Need Answers

Date: Fri Jul 15 5:15 PM, 2005

Need Answers

Date: Fri Jul 15 6:25 PM, 2005

To "Need Answers",

I know you requested fact, not opinion, but I believe that when you speak of the differences between CA and the rest of the Nation it is all a matter of opinion.

California, as seen by many coaches and choreographers nation wide, is known for innovative choreography and very clean routines. Now the word "clean" alone is open to opinion, but from what I have seen nation wide, California takes clean to another level. We are concerned with what the finger placement is when a cheerleader slaps down, what angle the team will hold their High V's at, how the feet are placed when just standing, etc. (down to the fingernail!) And we are not just making sure the team looks the same every once in a while, we are looking at overall consistency.

Coaches are also focused on a complete package. We want original choreography that incorporates innovative transitions, music that really fits what is taking place on the floor, gymastics level technique, unique entrances and exits to basic skills and how to use basic skills effectively. We want our entire team to be highlighted, not just the 1 or 2 great tumblers or flyers.

California may currently be behind the rest of the nation in skill level, but choreographically I believe we are years ahead.

Maritza

Date: Fri Jul 22 1:55 PM, 2005

i could not agree more! :)

Date: Fri Jul 22 10:20 PM, 2005

Hmmmm, choreography is better in the west? did anyone see the stingrays at worlds? now THATS choreography!!! I'm tell you, I feel like I see the same routine every year at every competition. C'mon guys, step up.... do something new!!!!

-Not From Stingrays, just an amazed cheerleader

Date: Sat Jul 23 7:28 PM, 2005

Get your mind out of the gutter! WEST COAST = BEST COAST, and thats wassup.

Date: Sat Jul 23 7:35 PM, 2005

Ok, while I must say that the Stingrays out of Georgia are one of the most skilled and talented teams in the entire nation, their choreography was far from great this past year.

In their defense, the Small Senior division is one of the toughest divisions to display great choreography. However, some of their transitions were very scattered, they had too much dead time for their skill level, and their dance section was dated and typical.

Just so we uinderstand each other......they are awesome! They totally deserved that World Title. I just wouldn't lump them in with the best choreographed performances of 2005.

Without a doubt, if there were rankings for choreography at Worlds 2005 it would go like this.
1) Top Gun Large Co-Ed
2) Spirit of Texas Small Co-Ed
3) Miami Elite Large Co-Ed
Honorable Mention) Maryland Twisters F5 Large All Girl

PS: If you getta chance to talk to anyone from any of the programs listed above, Ask them if they've ever gotten any choreography help from the West Side. You might be surprised.

Date: Sun Jul 24 10:19 AM, 2005

Eric Little, Rey Jasper

Date: Sun Jul 24 12:09 PM, 2005

Who are they?

Date: Sun Jul 24 12:25 PM, 2005

If you cannot identify these two amazing choreographers then you should not be judging good choreography. They work with most of the top teams in the nation, not to mention top college teams. Rey Jasper won the Innovative Choreography Award at NCA All Star Nationals this year in Dallas for his Miami Elite Large Coed Team. Eric Little has worked with all the best teams, he is a master at dance sections.

Date: Sun Jul 24 1:24 PM, 2005

When I read "the Critics" response I could not believe my eyes. Who are you to tear apart Stingrays routine like that? I would hope that you yourself have choreographed National titles for NCA and Cheersport. And don't even come back and say that you have for AB spiritleader or USA or even the American Showcase because we all know that they do not even compare, and if you are about to say that your routines could hang at NCA and Cheersport, fine.....comment again when you have reached the top 3.

When asking about the West Coast you need to divide it into Nor Cal and So Cal. So Cal style is so different and that is actually the style that people are talking about when they say the west coast.....nor cal is not even on the map for the type of choreography like Mavericks and California Allstars.

Just my opinion.....comment away,

Date: Sun Jul 24 4:00 PM, 2005

Ok........ I didn't mean to come off like I was "tearing apart" the Stingrays routine. I was just pointing out facts concerning their choreography.

Yes, I have choreographed for an NCA National Champion in Dallas along with more than 10 other top 10 finishes. I've also judged at NCA High School and All Star Nationals, cheersport, and NCA College Nationals.

I admit, overall much better choreography has been coming out of the South over the past 5 years. They deserve a lot of props for their creativity and trend setting. I just suggest you take a look at the world of cheerleading choreography pre "Bring It On".

You seem young so I won't confuse you with the history of California Choreography. Just know that you prove your ignorance when you say that NorCal is not even on the map.

Date: Sun Jul 24 7:37 PM, 2005

Just out of curiousity, since I am so young and ignorant who did you choreograph for that won NCA?

Also, I am listening and would love the history of Cali Choreography.

Maybe you did not understand what I said in my previous post: I was trying to say that currently no one has the style of So Cal up here in the north other than Southbay, obviously because that is where Roy is from. There is a clear difference between Nor Cal and So Cal styles....thats all I was saying...obviously everyone is entitled to there own opinion, now that I am aware of your vast experience let me ask you a question, if you have successfully choreographed a NCA national routine for a team other than one that you currently coach what set that team apart from the current Nor Cal teams on the floor because we have not been able to hang in Dallas.......just curious,

ignorantly awaiting your response.

