Credentialed Cheerleaders

Date: Fri Jul 14 2:46 PM, 2006

Credentialed Cheerleaders

Date: Fri Jul 14 5:15 PM, 2006

I'm gonna start credentialing my parents and maybe my dog spike also......

Date: Fri Jul 14 5:19 PM, 2006

thats funny!

Date: Fri Jul 14 5:37 PM, 2006

CheerForceCoach wrote:

I'm gonna start credentialing my parents and maybe my dog spike also......

Ha! And the best part is, your dog Spike could likely be one of the ones doing the credentialing...

Date: Fri Jul 14 5:40 PM, 2006

Ok, so please explain this to me. What exactly ARE we credentialing? The ages? What they can do? Doesn't that open the door to "fibbing" if the owners of the gym are doing it themselves? I am confused a bit. Is this the solution we have been waiting for as to the ages of competitiors? Oh someone please explain to this "oh so confused" one.

Thanks!!!

Date: Fri Jul 14 7:12 PM, 2006

If you could take say 100,000 cheerleaders and im sure there are more then that and charge say $25.00. You can make a good 2.5 million dollars. You do get this great monthly newsletter with that $25 .

just dropping the Bone,

Spike

Date: Fri Jul 14 7:13 PM, 2006

Ok Spike, but please explain WHAT we are credentialing? Ages? What?

Cat

Date: Fri Jul 14 7:31 PM, 2006

They are credentialing skills. In otherwords do you have the skills to be on a level 5 team. To be level 4 tumbler, you would have a standing tuck and a layout etc. to be credentialed a level 4 tumbler. Now, I guess what worlds watcher is saying is that you have to be at least a level 5 in tumbling or stunting to compete at worlds. Is that right Worlds Watcher?

But am I gathering that they are charging a fee to get your credentials? Okay here we go again more money!

Date: Fri Jul 14 8:14 PM, 2006

I know the Cheer Force coach thinks everything is funny, but it is good that the USASF is an organization dedicated to oversee all star cheer. There were so many accidents, coaches who shouldn't be coaching , and other negative things happening that it wasn't working right. I just think its good that they are making it mandatory.

Date: Fri Jul 14 8:25 PM, 2006

above person = stupid

Date: Fri Jul 14 9:07 PM, 2006

above person wrote:

above person = stupid

I don't think they're so much stupid as just misinformed and living in FairytaleLand. Anyone who has participated in a USASF coaching credentialing knows what a joke it is. The athlete credentialing will be no different. It's just another way for USASF to rake in more $$$.

Date: Fri Jul 14 9:56 PM, 2006

above person wrote:

above person = stupid

First of all you don't know anyone well enough on this board to label anyone stupid, just because you don't agree with it. You don't know anyone's background or history. 2nd if there was NO type of process to credential coaches, then you would get a bunch of people who have "cheered" begin to coaching. Granted you have that now in cheerleading and many other sports but at least its something. People just criticize but in a world like today I would rather send my child to a place where the coaches know what their doing. Even "the best" have done some questionable things. Why do you think gyms lose kid and get sued. There is to more to all stars than getting a full and a scorpion double down. I know its hard to imagine, but there is.

Date: Fri Jul 14 10:24 PM, 2006

Thanks to CheerForce Coach for taking the time to come here and explain things to us. I don't think you are stupid.

Anyone can coach. Anyone can get a job coaching. Some gyms just need coaches. Others have the background to do so. Some gyms actually LOOK into these backgrounds and hire accordingly. Equally so, these coaches can make mistakes from time to time. For every great coach, you will find 50 parents who THINK they know how to coach and THINK they know what they are talking about. And then you will find 100 kids who THINK they know everything just because they got their standing tucks and suddenly they know more than the coaches.

What I find curious is, how many of these kids who are on level 5 teams could really stay there. Or how many level 4 kids are out there on level 5 teams cause they can either fly well, tumble well, or base well, but are only there because of ONE of those talents.

Please don't come on here and call people stupid. I would bet top dollar that you are one of those who THINK they know it all but are all talk and no bite. (sorry Spike)

- A CheerForce Rival Gym Parent and Admirer

Date: Fri Jul 14 10:54 PM, 2006

In our backstage experience at Worlds, never once were our "blue" wristbands checked to see if we were credentialed. Any other coaches there get checked?

A funny story was overheard...long story short:
James Speed arrived at Worlds and had to be credentialed before he could go backstage with his team (along with many other well known coaches). During stunt testing, he was asked to "teach" a stunt. Easy enough. Funny thing is, he purposely explained the techniques WRONG on PURPOSE, to see if they would catch it. They didn't catch it, he "passed". What a joke!

Not trying to poke fun at USASF. Just using one of many real examples of the poor credenitaling process. It is a good idea, with good intentions. Unfortunately, most of us can't really take it seriously. Right now, without a professional process, it just looks like another way of getting money out of us.

What do you all think? I'm personally embarrassed to ask my kids to get involved in such a ridiculous process. Has anyone had their kids do this yet? What has your experience been?

Side note...if this is going to really happen, it might be nice if "paid bids" also included free certification.

Just some thoughts...

Date: Fri Jul 14 11:59 PM, 2006

This type of system is similar to gymnastics and many other performance oriented sports. Yes James Speed is probably one of the BEST coaches by all means, but why should he get special treatment versus a small gym coach. Just treat everyone equally and people will have little complaints.

Date: Sat Jul 15 7:20 AM, 2006

Sorry if I wasn't clear...James Speed wasn't getting special treatment. The point he was making is that he messed up on purpose, and the person credentialing him didn't catch the mistake. He did later tell the person testing him that he gave the wrong answer, and eventually gave the correct techniques. It concerns me that they are still passing people that are giving wrong answers.

Date: Sat Jul 15 10:22 AM, 2006

I am not sure about Spike but my dog Lady can do a mean round-off back splat . Do you think this is enough for her to get her certification ?

Date: Sat Jul 15 5:53 PM, 2006

It says in the credentialing that even if they dont pass level 2 they can still compete level 5 so why are we credentialing again......... A 40 year old gymnastics coach at our gym 2 years ago who didn't know a thing about cheer passed tosses stunts and pyramids with out a day of training in his life...... If we are gonna test for real lets test for real........ Not play games...... Now i know there are some coaches that are gonna go ahead and forward my messages to the usasf in hopes to ruin our chances at worlds, but hey someone has to speak up...... yes I have spoke to people at usasf about my concerns......

Thanks spike's owner

Date: Sat Jul 15 6:12 PM, 2006

Today I was driving on the freeway. This maniac drove by me at 95 mph while talking on a cell phone.

I can't believe that they actually give licenses away...crazy dmv.

Date: Sat Jul 15 10:21 PM, 2006

Loved the last posts. Random but so true.