Questions About Team Placement

[Susan casterick]

So, my 10-year old daughter has cheered for pop warner in the past, but she only likes competitions and not cheering at the football games. So, I took her to team tryouts at a local gym that has rec teams. Well, after the tryouts, she was placed on the lowest level team. Now, my problem is that all of the other girls on the team are 5-7 years old. They have never cheered before, and one child spent the whole 1st practice crying because she missed her mommy. I mean, my child is 10... She is way past crying for mommy. So, my question is.... Should I not worry about the age thing and hope for the best? What I really want to do is have her not cheer on a team this year and just take tumbling classes until she has the skills to cheer with kids her own age. I'm just worried she won't improve enough over the year if she is on this current team. Also, I'm not even sure why she didn't make the same team as her friends. They all seem to have the same skills. I don't want to be the crazy parent that questions her daughter's placement, but I'm really curious as to where she struggled during tryouts. Any advice?

 

[elisekc9]

I currently coach Mini 1/Youth 1/ Senior 1/Junior 2/ Senior 3 teams and I can say, from a coaches perspective, it really impresses me when parents approach me and ask for feedback and constructive criticism regarding their child's performance. Good questions to ask would be:

What can she work on at home to improve her skills? (Strengthening or flexibility? Jumps, cartwheels, choreography review are all things that are easy and safe to practice at home!)

Are there any extra classes she can sign up for to help her with her weaknesses? (Tumbling, dance, stretch n' strength etc.)

What are some main aspects to focus on to make a higher level team next year?

Can she double team with a group that is closer to her in age?

My daughter is interested in learning leadership skills, since she seems to be one of the older kids in the team, is it possible for her to take a leadership role? (Leading warm-up, counting for her stunt group, going over choreography with younger kids etc.) This can be a great confidence booster and tons of fun for older kids!

When handled well by coaches, its surprising how beneficial being an older, more mature child on a team can be! I've seen time and time again that older kids on "baby" teams start off upset with their placement and end the year LOVING the team and the experience of "running the show". They gain so much confidence and learn SO much from being in a leadership position!

With that being said, some rec programs can be basically babysitting and playing games rather than learning skills. If this is the situation you find yourself in than perhaps you could look at other programs in your area that would be a better fit for your daughter!

Hope this post from a coaches perspective helps! <3



The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

 

[BlockHead]

So, my 10-year old daughter has cheered for pop warner in the past, but she only likes competitions and not cheering at the football games. So, I took her to team tryouts at a local gym that has rec teams. Well, after the tryouts, she was placed on the lowest level team. Now, my problem is that all of the other girls on the team are 5-7 years old. They have never cheered before, and one child spent the whole 1st practice crying because she missed her mommy. I mean, my child is 10... She is way past crying for mommy. So, my question is.... Should I not worry about the age thing and hope for the best? What I really want to do is have her not cheer on a team this year and just take tumbling classes until she has the skills to cheer with kids her own age. I'm just worried she won't improve enough over the year if she is on this current team. Also, I'm not even sure why she didn't make the same team as her friends. They all seem to have the same skills. I don't want to be the crazy parent that questions her daughter's placement, but I'm really curious as to where she struggled during tryouts. Any advice?

Are there any local youth level 1 all star squads that she could join? That sounds like something she might enjoy more. I know my CP would not like to be in a similar situation.

 

[Cheermom1969]

My daughter has been in AS cheer for two years now and here's her story (some people have heard it so sorry!):

She was 11 when she started. She had been cheering sideline cheering since she was about 4 and had no tumbling to speak of other than a cartwheel. She tried out and was placed on our youth 1 team. Now that wouldn't have been so bad except she was literally a head taller than the next tallest and most of them were pretty young, down to age 5 AND there was a Jr 1 team she could have made. She was really upset and wanted to quit. Sigh. I had to talk her into just pushing through since I had already plunked down money for the season. She said she would but she wasn't happy.

So off we go into the summer and she's on this team and learning the routine and choreography, etc. I supported her and gave her encouragement when she would get impatient. I won't bore with you all the events in between but by the end of the season, these girls were part of her and she loved them. She was awarded the team trophy for her leadership. This was her team and she was proud to be part of it.

If you'd like to see what I'm talking about the size difference, search on youtube for Youth Mob 2013 American Showcase Anaheim by Tom Hayden. Although by this time we had added a girl who was also a bit taller and evened things out in my daughter's mind. lol And I'll let you guess which one is my daughter. ;)

So encourage her to give it some time and with your help she will start to gel with her teammates. I was extremely frustrated and I'm sure my Susie's Mom came out when my daughter wasn't around but I learned to bite my tongue and I'm glad I did because she's doing what she loves and I in turn love watching her do it. :)

 

[Lucie*Anne]

Coming into AS/Rec is a whole new ball of wax (so to speak) and despite being placed on a 'lower level' team it might be where she needs to be to shine and grow. Sometimes the athlete on those teams that are a little older wind up being the true leaders and glue of the team. We have a girl on our Youth 1 who is an AMAZING leader- she's maxing out at 11 years old and there are plenty of 7 year olds who look up to her. It's nice to have them on a team where they can feel comfortable and be a leader instead of maybe feeling like they are constantly trying to catch up and getting discouraged.

