All-Star Level 6 Should Require Certain Aspects

[Allstarcesi]

Why is there Open 6 when adults can cheer on IOC5?

because all of us are not co-ed flyers or have layouts let alone fulls...and some arn't cheering to be super-duper competitive anymore.

 

[ErinS]

I think some of you all are missing the point. I don't think this was intended to be a "bash level 6" or "get rid of level 6" thread. I've even cheered level 6 myself (granted I was a solid level 6 flyer..aside from baskets) but I def. did not have more than a low layout. But if you look at that video, like seriously LOOK at it, the obvious concern is safety. Why would they even attempt to enter into that pyramid without the proper grip to begin with.

Accountability. Safety. Proper training. Injury. Like all of those words are flying around in my head. If you want to compete level 6, by all means do it but don't kill yourself in the process. How is it going to look when mommy gets paralyzed all because she wanted to continue her cheer dreams by any means necessary?

They even had solid ish level 4 tumbling... but consider this. Had they been a traditional level 4 team (18 and under)...gone out there with the same shakey stunts, and improper basing (notice how in the pyramid one girl cant extend the stunt, so she decides to simply squat and bench it up) and flipping pyramids, everyone would be saying "oh they need to drop down to level 3 or level 2, that is not safe they arent ready for these skills". Now I know there is no real alternative for level 6 to drop down to, but the issue of safety should be the same across the board, we should not be "okay" with these unsafe practices just because there is no other level for them to compete in

And this isn't to single out any level 6 team because there are hundreds of other teams like this in similar predicaments... Clearly they don't want to win worlds, and most Level 6 teams go unopposed at competitions anyway. If you're doing it for fun, why not just put together a clean routine with skills you can actually master and do exhibitions at competitions. Sure you won't get that 1st place against yourself throphy...but at least you wont get hurt and in the least very embarrassed in the process

 

[KRECCheer]

I think some of you all are missing the point. I don't think this was intended to be a "bash level 6" or "get rid of level 6" thread. I've even cheered level 6 myself (granted I was a solid level 6 flyer..aside from baskets) but I def. did not have more than a low layout. But if you look at that video, like seriously LOOK at it, the obvious concern is safety. Why would they even attempt to enter into that pyramid without the proper grip to begin with.

Am I the only one sick, tired and worried seeing Level 6 Routines that are comprised mainly of people who cheered in High School or who have never cheered in college or even level 5? Further more, who just throw together a Level 6 routine without much practice. Here is just ONE of MANY examples that could be found on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P57-9JNXT4

That pyramid doesnt look like it could have EVER hit solid before? And those back tuck baskets look very unsafe. This is not a bash to this program. I happened to look up other videos of their teams to make sure they had a good level 1-5 program. This just looks like a team thrown together and its unsafe. I think whennon braced flips happen in a routine, guidelines need set forth!

Heresathought, The reason some of us are getting offended is by comments like "routines comprised by people who cheered in high school...etc."
I agree, safety is a big issue. I agree, dont put weak skills out on the floor. But to nail someone for never cheering level 5 all star is simply wrong. I never cheered level 5 all star but sure as heck know my stuff. I spend a lot of time researching, attending comps, coaches clinics, etc to make sure my kids will have the proper training and coaching from me when they get to all star. There is a difference between a level 6 team who just throws what they can and a level 6 team that throws the skills they know they can hit whether it be a tuck or a full, and full up, or a switch up. A one man, or an assisted one man.

 

[hopskipandjump]

I think some of you all are missing the point. I don't think this was intended to be a "bash level 6" or "get rid of level 6" thread. I've even cheered level 6 myself (granted I was a solid level 6 flyer..aside from baskets) but I def. did not have more than a low layout. But if you look at that video, like seriously LOOK at it, the obvious concern is safety. Why would they even attempt to enter into that pyramid without the proper grip to begin with.

Accountability. Safety. Proper training. Injury. Like all of those words are flying around in my head. If you want to compete level 6, by all means do it but don't kill yourself in the process. How is it going to look when mommy gets paralyzed all because she wanted to continue her cheer dreams by any means necessary?

