All-Star Unmotivated Team

[Fiercecheermom]

Our last gym was like that where attendance was spotty and someone was ALWAYS missing. My CP was always at practice (still is). It got so bad that she was ready to give up All Star altogether. Luckily our present gym opened up and the policy is quite different. The girls come in for open gym and a great deal of them are early so they can work on skills prior to class. Totally different atmosphere because the expectation is different. No matter what level you are on, you are expected to be at practices and working toward your next goals.
Sounds like you are definitely ready to start looking for a new gym...GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[cheer25mom]

I don't really think speaking to the coach or owner will do anything. It didn't when I had an issue in the past (and it was an easy solution, but I got resistance). There was a major issue at the gym, and an announcement was made at the showcase. CP had practice after, and when I went to pick her up, surprise, surprise, the situation was still happening. Sigh, people can be jerks sometimes, and it's sad when they have no consideration for others.

Gym shopping will be no joke if we decide to go that route. The next closest gym is not even a consideration. There are a few really small gyms in the general area, but not all of them even have an appropriate level team for CP. It's looking like we'd be going from a 25 minute drive, to a 75 minute drive.

We've only had one comp so far, but I really am concerned. I guess we have 4-5 months to let this play out.

We are on sort of the same situation. Not 100% in love with out current gym, but it would take over an hour in weekday traffic to get to the next closest place that is a viable option. With CP's dance schedule it just won't happen so she either continues at our current gym or seriously scales back on dance. She is unwilling to drop dance classes so for now we are staying. Dance is her passion, but she really enjoys cheer as well. The conditioning, tumbling skills, ect she gets really help with dance so for now we stay.


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[nicolee]

All gyms have to deal with unmotivated kids. It's a totally common thing for kids (especially younger teens) to space out a bit and stop taking things seriously. The onus falls on the coaches to light a fire under them and help motivate them all again, through setting guidelines and enforcing attendance rules. So if there are no consequences, this is kind of a red flag for me and indicates that the staff aren't doing their job.

 

[cheerforeverever]

I don't really think speaking to the coach or owner will do anything. Gym shopping will be no joke if we decide to go that route. The next closest gym is not even a consideration. There are a few really small gyms in the general area, but not all of them even have an appropriate level team for CP. It's looking like we'd be going from a 25 minute drive, to a 75 minute drive.
We've only had one comp so far, but I really am concerned. I guess we have 4-5 months to let this play out.

You've got a few months to weight options and see how this season at your gym plays out. I'd suggest trying out a class at gyms that may be serious options. Think of it as a trial run.
Is the drive feasible for your family (even with traffic/bad weather), multiple times a week?
How is the coaching staff? (teaching methods, professionalism, etc.)
Does the gym environment mesh with your daughter?
What would the school/cheer balance be for homework? (would your CP be ok with doing homework in the car, eating dinner in the car, having less time at home?)
Would you take tumbling classes at that gym or a closer one , since the distance is further?
Do the pros outweigh the cons? (no gym is perfect. you just have to decide what you can live with and what you can't)

All things to think about.

If cheer is her passion, it could be worth the sacrifices to find a place where others are as serious about cheer.
Just do your research & understand what is realistically a feasible commitment for your family.

 

[Carriejoe]

If cheer is her passion, it could be worth the sacrifices to find a place where others are as serious about cheer.
Just do your research & understand what is realistically a feasible commitment for your family.

This above is very good advice. We are about 35-45 minutes away from our new gym and only about 5 minutes from the old one. Honestly, the time in the car is a lot and by the weekend we are all a bit tired of driving. However the joy my CP has found again in her sport more than makes up for it.

I know she loves this crazy sport and wants to continue for many more years. Because she has shown such dedication to this while still keeping up with her studies we felt we could make the move. Not an easy decision.

 

[Lazydaisytoo]

That would suck what you describe. What a waste of your CPs time to be in class w/o her full stunt group on a regular basis - I would be so mad. Are all the teams at the gym like that, or is this attitude unique to your CPs team? If it's just your CP's team, I'd consider talking to a coach/owner to try and get your CP moved to another team cause that's just unacceptable that a dedicated kid is forced to put up w/ not having a stunt group at practice. If the whole gym operates this way, I'd be looking for a new gym and be prepared to switch as soon as the season is over.

This is a small gym, and there's no other team for CP to move to. And with so many not attending mandatory tumbling, there will never be a team for them to move up to. My kid doesn't have those next level skills yet, but she is actively working to acquire them. She has attended some clinics at another gym, but is wary about leaving her friends. She has been cheering with the same group in one form or another for 10 years now.

As far as taking on the drive, I'd need to find out the schedule. I'm currently driving at least 3 days a week out of 4 practice days. Our carpool has girls on 3 different teams, and the crossovers don't all match up. I think CP may be happier just being on one team too.

