Which Competitions to go to & which to avoid

Date: Wed Feb 15 6:48 PM, 2006

Which Competitions to go to & which to avoid

Date: Wed Feb 15 7:13 PM, 2006

RE: Which Competitions to go to & which to avoid

Date: Wed Feb 15 9:46 PM, 2006

Good:

NCA in Dallas
UCA in Florida
Cheersport in Atlanta
Spirit Sports in San Diego
CTC American Grand in Las Vegas
CTC American Showcase in Anaheim

Not so good:

Jamz Nationals in Las Vegas, however they are giving a bid to worlds and I want it.
USA Naitonals

-Bryan
Motions Coed

Date: Wed Feb 15 10:20 PM, 2006

I think Jamz is getting better and better as the years go by. As for USA, I think they're going down hill. COA is great and American Grand is also a great one. Mardi Gras is one of the ones my girls like.

Date: Wed Feb 15 10:39 PM, 2006

Guess it depends on what you're judging on. Jamz regionals are horrible; expensive admittance fee, expensive parking, no videotaping allowed, no programs included in price. USA regional was the opposite -- they allowed, even encouraged videotaping, it was $10 to get in with a program included, parking was $6. As far as competition, we went against the same amount in our category as we did at Jamz regionals. I think over the years, if you look at their schedules, Jamz regionals have less in their categories as the years go by, and that's with mixing large and small. USA's attendance is dwindling too, but I wouldn't say they had less than Jamz. But I do like Jamz Nationals, I think they're entertaining. Should be interesting this year at this new venue (Orleans), we'll see.

JamFest was fun, and the only one with no admittance fee. The parent competition they had was hilarious.

Date: Thu Feb 16 6:17 AM, 2006

I think that American Championships are probably the best competitions offered in the country. I love the American Showcase and the American Grand. I do have to say USA is alot better than it was in the past. They have had a good number in attendance at regionals and their nor cal championship. The event ran from 9 am until 7pm and most divisions had 3 or more teams.

Events I don't like:
Jamz regionals or Nationals-to much money for what you get and they are overcharge.
Athletic Championships: Good event, but to much money for parking and it doesn't seem worth the money
GSSA: exspensive to get in and bad seating. San Jose State was better, with better vendors.
Americas Best-Staff was incredibly rude and they don't offer all the USASF divisions although they support their rules.

Events I love:
American Championships-ran on time, friendly staff, and always support the customer.
USA- don't love, but they have improved alot over the years.
Jamfest- VERY fun events.
UCA- good staff and low cost
COA-always very good events and usually on time.
NCA- just great well rounded competitions, usually fun to attend.

Date: Thu Feb 16 9:10 AM, 2006

RE: Which Competitions to go to &amp; which to avoid

Date: Thu Feb 16 11:03 AM, 2006

RE: Which Competitions to go to & which to avoid

Date: Thu Feb 16 11:19 AM, 2006

We like:

Jamz - staff is fun and friendly, and while the warm-up areas are never good, we always have a lot of fun.
American Championships - great scoring system, really nice staff, lots of warm-up time
WSF - ton of warm-up time, and really take good care of the coaches!
NCA - always top-notch all around
Power - always a fun day! Relaxed, lots of warm up time, etc.

Dislike:
USA - for reasons discussed in other posts (unaccountable judging practices, weird rules that vary from the "standard", many things that ethically just cause eyebrows to go up)
GSSA - although they're better this year! disliked in the past due to same issues as USA, but this year has been much better with the new scoring system and an apparent attempt to get better

Date: Thu Feb 16 11:56 AM, 2006

Why dont you like Gssa ? I know our gym wont go there because our coaches say our routines dont score well there.

Date: Thu Feb 16 12:34 PM, 2006

I know in my experience with GSSA, like USA, they are very off in terms of scoring. Teams that drop, lack energy, but have that "west coast style" of visual appeal will always score higher at their competitions. You take those same teams to any other company that has REAL deductions, they will look at the the talent presented versus the "west coast style". Those teams that win at USA won't win usually. USA and GSSA are just very incosistent. Its almost like they are expecting routines to be what they want and if they are not, then you don't do well. Most of the LEADING cheerleading organizations, in terms of all star judge on the routine in front of their face in terms of skills like jumps, stunts, tumbling and overall impression. USA and GSSA have similar scoresheets or did at one time and rarely gave high points on areas such as jumps, difficulty, and solid execution. NCA scoresheet is the best because its 10 across the board in each area. One area is not more important than the other.

