All-Star One Of The Rules No One Talks About But That I Don't Understand....

[cheer4cea]

This doesn't affect many people but it is still a rule whose logic I don't follow and am interested to see if anyone can explain its value to me. In individual competition, the age divisions are capped by the level restrictions of team competition, so that individuals competing as mini individuals can only throw up to level 3 skills. The logic behind it cannot be for the safety of the athletes and their bodies because the kids can register up to compete in the youth division, allowing them to throw level 4 or 5 skills.

I thought the purpose of individuals was in part to see where the athletes stood in comparison to others in their age group. It is a fantastic tool in helping individual athletes to refine performance and gain confidence. I guess I don't understand why we would put ankle weights on the fastest runners and then ask them to run the race.

Any thoughts?

 

[cheergirl4444]

i dont know the answer to this but i just wanna say i have seen your daughter Cailyn compete individuals and she 100% deserves to compete her level 5 skills she is absolutely amazing! she can sell a routine like she is 15 years old. i lovee watching her compete! its soo not fair to keep those mini aged athletes who excel in tumbling from throwing their skills!

 

[PACHEERDAD]

cheer4cea - I couldn't agree more!!! We just caught wind that the mini individual can only compete up to level 3. I just don't understand the reasoning behind it. My daughter is on a YL3 team, and she wanted to compete in an individual, so she can use her level 5 skills that she worked so hard at. Is this rule new or has it always been this way?

 

[Mamarazzi]

Don't know the answer - great question - but maybe they set the rule up to discourage difficult tumbling in growing bodies, or whatever the excuse is that some people use. I don't agree one bit with this rule, as you all have stated it.

 

[notimeforthat]

the rule has been in place for at few years.... It just depends what EP you sign up with....cheer4cea and I found out the hard way a couple a years ago when NO ONE told us minis were capped at level 3 and both cps had competed mini level 5 at the same event the previous year. They found out after they competed thier level 5 routines and were disqualified.
Our shaken but determined girls as l well as at least 6 others had to re work routines to level 3 in the back and re preform!
What a nightmare!! That was my last season bothering with individuals... the EP don't make enough money off of them to give any respect or consideration to the atheletes. I have had several cancel the individual portions of the competition a week or so before hand.... Its just not right to do when your cp has trained very hard and the parents have paid $$$ for the choreo, music and coach to do these events.
I can honestly say I don't miss it one bit!!

 

[JessicaL]

The USASF doesn't mandate that EP's follow this for Individual competition, only Stunt Group competition. Many EP's do allow Individuals to perform L5 skills in Mini, but it's ultimately up to the EP. My guess would be they've done this for stunting safety but it sure would be nice if the kids did have a way to perform to the best of their ability without having to move up an age group to do so!


INDIVIDUAL/GROUP STUNT/ PARTNER STUNT COMPETITION
The divisions of "Group Stunt", "Partner Stunt" and "Individual" may be offered by an event producer at their discretion. The age, level
and female/male restrictions designated above must remain in place for stunt divisions (i.e. no Mini Stunt Group may perform at L5).

 

[icecheermom]

Do you have a video of your daughter. She sounds amazing, I would love to see her?

 

[cheer4cea]

Don't know the answer - great question - but maybe they set the rule up to discourage difficult tumbling in growing bodies, or whatever the excuse is that some people use. I don't agree one bit with this rule, as you all have stated it.

That's the only thing I could think of as well, except at the event that tinytumblersmom is talking about they told us the girls could compete in the youth division if they wanted to compete level 5... and coincidentally, 4everSPIRITed, I'm thankful for your input, because they told us that they had to do it because of the USASF rules. My guess is that the rule has changed since then. I'm glad. And if it has, my point is moot! :)

 

[JessicaL]

That's the only thing I could think of as well, except at the event that tinytumblersmom is talking about they told us the girls could compete in the youth division if they wanted to compete level 5... and coincidentally, 4everSPIRITed, I'm thankful for your input, because they told us that they had to do it because of the USASF rules. My guess is that the rule has changed since then. I'm glad. And if it has, my point is moot! :)

This has actually been the same rule (somewhat hidden, though, on the bottom of the age grid) since at least the 2009-2010 season. EP's only have to follow it for Stunt Groups competing, not athletes in the Individual divisions. IMO, telling a Mini he/she can compete Youth if they want to throw L5 skills defeats the purpose of Individual Competition. Individual Competition sould be all out seeing if you are the best out there in your age group, not the next one older! Shame on anyone that tries to enforce additional rules/guidelines on some talented CP's that already have a ton to follow!

 

[cheer4cea]

Do you have a video of your daughter. She sounds amazing, I would love to see her?

Thanks! She loves cheering and is blessed to be able to train with the talented and loving coaches at CEA. Her 2x2 from last season just came out:

And I've posted some on my page...

http://www.youtube.com/user/lymariepj?feature=mhee

 

[JessicaL]

That's a talented little lady you've got there!

 

[cheer4cea]

That's a talented little lady you've got there!

Thank you!! I appreciate that. :) She has definitely been blessed and absolutely loves what she does.

 

[icecheermom]

Thanks! She loves cheering and is blessed to be able to train with the talented and loving coaches at CEA. Her 2x2 from last season just came out:

And I've posted some on my page...

http://www.youtube.com/user/lymariepj?feature=mhee

What a cutie, she is so talented. Luv it! Will you guys be in Indy this weekend?? If so I will have to keep an eye out for her, love watching CEA!

 

[PACHEERDAD]

That's a talented little lady you've got there!

I agree! She looks great!!

 

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

The USASF doesn't mandate that EP's follow this for Individual competition, only Stunt Group competition. Many EP's do allow Individuals to perform L5 skills in Mini, but it's ultimately up to the EP. My guess would be they've done this for stunting safety but it sure would be nice if the kids did have a way to perform to the best of their ability without having to move up an age group to do so!

Why is it most people have no qualms about their 7 year old competing on a youth 5 team but have an issue with them moving up for an individual?