They even had solid ish level 4 tumbling... but consider this. Had they been a traditional level 4 team (18 and under)...gone out there with the same shakey stunts, and improper basing (notice how in the pyramid one girl cant extend the stunt, so she decides to simply squat and bench it up) and flipping pyramids, everyone would be saying "oh they need to drop down to level 3 or level 2, that is not safe they arent ready for these skills". Now I know there is no real alternative for level 6 to drop down to, but the issue of safety should be the same across the board, we should not be "okay" with these unsafe practices just because there is no other level for them to compete in

And this isn't to single out any level 6 team because there are hundreds of other teams like this in similar predicaments... Clearly they don't want to win worlds, and most Level 6 teams go unopposed at competitions anyway. If you're doing it for fun, why not just put together a clean routine with skills you can actually master and do exhibitions at competitions. Sure you won't get that 1st place against yourself throphy...but at least you wont get hurt and in the least very embarrassed in the process

you know why??? (If you're doing it for fun, why not just put together a clean routine with skills you can actually master and do exhibitions at competition) because see my thread, Dear Judges, please don't.....(they can't help themselves!)

 

[socratesofcheer]

IMO i just really can't stand level 6 at all in all-stars. i have never seemed to like it. I think there should be guidelines made too. I have seen way to many scary level 6 teams then i have wanted. There are only a handful of open 6 teams that i am okay with watching.

This is the way I feel about most levels in all star cheerleading. There are only a handful of teams per level across the country that should be in their current level.

 

[lXCcoach]

Ok, so I have to comment, on this only because that is my team, and I also coach this program. This team was a non - tryout, come an go team. We are a small community an alot of the cheerleaders high school an allstar wanted to keep cheering. I will be the 1st to agree with you we are not level 6, and we did exhibition for the 1st half of the year, but we competed in teh dells against some college teams and had fun so just went with it at csg super nats this past weekend. This team has no desire to go for a bid to worlds, compete at big nationals against big name teams. All we as a team wanted was to cheer. The routine was extremely scary that day not going to lie. And pyramid hit day2, there were some issues going on with the center group that day. no biggie. We didnt care that the level 4 an 5 teams did better than us. The lxc program is only 2 years old an has gone from 30 kids to almost 300 kids. We do not have any level 5 teams to feed from we do have a few level 5 athletes, but they are all young 8-10years old. This team does a have a coach now, and will be try out next season to help it be more successful and less scary!! I truely wish there was a divison created for the open athletes, that wasnt just level 6. I think a level 3 or 4 would be great and would be way better, espically for a program like ours. Please dont bash, they did it for fun. That is what our whole program is based on is having fun, not winning.

 

[lXCcoach]

Sorry, one more thing, About how someone said we should a clean routine on the full. This routine has hit solid several, where people actually used their technique. And I am not going to defend them for usign awful technique because I would prob get on one of my athletes cases about it as well. But this routine was way cleaner an better technique on day 2

 

[notmyrealname]

I think the idea of doing stunts beyond their skill level is irresponsible but other than that, if the over 18 set is out there and wants to put a team together for fun or to stay in shape or bring back the glory days, who are we to judge? So what if the hardest pass they have is a cartwheel? I'm pretty sure most Level 6 teams don't hit the mat and say, "We're going to be World Champions today". Many of the younger girls get a real kick out of seeing some coaches or former cheerleaders out there having fun. If the level bothers you that much, use it as a potty break.

 

[cheerisgood]

I have seen some very scary L6 routines, but then again, i've seen scary routines at all levels. My comment/opinion is SAFETY s/b first in the minds of the coaches and the athletes...it's bad enough to fall through in a basket, but when your adding rotation to twisting, it gets really scary. the other thing that 'teams that compete at too high a level' do, imo is futher degrade the validity of all-star. here we are, trying to get people to 'respect' cheerleaders as athletes and then we show them something that really does NOTHING for our case. I'm not picking on Level 6, i'm not picking on anyone...it's just my opinion...and i would HATE to see those athletes injured when performing stunts or tumbling they haven't mastered. it's easy enough to break a bone or tear a muscle just walking across the mat!!

 

[ciacobra]

What I think needs to happen is the current Senior 4.2 division needs to be slightly modified and made into an International Open 4.2 division. The division was made to cater to high school girls that weren't strong tumblers but have good stunting backgrounds possibly from school cheer. If the age range was changed to 14+ it would create a better outlet for these older athletes that are not elite level.

I think the coaches need to think about why they have this team.
Alot of these level 6 teams try to push pyramids/stunts/tosses that are out of their reach in efforts to "stay competitive" or win. If these teams aren't a "true" level 6 team, winning shouldn't be the focus. For the team I coach we stick to safe, clean stunts they can perform. This ensures they have fun, don't look a hot tranny mess on the comp. floor, and MOST importantly is SAFE.

I know that they were trying to get an open 4.2, but im nit sure if it passed..but I agree it would allow alot more girls and guys to cheerlead and not have to worry about doing dangerous stunts..more open teams could possibly have the chance of getting! National title and not go out and risk injury!

