This is interesting... Do you guys consider gyms to be "taking advantage" of the situation or to be "strategically planning" within the rules?
Our gym does. We normally have one less than filled stunt groups. Example, our Large Senior 2 has 31 as opposed to 32. Our Restricted 5 and Coed 5 have 19 as opposed to 20. Our Senior 3 had 15 as opposed to 16. We also have other teams who are filled, Youth 2 has 20, for example.
We do this for several reasons:
1. It allows three people to be on the team who have great tumbling, but may not contribute much stunting (gymnasts, for example) or lacking experience.
2. Ideally, for example, we would like to have a team filled. I personally hate the look for only 4 Elite stunts on the floor. However, our Coed 5, for example, we don't have a 5th flyer. But had several people who contributed tumbling.
3. If there is an injury on a team, and we have three people standing around or tumbling during stunts, its an easy fix.
4. It allows us to hold those in stunts accountable. A main base who can't keep a stunt in the air may end up getting their basing spot taken by a girl standing behind the stunt.
5. Allows "full squad practices" every week. Someone has to attend a funeral and miss practice. No problem, one of the "extras" can step in and base that practice so we can always go "full out"
With all the above said, we feel it depends on the team. We make choices based on what will be best for the individual teams and our gym. Examples of this:
1. Kid has a full, but not the Level 5 basing/flying experience needed. We can put them on a Level 5, instead of keeping them on a 4 to learn how to do all of the stunting, and don't have to expect them to do much except tumble. They will get basing/flying time when someone is absent or someone is not doing their job.
2. We have a kid who can't tumble, but can base Level 3. Helps to have solid stunts and still hit our 75% tumbling ratios.
3. Put a kid behind a stunt not doing anything and watch them fight to be included. Put a kid in a stunt and they suck, watch them break down or quit.
