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

[cheer4cea]

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?

Because the purpose of individual competition, aside from obvious reasons such as building confidence, is to see where an athlete stands with other individual athletes in his/her age group. The comparison loses meaning when the athlete is potentially competing against others that are four years older. Do I think there are mini aged athletes that could beat youth aged kids in individual competition? Without a doubt. But if they have exceptional skills for their age, they should be rewarded for that rather than being forced to compete with older participants, in my opinion.

On a youth team, even if an individual athlete is 7 or 8, there are others on the team that are within the traditional 9-11 age range. The younger athletes have qualities that contribute to their team without carrying the entire burden of competition. I think your comparison is more appropriate and accurate to ask if it asked if people would have qualms about their Mini TEAM competing against a youth TEAM. In that case, I think they would have an issue with it. :)

 

[cheer4cea]

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!

We were there!! I wish I had seen your post before tonight! :( I would have loved to meet you!

 

[icecheermom]

We were there!! I wish I had seen your post before tonight! :( I would have loved to meet you!

My daughter was able to meet Maddie & Erica so that just made her weekend!! I'm sure we will meet up again sometime, maybe Cheersport??

 

[BlueCat]

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?

My only thought was - they still have individual competitions?

 

[JessicaL]

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?

I wasn't saying that at all, sorry if it came across that way. I have just always understood Individuals to be about competing with your age group to see who is truly the best. That's all.