2008-2009 Cheer Parent Thread!!!!

[jennz]

You're kidding?! Actually no I know you're not. That really stinks for the kids, it's hard to explain. I hope your new routine does better for you. DH swears money changes hand between the winners and the judges sometimes. We don't really believe that but it sure would explain a lot!!

 

[cheercheercheer]

Hi All

Just curious what everybody's policies are regarding practice attendance and rules at competitions.

DD just moved to a new place and the policies seem overly strict, but maybe it is just standard for all star cheer.

So, if you care to share, what are your rules?

 

[addicted2dizney]

Us too! We finished behind another squad who had a couple of their stunts fall! We were shocked!

This is a very common thing guys.. There are like 10 different portions of a score sheet. Remember that stunting is just one part and the deductions are not as large as you may think. Being in all stars for years and also working competitions where i have added the score sheets I learned very valuable information and it got me out of the "pop warner" mentality that if a stunt fell, then we just won. Just some of the things you have to ask are the following..

Is the routine difficult?
Does it cover all the required tumbling elements for the level, (both standing and running.)
Are the transitions clean? ( not just walking with hands to their sides, but where they actually move to)
Do they use the proper technique in stunting and tumbling? (body positions, clean before and after stunts.. )
Do they do a dance that moves fast enough for their level but not too fast that they can't handle it.. Are there level transitions in the dance and good overall movement not most doing the same thing.
When they do stunt are there at least 3 body positions being performed?
Are they using front spots or putting up more stunts as a result of not using front spots?
Does the music fit the routine? Is it good music? Sometimes too many sound effects/not enough sound effects can kill it too.
Is the overall routine entertaining?
Do the girls "sell" the routine?
Do they maintain energy throughout the whole routine?
This list can go on and on.... I have seen teams max out score sheets because they hit 10's on so many areas and then maybe have a few stunts go down and get some 8's in stunting but mathmatically when you add it up, they come out waaaay ahead because they did EVERYTHING ELSE right.

Hope this is helpful.. it took me years to put it all together so I was not looking at results and saying "what the heck!? The last year or two all my cheer friends come to me and ask me who's winning.. lol.. usually I'm not off by too much.

 

[kidzmom3]

Hi All

Just curious what everybody's policies are regarding practice attendance and rules at competitions.

DD just moved to a new place and the policies seem overly strict, but maybe it is just standard for all star cheer.

So, if you care to share, what are your rules?

they are not allowed to miss practice. If they are ill, they have to go to practice and watch from the sidelines. the only exceptions are active vomiting and contagious illness before 24 hrs of antibiotics.

competition rules, not too many. You must go and be in full uniform, (no unzipped skirts or tops off) you must support your teams other levels. good sportsmanship. just generally being a good kid and behaving well.

 

[jennz]

Hi All

Just curious what everybody's policies are regarding practice attendance and rules at competitions.

DD just moved to a new place and the policies seem overly strict, but maybe it is just standard for all star cheer.

So, if you care to share, what are your rules?

Our practice rules are pretty lax and parents tend to ignore them and do what they want to anyway, so then so do their kids. People are late (1/2 hour is standard) and we're luck if we get the whole squad there. Officially though it's if you miss 3 practices you're off the squad, including vacations.

Competitions, ours are the same as kidzmom3, plus you have to stay with your squad.

HTH!

Kidzmom3 -how does your gym enforce your practice policies?

 

[addicted2dizney]

they are not allowed to miss practice. If they are ill, they have to go to practice and watch from the sidelines. the only exceptions are active vomiting and contagious illness before 24 hrs of antibiotics.

competition rules, not too many. You must go and be in full uniform, (no unzipped skirts or tops off) you must support your teams other levels. good sportsmanship. just generally being a good kid and behaving well.

our other gym rule and a few others near by us that I have friends at.

"no walking around in uniform and wearing uggs boots"

Uggs + uniform = skanky! must wear sneakers or slip on flip flops etc.. while walking around competition but really sneakers should be worn.

 

[goofy!]

.

 

[fitmama]

Hey all! I'm Reb, mom to 2 boys and 1 girl, who will be going to the UCA All Star Nationals in mid-March.

Is there anyone out there that's done this before? We were just there in September and didn't use 2 days of our park tickets. Are they still valid? my parents are thinking of going, but they're not booking through UCA. if they have water park fun and more option on their passes, will that get them into the competition at WW of S or do they have to pay separately to get in? There is no where on our UCA forms to buy extra comp tickets.

