All-Star End Of Competition Season Advice.

[eliteallstarcheerleading]

My teams have just finished there 1st competition season and we are looking at developing more next year. I was wondering what advice everyone would have about how to structure classes next term (10 weeks) before summer break.

Next year our Teens team will be split into Level 2 and Level 3. Would you split the current Level 2 team up for next term or teach everyone in the level 2 team level 3, ready for tryouts?

As a new gym we want to make sure we progress correctly.

 

[12stepCheermom]

I'm not a coach or owner, but ardently believe your teams should all have the skill level you're placing them in (with members of your team actually working on skills a level above) rather than making a team where half have the skills and half are still a level below. I think you frustrate yourself, your kids and your parents if you build a team for a level half of them don't have yet. Half plus one may be what a scoresheet says, but in reality it will NOT make a successful team.

So with that said, it depends on your kids skills. But it's more important to have successful teams than have a particular 'level' in your gym. I'm constantly amazed with parents that want their kid on a certain level just to say they "are" but I'm even more amazed from owners that want to claim their gym has a certain level just to say they do.

And stunned when they don't see that they're sharing the mentality with the people they think are "crazy cheer parents"

 

[kristenthegreat]

I never coached cheer, but having coached sports and following this board for 3 years, I think I'd do ok..lol.

My suggestion follows what was said above ^. Work on the level skill you have, BUT if people are progressing, don't be afraid to offer the possibility of moving up. You don't want to create a team where only half have the skill, as that is less likely to be a successful season and cause bitterness. Also it depends on what your kids are like- if you have your 'off' time but the kids are in the gym working skills, I think that's something you want to reward in SOME way, perhaps with the opportunity to move up a level as the season goes on.

I do think it's better to have two VERY successful smaller teams than one bigger team who isn't on the same page.

You know your kids better than us, and you also know what your numbers might be/will be for next year.