All-Star Cuts From A Large All Star Program That Claims To Be No Cut

[xtremeteal4life]

I think there's a difference with 'trying to be competitive' and 'trying to be COMPETITIVE'..and no, it's not just that I capitalized one (appropriate use of capital? yes?) lol. There's a reason most tiny teams are cheaper (at least that I've always seen, anyway)..I think there's an expectation of wanting to do well and working them through the skills, but trying to treat it like it's life and death large coed5 Worlds is a bit much. For me, anyway. And just because a team doesn't cut/'isn't being "competitive" ' to a certain degree doesn't mean there is any less expectation or degree of safety..

I do wonder how many competitions Stingrays brings their tinys/mini 1s to vs their other teams. I know for several teams around here, the tinys/minis don't go to as many comps and very few if any overnight comps. Any other programs want to chime in?

Are you gonna watch our showcase? The reason I ask is bc I want you watch our Tiny 1 team...sure they are gonna be competitive, but not COMPETITIVE (yes, I think your use was appropriate ;) ). I want you to see how much fun they have and how excited they are and I think some people's preconceived notions about them being coached like drill sergeants will dissipate. However, I am speaking from personal experience when I say I've seen parents as I mentioned earlier in my reply whose children are simply not ready, even for this team. They cry all practice, don't want to participate, don't listen to the coaches, have behavioral problems, etc and their parents are clueless. What do you do with them? Put them in a different environment initially, until they are ready... :shrug:

Sure I can answer for you. Our Tiny's only have a few comps this year (and I'm not sure off the top of my head if any overnights bc my daughter does a Mini team as well) and our Mini's have a few more than the Tiny's (two 2-days ones I believe). *I'm not referring to Mini Elite though, not sure how many they have.

 

[xtremeteal4life]

In all honesty, I don't know of anywhere around here that has a program like that. I think it would be great if we did.

You don't have a place called The Little Gym? They're just about everywhere and they do basic cheer, tap, ballet, but it's really geared towards more of the things I think a parent would want if they wanted their child to do cheer, but not competitively. Also, I thought the YMCA does cheer as well. They might be another place to look. I know for a fact some of them do, so you might wanna check w/them as well. Finally, some competitive gyms do have programs for younger ones (and older ones) who aren't really ready, just want to do all the aspects of competitive cheer w/o actually competing, etc. You might wanna check and see if any of your local gyms have a program like that. :) It's less expensive, but still a great alternative.

 

[MissBee]

Wouldn't a child who has difficulty focusing be the same "danger" at Stingrays as she would at The Little Gym? I mean, they do the same level skills. In fact, I would bet money on the fact that the staff at an All Star gym is more qualified than the staff at The Little Gym, and that the facility at an All Star Gym is safer than The Little Gym.

 

[MyDaughterCheers]

My CP is 15 and when she was about 6, we started a cheer program at a local gym. The program really floundered for a year or two then fell apart. We moved on and about 5 years ago, the same gym got a new program started and is doing well. At that time, there were no cheer programs around, other than rec teams. It's still like that. :(

I did look at The Little Gym's website and there is one about 36 miles from me.

 

[xtremeteal4life]

How much of a safety concern can you really have with a tiny or mini 1? If a child doesn't pay attention, you don't put them in the stunts, etc. I don't think kids that age and level should be cut. I think that's where they go to learn.

Ok, well I'll ask you then...where do you think they should go? Stand on the side the whole time? Run across the middle of the floor during a competition during a stunt? For the most part I honestly don't think anyone at that age should be cut either. I'm just saying that there are a few exceptions in my opinion. I completely agree with you and think that's where they go to learn (the younger you start them off the better right?), but what do you do when there are those kids who are the exception and don't and/or won't learn? I don't mean occasionally...I mean every single practice it's the same w/certain kids that age. They aren't learning and are distracting from the other kids who really actively participating and enjoying themselves.

 

[MyDaughterCheers]

Well, I'm not a coach, but I have seen coaches "hide" kids during stunts. Behind the stunt, front spot, etc. I don't know the answer, but just thinking of an area like where I live and all-star cheer is where the kids go to learn, it seems wrong to me to cut them. If there were other alternatives, like you mentioned above, I might be able to see a coach suggesting those places to a parent.

 

[xtremeteal4life]

Wouldn't a child who has difficulty focusing be the same "danger" at Stingrays as she would at The Little Gym? I mean, they do the same level skills. In fact, I would bet money on the fact that the staff at an All Star gym is more qualified than the staff at The Little Gym, and that the facility at an All Star Gym is safer than The Little Gym.

Not from what I've personally seen, no. Their set up is not the same...no big stunts, no pyramids, only exposure to other kids their own age, and the two women I know who coached the cheerleading and/or dance both actually had degrees in some form of dance. Now, I'm sure that's not the same everywhere..but that's true of competitive cheer as well.

