If this is an acceptable stance, does anybody worry it will further cause more divisiveness between small and large gyms? My assumption is the crossover rules, for example, were created to curb some of the advantage of large gyms. If it isn't already, should the reality just be that large gyms have an advantage over small ones?
After totally learning something new in the Worlds scoring thread, I agree. Again, I'm not against making changes. More about implementing them given equal footing. There is a reason, why gym's don't save money and just practice in parks. If the mantra is win at all costs, then I guess the question is moot.
I'd consider the goal of Worlds is to win. But I consider the spirit of the event, to bring your best to compete on a level playing field.
Based on the replies so far, it seems that this is a more common occurrence than I thought. I guess only those coaches can answer it. But for a different perspective, cheer.coach mentioned that any of the other LAG teams could have done the same, but they didn't (as far as I'm aware). So were they just not as smart or felt it wasn't the right thing to do?
1). It's just plain safer to practice in a gym. If you can utilize a gym it makes no sense not to use a gym to practice instead of a park.
2). CEA isn't above practicing at a park as well. In fact, I'm fairly sure they've done it numerous times.. Missy correct me if I'm wrong @mstealtoyou
3). I consider part of "bringing your best to compete on a level playing field" includes coaching and their strategy. That should always be a part of good coaching IMO. I also consider SE did bring their best athletes and those athletes chose as a team to bust their butts for an extra 4 hour practice.
If for some reason you can't see that coaching strategy as bringing your best to compete on a level playing field, then perhaps you should raise the bar? I don't mean that negatively; I simply mean that I think that
is "bringing your best to compete on a level playing field". I hope that makes sense. Now all coaches aren't created equally, lol and you can't blame/fault that when considering a "level playing field"..
One thing I will just say: it bugs me that people complain about Senior Elite's "30 point increase" because Stars went up by around around the same amount from day 1 to day 2. CEA have always been a risk taking gym. Mainly at NCA and worlds, they take the judges critique and actually apply it to change their score. NCA day 2 in 2012, their score increased dramatically from the changes they instituted from day 1 to day 2. Granted, not many gyms are willing to risk changes in a standard two day competition. But CSP and CEA are, and it worked out for them. Going into day 2, it could've been a complete craptastrophe, but it wasn't... I think it shows that these kids and coaches are willing to do whatever it takes to win.
It could've worked out really badly, but, I commend the athletes for working THAT well under pressure and showing that they can nail the routine, changes and all. Additionally, it shows that the coaches are willing to change their routine and risk something, all to better their score to be crowned with the gold.
I think it's freaking admirable.
YES YES YES!!! Shimmy 1,000 times!!!
That's no easy feat and I know you can truly comprehend that (way more than myself). I kept thinking as I was reading/skimming through- WHAT ABOUT THOSE HARDWORKING GIRLS?!!
P.S. I loved watching it again today and seeing us both again :chestbump: I also LOVED watching all four of the teams highlighted bringing it and throwing down the gauntlet as well!! Obviously a lot of hardworking athletes that weekend. Also kinda disappointed we didn't get to see Large Coed. :(
Let me start off by saying CSP is a genius beyond your belief. Always thinking ahead and that's the reason why she doesn't sleep till 4-5am. Second we did have a backup for worlds if we hit perfect and our score wasn't high enough. We practiced our backup for about a month (12 toss cupies). But as you know we didn't hit day 1 so put execution score, stunt score etc. weren't going to be as high as possible. So CSP asked us if we wanted to go and change stuff or try and perfect the routine we know we could hit flawlessly. We choose to perfect. We practiced for a couple of hours outside on the field perfecting our dance and pyramid. OUR choice.
As for Lady Elite, how dare you try and take their light away from them. This is their first year as a team together and coming from having only a handful of fulls, two doubles, and shaky stunts at the beginning if the year to putting out 2 amazing routines on that floor and making top 10 at Worlds, it was a dream come true and more than they could ask for. Those girls proved that they could compete against the other elite teams in their division and for you to overlook theoutstanding progress they made by asking that is foolish.
But to answer your question they did practice off of the critique the judges gave but had no reason to change anything because of how great their performance was Day 1.
BS Who you kidding?! That woman doesn't sleep! :p
As for bolded- preach on brother. So not cool guys.
I won't argue whether risk taking is their philosophy or not, since I don't know anybody personally. You could however debate the level of perceived risk in changes.
As an example, let's say you get a comment on basket variety. Def seen that one, so the coach says, ok change basket A to basket B which is a lateral move difficulty wise, but scores higher based on what the judges want.
Now let's say, the pyramid doesn't hit the required structures or maybe they just say they'd like to see more flips. Maybe not something you'd safely do outside of your All Star room, but you do have a backup pyramid. Risky to choose to do pyramid B? Yes. However the same scenario but you have access to a gym, and you're able to practice safely over and over. Risky? Not so much.
I think people are getting too caught up in the question of change, not the implementation. Or God forbid a CEA thing. I don't even want it to be about CEA, it's just an example that happened to work out. I'm always interested in discussion of how the sport is growing or changing.
Well let it be noted that my other replies would still remain the exact same if the team/gym was CA, World Cup, F5, Top Gun, SOT, etc. etc.
