So much talk has been about worlds. What does everyone think about the level 3 and 4 teams that they have seen this season? I have not been blown away by any level 4 teams yet. It is driving me nuts seeing teams competing at this level with very sloppy skills. Back down and clean it up!!!!! Please!!!!!!! I am impressed with Pyramids Senior Gold Level 3. They had a rough start to the season, but it all came together for them at Jamz the 14th. I would rather see beautiful technique and clean sharp confident routines than messy level 4 routines.
Please coaches and program directors out there--stand firm, don't cave because you think you need to compete at levels your teams are not ready to compete at.
Also, I heard coaches will soon have to be certified to coach at the various levels. That makes so much sense. Too many unqualified coaches teaching advanced skills. It is not safe!
Do you think worlds will eventually include lower level teams?
My child doesn't compete at these levels but I did have the chance to see Cheer Force level 4 and they were very good. Cheer Force has been the team to reckon with this season, that's for sure.
-In So Cal
PS they are also really nice people too. We have competed against them for 2 seasons now and they are always polite and respectful.
I can only assume that you haven't seen Cheer Divas Junior Coed and Senior All Girl level 4 this year. We also won small gym extreme award this weekend against some pretty stiff compeition. There are some really good level 4 teams out there. Sometimes I enjoy them more then the level 5 or 6 teams who I feel at times try to cram too much inot the routine. Hey is cheergyms going to the comp in Fresno? Good luck for a safe and injury free season , or at least what is left of it. As far as worlds it would be great to have other level teams there. Kinda like an olympics and junior olympics things
I have to say that the cheer divas senior leve four team was outstanding at GSSA in early december. the opening elite section was off the hook. I'm obsessed with it I watch it over and over on dvd. I was not, however, very impressed with the cheer divas junior co ed team. not as good as the senior team. Anyway no, Cheergyms will not be attending the competition in Fresno, their next competition will be at UOP in Stockton on February 12th
Saw Cheer Divas Level 4 team at Jamz Cow Palace. They were good, but made some mistakes, so not clean (they took 3rd if I recall). But still impressive and should do well this year. There is stiff competition in the level 4 category. I agree about level 4 being more fun to watch sometimes than the higher levels. The last time I saw the higher levels perform, as was said, they tried to do too much and had NUMEROUS mistakes. I have yet to see a clean Level 5 routine, co-ed or not.
I think many teams and coaches compete at higher levels because of ego. I would rather seen clean level 2, 3 and 4 teams versus a sloppy level 5. Also you can do squad bhs's and squad tucks in those lower levels too. Seriously how many double fulls and fulls are we really seeing Northern California other than POWER and select other programs. I think you have to look at your whole versus a few individuals. Have the compete individuals or duet's if they want to throw those skills. Keep the other teams clean.
This is regarding the original post...yes, next year coaches will have to be certified in the level they are coaching in order to compete at any competition that follows the USASF rules-which is most of them. All of cheergyms.com has already done this to insure the safety of the the cheerleaders.
Keep your eyes on the Pyramids Junior Prep Gold team. They just moved up to level 4 and beat a Junior Coed Exel team at Jamz. They are an amazing group of young ladies and gentelmen.
Regarding original post. I am really glad someone finally pointed out the extreme focus about Worlds, all of the time. It would be nice to see more discussions about all of the other level teams so they feel as special. Thay all do work hard after all!! Thanks to the original poster for bringing this subject up.
Very true, it gets old talking so much about worlds. I just think that it's such a new thing that everyone wants to talk about it and find out just how close we all are to being able to compete there.
Here is a list of AWESOME lower level teams that I saw this past weekend. They definitly deserve recognition!
* Athletic Perfection Sr. Level 4 (this coaching staff is doing something right!) * All Star Elite Co-Ed Level 4 (always a very under rated program) * Pyramids Jr. Level 2 (no matter what the level, pyramids teams look good) * Motions Sr. Level 2 (this team was due! happy for them!) * Roseville cheer Starz Sr. Level 4 (they stunt left but they do it RIGHT!) * 720 Sr. Prep Level 4 (best choreography in Nor Cal.....forget the levels!)
I've been impressed with these level 4 teams so far (Senior): Athletic Perfection, Cheer Odyssey, Cheer Xplosion, and Roseville All Starz. All of them have taken first at least once (a couple twice)! THey deserve mention and should be great competition going into Nationals!
I personally love the Junior Level 2 routine from Airborne! Even though I am from there I feel like those girls rock those level 2 stunts. I love how we are finally taking the time to recognize all the hard work that all allstar cheerleaders put in!
The only teams that I have been watching closely and actually be qble to see progress would be Motions Senior Black Level 2.. they are an awesome Level 2 team!!!
Yes, I am a parent of one of the golden girls! I originally posted, because there are so many teams that deserve mention. The Worlds topic is fun to read, but there is lots of talent out there at all the levels!!!
in regards to "more mentions" post. Have those teams competed against anyone when they have taken first? It seems that some gyms go to smaller comeptitions so that they do not have to compete against others. Not being rude just something I noticed.
I find it hard to imagine that program directors or coaches specifically pick competitions that will be small so their teams won't have to compete against anyone and insure they get first place. All the coaches I know are VERY competitive and they WANT the competition to help them improve their team and choreography.
I think in recent years some of the regional competitions, like USA, are getting smaller because there are more competitions to pick from. Unfortunately this spreads out the teams amoungst too many competitions and it isn't until you get to the Nationals that you finally get a large group.
I also think that since the divisions have been expanded to 5 different levels there are fewer teams to compete against.
I hope this gives you another perspective on the situation. And without doing some research I can't answer your question if "more mentions" teams listed were the only ones in their division when they received 1st place.