One thing I agree with everyone is JAMZ. Jamz is VERY costly. They cost 15 bucks to get in and other fees once you get inside like that program that is 5 bucks and is usually wrong. They are always running LATE, and always take to many breaks. Their competition at the Cow Palace was HORRIBLE in terms of time management. Their nationals used to go until 10 at night and was just dragged out. I think its to much money for not that great of a competition. I know YOUTH teams love Jamz.

Date: Thu Feb 16 4:52 PM, 2006

RE: Which Competitions to go to &amp; which to avoid

Date: Thu Feb 16 6:58 PM, 2006

RE: Which Competitions to go to & which to avoid

Date: Thu Feb 16 7:43 PM, 2006

I think that Jamz is fun for my gym. Everyone of my cheerleaders loves the staff and the way its run. If my cheerleaders are happy, than I'm happy. My feelings come after. I think that having it at marine worls can get a little crazy but the cheerleaders love it at my gym. I think they need to have shorter days though, they always go for so long. I think GSSA and USA are horrible competitions to go to. The score sheets are way off and the judging is a joke. I will not take my gym to USA or GSSA.

Date: Fri Feb 17 1:38 AM, 2006

Cali Coach wrote:

I think that Jamz is fun for my gym. Everyone of my cheerleaders loves the staff and the way its run. If my cheerleaders are happy, than I'm happy. My feelings come after. I think that having it at marine worls can get a little crazy but the cheerleaders love it at my gym. I think they need to have shorter days though, they always go for so long. I think GSSA and USA are horrible competitions to go to. The score sheets are way off and the judging is a joke. I will not take my gym to USA or GSSA.

Although I am not a huge fan of GSSA and somewhat of USA, I would not say judging is a joke, its just caters to their own style. I always respect every opinion and every comment written on scoresheets because it can make your routines better. Many coaches don't take criticism very well and just avoid competitions they don't win at. Although I have my run in with both companies, they have made the routines better with the great comments, just the scoring needs to be more consistent.

Date: Fri Feb 17 2:22 AM, 2006

"...just the scoring needs to be more consistent."

exactly. What bothers me about GSSA is that their scoring doesn't seem to be very consistent and leaves a lot of room for subjectivity. Of course thats what you get for participating in any sport/activity that is "judged" but some scoring systems are much more consistant and percise. (whether or not you agree with the values within the scoring system is a whole other story).

I personally like the scoring system of the American Championships. You know exactly how many deductions you'll get for each mistake and you know that there are a few judges whose sole job it is to catch those mistakes, while other judges are looking at other areas of the routine. Its just more objective. Some people might not agree with how they allot their points but at least they do it exactly the same for all the teams instead of having very vague scoresheets.

Date: Fri Feb 17 9:21 AM, 2006

EXACTLY. With American Championship's scoring system, it's seems the best team does always pretty much finish in 1st place.

You don't leave their events frustrated scratching your head wondering what happened, like at other competitions. Teams usually get what place they deserved for the performance they gave that weekend.

Date: Fri Feb 17 11:31 AM, 2006

I agree completley, american championships has the fairest scoring system.

Gssa and USA are much too broad. Now that cheerleading is getting so technical and teams are so close in skill level, I think its only fair that we have a score sheet that is technical as well.

Date: Sat Feb 18 9:51 AM, 2006

The thing about GSSA and USA's scoring systems (at least GSSA's last year, I hear they are better this year) is there is no accountability for the score. You'll hit a clean routine, all the comments on tape and on the score sheets will say "Great job!" and then you'll score all 6s out of 10s. It was like they'd just tear down your score just for not liking your routine, regardless of the skill level, composition, or the fact that you hit when everyone else in your division dropped stunts.

Date: Sun Feb 19 12:16 AM, 2006

I agree with Nor Cal Coach!