I, as a parent, have a problem with anyone asking before the season has even started how to miss tryouts and join late. The whole piont of being on a team is to be dedicated the other members of that team. It affects everyone when cheerleaders miss practice or camp. What about the other 99% of the kids who have given up vacation to be there. It is not easy for any of the families to give up so much to participate in this sport. But if you dont want to commit to the sport, then don't bother putting a team through all the trouble!
As a working mom I try to be there for my daughter as much as possible. She loves cheerleading and has shown herself to be very dedicated. Our family life is pretty much planned around her schedule. But when it comes to a much needed summer vacation I'm going to opt for that vacation. We need that time together. In the end our family comes first. Thats my call to make as her mother. Long after cheerleading our times spent together are more important.
If you are referring to the post that was written to "ask the coaches" about tryouts, you have it all wrong! My daughter is a dedicated cheerleader (has not been absent once in 2 years). There are many reasons why athletes may not join in May...... some can not make it on the scheduled tryout date, some may want to rest their aching back, ankles, and knees, etc. Since choreography does not begin until late summer, that is when there should be 100% attendance. Summer is mainly for bonding, building up tumbling skills, working on jumps,motions, etc. In my daughter's case, she is in constant pain from all that tumbling, and we are not sure what gym to join... but, i do agree with you on being committed!
I am not going to add comments to the commitment and missing practice issue. Although a great topic, I'll let you guys give your opinions.
I am concerned about the mother who wrote that her daughter is in constant pain from tumbling. I have had cheerleaders complain about all sorts of body parts from tumbling. You need to tell your coach about her problem. They can take look at the way she is tumbling and most often fix her poor technique which is probably causing her pain. Or, she may need to condition some parts of her body in order to build strength. In most cases a coach will not know if you're injured unless you tell them.
It is very important to also see a doctor if the pain persists. Her coach can have her take it easy on throwing elite passes and stick with basics for a month or so to let her body heel.