Date: Sun Jul 24 11:12 PM, 2005

"Nor Cal Cheer Gal",

Keep in mind that Californias ability to "hang in Dallas" is due to skill level, which all of California lacks in at the moment, not choreography. Pyramids Small Seniors made it to finals with only 3 or 4 fulls and no double twisting baskets due to their choreography. To place in the Top 3 in Dallas you must have a complete package, it's not fair to weigh it all on choreography.

Maritza

Date: Mon Jul 25 12:57 AM, 2005

Maritza,

I fully agree that you need the whole package. Pyramids Small Seniors had a great routine, I saw it a few times live and enjoyed it each time....of course you can't always depend on choreography but I do feel that the majority of the time Nor Cal has to due to lack of difficulty. Lets be honest, the Small Seniors did not leave Concord for Dallas expecting a jacket....from what I understand that division was crazy and to be able to make finals was a huge accomplishment. Hopefully Nor Cal will find a balance of both ability and choreography....I do feel that So Cal is closer to that balance than we are. I would excited for any team that could travel to Atlanta or Dallas and make a name for themselves by bringing home a National Title.

Date: Mon Jul 25 8:09 PM, 2005

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe AllStar cheerleading was established in Clayton, California. Two women by the names of Kathy Gaffney and Pat Reilth took a team of girls to Dallas to compete at High School Nationals. Danny Kahn choreographed for them. The name of the team was the Clayton Valley All Stars. There were several girls from Benicia, Concord and Clayton on the team.
Morton Bergue and Rey Jasper were also connected with the team, CVAS ran a cheer camp at Concord Neighborhood park for a fundraiser, and Morton was in charge of the camp. Rey Jasper worked with them as well.
They won the All Star division *that was it!* at high school nationals twice and placed third once. I don't know how many years Danny helped them with choreography, but I have seen the tapes and they were really ahead of their time.
Kathy Gaffney later was Head Cheerleading Commissioner on the California Youth Football board, and Pat Reilth, along with Morton and Danny opened their first cheergym in Concord and started their own All Star program. I believe the first Senior team that competed in Dallas for Pyramids at All Star Nationals finished fifth. In years following we had a tougher time, narrowly missing finals (we placed eleventh) in the Junior Division.
Seeing All Star Nationals finals in Dallas was an eyeopener. I would have to agree that they are way ahead on tumbling and at that time...stunting as well. We have caught up on the stunting, now it's time to work on the tumbling if that's your goal.

Date: Tue Jul 26 9:34 PM, 2005

When I asked "who are they? I wasn't the one judging the choreography. I never said anything about choreography in my post. Ohters were judging it, not me. I just asked who they were.

I thought others might like to know who they are. Being in All Stars for YEARS and never having heard their names ONCE, I figured they couldn't be all THAT popular since I and others hadn't heard of them.

There are differences between Nor Cal and So Cal. Been there, done both. Nor Cal isn't BEHIND anyone. Everyone is capable of putting out routines that wins. Just time will tell who has the drive to step up to the matt. I know, I know, I know, you all have the drive. Now let's see it!!!!!

So Cal is stepping it up even more this year. So good luck to EVERYONE who give it their all cause since this is COMPETITIVE cheer, not everyone can win!!! Hope to see you guys at Worlds!!!! But when we walk on that matt, we won't be from So Cal, we will be from California. And hopefully all of us Californians will be cheering each other on!!!! WE will do the same for you if you're there too!!!!!

Date: Wed Jul 27 12:35 AM, 2005

Never seen Champion Outaws, Mavericks, OC All-stars, in Dallas....but have seen nor cal teams...and..hmmm...most have made finals everytime!! So the next time someone says that the so cal choreography is going to take over and win...think about the teams that have made finals in the BIGGEST competitions in the world....and looks like they all have the "nor cal style"..

Date: Wed Jul 27 1:20 AM, 2005

Hmmm, don't recall anyone saying So Cal is taking over... but then again, people HAVE been quoted incorrectly before.

PS (talking really quiet so the others don't hear) Haven't seen too many nor cal teams at Worlds.... but then that's not in Dallas, so I guess that one doesn't count, huh?

(Speaking loudly again) All of you guys/gals who went to Dallas, congrats!!!!!! Some of us support you from waaaaayyyyyyy down here!!!!!!

PRIVATE TO HMMMMM : The correct response to Don't Know would be "thank you"

Date: Wed Jul 27 2:01 AM, 2005

Actually, Power went to worlds as well as American, clovis elite and stars extreme(arguably on the border of nor cal and so cal)...but what was the representation of so cal..oh yea...VCSC pride,and champion outlaws....any others from so cal...hmmm...NO!! so..nut job...think before you speak...cuzz POWER,was(in my opinon) the cleanest and arguably (keyword) the best small coed team on the west coast...Champion did well placing ahead of POWER at worlds, but I was routing for POWER all the way! If they would have had a performance at worlds like at the American Showcase....I think they would have had a higher placing...REMEMBER...its just an OPINION...theres no need to be offended...if you dont like it...you shouldnt be living in AMERICA!!! Cheers to you all!!

See you on the mat!

Date: Wed Jul 27 2:04 AM, 2005

and P.S. to Nut Job...my correct response should be...Nor cal is stepping it up a lot more notches than everyone is expecting...We know whats going on and what we need to hang with the "big dogs"...You'll see...I think nor cal is going to blow EVERYONE out of the water this year...we will be definately seeing you at WORLDS!!