All-Star Qualified Coaches - The Real Issue

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

imrichhowboutu I hear ya 100% however what your saying that doesn't compute with me is why are there rules being put in place to limit the .5% of the athletes involved and still nothing is being done with the 20% (overall) at risk doing backhandsprings? Hands on training is a necessity, if coaches don't attend, they aren't certified, if they aren't certified they can't go to World's. They can still go everywhere else.

Why can they still go everywhere else? Not to be on the defensive, but there are levels below 5 and Worlds is only one competition out of the year.

 

[nvecchioni89]

What I would like to know is if the actual spreadsheet of data is going to become available for us to see? As someone else said, you cant go on how many athletes have a brace of some sort on and assume its from a twisting skill. I have to wear a brace to compete or tumble, which before I was throwing a full. I did not hurt myself doing a full. Originally I hurt myself learning a bhs. I countinued to hurt it here and there due to stupidity things outside of cheer. At this point, I have to wear the brace to tumble. I have had a few kids I coach with injuries this season. Only one that I can think of happened in the gym, and she rolled her ankle coming down from a shoulder sit. The rest were all outside of cheer.

You also must remember, quite a few of these athletes also play other sports outside of cheer. The bounding skills and standing fulls are gone, but I can garuntee come next season with these new rules, you will still see major injuries, and scary tumbling all around. They need to focus on how we can get everyone trained correctly NOW rather then these silly rules or the injury rate wont get better.

To be taken seriously at all, we need to focus on what will be a fix, not just a band-aid that has made everyone angry. We should not be taking away from the hard working, well trained athletes. I have seen so many more scary running fulls or running doubles then I have ever seen bounding skills. Instead they are focusing on uniforms, how you need to look, and how the guys present themselves. The real issues at hand need to be focused on here.

I agree saftey is a huge issue, I am all for less injuries. The steps they just took will not fix that issue. And before uniforms and things of that nature, they should be focusing on scoresheets, judging, as well as the safety and growth of our sport. We will never be taken seriously at this rate, and if this rules stick, I am worried to see what part of cheer will take a huge hit next.

 

[yojaehs]

Why can they still go everywhere else? Not to be on the defensive, but there are levels below 5 and Worlds is only one competition out of the year.

Only reason I'm saying that is bc currently the ONLY stipulation on if your level 5 certified or not, the ONLY thing you can't do is go backstage at World's. So the 90% of coaches across the country that aren't certified can still coach everywhere BUT World's

 

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

Only reason I'm saying that is bc currently the ONLY stipulation on if your level 5 certified or not, the ONLY thing you can't do is go backstage at World's. So the 90% of coaches across the country that aren't certified can still coach everywhere BUT World's

Thank you for clarifying. Now that I have re-read what you said, and the other post, I get what is going on. What you said was an explaination about certification rather than a solution for a problem.

 

[CoachK]

As a allstar director at a small gym I can say we are VERY concerned with USASF. I have been in cheerleading as a sport since I was 7 and want nothing more then the sport to grow. With that being said I feel like coaching credentialing has to be taken more seriously. I know coaches from other programs that just started cheering/coaching this year and passed the credentialing. What does that say about these tests??

 

[PghxCheer2]

2 words. Debbie. Love. I can't say her name enough in this conversation. As she said at the prior rules adjustment meeting, the problem is not high level tumbling, it's the opposite in that athletes are being taught BASIC skills incorrectly. How many jacked up backhandsprings do you see in level 2? How many tucks are 2 inches off the ground and are more a "throw my heels over my head backwards without using my hands and hope I land" more than they are "tucks" in level 3?

If they were instigating a universal scoresheet instead of rules about how your hair is supposed to look, they could also work on MAJOR deductions for poorly executed tumbling. Every single under rotated full or double (or any piece of tumbling across all levels) should be treated as the equivalent to a stunt bobble every time. Even down to things such as crossed legs. Your legs should be extended and minimally crossed at the ankles in a twisting skill. You shouldn't look like a bunched up paper ball, all twisted and compact. Uncrossing your legs minimizes landing injuries. There's a reason that Whitney and Brittni don't get injured. It's not some strange coincidence. It's because their tumbling has been executed correctly from the start.

