All-Star Only Seniors Can Expose Midriff???

[itsbexx]

I agree with you in that the coaches do have a responsibility to make the correct choices for the athlete...including whether or not they are ready to throw a new skill. Technique is in the coaching, not in the uniform. Kids already push hard for level 5 skills because they want to be level 5. Think about the perks that are already a part of being on a level 5 team. (Worlds, being on the "mac-daddy" elite squad, getting to go to the best comps, etc) Some gyms already offer a different uniform at level 5 anyway. I don't see how allowing half tops only at level 5 would make a difference in how janky the tumbling is.

Not necessarily how janky it is, but an increase in the number of level 5 teams competing tumbling like this because the girls want to compete in half tops therefore are pushing for these skills and their coaches aren't teaching the correct technique.

 

[mommadonna]

Not necessarily how janky it is, but an increase in the number of level 5 teams competing tumbling like this because the girls want to compete in half tops therefore are pushing for these skills and their coaches aren't teaching the correct technique.

I hear you...the coaches need to teach the correct technique, and if the girls do not have the correct technique, it is up to the coach to decide what division the girls get to compete in. Maybe the uni can be a motivation to tumble better and work harder? To me, the tumbling issue is a tumbling issue, not a uni issue. It's fine if you disagree. IMO, a coach who lets athletes compete at level 5 when they're not ready is irresponsible. Period. Nothing to do with clothes.

 

[itsbexx]

I hear you...the coaches need to teach the correct technique, and if the girls do not have the correct technique, it is up to the coach to decide what division the girls get to compete in. Maybe the uni can be a motivation to tumble better and work harder? To me, the tumbling issue is a tumbling issue, not a uni issue. It's fine if you disagree. IMO, a coach who lets athletes compete at level 5 when they're not ready is irresponsible. Period. Nothing to do with clothes.

No, that's what I'm saying, if someone wants to compete in half tops but they are restricted to level 5, they will be pushing for level 5 tumbling to get on the team so they can wear them, if the coach is irresponsible to let them compete when they're not ready then it'll lead to more restrictions. Having half tops would just be another perk, but to some, it's what they want and could just lead to more problems

 

[ztaprincess]

So shouldnt it be Fierces right to decide their unis and shouldnt it be the parents decision if they want their child at that gym? Why does the usasf think they know whats best for my child more than I do?

It should have been up to them to realize that the uniforms are too itty bitty for little girls (they are just as small on the older girs who wear them and have breasts). It was such a problem that the pictures had to be removed from the thread.
I believe that the majority of gyms do not overdo the crop top and that they look fine, but those gyms who have gone too far are the ones who have ruined it for others. They are the ones to blame. It is just like in school when they have to enforce a dress code because some girls push it too far. Most may not ever wear it but the girls that did ruined the freedom.
Maybe they can take the rule away after a few years, but something has to be done with how small some gyms have mae their uniforms. They could have done what NCA did with their college rules, they can still have crop tops but they have to be a certain length and their skirts have to sit above the hip bones. Teams still get the look of a crop top but are covered enough that they aren't falling out of their uniforms.

 

[Babs]

I am glad you are capable..unfortunately, many aren't. I'm a camp counselor, and it could be because I don't have any myself, but I swear to heavens I could parent some of these kids better than their own parents. 'For the Greater Good', I think Albus Dumbledore said?

I remeber when I thought that way ... I got over it when I started parenting my son.

 

[12stepCheermom]

I have never liked full tops, but theyre are growing on me, really fast. Im tired of seeing too tight ill fitting unis that get smaller as the performance goes on, for me it's actually a distraction, Im sorry but I do notice it and takes away from the performance for me.

I agree most gym owners are very responsible but those few have spoiled it. I think guidelines and deductions could solve the problem. Then if that doesnt work try something more drastic.

Of all the rules that changed this is the one that least upsets me.

We're totally reversed...sort of. My kids have only ever been in full tops and I never liked crops. But, over the last few years I've gotten so used to seeing crops I don't notice them....much....anymore. The last competition we went to actually caught my attention in that is the first one that I can remember where full tops seemed to outnumber crops. Usually we're in the VAST minority wearing full tops, but we werent this last time.

