All-Star Competing At Too High Of A Level

[Koral]

I began coaching at a gym where only four girls have level three skills and the rest barely have front handsprings. There are a few girls who are close but still don't have it. The girls aren't hitting their level three stunts either. I think maybe there should be a guideline at competitions that a team can only compete at that level with a half + 1 ratio. It's so dangerous and unfair to push the athletes who are just beginning and maybe don't have the love for the sport just yet. I have sent the girls many videos on to inspire them to come to tumbling practices and was wondering if you guys had any advice or drills you could give me :)

 

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

I began coaching at a gym where only four girls have level three skills and the rest barely have front handsprings. There are a few girls who are close but still don't have it. The girls aren't hitting their level three stunts either. I think maybe there should be a guideline at competitions that a team can only compete at that level with a half + 1 ratio. It's so dangerous and unfair to push the athletes who are just beginning and maybe don't have the love for the sport just yet.

Are you their coach? Have you brought it up to whomever picked the teams? I would start there, and vocalize your concerns to the person who is responsible for making these types of decisions. There is the possibility that they were expecting more progress that what is being made. I have also read on a lot of discussions on here that sometimes coaches/owners are more likely to make decisions like this out of fear of losing their higher level athletes to another gym because they can't/aren't using their skills during routines. However, I will agree with you that it isn't fair and that it is dangerous to the athletes. There are rules that state how to max out at a level, but there is no minimum to compete at a level. IMO it is a disservice to the athletes and their families to allow teams to continuously compete at a level higher than what they "should". I have certainly seen gyms that compete at a higher level than they really should be, but the reality is that you can take a team to a local comp as a Mini 3, be the only team in your division, have less BHS than the Mini 2 teams, throw not a single tuck, and still win your division and take home a trophy, banner & all the "glory". Unbelievable.

 

[12stepCheermom]

We saw one of those teams last weekend. It was a bit scary (it was a Lv 5 but really didn't need to be a Lv 5) when some of those kids were throwing full throttle skills they didn't have. Those aren't skills you want to be pressured into throwing if you haven't perfected them in a safe place yet.

 

[Koral]

Are you their coach? Have you brought it up to whomever picked the teams? I would start there, and vocalize your concerns to the person who is responsible for making these types of decisions. There is the possibility that they were expecting more progress that what is being made. I have also read on a lot of discussions on here that sometimes coaches/owners are more likely to make decisions like this out of fear of losing their higher level athletes to another gym because they can't/aren't using their skills during routines. However, I will agree with you that it isn't fair and that it is dangerous to the athletes. There are rules that state how to max out at a level, but there is no minimum to compete at a level. IMO it is a disservice to the athletes and their families to allow teams to continuously compete at a level higher than what they "should". I have certainly seen gyms that compete at a higher level than they really should be, but the reality is that you can take a team to a local comp as a Mini 3, be the only team in your division, have less BHS than the Mini 2 teams, throw not a single tuck, and still win your division and take home a trophy, banner & all the "glory". Unbelievable.

Yes, I have brought it up to owner and suggested to go maybe level 2 (since they are senior, level one is hard for their egos :P) but all the owner said was they would get "creamed". I believe that the owner is competing higher so we don't lose our athletes since we are a small gym, like you stated. But being a younger coach I don't want to approach the situation in an immature manner (argue with the owner), but I still want what is best for my athletes.

 

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

Yes, I have brought it up to owner and suggested to go maybe level 2 (since they are senior, level one is hard for their egos :p) but all the owner said was they would get "creamed". I believe that the owner is competing higher so we don't lose our athletes since we are a small gym, like you stated. But being a younger coach I don't want to approach the situation in an immature manner (argue with the owner), but I still want what is best for my athletes.

Wait, so they will get creamed in Senior 2, but not Senior 3?? I'm not understanding the logic.... are there not many Senior 3 teams in the area? Also, what age are the level 3 athletes?

 

[Koral]

I know I am confused as well!! haha Last year there were only about three/four teams in our area (I'm from Canada) that were level three, and I believe they competed level three last year as well. However this year we plan on competing in WA, which really makes me nervous. Oh and these are Seniors.
haha I'm so frustrated and I feel bad for my athletes! :(

 

[Koral]

Wait, so they will get creamed in Senior 2, but not Senior 3?? I'm not understanding the logic.... are there not many Senior 3 teams in the area? Also, what age are the level 3 athletes?