 

[cheergoogle]

My child has been on a few Tiny and Mini teams with nuggets. There is always a place for every child on these teams if they are willing to try. I believe at this age it should be more about having fun and learning than about winning. What a disappointment for this child who has an older sibling involved in the program and now can't do cheerleading this year. I guess showing up and trying something new isn't enough anymore. :(

 

[xtremeteal4life]

Well, I'm not a coach, but I have seen coaches "hide" kids during stunts. Behind the stunt, front spot, etc. I don't know the answer, but just thinking of an area like where I live and all-star cheer is where the kids go to learn, it seems wrong to me to cut them. If there were other alternatives, like you mentioned above, I might be able to see a coach suggesting those places to a parent.

Yes, many of the things you mentioned are acceptable placements...if the child is capable (i.e. actually goes to the spot they're supposed to, etc) I can't say for sure w/o knowing the actual people involved...May I ask you a question?

This is for your daughter? Would you be opposed to having your daughter still cheer there and not compete until she was ready? Maybe you could talk to the coaches and tell them how devastated your CP is and how excited she was to go and how it breaks your heart that she can't do what she wants even if she's not the best? Perhaps you guys could come to some sort of arrangement where she could still participate, but not compete until everyone felt she was ready? Then maybe you wouldn't have to pay comp fees, only tuition.....Again, I don't know the personal situation at your gym..but if she really loves it and you feel like something can be worked out, go back and talk to the coaches and/or owner! It's worth a shot...

 

[xtremeteal4life]

My child has been on a few Tiny and Mini teams with nuggets. There is always a place for every child on these teams if they are willing to try. I believe at this age it should be more about having fun and learning than about winning. What a disappointment for this child who has an older sibling involved in the program and now can't do cheerleading this year. I guess showing up and trying something new isn't enough anymore. :(

Ok, well the situation it sounds like you're describing to me tells me that (at least from your perspective) your child IS trying and WANTS to participate. If this is the case, see my response to mydaughtercheers. I would go and have a chat w/the coaches and/or owner bc there must be something that can be worked out. I can't imagine that they'd just turn someone away who is genuinely trying and wanting to be there...that really does suck. :(

 

[5-6-7-8]

If a child is willing and being an overall positive experience for the team then it is up to the coach to figure out how to incorporate the child.

However as soon as the child is negatively affecting the rest of the paying team members...I have no problem as a parent being told we aren't ready. It isn't fair to the rest of the team to deal with that. (and I think this applies at all ages / levels. There should be a basic expectation as to what entitles a child to remain on a team.). Easy to say as a non-owner though. :)

 

[MomNBlue&Green]

I do wonder how many competitions Stingrays brings their tinys/mini 1s to vs their other teams. I know for several teams around here, the tinys/minis don't go to as many comps and very few if any overnight comps. Any other programs want to chime in?

Our Tinys and Minys go to all of the same competitions that the rest of our Level 1-4 teams go to, even NCA.

 

[MyDaughterCheers]

Yes, many of the things you mentioned are acceptable placements...if the child is capable (i.e. actually goes to the spot they're supposed to, etc) I can't say for sure w/o knowing the actual people involved...May I ask you a question?

This is for your daughter? Would you be opposed to having your daughter still cheer there and not compete until she was ready? Maybe you could talk to the coaches and tell them how devastated your CP is and how excited she was to go and how it breaks your heart that she can't do what she wants even if she's not the best? Perhaps you guys could come to some sort of arrangement where she could still participate, but not compete until everyone felt she was ready? Then maybe you wouldn't have to pay comp fees, only tuition.....Again, I don't know the personal situation at your gym..but if she really loves it and you feel like something can be worked out, go back and talk to the coaches and/or owner! It's worth a shot...

This isn't for my daughter and I didn't write the original post. My CP is 15 and is on a small sr. 5 team. But, your suggestions are excellent ones.

 

[SheCheers]

Does the gym in question have a show/exhibition team?

 

[Deleted member 1556]

I don't mean this in a negative way, but are you always passive aggressive? :p If you weren't trying to imply it at all, then no need for the bolded comment. Just state your peace, no biggie.

But seriously, I get what you're saying and I addressed it in my last post to you. Regarding the second bolded part, Ok..so I've heard this argument numerous times regarding progression...but we're not talking about that here. We're talking about Tiny's and Mini's. Initially my daughter (at 3 1/2-4 yrs old) didn't do competitive cheer, BUT she did do cheer in a different environment (which she LOVED btw) called the little gym and received all the same benefits I think most of these Tiny parents want, but w/o the competition part. What's wrong with putting your kid there instead of competitive cheer, especially if they're not ready for competitive cheer (as you stated when you said, "people do this sport for more reasons than to just be competitive")? Win/win right?

Not being passive agressive. I wasn't just talking about you, there are people above you who I was directing my points as well. I just don't see why a tiny and mini team can't be fun. Just fun. They are going to learn already, and at that age you can only ask so much of them. Every program is different, but I would just keep in mind that for the majority of tinys and minis...you're not in it for the jackets. You're most likely in it to have fun, and learn to cheer. I see what you're saying though too. I guess it all just depends on what you want out of it.