All-Star If My Cp Has Talent Should I Go To A Stronger Gym Or Stay Loyal To My Small Gym??

[cheerforeverever]

I would research what gyms are available to you, especially if there are bigger gyms that offer level 4/5 youth or junior teams that your daughter could grow from being on. It's one thing to tumble level 5, but the stunting, baskets, and everything else that goes along with the higher levels takes some practice in a team setting. While you don't have to move right now, especially if your daughter is progressing well with her current coaches, its good to know potential places after you guys hit that brick wall of growth. I'd finish out this season but perhaps check out big gyms in the area at open gyms,watching a practice before the end of the season or a trial tumbling class. See what your daughter thinks after the gym visits and sit down together to look at all your options for next season or two seasons from now.

The Pros I see from staying at the current gym:
-Staying with current coaches that are working well right now
-Staying with friends
-Location (I'm guessing its more convinient than other gyms)
-personal attention and feeling a part of the gym(big fish in little pond)

The Cons:
-Could get bored with being on levels too far below her tumbling ability, without getting the chance to grow in lv 4/5 stunting
-Teammates aren't as serious as she is about cheer
-No inspiration/drive from seeing the older level 5 athletes at her own gym pushing the limits
-Will have to change gyms most likely at some point once worlds eligible
-No other kids her age with similar abilities
-Possibly no/minimal experience at Big competitions yet (NCA/Jamfest/Cheersport,etc.)

It's a lot to think about.... more so WHEN to switch to a big gym rather than IF, in my opinion. She's still young so you guys have a few years to transition.

 

[Mamarazzi]

Born2Tumble , right now your cp is a big fish in a little pond, and I'm sure that feels great. Like Fameous MOM said , and if anyone knows anything about young ones with skills, it's her, moving her to a larger gym would help her find out that she's one of many. Plus, when your child is talented at a smaller gym, it's hard to recognize that the skills your child thinks they have aren't always as great as you think they are. Until you can look at lots of properly-executed skills, it's tough to notice a janky full, for example. You just see the fact that your child twisted and flipped.
Let the baby be. Obviously, you joined the gym for lots of reasons, not because you wanted her to be a cheerlebrity one day. Research and explore, talk to people, talk to your gym owner. You have LOTS of time before she can even step foot in the Milkhouse, so you never know what could happen in the following seasons. If she's happy, leave her where she is. It's apparent by your question that you're thinking about her success in Florida, 3+ years from now, a whole lot more than she is. Be careful of that.

 

[Born2Tumble]

Born2Tumble , right now your cp is a big fish in a little pond, and I'm sure that feels great. Like Fameous MOM said , and if anyone knows anything about young ones with skills, it's her, moving her to a larger gym would help her find out that she's one of many. Plus, when your child is talented at a smaller gym, it's hard to recognize that the skills your child thinks they have aren't always as great as you think they are. Until you can look at lots of properly-executed skills, it's tough to notice a janky full, for example. You just see the fact that your child twisted and flipped.
Let the baby be. Obviously, you joined the gym for lots of reasons, not because you wanted her to be a cheerlebrity one day. Research and explore, talk to people, talk to your gym owner. You have LOTS of time before she can even step foot in the Milkhouse, so you never know what could happen in the following seasons. If she's happy, leave her where she is. It's apparent by your question that you're thinking about her success in Florida, 3+ years from now, a whole lot more than she is. Be careful of that.

Thanks for the advice and tips, as I said all feedback is welcomed however I am not trying to make her a cheer celebrity or anything like that or pushing her to be anything she doesnt want to be herself. My original question was targeted for looking long term future. Right now we love our small gym in North Carolina and she is doing great. However, in the future I know/assume that this gym will most likely not be competitive enough to stand its own against the best nor would she get the chance to train with the best of the best. That is my biggest concern, it isnt about making her into something she doesnt already desire to be. I think my intentions are a little misunderstood LOL that could happen when you are explaining yourself via text instead of vocally :)

 

[Born2Tumble]

cheerforeverever I 100% agree that it is a lot to think about and we are not thinking about switching gym now while she is very young. As i said a few time before, this is looking into the future.... say when she is 13-14 years old. I really appreciate your advice though. Thank you :)

 

[NJ Coach]

I concur with the thoughts on this thread. She's young, so the change can wait. If she has the level 5 tumbling, does she also have the other skills? If she's a flyer, is she flexible at all body positions? How are her jumps, motions ect. More than just tumbling needs to be strong for level 5...and these days, more than just a full is needed too.

I would have her continue at your current gym. She's with friends and having fun. She's also learning more than just cheer. If in a few years, you feel that she's ready for the jump, than take it. Right now she's the big fish....she may not like being the little fish.

 

[DJ]

Here's my advice:

1. First based on your avatar, I would advise...Keep Stretching
2. Second based on your tumbling videos on and landings in the pit, Keep Working Technique in your tumbling
3. Take the focus off of Worlds or therefore lack of ability to attend,
she's got plenty of time to grow her skills & move and make the worlds floor.
4. If anyone from your gym saw this thread - I'd fear you almost seem like an elitist.

Good Luck to you in making the best decision.

 

[Mamarazzi]

Here's my advice:

1. First based on your avatar, I would advise...Keep Stretching
2. Second based on your tumbling videos on and landings in the pit, Keep Working Technique in your tumbling
3. Take the focus off of Worlds or therefore lack of ability to attend,
she's got plenty of time to grow her skills & move and make the worlds floor.
4. If anyone from your gym saw this thread - I'd fear you almost seem like an elitist.

Good Luck to you in making the best decision.

#4. Agreed 100%. They may see the entire post as bashing them and you're too good for that gym. Don't forget, your gym got her where she is today.