Sorry I totally forgot to press the reply button.
I forgot to add, should I address the parents, being a cheer mom would you want to know about this situation? I come from a totally different gym where parents are watching and making cheer blankets, bows...etc. here I figure they treat it just as an after school activity.

 

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

Sorry I totally forgot to press the reply button.
I forgot to add, should I address the parents.

A) If they are seniors in HS does it really matter if they leave for another gym? They are going to lose them next season anyway. If that is the case then not only is safety being sacrificed, but it is being sacrificed for four athletes who aren't even coming back.
B) The owner is probably anticipating having no competition at most events, which is what I stated in my first post.
C) I would only address the parents about this if you don't want to have a job any more. They will figure out the situation on their own after you compete in WA (Washington state?). I, as a cheer parent, would absolutely be concerned if my CP was on a team that I knew was not placed in an appropriate division. Most cheer parents who have been around a while will know whether or not the teams has a chance in their division before they even compete. The parents in our gym would probably go to the coaches or owner with their concerns, but I know that the coaches would drop a division before it came to that. But I am also in the U.S., North Carolina to be exact. Competition is very fierce and you cannot go to a competition trying to compete 2 levels above what you should be. It would be reputation murder to do that. If stuff like what you described was happening at my gym, I would have the luxury of leaving and going to the gym 2 miles down the road.

 

[Koral]

A) If they are seniors in HS does it really matter if they leave for another gym? They are going to lose them next season anyway. If that is the case then not only is safety being sacrificed, but it is being sacrificed for four athletes who aren't even coming back.
B) The owner is probably anticipating having no competition at most events, which is what I stated in my first post.
C) I would only address the parents about this if you don't want to have a job any more. They will figure out the situation on their own after you compete in WA (Washington state?). I, as a cheer parent, would absolutely be concerned if my CP was on a team that I knew was not placed in an appropriate division. Most cheer parents who have been around a while will know whether or not the teams has a chance in their division before they even compete. The parents in our gym would probably go to the coaches or owner with their concerns, but I know that the coaches would drop a division before it came to that. But I am also in the U.S., North Carolina to be exact. Competition is very fierce and you cannot go to a competition trying to compete 2 levels above what you should be. It would be reputation murder to do that. If stuff like what you described was happening at my gym, I would have the luxury of leaving and going to the gym 2 miles down the road.

Thanks so much! The first point I totally didn't even think of, you'd think I would since I have aged out lol.
I now have some more points to bring up again tonight haha!! :)

 

[AllHeartxo3]

As coach, you should put your foot down, even if you are young. No one wants to go on stage looking like a fool and I'm sure the athletes will feel a lot better successfully completing stunts. I don't understand how they'll get creamed at a level they'll be better suited for.

 

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

I don't understand how they'll get creamed at a level they'll be better suited for.

I think it was because in their area there are not many other Senior 3 teams to compete against, and a lot of good Senior 2's. Basically they are rolling the dice that there won't be anybody in their division when they go to a competition. Plus I assume it's easier to make excuses and explain away a loss to one other team in your division (S3) versus 6 other teams (S2).

 

[canttouchthis]

oh i have seen this before! level 5 teams that need to be level 4 or even 3. it gets scary

 

[AllHeartxo3]

I think it was because in their area there are not many other Senior 3 teams to compete against, and a lot of good Senior 2's. Basically they are rolling the dice that there won't be anybody in their division when they go to a competition. Plus I assume it's easier to make excuses and explain away a loss to one other team in your division (S3) versus 6 other teams (S2).

That makes sense. Such a sorry excuse :p

oh i have seen this before! level 5 teams that need to be level 4 or even 3. it gets scary

Level 5 teams that shouldn't be that level scare me to death. Their stunts are usually watered down, but the tumbling, I can't even watch

 

[canttouchthis]

That makes sense. Such a sorry excuse :p



Level 5 teams that shouldn't be that level scare me to death. Their stunts are usually watered down, but the tumbling, I can't even watch

omg yes. it freaks me out. but when they double out of scales and that freaks me the crap out. i think there going to die and i agree tumbling i look away

 

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

Level 5 teams that shouldn't be that level scare me to death. Their stunts are usually watered down, but the tumbling, I can't even watch

Level 4.2 1/2 with three janky fulls