I only heard of this message board in December, apparently they've been around for some time.  Since then, I have been a silent reader, enjoying the different points of view, and wanting to see what people think about our program.  After all, there are lots of noteworthy comments made about technique, choreography, skills, and showmanship that come from people who don't see your teams or routines three times a week like we do.  I like that part of this board.

In the one month that I have been watching, however, we have been called rude for celebrating a victory, and have had our boy flyers likened to Jack from Will & Grace (athough they CLAIMED it had no sexual orientation connotation - ya right)

Here's the deal, folks - please don't preach character.  Other than Fusion - our sister team and Chris from California Spirit, can ANY of you (parents, coaches, or gym owners) say that you've EVER held a conversation with us or know ANYTHING about our program or our kids?  Didn't think so.  Not that we care, but we get blown off by coaches and gym owners LEFT and RIGHT at competitions... but somehow you feel like it's okay to tell us how we should react to victory.

On the celebration issue:
I once took a class at a conference by Morton from Cheergyms, who said that these teams are only 1st place champions for a moment.  Once they leave the mat with the trophy, the moment is over, and they go back to being just like everyone else.  At the next competition, it's a clean slate, and they may or may not have that experience again.  While I feel that building character is important, I also feel like it's important that we're teaching REAL life lessons.  Come on... when does someone in the work world get a promotion but take a moment of silence to allow the one passed over to celebrate?  And on American Idol, do they ask the winner to step aside so the runner up can get some limelight?  It doesn't happen.  After all, you signed up for COMPETITIVE CHEERLEADING.  There are winners and losers, not winners and winners.

With that said, we do ask our kids to be polite, to "good luck" and "great job" everyone who walks by, to hold doors open, to be respectful in walkways, to not stand in front of people while they're trying to watch, etc...  But we'll never ask them to bottle their joy at the moment they realize they are champions.  That's why they are there. 

Now, going overboard is going overboard.  Our kids didn't do that.  There are some competitions when you just pummel a team, and you know you're gonna win... those are a little easier to hold back.  But then there are those comps where you all threw great routines, and it's up in the air... when you realize you're first, it means something - that's what happened this weekend.  We would never expect a team who won first to not be happy for themselves, even if we were in 2nd... actually it happened in San Jose... and our team was the first in line to congratulate the 3 teams who placed ahead of us...  Doesn't sound at all rude to me.

So there's my two cents.  And if you want to teach me or any of my kids anything about character, come and introduce yourself at the next competition.  You can teach me about character, and I'll introduce you to my team who will show you a little something about heart.

-- Edited by RiptideAllStars at 14:34, 2009-01-26

RiptideAllStars wrote:

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You can teach me about character, and I'll introduce you to my team who will show you a little something about heart.

 

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You couldn't have said it more eloquently, thank you for your post.  

 

Riptide Staff and Coaches, First let me congratulate you on all your placements this weekend and performances.  I had a chance to experience the wonderful children you have in your program yesterday.  As we were trying to find our way to seats after arriving mid afternoon, there were a group of riptide cheerleaders passing and kindly moved to the side so that our girls could put tdown their things and find seats.  They waited polietly for every single one of our girls to pass them patiently.  I even heard one of our parents say thank you, you all are very sweet. 

I haven't been at too many competitions with your squads, but they have always been very very polite cheerleaders.  Considering the atmosphere is prodominetly children. I think most teams/children do a great job at competitions. Being there all day and keeping themselves busy.  We all must admit... Children just get caught up in the moment and sometimes forget house rules or competition rules

Honestly, it has never bothered me when teams who know they have first get excited and wiggle and scream a little bit before their name is actually called.  They are children and they get caught up in the moment of excitement.  It seems like such a silly thing to make such a big deal out of. Especially when there are more important things in the industry that are going on that needs to be addressed.

I love what you said about what Morton said. He taught us as coaches the exact same thing.  We teach that at our gym. That the first place trophy was for that moment at that time.  Once you walk off that mat. Next competition it is fair game again. This also helps those who haven't placed well remember that they have the next time to try for that first place.  Such a great lesson. As our team was one of those this weekend.  But our girls know, they have a chance next time, because the team that got first at this competition is for this comp. only!  SO LET THEM HAVE THEIR MOMENT!

I just feel we need to give these kids grace at some point and not criticize every little thing they do.  They are all kids and they forget some times. Shoot we as parents forget most times.  I know I find myself getting up during a routine and think "man I should've waited"  Then get mad when its done to me lol.  

I just have love for all the kids in this sport. They work so hard and put their every thing into this sport. For 2 1/2 minutes on the mat and a few seconds to relish their work.   Let the kids be kids. 

Give them grace and lets celebrate these kids.  Stop tearing down for minor things.

-- Edited by Simply a cheermom at 17:29, 2009-01-26

Nelson wrote:

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Count_it wrote:

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Gym Coach wrote:

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Regarding the lack of Level 5 Teams.  Because of the economy there are fewer parents able to provide for these type of extra-curricular activities.  There are also a limited number of qualified tumbling coaches...

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I also believe its the drilling of "if you don't have a full squad with a triple toe back or a full squad that can throw running fulls, don't put a level 5 team on the floor".  we have heard this for the past few years and now this is the result.   Teams are dropping down to level 4 even though they have cheerleaders that can throw fulls.   Teams are continuing to drop further and further down the levels because we have been told this.  don't get me wrong there are still gyms out there that still buck the system and push their teams to the next level but there are only a handful of teams that do so.  It's time to change the score sheets to allow teams to try the next level and be competitive.  you don't need to be a bunch of olympic gymnasts to still stunt, jump, and dance like a the next level, where ever your teams may be now.

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Completely agree.  Gymnastic routines are boring.  Perhaps at the Olympic level we can all appreciate the level of skills but ever see a level 5 gymnastics meet?  Nothing against gymnastics but even they would agree, because its all about the skills it gets repetitive. 

I'd love to see judges give more points for creativity, appeal, stunting ability and flow of a routine rather than worry about if every kid can triple jump tuck.  Stop counting the skills and start enjoying the routine. 

 

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Nelson you said it best, could not agree more. 

Yes, for Sr Coed 4, Riptide got 1st and Royals got 2nd. 

I know for some gyms the mini's tuition is lower and they go to less competitions (they don't travel as much).  That might account for the increase in the mini teams.

Sorry about your injury - that always proves difficult for competitions. Hope she's okay.

So, rematch this weekend, then, eh? 

Small Sr. 3 Results
1. SWAT
2. CheerTyme
3. Team X (?)
4. Sierra (?)
5. Reaction All Stars

Riptide Co-Ed 4 - WOW!!  You guys look great!!  I am loving the creativity with the stunts!!

Special needs teams - AMAZING like always, brought me to tears...Had Sissy crying like a baby like always.  POWER - loved the robot, sprinkler and running man!  So much fun to watch.  CheerGyms - Amazing like always.

OA - your kids are so respectful!!!  Loved your Co-Ed 6, very entertaining.

POWER - Love the addition to the "experience the POWER" Cheer!!  My kids were yelling along with you towards the end of the day! 

Venue was great, I for one loved the lighting.  My kids love this competition.  Staff was great.  Hated the walk to the full mat, but thats not Cheersports fault.  I liked the way the warm-ups were set up this year. 

Was a great competition all around!!

-- Edited by CheerTyme Owner at 00:57, 2009-01-29

who's routine???