 

[tumbleyoda]

@BornToTumble - First of all I just want to thank you for even asking the question and wanting feedback. I appreciate the fact that you are looking more down the road than right at this immediate moment in time. Everyone has given you sound advice about patience, talking with the current gym owners, and researching thoroughly before making that next step. I concur with all they have told you. Doing individuals is a good option but many competition companies are not having much interest in them as they have in years past. You would need to check with the competitions your gym is going to, esp since you posted that your CP's coach did mention it. That could bide some time so to speak.

From a business perspective your situation is the one that most small, lesser known gyms go through. Somehow they are good enough to train athletes to get the skills they need to be competitive at the higher levels but not good enough to stay and compete with them at that same level. This is always for various reasons - some real and honestly some imagined. As these athletes leave it has a direct effect on them being able to restock the pond which then opens the door for other more advanced athletes to leave as well. Then when they get to their new big "successful" gym they seem to get amnesia about that same small lesser known gym that helped get them to the point that they could follow their dreams of going to Worlds, competing with a big gym, becoming a cheerlebrity, etc. Making that step may be inevitable for you based on your current programs future plans and your daughter's development. Talking with the gym owners will provide that critical info that you need to make the correct decision for your daughter.

You have numerous gyms in NC that have level 5 teams when she is ready. Some talked about on the board and others not so much. If and when you make that step - don't forget that small gym. Don't become a vocal part of the they weren't good enough crowd. Be grateful for the time spent there, lessons and skills learned, positive relationships made and move forward.

 

[mom24girls]

How long has your dd been at her current gym? I ask because my dd is also 9yo and she is in the second year at our gym and has been cheering with her friends there for 3 years total. These girls are family to her and she would rather cheer below level than leave her friends at this point in time. If she hasn't been there too long and isn't that connected then I would go ahead and move her now so that she can start to form close relationships now with girls she could be on the worlds mat with one day. I think your dd could benefit from moving now if the big gym near you has a y4 or 5 team because then she could start building her stunting up to the same level as her tumbling. Just make sure she is ready to be the small fish because that is hard when you are used to being on the top. There will be girls her age who have level 5 tumbling and stunting.

 

[armycheermom]

Just because your cp almost has a full, does not mean that she is ready for a youth/Jr. level 5 team. I see Fameous MOM cp a lot and she is a gorgeous cheerleader with amazing tumbling and stunting on one of the top J5 teams in the country, but even though she has made it there, she never stops working. She is always at some type of practice or clinic 4,5,6 days out of the week. And while little J is amazing little worker,with crazy level 5 skills and one who can make my jaw drop with her skils, at Fame, she is one of many under 12 with crazy level 5 skills. You have to ask yourself, "are you both ready for her to no longer be a "superstar" and ready for her to be, just another kid with an almost full? Are you ready for the time and effort you both have to put in to be on a top Y5/J5 team? You need to research YouTube videos of CEA's Y5 team and honestly compare your cp with those girls( because you are in NC, I am going to assume that CEA would be a possible big named gym for you.) Does she have every single needed skill to be on a team with them? Does she have the flying/basing skills, the jumps, the energy? If the answer is no, then stick it out with the gym you are at now, until she can hang with the best. If she can hang and you want to try your luck, then go for it! Just be prepared that just because you go to the big gym, does not mean she is guaranteed a spot on a Y5/J5 team. Good luck with whatever path you chose!

 

[ImaDad]

My advice is to develop your technique now at the small gym. At the big (world's) gyms, as many others have said, she will be one of many. Remember, being a worlds cheerleader is more than tumbling. She should work on jumps, focusing on being a strong base, if she is flyer, you must have the technique. You must be realistic about your expectations. As a talented 9yr old, her next progression will be to Y5, therefore take a look at the Y5 videos of CEA (for example) for this year and previous, that will give you an idea of what is needed and what to expect.

By the way, her full looks good. Progression though, next is rod floor then the floor. There is no need to rush it!!!!!!!!!

 

[BowsnBling]

That brings me to one other question. How does everyone feel about individual cheer? My CP's coach mentioned it as a possibility for her next season. Is it worth it? What are the plus/minuses? All feedback welcomed!!

I think if your daughter plans to stay at your current gym that individuals would be a great way to compete and get feedback on her level 5 skills.

 

[ErinS]

My gym competed against your gym at Cheersport Columbia (In the Y3 division for sure) a few weeks ago and I thought that you all were a very good program.

People jump ship on smaller gyms rather than taking into consideration that if they stick around, these 9,10,8,7 etc year old kids with the tucks and layouts are going to be the ones that can take that small gym to worlds in a few years when they progress.

Ultimately you need to do what you feel is best for your child.

Always remember that just because your child has a full or is close to it, doesn't necessarily mean she is ready to be a level 5 athlete.

Also if your gym was able to get her to that point, I bet they will be able to get her and other farther.

 

[cheerfan27]

@fameoumom.....yes see thats the thing she loves all the attention she recieves because she is one of the best in our gym however it would be nice to train with the best of the best! BTW congrats on your CP and her skills:)

If she is already throwing a full and would like to compete at that level I say move her, if that's what she wants to do. But make sure she understands that she want may not be the "star". My daughter made that decision so I didn't have to make it for her, she moved from a small gym level 2 to a level 4 at a large gym. I would say the difference is you get more attention at a small gym, thankfully the small gym owner let her progress her skills outside of the team practices so she was prepared to make the move. Good luck on whatever you and CP decide.

 

[Mamarazzi]

But make sure she understands that she want may not be the "star".

I'd like to meet the 9 year-old that is mature and experienced enough to even begin to process what it really means to be "the star" and all the pressure and negativity that comes with notoriety.