Through tumbling classes as well as stretching and strength exercises (either through the gym or on her own) she'll develop and bloom. All that said, yes, check with the coaches and ask where her room for improvement is- it's just like school in that skills build on other skills and by strengthening those that might be lacking now she'll be better prepared when she's ready to move on.

 

[Cheer Dad]

Are there any local youth level 1 all star squads that she could join? That sounds like something she might enjoy more. I know my CP would not like to be in a similar situation.

Her team could be Y1 already.

 

[Cheer Dad]

So, my 10-year old daughter has cheered for pop warner in the past, but she only likes competitions and not cheering at the football games. So, I took her to team tryouts at a local gym that has rec teams. Well, after the tryouts, she was placed on the lowest level team. Now, my problem is that all of the other girls on the team are 5-7 years old. They have never cheered before, and one child spent the whole 1st practice crying because she missed her mommy. I mean, my child is 10... She is way past crying for mommy. So, my question is.... Should I not worry about the age thing and hope for the best? What I really want to do is have her not cheer on a team this year and just take tumbling classes until she has the skills to cheer with kids her own age. I'm just worried she won't improve enough over the year if she is on this current team. Also, I'm not even sure why she didn't make the same team as her friends. They all seem to have the same skills. I don't want to be the crazy parent that questions her daughter's placement, but I'm really curious as to where she struggled during tryouts. Any advice?

Are you more concerned about the age or level aspect?

Since tumbling is not the only aspect in team placement sitting a year could prevent her from learning skills she needs to advance.

 

[Kate Boyd]

I currently coach Mini 1/Youth 1/ Senior 1/Junior 2/ Senior 3 teams and I can say, from a coaches perspective, it really impresses me when parents approach me and ask for feedback and constructive criticism regarding their child's performance. Good questions to ask would be:

What can she work on at home to improve her skills? (Strengthening or flexibility? Jumps, cartwheels, choreography review are all things that are easy and safe to practice at home!)

Are there any extra classes she can sign up for to help her with her weaknesses? (Tumbling, dance, stretch n' strength etc.)

What are some main aspects to focus on to make a higher level team next year?

Can she double team with a group that is closer to her in age?

My daughter is interested in learning leadership skills, since she seems to be one of the older kids in the team, is it possible for her to take a leadership role? (Leading warm-up, counting for her stunt group, going over choreography with younger kids etc.) This can be a great confidence booster and tons of fun for older kids!

When handled well by coaches, its surprising how beneficial being an older, more mature child on a team can be! I've seen time and time again that older kids on "baby" teams start off upset with their placement and end the year LOVING the team and the experience of "running the show". They gain so much confidence and learn SO much from being in a leadership position!

With that being said, some rec programs can be basically babysitting and playing games rather than learning skills. If this is the situation you find yourself in than perhaps you could look at other programs in your area that would be a better fit for your daughter!

Hope this post from a coaches perspective helps! <3

The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

I love that perspective. I'm also a coach, and anyone that's looking to improve is always encouraging.

And being on a team with slightly younger members doesn't have to be a bad thing. It will help her shine a little more and give her the opportunity to be a leader while learning the skills she needs. Everyone needs time at first, and she's still got plenty of time down the road for more mature teams.

 

[Cheeraholic]

I currently coach Mini 1/Youth 1/ Senior 1/Junior 2/ Senior 3 teams and I can say, from a coaches perspective, it really impresses me when parents approach me and ask for feedback and constructive criticism regarding their child's performance. Good questions to ask would be:

What can she work on at home to improve her skills? (Strengthening or flexibility? Jumps, cartwheels, choreography review are all things that are easy and safe to practice at home!)

Are there any extra classes she can sign up for to help her with her weaknesses? (Tumbling, dance, stretch n' strength etc.)

What are some main aspects to focus on to make a higher level team next year?

Can she double team with a group that is closer to her in age?

My daughter is interested in learning leadership skills, since she seems to be one of the older kids in the team, is it possible for her to take a leadership role? (Leading warm-up, counting for her stunt group, going over choreography with younger kids etc.) This can be a great confidence booster and tons of fun for older kids!

When handled well by coaches, its surprising how beneficial being an older, more mature child on a team can be! I've seen time and time again that older kids on "baby" teams start off upset with their placement and end the year LOVING the team and the experience of "running the show". They gain so much confidence and learn SO much from being in a leadership position!

With that being said, some rec programs can be basically babysitting and playing games rather than learning skills. If this is the situation you find yourself in than perhaps you could look at other programs in your area that would be a better fit for your daughter!

Hope this post from a coaches perspective helps! <3



The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

I love this advice.

 

[LucasCheerGirls]

I think if you don't ask it will bother you. I think you can ask with the intent to learn more verses being angry or accusatory - I agree that a 10 year old should not be on the same team as a 5 year old. Ask to set up a meeting with the coach or gym manger & ask - it can't hurt! I think if you ask in a respectful manner people won't think you are "that mom"


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android