What ever happened to having a cheergyms dance team. I was excited to see this. So are you guys going to try again the upcoming year? Because I think that there are lots of kids that would love to join, and i know that there would be many people that would love to see what you guys come up with! =D
I think the reason some find it boring is, most don't think of dancing as a sport. There isn't that element of "landing" everything. Sure, you could fall doing those twirly things dancers do, but really, is there any risk at all associated with dancing? Isn't it, like going to the ballet, just for entertainment? Isn't it more of a form of expression than a sport?
Cheer, on the other hand, involves gymnastics and acro, and there are definitely chances for folks to either land or fall, and that is where the excitement lies. Just don't really see much risk in dancing. Do you guys??
And before some dancer blasts me in CAPS let's keep in mind this is just a discussion, just voicing an opinion to see what others think.
I 'm not trying to be rude or bossy or whatever you want to take it as but dance is much as a sport as any other competitive sport out there. Yes, some sports are harder then others but that doesn't mean that the easier sport isn't a sport. Each sport has it's difficulties and that's what makes every sport unique. If all ths sports were the same, then it would be overwhelming and way boring. Don't hate on dancing because you have to remember how many people hate on cheerleading. One of the hardest things about dancing is making sure everyone on your team is doing everything the exact way! Everyone has their own style of dancing so if someone moves the tinest bit differently, it can throw the whole routine off and the formations. Also, keep in mind that more and more cheer gyms are adding dancing to their routine. Don't get me wrong, I love cheer, but please remember that each sport has its difficulties. Haven't you ever heard some football players say, "cheerleading's not that hard". Everyone has a right to their opinion and that's great that yall express that you don't enjoy it that much but some people don't enjoy cheer and would LOVE to dance and compete against other dance teams!
From a mom that has girls both on cheer (competitive) and dance (competitive) both are as intense and exciting. I went to both of my girls Nationals and each was just as nail biting and intense. Each DISCIPLINE- Cheer or Dance takes every bit of practice, teamwork, dedication to equal each other. Please respect each of the girls that practice either sport. Hooray that cheer and dance girls are doing something with their lives, rather than hanging around doing nothing. For those of you on this board that think dance is boring have YOU actually danced, put the countless hours to perfect certain moves and then competed? Tolerance and support of a fellow athlete, no matter what sport, is to be commended.
Yes, I can see where it was exciting for you -- your daughter was competing and I assume you/she wanted to win. That's always exciting. I think the issue was perhaps the reason dance isn't as exciting to others (who don't have a daughter/son competing) is that there really is not the element of risk, as someone said earlier. Sure, you have to work hard, practice many hours. You could say the same for a musician (music and dance, I put them in the same entertainment category), the category being performing arts.
Personally I find dance entertaining, but not exciting. I find cheer, especially at the higher levels, very exciting. Again, because you are hoping they land everything (like watching ice skating). But back to dancing, I really enjoy watching it when everyone is in sync and the choreography is good. When I really (really really) hate watching it is when it looks like a free for all, everyone doing their own thing. It sometimes looks like they practiced an hour before going on stage, you know?
I don't usually post on these boards...I'm pretty much non-confrontational, but this topic kinda got me.
In the past Cheergyms used to have PHENOMENAL dance teams. I believe their college levels even took national titles way back when at NCA in Dallas.
I guess I've always held cheerleaders up on a bit of a pedastal. For over a decade, my girls and their cheer friends have fought to convince people that cheer is a sport. To then hear a cheerleader be so rude and harsh to make the comments that dance (or anything else that they may not be interested in) is not a sport and then make comments like "ugh" and "ugh I agree" just blows me away.
What's entertaining about dance? Well, that's not something that can really be answered...it's a personal preference. I do not enjoy sitting through all dance, but I love watching a talented, elite team perform. I also love going to cheer competitions but, personally, my interest takes a nosedive when it comes to individuals, mascots and what not. Do they deserve to be there? Absolutely!!!! It's just not my personal preference for entertainment but I would never, ever say or think mean things about them just because it's not my favorite thing to watch.
I do believe that it works best for all when competitions have the different categories go on at different times (sometimes on different days, some different times and others in different rooms). But nonetheless, dance IS a part of cheer and deserves respect. If you don't like it, the answer is simple....don't watch it.
Risk? There is plenty. I'll never forget watching a dancer come out (when dance was a huge portion of cheer comps) and this girl landed from a leap wrong ending up with a compound fracture of the ankle. It was horrific to watch...the same as any of the injuries I've seen in cheerleading.
Darcy, Morton and whomever else is involved, I sincerely you hope your efforts are successful in putting together another dance team and I hope it's sooner than later!!!!
OK...So I was trying to avoid getting into this topic, but I feel like I have no other choice now then to state my opinion. I was a dancer for 18 years. I learned so much in those 18 years about myself as an athlete and a person.
I have grown up playing softball, soccer, basketball, swimming, dancing, cheering water skiing and raced competitively for a snow skiing team. Because I have participated in all these activities, I have come to learn that each one is extremely different. To play soccer, you need completely different skills then you do to be a dancer. Does that make you any less of an athlete? No!! Of course not. Each individual activity takes a tremendous amount of talent, hard work and dedication.
To me, dancing was my one thing that I could do to release my worries. As cheesy as that sounds, it's true. Think about all those times you are in your room or driving in your car and you are listening to music...what are you doing? Relaxing? Releasing your stress? Well I can guarantee that you have all done that at some point. I can't speak for all dancers, but for me, that's what's great about dancing.
Now for everyone who thinks that dancing is not hard, and that there is no risk to dancing...I challenge you to go through a month of training with a top of the line dance academy. Take a full load of dance classes. Get back to me after that month is up and let me know how you feel. I promise you will feel different.
Now to the real question here...do I think that dancing is harder then cheer?? Being someone that has done both, I think there is no comparison there. To me, they are two totally different things. Dancing and cheerleading have a lot of the same things...they both go to music...count 5-6-7-8...but are very different.
I think until you have been a dancer yourself, it's hard to appreciate it. Do I think any less of these people who say dance is boring? No. I respect their opinion. But when cheergyms.com does get their dance teams back together, you better believe that they WILL be entertaining. If you are interested in our dance teams, please e-mail me at darcy@cheergyms.com
I have been a dancer for nine years and I danced competitivley for two, and cheered for 3 going on my forth year. I think dance helped me so much in cheerleading, body stregth, endurance, flexibility, being able to learn choreography fast, and so much more. Dance has inspired me to reach out and try things I wouldn't normally do. In my last year of dance I started up in recreational cheerleading. I was so surprised with how fast I learned the cheers and routines. Dance has helped me sooooo much, and I definatley wouldn't be the same cheerleader that I am without dance. I take classes in dance whenever I get a chance, and would LOVE to be on the dance team for cheergyms.com. Oh and one more thing, what do you think all of the dancers think when cheerleaders come to competitions? Competitions aren't only for cheer teams.
I think the issue was perhaps the reason dance isn't as exciting to others (who don't have a daughter/son competing) is that there really is not the element of risk, as someone said earlier. Sure, you have to work hard, practice many hours. You could say the same for a musician (music and dance, I put them in the same entertainment category), the category being performing arts.