 

[Cheergrandma]

I didn't notice if you said how old your child is. You said she has been cheering with the same group for about 10 years so I assume she is at least 13 - 14 years old. In my experience, usually around middle school and early high school, the less committed cheerleaders drop out and move on. We went through this (non-motivated cheerleaders) a few times and it is frustrating. I would definitely speak to the gym owner and coach and CALMLY explain your expectations of team practices. Deaf ears? Then move on AFTER the season is over.

 

[Coach Sara]

As far as the gym, there have been no consequences for attendance. I'm just sitting back and shutting up, but I'm really concerned. I'd rather see a small team of committed kids than a large team of slackers that doesn't perform well. I'm at the point where I'm subtly pushing CP to look at other gyms for next year. Any thoughts?[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, most of us have all had "that teammate/group of teammates" & it does make a difference when it comes to team mentality. Kids are going to try and live up to expectations of them. If the bar is being set at "sometimes come to practice. sometimes go to class. I don't expect you to practice at home", that is what kids & their parents are going to go off of. If the bar is set as " you must be at every practice unless it is ___listed reason in tryout constitution (there will be enforced consequences). you better practice at home or i will be able to tell & I will pull your tumbling pass/stunt/etc if I don't see you putting in effort. If you don't go to class you will fall behind the other dedicated kids & let down your teammates who are trusting in you to give your all.", the motivation to succeed as a team is vastly different. That's not to say that every kid will have the same internal motivation, but there is at least a precedence of consequences for missing practices/not putting in effort, which could be an external motivator for a few that wouldn't push to better themselves on their own. ("i can't wait to go to practice!" vs. "i should go to practice because if I don't, the coaches will move my spot to the back)

So I guess in summary, there is no magic pixie dust to make every kid care & work hard in this sport, BUT you want to be at a gym where the expectation is there. If the gym/coaches don't take crap from kids/parents when it comes to excessive absences, low work ethic, etc. then there is at least a clear expectation to go off of. These are the gyms that are successful in the long run.....they don't try to be the "cool gym". They are clear in what they ask, consistent in their teachings & discipline, and they know when its time to work vs. play.

I agree- you're talking about the motivational climate which is influenced by coaches, parents, the environment, etc. This is also tricky because motivation is complex and very individualized so it takes a savvy person to motivate a group well because you have to (ideally) address the different motivating factors for the individuals. When the motivational climate supports this kind of behavior, you are at a bit of a crossroads where you and your CP decide to control what you can (accepting it and staying; accepting it and moving on), or you can let yourselves get frustrated.

 

[Lazydaisytoo]

I'm a terrible SM, but I wish some people would just quit! Another Sunday, another day when my kid is the only one from the carpool going to "mandatory" tumbling.

We came in last at our last comp, and guess what, tumbling was a huge issue. Our next comp is a biggie, and I'm afraid it's going to be a huge embarrassment.

 

[dawgshow]

I'm a terrible SM, but I wish some people would just quit! Another Sunday, another day when my kid is the only one from the carpool going to "mandatory" tumbling.

We came in last at our last comp, and guess what, tumbling was a huge issue. Our next comp is a biggie, and I'm afraid it's going to be a huge embarrassment.

That's not SM---that's being a frustrated, responsible parent. I'm sorry this is going on. Unfortunately, unless the coaches are willing to start playing hardball, nothing is going to change. Hate to be the Debbie Downer, but it's probably reality.
Here's a serious question---have the coaches emphasized that tumbling was really mandatory? I ask, because at CP's gym it was presented as "mandatory" tumbling, quotes and all. To me, that means it's really NOT mandatory.

 

[Official OWECheer]

I'm a terrible SM, but I wish some people would just quit! Another Sunday, another day when my kid is the only one from the carpool going to "mandatory" tumbling.

We came in last at our last comp, and guess what, tumbling was a huge issue. Our next comp is a biggie, and I'm afraid it's going to be a huge embarrassment.

I would be so irritated if that were me.

 

[Lazydaisytoo]

That's not SM---that's being a frustrated, responsible parent. I'm sorry this is going on. Unfortunately, unless the coaches are willing to start playing hardball, nothing is going to change. Hate to be the Debbie Downer, but it's probably reality.
Here's a serious question---have the coaches emphasized that tumbling was really mandatory? I ask, because at CP's gym it was presented as "mandatory" tumbling, quotes and all. To me, that means it's really NOT mandatory.

Well, it's called mandatory. There have been email reminders after poor attendance days that it's mandatory. But there are no repercussions for ditching, so it's really not mandatory.

After it was noticed that the attendance was dismal, a very shocking text was sent to the girls. I am really not happy about what was said. We're riding out the season (if there is one) and we're moving on. I realize that this isn't a big name, worlds team gym, but if the staff isn't as serious about it as me or my kid, it's just not a good fit anymore.

 

[dawgshow]

Sounds like a good plan. You don't need to be at a big name gym to get a dedicated staff, though. Good luck with your search!