I will say although I've gotten used to them, and even like some of the crop uniforms, this rule doesn't bother me at all. Every season things seem to get even smaller and even shorter it scares me for what next years unis might look like.

 

[pctmom]

My issue is purely a financial one. When the economy tanked, everybody pulled back on travel, on clothing etc. in order to retain athletes. We were told to do this at conferences. And it worked. Now the economy is not better, nor do we expect it to be better in 2 years and we are being mandated to purchasing new uniforms by an organization that (surprise) profits from uniform sales.

 

[pctmom]

It's not about how much skin is shown, if you can defend it. Again, I don't care if a 10 year old wears a crop top, if you can find a reason why it's necessary to the sport, other than "because we like it," "it's more comfortable," (for 2 1/2 minutes??) or "that's how it's always been". Gymnasts arguably need to be in a leotard so judges can see their lines. But they have strict rules about how high the leg holes can be cut (not higher than the hipbone) and the style (no spaghetti strap leotards, no midriffs, no backless leos). We still see plenty of unique and fun leotards.

I'm not advocating for knee length poodle skirts, but the only cheerleaders that you could even argue need to have crop tops are coed flyers, and that's only really even necessary in senior and open divisions. But again, Team USA did just fine in full length tops so that's clearly not 100% necessary.

At the risk of being very provocative. Team USA has little to no competition. Their winning has nothing to do with what they wear. There is no image/showmanship on the ICU scoresheet.

 

[Mom Jeans]

My issue is purely a financial one. When the economy tanked, everybody pulled back on travel, on clothing etc. in order to retain athletes. We were told to do this at conferences. And it worked. Now the economy is not better, nor do we expect it to be better in 2 years and we are being mandated to purchasing new uniforms by an organization that (surprise) profits from uniform sales.

Yes, buying a new uni totally sucks. Except for those making the $ off of them

 

[cheercurl]

My issue is purely a financial one. When the economy tanked, everybody pulled back on travel, on clothing etc. in order to retain athletes. We were told to do this at conferences. And it worked. Now the economy is not better, nor do we expect it to be better in 2 years and we are being mandated to purchasing new uniforms by an organization that (surprise) profits from uniform sales.

Hmm...ain't that the truth.

 

[Ashley]

At the risk of being very provocative. Team USA has little to no competition. Their winning has nothing to do with what they wear. There is no image/showmanship on the ICU scoresheet.

I didn't mean to imply that their uniform affected their win - I absolutely agree with you that they don't have a lot of competition. I just meant that Team USA has many of the best college cheerleaders in the country on their team and wearing a full top clearly didn't impede their performance.

 

[thecheermoma]

Couldn't agree more!

 

[cheermommaRN]

I think the majority of gyms out there have respectable crop top uniforms. It's the few "bad apples" that make you uncomfortable watching that spoil it for the rest of the industry. I saw a gym at a competition that had shorts that fit more like briefs then shorts and it was disturbing.
I do think going to full tops will retain kids that leave because of the crop top, not every athlete feels comfortable wearing them.

 

[KikiD22]

My issue is purely a financial one. When the economy tanked, everybody pulled back on travel, on clothing etc. in order to retain athletes. We were told to do this at conferences. And it worked. Now the economy is not better, nor do we expect it to be better in 2 years and we are being mandated to purchasing new uniforms by an organization that (surprise) profits from uniform sales.

^This
We just got our pricing for the 2012-2013 season late last night, and not only are we getting new uniforms this season (which we knew about), but all of a sudden we also have mandatory warm-up outfits lumped into our pricing as well (UA uses a flat rate, monthly pricing that includes everything). In our first 3 seasons, the warm-up outfits were always something optional. Who thinks the fact that they are now required is a direct result of the new "cover up" rules?

 

[pctmom]

^This
We just got our pricing for the 2012-2013 season late last night, and not only are we getting new uniforms this season (which we knew about), but all of a sudden we also have mandatory warm-up outfits lumped into our pricing as well (UA uses a flat rate, monthly pricing that includes everything). In our first 3 seasons, the warm-up outfits were always something optional. Who thinks the fact that they are now required is a direct result of the new "cover up" rules?

I do. Absolutely it does. AND guess who profits from the sales of warm ups?