I don't agree with USASF changing the age guidelines in the way they have. But I am curious what is so bad about having senior teams consist of older athletes and junior teams the younger athletes. I think it would create a more even playing field competing anyway. I know the timing of the change isn't fair and should have waited with plenty of warning. So, I truly just would like to know everyone's opinion solely on the age issue, not the timing of the change.
I think the main problem is that it takes time to develop those level 5 skills, especially tumbling. You are going to see a lot fewer junior-aged kids with those skills than senior-aged kids. So it's pretty hard to have a true level 5 junior team where everyone has a full like you see with the upper-crust level 5 senior teams. And that really robs those few young kids who do have those skills if they can't compete at the level they belong in simply because their teammates their age can't keep up.
That may be the case in some places but there are many Junior 5 teams that could hold there own if necessary, my personal favorite in the Large Junior 5 team from Cheer Extreme in Kernersville, NC. There are 35 girls on the floor and I would say about 28 of them have level 5 tumbling...they are outa this world!
I'm sure that's the case in some places. But I don't see the point in punishing the really talented true level 5 juniors that don't have access to that kind of opportunity.
I have to take this topic to a new level becauseI dont think that its just about the age level and the skill level. I think that its more on the maturity level. Yes there are temas out with junior aged girls that have level 5 skills. But the pressure can be way to much for a junior age kid. Yes I have some senior teamd that are not fully senior because the juniors want to show that they can hang with the older girls. The problem is when the older girls look down on the younger ones and when the older girls blame the younger ones for every little thing. I think that the age limit should have been in forced in the first place because the younger ones need to mature and learn to take on pressure like that. If thse junior level 5 teams stay down for a year process, perfect skills, and grow a whole team dont you think that we would have some awsome junior level 5 teams or even more amazing senior level 5 teams.
California all stars Champion cheer outlaws desert storm (arizona) west coast mavericks
All these programs had wonderful level5 junior teams. I think the problem is training. Most coaches see a few 6th graders with full and put them on seniors. Then they make their other teams level 3 and of course they aren't going to work on anything harder. Always making that "senior" team the only team that has any emphasis on it. That is why you see such a high turnover rate in all star cheer.
I think a lot of programs do not focus on their junior teams as much as their senior teams. In norcal there are far less junior level five teams than senior level 5 teams. That is also because many senior level cheerleaders are ex-gymnasts. Young kids can learn just as fast, if not faster than the older kids, I think the more focus on them, the better. They are the future and all have the potential to be amazing.
I know last year Southbay was one of the few junior level 5 teams in norcal and I thought they were very good. I think power had a team too. I want to see some more level 5 junior teams this year!