 

[cheerKT]

I know that they were trying to get an open 4.2, but im nit sure if it passed..but I agree it would allow alot more girls and guys to cheerlead and not have to worry about doing dangerous stunts..more open teams could possibly have the chance of getting! National title and not go out and risk injury!

I believe it was an Open Level 4 that they were considering.

 

[KRECCheer]

I would miss stunting level 6. However, I would not miss tumbling level 5/6. Our team just doesnt have it. Being a solid level 4 probably wouldnt help a lot of open teams either as they dont always have the majority to max out tumbling scores.
6.3! 6.3! 6.3!
We'll just stick to exhibition.

 

[kristenthegreat]

As always, if it's about Open 6, I'll comment on it, although all my major points have been previously posted.

At first, I was against the idea of Open 4/4.2 as are many people: the thought of another level automatically shuts us down and causes us to plug our ears screaming 'NONONONONO!'. Yet for every year we don't have it, I am now convinced we will have posts like this. The division DOESN'T need to go to Worlds, doesn't need to be bigger than maybe All-levels, but I guarantee that 90% of the current 'Open/Coed 6' teams out there would be willing to go Open 4 or Open 4.2, with new teams forming as well. There are maybe 3-4 teams who I think should be ACTIVELY Open/Coed 6, and surprise surprise, they are mostly teams with major colleges nearby (aka at MAX: TG, Sherbert [who is comprised of people who are constantly cheering that level] and Rust, maybe T&S?). But as many of the Allstar participants who age out are not AND WILL NEVER BE level 5, why not give them a less scary place to go? Yes, casual 'Open 6' is working for some, but when those inevitable mistakes do happen, people jump on it and freak out. You can say 'Why not go Open 5?', but consider what would THEN be said..we already had people in the 'Things I'm Over' post decrying teams who 'shouldn't be level 5,' and Open/Coed 5 is no longer a place for older athletes to hang out- it's become SERIOUS business.

I'm campaigning in two years on the 'Open up 4/4.2' platform, I expect all of you with problems with the current 'Open' division format to join me..

 

[AcaseA]

many of the Allstar participants who age out are not AND WILL NEVER BE level 5, why not give them a less scary place to go? Yes, casual 'Open 6' is working for some, but when those inevitable mistakes do happen, people jump on it and freak out. You can say 'Why not go Open 5?', but consider what would THEN be said..we already had people in the 'Things I'm Over' post decrying teams who 'shouldn't be level 5,' and Open/Coed 5 is no longer a place for older athletes to hang out- it's become SERIOUS business.

I'm campaigning in two years on the 'Open up 4/4.2' platform, I expect all of you with problems with the current 'Open' division format to join me..

PREACH

Also if this division would replace the current 4.2 division I think people would be more open to it because then no new divisions would be made.

Also, IMO, younger senior athletes really should not be on a 4.2 because they still have time to learn their tumbling and it does not follow a progression that would lead to a well balanced athlete (which in my is goal as a coach).

 

[Mom Jeans]

Ok, so I have to comment, on this only because that is my team, and I also coach this program. This team was a non - tryout, come an go team. We are a small community an alot of the cheerleaders high school an allstar wanted to keep cheering. I will be the 1st to agree with you we are not level 6, and we did exhibition for the 1st half of the year, but we competed in teh dells against some college teams and had fun so just went with it at csg super nats this past weekend. This team has no desire to go for a bid to worlds, compete at big nationals against big name teams. All we as a team wanted was to cheer. The routine was extremely scary that day not going to lie. And pyramid hit day2, there were some issues going on with the center group that day. no biggie. We didnt care that the level 4 an 5 teams did better than us. The lxc program is only 2 years old an has gone from 30 kids to almost 300 kids. We do not have any level 5 teams to feed from we do have a few level 5 athletes, but they are all young 8-10years old. This team does a have a coach now, and will be try out next season to help it be more successful and less scary!! I truely wish there was a divison created for the open athletes, that wasnt just level 6. I think a level 3 or 4 would be great and would be way better, espically for a program like ours. Please dont bash, they did it for fun. That is what our whole program is based on is having fun, not winning.

well said, what kind of guidelines are peole talking about? This isn't a free for all, there are rules just like any division, what would these same people say if you would've done a lower level pyramid? Where I live there are no 4 yr colleges that are competitive, I think our entire state has 1 and I believe it's all girl. So the teams do their best with what they have and they want to have fun and they do.