All-Star What Happened Here...?

[stuntjumptumble]

Today I competed with my high school team at a competition run by the infamous cheer tech/spirit brands. It was really small and since it's still early in the season, the comp was majority rec and school teams. As I'm sitting there watching, they announce an IOC 5 all star team. I got excited to watch a level 5 team as a break from the school teams. As the team began to perform, my jaw dropped, and not in a good way. Their stunts consisted of straight up extensions and their tumbling was roundoffs from corners. They had a level 4 pyramid at most. The point of this story is....what could allow this team to enter as level 5 in any competition? What was the coach thinking making them level 5? It's dangerous and just appalling, it's very poor coaching. Then it made me think, is it because there's no other division for ages 17+ kids? There is open 4 but this team would be level 1. The competition then proceeded to give them a banner which said "level 5 champion". Can someone explain how this can happen? I'm just in shock


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[Nikaa]

Sounds like European cheerleading....

But maybe they just aren't ready to compete a harder routine?

 

[stuntjumptumble]

Sounds like European cheerleading....

But maybe they just aren't ready to compete a harder routine?

I'm just confused as to how they could enter as level 5 but perform a level 1/2 routine


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[uwont4getme]

I'm just confused as to how they could enter as level 5 but perform a level 1/2 routine


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There's nothing that says they can't. You don't have to submit a video of your routine before you register for a competition to make sure you meet the requirements for that level. Anyone can do it...teams just don't.

 

[njallday]

I'm just confused as to how they could enter as level 5 but perform a level 1/2 routine


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well really, as long as a team meets the age/size requirements they can enter any division they feel like it. I could enter the IAG division all by myself (seriously) and that would be within all of the guidelines. 1-24 members, all female, age 14+. unfortunately it is what it is. if it were a senior team i'd be more concerned, but with the international divisions, it's usually just because they're too old and have no where else to go. (Open 4 is an option now, though, like you mentioned)

I hate that they got a banner, because some gyms will go home and advertise on Facebook and their website that they're the i5 National champions. at least some more reputable competitions have a minimum score to be able to get a banner and be called the winner, even if you're against no one. cheer tech is not one of those competitions.

 

[stuntjumptumble]

well really, as long as a team meets the age/size requirements they can enter any division they feel like it. I could enter the IAG division all by myself (seriously) and that would be within all of the guidelines. 1-24 members, all female, age 14+. unfortunately it is what it is. if it were a senior team i'd be more concerned, but with the international divisions, it's usually just because they're too old and have no where else to go. (Open 4 is an option now, though, like you mentioned)

I hate that they got a banner, because some gyms will go home and advertise on Facebook and their website that they're the i5 National champions. at least some more reputable competitions have a minimum score to be able to get a banner and be called the winner, even if you're against no one. cheer tech is not one of those competitions.

It's weird because people complain about cheer being too regulated but this is one of those aspects that's not regulated enough.

And agreed with the banner thing, it's kinda ridiculous


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[Ashley]

Today I competed with my high school team at a competition run by the infamous cheer tech/spirit brands. It was really small and since it's still early in the season, the comp was majority rec and school teams. As I'm sitting there watching, they announce an IOC 5 all star team. I got excited to watch a level 5 team as a break from the school teams. As the team began to perform, my jaw dropped, and not in a good way. Their stunts consisted of straight up extensions and their tumbling was roundoffs from corners. They had a level 4 pyramid at most. The point of this story is....what could allow this team to enter as level 5 in any competition? What was the coach thinking making them level 5? It's dangerous and just appalling, it's very poor coaching. Then it made me think, is it because there's no other division for ages 17+ kids? There is open 4 but this team would be level 1. The competition then proceeded to give them a banner which said "level 5 champion". Can someone explain how this can happen? I'm just in shock


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Is open 4 a real division this year? I think it's just in a trial phase. The only option for those over 18 are IO5 or IO6.

You don't have to perform level appropriate skills to compete in a level. You just tend to lose if you don't - which is probably why they were competing/exhibitioning at a tiny little comp.

 

[AndyT_T]

*Patiently awaits video

 

[alexacheer2010]

well, it is early in the season still... give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe they were given harder stunts but they can't execute them at this time. you can look up the cheer tech results from today and see their score, if you are interested. but mostly, I just think there are a lot more open 5 and 6 teams around than open 4.


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[krush-kara]

I would say that they are competing like this because of the lack of age appropriate teams. In Australia, most gyms field open teams at all levels, and Open Level 1 is a huge division, at least in my state. I think until Open teams are able to compete in other levels other than 5 and 6, then this will keep happening.Older kids/adults who want to start have no other option.

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[Cheeranswers]

well really, as long as a team meets the age/size requirements they can enter any division they feel like it. I could enter the IAG division all by myself (seriously) and that would be within all of the guidelines. 1-24 members, all female, age 14+. unfortunately it is what it is. if it were a senior team i'd be more concerned, but with the international divisions, it's usually just because they're too old and have no where else to go. (Open 4 is an option now, though, like you mentioned)

I hate that they got a banner, because some gyms will go home and advertise on Facebook and their website that they're the i5 National champions. at least some more reputable competitions have a minimum score to be able to get a banner and be called the winner, even if you're against no one. cheer tech is not one of those competitions.

on the bright side you'd have fabulous ratios

 

[Deleted member 11300]

Maybe they should have gone exhibition.

 

[kristenthegreat]

There's nothing currently stopping them, no.

Now: were they attempting to execute level 5 things and doing them unsafely? That would make me nervous.

Unfortunately, there isn't much out there for the older cheerleader that wasn't level 5/6. I did OC6 because it was my only option in the area, and even then it was mostly level 6 stunts/pyramid/baskets and level 2-5 tumbling (we had one guy who had a standing full and a full). Finding an Open 4 team (although they're slowly growing in prevalence) is hard.

 

[stuntjumptumble]

There's nothing currently stopping them, no.

Now: were they attempting to execute level 5 things and doing them unsafely? That would make me nervous.

Unfortunately, there isn't much out there for the older cheerleader that wasn't level 5/6. I did OC6 because it was my only option in the area, and even then it was mostly level 6 stunts/pyramid/baskets and level 2-5 tumbling (we had one guy who had a standing full and a full). Finding an Open 4 team (although they're slowly growing in prevalence) is hard.

Thank goodness they weren't attempting level 5 skills...that would've made me nervous. Although the pyramid they had was definitely scary. It was more of the lack of skills overall that bothered me, it was interesting to learn that basically anyone can enter in a division


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[Ashley]

There's nothing currently stopping them, no.

Now: were they attempting to execute level 5 things and doing them unsafely? That would make me nervous.

Unfortunately, there isn't much out there for the older cheerleader that wasn't level 5/6. I did OC6 because it was my only option in the area, and even then it was mostly level 6 stunts/pyramid/baskets and level 2-5 tumbling (we had one guy who had a standing full and a full). Finding an Open 4 team (although they're slowly growing in prevalence) is hard.

And that's why tumbling is 15% of the score sheet at worlds :P