I always think this is interesting, I know we've talked about this a long time ago. There are so many cheerleaders that are on teams not appropriate to their skill level - check out this skill list and see where you should be and compare with where you are:
Level 4/Excel: Standing tuck, running layout One-legged stunts Double-twisting dismounts from two-legged stunts, full-twisting dismounts from one-legged stunts Double-twisting tosses
Level 5/Advanced: Standing double full, running double full One-legged stunts Double-twisting dismounts from all levels/stunts Double-twisting tosses
So I'm curious - what level cheerleader are you, and what level team do you actually compete on? You don't have to say who you are, where you're from, etc...but it's interesting to see where people match up!
On this scale, I would have been a level 3 cheerleader back in the day (10 years or so ago) - but there weren't levels back then!
Those skill levels are the maximum you can throw in each division so obviously your a level 5 if you have a full. All star teams as a whole have a while to go before you see multiple teams with double fulls, squad that is. Teams have many fulls and doubles, but you can be level 5 with just fulls.
But lets think about something else here.. Partner stunting maybe? There are NO partner stunting 'requirements' in those levels.. and Partner Stunting is pretty advanced when it is unassisted!!
Agreed! However, it is almost non-existant at the all-star level (other than college level). I would love to see a partner stunt requirement in all coed divisions.
And the comment above about those being the maximum skills at those levels - you are right. It really only applies to level 5, because there's no where to go after that, but the tumbling requirement for level 5 really is any twisting skill, standing or running. If you have a tuck but no layout, you would be level 3. If you have a layout but no twisting skills, you would be level 4.
I dont think this is a real appropriate way to determine if you are on the "right" skill level. of course we all know that even the best teams do not have full team standing and running doubles. and every person on a level 5 team does not need a double down.
yes you need skills for level 5 teams but overall i think attitude is key.
in our program we have girls on senior level 4 with fulls because they like having fuun rather than the extra time and commitment required for senior coed level 5.
i am happy there are levels now though, it used to be advanced teams could win without full team standing handsprings, now it is almost unheard of level 5 teams winning without full team standing tucks. the competition has just become so much greater in the past years
but again, a team does not rely on individual skills, i bet if you got 35 gymnasts all with doubles they would have no idea how to stunt so they wouldnt be level 5. its all about working together as a team!
But lets think about something else here.. Partner stunting maybe? There are NO partner stunting 'requirements' in those levels.. and Partner Stunting is pretty advanced when it is unassisted!!
Something to think about...
-B Motions Large Coed
Technically there is no required tumbling or partner stunting. IF there was, then you would get a sheet of requirements. Yes level 4 allows standing tucks, but it is rare to see a division full of level 4 teams throwing squad backs. Also all level 4 teams do not full down out of every body position. Its just limitations on what you can do, not requirements.
If you read the defintions of each level of a cheerleader above, you'll notice that no partner stunting is listed. Fulls aren't even listed. Level 4 and Level 5 jump from Layouts to Double Fulls.
Now, in competition rules there are no requirements. This I know, but the very first post of this topic has no standards for partner stunting, which, for indivdual MALE cheerleaders, is kind of a big thing.
Cheerleading Fan wrote: Technically there is no required tumbling or partner stunting. IF there was, then you would get a sheet of requirements. Yes level 4 allows standing tucks, but it is rare to see a division full of level 4 teams throwing squad backs. Also all level 4 teams do not full down out of every body position. Its just limitations on what you can do, not requirements.
But that's sort of my point. I'm not talking about what skills teams of what levels have (full team skills). I'm talking about what level cheerleader you are individually, versus the level of team you are on. For example, should a cheerleader with absolutely no tumbling beyond cartwheels/roundoffs be on an advanced team?
It's getting to be tryouts season again in the next couple of months, and there are always cheerleaders who think they should be on the advanced team, even if they really are a novice cheerleader - I think looking at the levels provides some perspective.
I am a level 5 flyer and a level 4 tumbler. I fly on a level 5 team. I have up to a layout but no twisting as of yet. But I can double out of everything and then some, am small and strong in the air, so that's why I am on a level 5 team.
I agree with Me. It is good to be level 5 in all aspects of your skills, but if you are mediocre in one aspect but are AMAZING in another then yes you do deserve to be on a level 5 team. Not even amazing but strong. if someone doesnt have amazing tumbling, but they base and they can be put in any stunt and you know its not going to fall... I would want them on a level 5 team.
Me wrote: I am a level 5 flyer and a level 4 tumbler. I fly on a level 5 team. I have up to a layout but no twisting as of yet. But I can double out of everything and then some, am small and strong in the air, so that's why I am on a level 5 team.
i am like me in every way! i am on a level 5 team. i am a level 5 flyer but, i am only a level 4 tumbler. I can double out of everything, and if my basses are strong enough i can almost do two and a half. Although i don't exactly have a layout but, i am close.
