cheer routines. She actually pounded it into our heads!!
It needs to be brought up during parent meetings at the gym, and us passing it along to those we invite to competitions. Coaches also need to tell their cheerleaders. --The cheerleaders, in my experience, are the worst offenders of this!
I just think people are generally more rude these days and too many have not been taught basic etiquette by their parents.
We'll, I guess if there's a diffrent way to go then take that route, but they usually let people go on and cheer for their teams so what's the big deal, yes cheerleaders/parents are rude, but we all love this sport lol so I guess we all suffer, with people standing in the way I know that when our parents can't see I make sure to tell people to scoot over a diffrent direction where its not blocking no one all you have to say "can you please move people behinde you can't see' lol,
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If cheerleading was easy it would be called football
I'm on my soapbox...the big deal is, I have spent way too much money on this sport (see expenses quoted above) to continually have to say, "Please can you sit because people behind you cannot see."
I have no problem with fans going up to the spectator seating to watch their team. I do have a problem when I'm in the nose bleed seats and someone still thinks they can stand right in my line of view. Too often it's kids and the parents don't tell them to sit.
I do love this sport and don't think I must suffer for it though. lol : )
I know what you mean; I'll have either a parent or child stand right in front of me while I'm trying to watch a routine. They are totally oblivious to what is going on and obviously only watch their own gym's routines. I believe it is the responsibility of the competition company to more than frequently announce that spectators must remain seated during performances, and I agree the gyms should remind parents and athletes of this as well.
Speaking of which routines are being watched, I'm always amazed at how many athletes and parents don't watch their competition; I see them socializing, walking around, etc... and my first thought is I hope they don't complain about the results because they didn't even take the time to watch and learn from the teams they were competing against.
Hope 2009 brings some much needed changes. Have a wonderful holiday season, see you in January!
My input... it's also rude for a team to walk off their platform during the ceremony just because they didn't like the placings. I'm just saying... win and lose graciously.
I really hate this!! I also don't like when the team wins, gets their trophy and walks off. So annoying. My kids know they are not to leave the stage/mat until the final award is given out. We need to respect all teams who competed that day!
My input... it's also rude for a team to walk off their platform during the ceremony just because they didn't like the placings. I'm just saying... win and lose graciously.
I really hate this!! I also don't like when the team wins, gets their trophy and walks off. So annoying. My kids know they are not to leave the stage/mat until the final award is given out. We need to respect all teams who competed that day!
There are some event producers that require teams to leave after they're announced. It's a difficulat situation because I LIKE that they want to keep things moving along, but I don't like the distraction of teams moving off during awards.
My input... it's also rude for a team to walk off their platform during the ceremony just because they didn't like the placings. I'm just saying... win and lose graciously.
I really hate this!! I also don't like when the team wins, gets their trophy and walks off. So annoying. My kids know they are not to leave the stage/mat until the final award is given out. We need to respect all teams who competed that day!
There are some event producers that require teams to leave after they're announced. It's a difficulat situation because I LIKE that they want to keep things moving along, but I don't like the distraction of teams moving off during awards.
the particular competition i believe bladezmom is talking about was the one this past weekend in las vegas. I witnessed this myself as well. That program should be ashamed of the poor sportsmanship shown on that team.
who who who ... I want to know 
