All-Star No Competition At Competitions?

[cheermomforever]

I seem to remember that CEA only practices once a week per team, although I just read it on here and don't have personal knowledge. There are plenty others on here that know for sure.

Is it common to practice 3x/week? Our teams practice 2x/week except competition week is 3x or rare times like choreo changes, etc.

same for daughters team, 2 x week, 3x competition week.

 

[alpaca]

I seem to remember that CEA only practices once a week per team, although I just read it on here and don't have personal knowledge. There are plenty others on here that know for sure.

Is it common to practice 3x/week? Our teams practice 2x/week except competition week is 3x or rare times like choreo changes, etc.

Choreo changes are rare? CP's routine has changed literally every single week since comp season began. Parents are complaining 'why did we pay so much for a choreographer when you have changed every part of the routine" The fact that these girls can ever hit a zero deduction routine at comps is amazing to me. And they only practice twice a week.

 

[emo_wifey]

Choreo changes are rare? CP's routine has changed literally every single week since comp season began. Parents are complaining 'why did we pay so much for a choreographer when you have changed every part of the routine" The fact that these girls can ever hit a zero deduction routine at comps is amazing to me. And they only practice twice a week.

I meant more like extreme changes, like losing or adding athletes. Although now thinking about it I don't remember if we've actually had an extra practice for that or not. This season CP's team had an athlete quit right before showcase, and added three athletes two weeks before comp with no extra practice. Edited my previous post since I'm not sure. [emoji6]

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[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

I'd imagine that double teaming works fine for people if teams are same day.

Ex: If Junior 2 and Senior 3 are BOTH M/W and one is 3:45-5p and the other is 7-9p, the kid just has 2 very long days at the gym. Could take a private in between, do a class, do homework, etc. I'd imagine that that is easier than say, J2 on M/W and Senior 3 on T/TH. You are now committed to driving to the gym 4 days per week (not counting any extras.)

 

[DonnaM]

I guess it depends on school schedules. Here there won’t be any teams starting before about 5:00 because kids don’t get out of some schools until 4:30.

 

[Sparkle Mom]

The thing about having Level 5 kids on a Level 4 or Level 3 or whatever is that yes, they're higher level kids but their Nfinities are not magic. It's not as if it's a guaranteed hit zero just because a team has a good number of Worlds kids. It's still anybody's day any Sunday and their stunts have to hit.

Ex: I remember a mom on here saying once that her J5 daughter was on a Y3 with a mix of other Level 3, 4 and 5 kids (from CEA maybe?) and pointing out that they definitely did not always win.

I just don’t think level 2/3 stunts are going to be that difficult for level 4/5 kids. Especially for flyers that are solid at their level. I wasn’t particularly referring to worlds level kids as the number from worlds to Summit is low and they can’t cross at NCA. We have a number of friends who won NCA at gyms that only took certain teams (level 2/3) to Dallas. The level 4/5 non worlds teams stayed home. Any given day a team can have a mistake but it isn’t a surprise when these teams are scoring a 99 on level 2 & 3. I’m talking about a significant number of athletes crossing down, not one or two or fill ins due to injury.

 

[catlady]

The only thing that seems to have changed is that it has become even more expensive. It is such an odd number of interests at play for youth sports with programs, Varsity, ep’s, uniform companies, convention centers, etc etc all dipping into the same pockets.

It is funny bc there seems to be little interest in competitive balance at all. Where as other sports are organized into leagues and regions, it is pretty much a free for all. And now that most events are pretty much owned by varsity, does there need to be such a discrepancy in events, attendance etc? So that some are so sparsely attended and others -within driving distance- have teams competing well into Sunday night.

From a 2017 TIME magazine article on youth sports: .....And municipalities that once vied for minor-league teams are now banking on youth sports to boost local economies, issuing bonds for lavish complexes that they hope will lure glove-toting tykes and their families. Article

When it comes to pro and minor league sports, the ultimate power source has always been the government. It's just been in the last ten years that cities have figured out they can leach onto youth sports, too. Government can enforce things like STP that no other industry can legally get away with to use their facilities. They also control hotel supply and demand and drive prices since they decide who builds and who doesn't. They also provide incentives/rebates with hotel taxpayer money to lure people to their city that no other industry has the ability to do, as well as having the ability to increase taxes on hotels and rental cars to pay for those complexes. The "little interest in competitive balance" that you mention above is something I've been hearing from other parents in organized league sports these past few years, as well. My kids are now retired from cheer, but I truly hope youth sport parents will start focusing on who/what is really changing the face of youth sports, and hopefully, someone out there is smart enough to figure out how to work around them and keep it fun. I was one of those that thought organization of leagues/regions might be the answer, but after some thought, I wonder if that would just be one more thing gym owners would lose control of when it comes to the ability to change their comp schedules to help control customer expense and go to the comps their customer enjoys.