 

[Mclovin]

2 words. Debbie. Love. I can't say her name enough in this conversation. As she said at the prior rules adjustment meeting, the problem is not high level tumbling, it's the opposite in that athletes are being taught BASIC skills incorrectly. How many jacked up backhandsprings do you see in level 2? How many tucks are 2 inches off the ground and are more a "throw my heels over my head backwards without using my hands and hope I land" more than they are "tucks" in level 3?

If they were instigating a universal scoresheet instead of rules about how your hair is supposed to look, they could also work on MAJOR deductions for poorly executed tumbling. Every single under rotated full or double (or any piece of tumbling across all levels) should be treated as the equivalent to a stunt bobble every time. Even down to things such as crossed legs. Your legs should be extended and minimally crossed at the ankles in a twisting skill. You shouldn't look like a bunched up paper ball, all twisted and compact. Uncrossing your legs minimizes landing injuries. There's a reason that Whitney and Brittni don't get injured. It's not some strange coincidence. It's because their tumbling has been executed correctly from the start.

There is not a moment when those two are in the gym that they aren't doing something. If people are sitting around, they are conditioning. THAT's why they don't get injured. Proper conditioning is the key...

 

[imrichhowboutu]

And again, everyone knows this. I'm sure the USASF does too. They never ever said that the skills are the issue.

I don't agree with them not giving more background to the issues, but i'm sure there is a greater plan in the works.

 

[Ashay]

everyone keeps talking about coaches being USASF certified, do you know how easy it is to get certified? It doesnt mean your a good coach or you know how to teach a skill. Its pretty much for insurance purposes, to cover your butt if someone tries to sue you. Majority of coaches have been through the certification process as well as myself and all they are looking for are key words. SO Stupid! So to say that coaches need to be certified to make the sport more safe is crap to me, it doesnt make them a better coach! Training is a better word!

 

[imrichhowboutu]

everyone keeps talking about coaches being USASF certified, do you know how easy it is to get certified? It doesnt mean your a good coach or you know how to teach a skill. Its pretty much for insurance purposes, to cover your butt if someone tries to sue you. Majority of coaches have been through the certification process as well as myself and all they are looking for are key words. SO Stupid! So to say that coaches need to be certified to make the sport more safe is crap to me, it doesnt make them a better coach! Training is a better word!

Coaches right now are Credentialed.... not necessarily certified or educated.

 

[Ashay]

Coaches right now are Credentialed.... not necessarily certified or educated.

that was my point, i may have worded it wrong!

 

[imrichhowboutu]

that was my point, i may have worded it wrong!

Right. They were very "smart" with their choice of wording for what it was.

 

[Underestimated]

What happens when next year the statistics show backwalkovers are the most dangerous skill are you gonna get rid of them??!!

im sure the answer will be................................ YES!

 

[hopskipandjump]

I have a serious question I would like some input on since this is about "qualified coaches - the real issue" and gyms. I own a gym. I am NOT certified beyond level 2 because I do not feel qualified to teach gymnastics above this level. I do however know the rules and expectations of the higher levels. My daughter, the other co-owner is certified in the higher levels. I send my cheerleaders to other gyms for their tumbling that we cannot safely (and certified levels) teach them. Should I NOT own a gym? Should I not attend events just because I am not personally certified? I could be, but I have no intention of putting myself in a position of teaching something I don't feel comfortable teaching. I am not going to put a child in danger that way. I do not have a level 5 team. One day I hope to. Will I personally coach it? No, but I will make sure the coach who does coach it is certified. Thoughts?

 

[imrichhowboutu]

I have a serious question I would like some input on since this is about "qualified coaches - the real issue" and gyms. I own a gym. I am NOT certified beyond level 2 because I do not feel qualified to teach gymnastics above this level. I do however know the rules and expectations of the higher levels. My daughter, the other co-owner is certified in the higher levels. I send my cheerleaders to other gyms for their tumbling that we cannot safely (and certified levels) teach them. Should I NOT own a gym? Should I not attend events just because I am not personally certified? I could be, but I have no intention of putting myself in a position of teaching something I don't feel comfortable teaching. I am not going to put a child in danger that way. I do not have a level 5 team. One day I hope to. Will I personally coach it? No, but I will make sure the coach who does coach it is certified. Thoughts?

I wish everyone was like you.