The definition of competition according to the Merriam Webster dictionary is....: a contest between rivals.....
What I've noticed is that the rivals still exist but the contest does not. Why is it at every competition I've been to this season (at least 15) there is always one gym or team that complains about the judging? Granted I've seen some unrealistic outcomes, however the point I'm trying to make is cheerleading is subjective, and we need to learn to deal with it.
I understand that many coaches create their routines based on rubric score sheet that most, but not all, companies put out so each team is able to maximize their skills and received "full" points. That, I think is great! This way as a coach you know what your scores should be before you even get them back. I think this system is fantastic for judges and it prevents many of the ridiculous, should have, could have arguments after an event!
But what about the companies that don't have a "rubric"? Does anyone realize that these companies will only base your scores on what they see and how it is executed? Not that you "attempted" it? Just because you throw squad round offs doesn't mean ALL of them were great...why should you score higher then a team that has only 3/4ths of the team doing beautiful round offs? With no set expectation, i.e. rubric scoring, these types of competitions are subjective. So your "maxed" out routine may not win.
I'm not taking sides or picking on anyone or anything...I am just confused as to why coaches blame everyone else about their team not placing correctly...instead of chalking it up to experience and moving on. IT"S CHEERLEADING..... a contest....sometimes you win sometimes you don't..... Bad mouthing companies and complaining really gets a person no where. If you don't like the event don't spend your money and go, its really that simple. Or research. plan ahead to see what the event is like, then you will know what the scoring is an you can prepare your teams.
Again....it's a contest....sometimes you win and sometimes you don't....
we need a like button on here. hehe. i have to agree. judging is not always fair. however, the unfair judging that i have seen tends to come from lesser known competitions where the judges are not as qualified as the judges at a competition like NCA. and if a coach decides they don't like a competition, then they just shouldn't go back to it.
Agreed with above poster, as a coach and director you know what competitions you score well at , it is your job to find those comps and give your kids a successful event. We know that you can never 'win ' them all, but I am going to do everything I can before a competition to prepare my kids so we dont have any reason to be unhappy no matter the placement.
My biggest pet peeve is when people come on here and say things like ' oh we would of one with out a 5 pt deduction for blah blah', well that is why you didn't win , its competitive cheer, and the best of the day normally wins. My next would be when coaches lie to their kids about scores or how close things are or were. There have been many times that we have been at NCA in Dallas or Spirit Sports in Palm Springs and you hear people conversing about their division, the same one you are in and they say that they are in first when really by looking at the results recap you know they are in 3rd or 4th. I have never understood why coaches would tell their kids a different placement then they really are. We are very honest with our kids and because of it they are more responsible for their routines.
Nicole, I experienced the same thing a couple weeks ago at a cheer competition. I actually heard the coach say to her team that they won, but had deductions. When the scores were posted, they were NEVER in 1st with or without the deductions. Also one of the cheerleaders came up to us and said, our coach said "your gym only won because your coach bribes the judges" lol. Gym owners should be very careful what you say to your children in your program, because THEY DO REPEAT what is said at your gym. Since it was a child, I refrained from saying anything back. But the gym owner should really think about what was said, considering that there were a few other teams that beat her gym as well in all the divisions. Which would mean that the other gyms must have bribed the judges too
Agree about a standardized scoresheet. It bothers me that coaches/owners can choose competitions where they think their team will have a better chance, where is the competition in that? If you want to be the best you go against the best, with the same set of rules. It also bothers me when coaches dont know the rules, and their teams suffer the consequences with penalties because of it. They should know what is illegal. Accidental deductions are completely understandable, that is completely different. I am all for any changes in the sport that make it more competitive and fair.
I think the standardized score sheet would be great, however I know some companies don't want to be in the cookie cutter family. They like being different, and honestly I think its what keeps things fun and"competitive". The problem really lies with the coaches and gym owners. Its great to push your kids and try to be # 1, but really there's a line, and when you cross it, like blaming judges because your team didn't win.... people like me think your lame and really need to grow up! I've been involved with cheerleading for over 20 years as an athlete, coach, choreographer and judge. I've seen a ton...what I'm experiencing now with these younger 20 something coaches is they think their pooh what doesn't stink...Hate to be the one to break it to them but EVERYONE'S pooh stinks every once in a while...Deal with it...
I think that there is a time a place to complain. This is a message board and the correct forum to discuss our likes and dislikes. As long as it is done in a tasteful and nice way. Everyone feels slighted sometimes and I don't think by stating your opinion you should be marked as a hater or a sore loser. Everyone has epic failures and epic triumphs and it is OKAY to express yourself, in a respectful manner of course.
A standardized score sheet is what is needed in this sport, especially if the competition is a BID competition. If other companies want to be different then great but if you are running a Worlds Bid Competition then you should have to score the Worlds Teams under a Worlds score-sheet.
A competition can be fun and competitive even with a standardized score-sheet! I think it would make it more fun and the competition would be greater, because everyone would be playing on the same level playing field. There would be less room to complain that this company likes that team, or this judge hated us. If it's standardized it makes EVERYONE more accountable; companies, judges, coaches, and athletes... I'm sure it wouldn't solve everything, but it is a start.
I agree with this post. It makes sense to have the same rules for a sport at every competition. That is how it is in other sports, easier for everyone to understand, athletes, spectators, and coaches. When you are guessing on why it is that a team placed where it did it is bad for the sport. I am a paying customer and believe my opinion counts. I may not have 20 years in the sport, but I do have several years and I am still confused at a lot of competitions on scoring. That is a problem for the companies putting on the events. IMO
I agree with this, my daughters were told, they lost because of judges almost all the time! They never placed through the season yet it was always, the judges faults? I left their program as I'm no dummy and saw right through that lie! It's like any other sport, go give it your all and let the points add up. Don't lie as to where you rank and allow kids to run and say untrue standings...Honesty is key and keeps your kids in your gym:)