Communities banking on mega youth sports complexes | Fox Business
So When Does The Youth Sports Complex Building Boom End?
The 15 best travel destinations for youth sports | Youth1

 

[CLynn]

My kids are now retired from cheer, but I truly hope youth sport parents will start focusing on who/what is really changing the face of youth sports, and hopefully, someone out there is smart enough to figure out how to work around them and keep it fun.

Agreed. In my area I also think in the past 10-15 years (at least that I've been paying attention), parents have pushed sports as a hook or entree to college but recently it has become clear that dedication to something is most important and that can be an art, job, religious activity etc and not just a sport so perhaps the bloom is off the rose?

I was one of those that thought organization of leagues/regions might be the answer, but after some thought, I wonder if that would just be one more thing gym owners would lose control of when it comes to the ability to change their comp schedules to help control customer expense and go to the comps their customer enjoys.

Fair point, but if it were kept somewhat regional with various opportunities ultimately you would hope that brings costs down. Perhaps there is a hybrid model that has a regional component and then a limited number of extras that are gym choice? More like a college basketball schedule of in conference vs out?

We can talk in circles about different ideas etc but you know what is funny, NCA just does it right. Scores will be transparent and posted, competition level feels fair, everyone is excited and willing to go despite elevated hotel prices (because it is worth it;), price of entry is not totally obscene if you are in for three days etc.

 

[catlady]

We can talk in circles about different ideas etc but you know what is funny, NCA just does it right. Scores will be transparent and posted, competition level feels fair, everyone is excited and willing to go despite elevated hotel prices (because it is worth it;), price of entry is not totally obscene if you are in for three days etc.

NCA and releasing scores are great, I love them both but, I am afraid even our most loved comps are in the beginnings of a real one sided battle.

I may have expressed it poorly, but my point above was to identify the dynamic of youth sports has severely changed because the government has come in and made it about tax revenue for their city just as they do with pro and minor league sports. My concern is politicians are vocally banking on parents always investing in their kids, no matter the price, to get tax revenue and improve their cities through these sport parks and convention centers. That is a monetary burden that all youth sports are taking on with very little to no recourse. Cheer could actually go to virtual comps and judging, unlike other sports, but that really impacts the overall sport environment that most of us love. Best case scenario is these sport parks and convention centers will be very successful, politicians will lower the prices for youth sport parents because they see the benefits to our youth, and open up the supply and demand for hotels to put them at prices suited for middle America.....I wish I could believe that.

 

[Mom2Cheergirls]

My kiddo had a comp recently and their team did not do well. Compared to how they had been competing it was just a fair performance. Other comps they rocked it and came in second by the narrowest margin... and if scoring had been 50/50 versus rotating 75 results would have been different - and I let judging be judging but I may not have 100% agreed with the results but not a judge. They left proud because they knew they put quality out on the mat. So back to last comp where if it could go wrong it sort of did (including my own kiddo)... no competition and they get jackets. My kid was polite and posed for a few pics and then asked me to leave because she said it felt so wrong and I 100% agreed and didn't post any of the group shots people saying "hey National Champs". I was more proud of their second place then that win with a national jacket. Sadly as she said she really likes this jacket (different than previous ones - color and style) but says every time she wears it she feels so wrong in it. I told her you learn from every win and every loss if you allow it... what did you take from this and what will you do better for next time (that is not always skill related it can be... tell someone they did great from another team, help a team mate feel better... ). I figure this sport has taken a lot of money and a lot of time I best make sure we are getting a lot of life lessons out of this sport.

 

[swmom01]

You are new, so I want to share some helpful advice. Generally speaking, we don't allow minors to be named on the boards, unless they are a known individual. You are ok in mentioning Kenley's name because she is so well known, but I just want to make sure you are aware :)

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[swmom01]

It’s still not ok to use someone’s name even if they are well known! I don’t think it is ever ok to single out a child for any reason. There is enough of that on social media from anonymous people and it needs to stop!


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[swmom01]

You are new, so I want to share some helpful advice. Generally speaking, we don't allow minors to be named on the boards, unless they are a known individual. You are ok in mentioning Kenley's name because she is so well known, but I just want to make sure you are aware :)

I don’t think it’s ever ok to single out anyone. There’s enough of that on social media and it needs to stop! I don’t care how “well known” they are! It’s getting out of hand. They are just kids being talked about by anonymous people and it definitely will not stop if we use the excuse that they are well known!


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