Anyways, obviously this is our first time, my dd5 is on a mini level 1 team.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Welcome Reb (fitmam)............I don't know if you could use your water park passes to get into WW o S complex for a cheering competition. The past few years, at Worlds, I had to pay $25 to get into the competition regardless of having park passes.

ON the topic of attendance.............UGH!! My DD is on a senior coed 5 team. We had our first National comp last weekend in Indy and they placed 2nd and received an AT Large bid to Worlds 2009. However, the team only had TWO full team practices before that comp. Last nigh only 15 showed and this is a team of 36!!! Although that is rare to have soooooooooo many missing (we had some snow and still some are without power) but we had teammates that drove 3 hours, 2 hours and us, 45 minutes and made it to practice.

Yes, it is a problem and the coaches are quite upset about it. Unfortunatley, not much is changing. HOpefully AFTER Christmas, the kids will be a little more committed to practices. The team has the talent and their placement in Indy showed, but their mistakes were stupid ones!! Easily fixable. Cleaniliness, bobbles...........they want to increase the difficulty in stunting but without full team practices they can't..........

Here is a link to their Day 1 at WSF Indy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNNZvk0JFgA

They were cleaner on Day 2 and moved them from 4th to 2nd and earned them the 4th highest score of the competition and the at large bid.

DD is in front row, far left flyer. Then second to left for basket tosses, then far left in pyramid!! (still sporting that ankle brace!!!!)

Good luck everyone............

 

[cheercheercheer]

Our practice rules are pretty lax and parents tend to ignore them and do what they want to anyway, so then so do their kids. People are late (1/2 hour is standard) and we're luck if we get the whole squad there. Officially though it's if you miss 3 practices you're off the squad, including vacations.

Competitions, ours are the same as kidzmom3, plus you have to stay with your squad.

HTH!

Kidzmom3 -how does your gym enforce your practice policies?

Thanks everybody.

We had pretty lax rules at our old place too. It seemed like we were going from one extreme to the other, but now I see that maybe our new place is pretty much standard with their sick/attendance policies.

 

[goofy!]

Hey all! I'm Reb, mom to 2 boys and 1 girl, who will be going to the UCA All Star Nationals in mid-March.

Is there anyone out there that's done this before? We were just there in September and didn't use 2 days of our park tickets. Are they still valid? my parents are thinking of going, but they're not booking through UCA. if they have water park fun and more option on their passes, will that get them into the competition at WW of S or do they have to pay separately to get in? There is no where on our UCA forms to buy extra comp tickets.

Anyways, obviously this is our first time, my dd5 is on a mini level 1 team.

Welcome!

When we were at UCA in March, we had to purchase the tickets to the Milk House separately. Our gym went through competition travel who offered us park hoppers with the WWOS entrance. However, if you did not buy those particular park hoppers, you had to buy the WWOS tickets separately.

DH was staying at Universal with the other kids and our niece. We didn't buy them the competition park hoppers, so had to pick up the tickets for WWOS for them separately.

 

[goofy!]

Welcome Reb (fitmam)............I don't know if you could use your water park passes to get into WW o S complex for a cheering competition. The past few years, at Worlds, I had to pay $25 to get into the competition regardless of having park passes.

ON the topic of attendance.............UGH!! My DD is on a senior coed 5 team. We had our first National comp last weekend in Indy and they placed 2nd and received an AT Large bid to Worlds 2009. However, the team only had TWO full team practices before that comp. Last nigh only 15 showed and this is a team of 36!!! Although that is rare to have soooooooooo many missing (we had some snow and still some are without power) but we had teammates that drove 3 hours, 2 hours and us, 45 minutes and made it to practice.

Yes, it is a problem and the coaches are quite upset about it. Unfortunatley, not much is changing. HOpefully AFTER Christmas, the kids will be a little more committed to practices. The team has the talent and their placement in Indy showed, but their mistakes were stupid ones!! Easily fixable. Cleaniliness, bobbles...........they want to increase the difficulty in stunting but without full team practices they can't..........

Here is a link to their Day 1 at WSF Indy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNNZvk0JFgA

They were cleaner on Day 2 and moved them from 4th to 2nd and earned them the 4th highest score of the competition and the at large bid.

DD is in front row, far left flyer. Then second to left for basket tosses, then far left in pyramid!! (still sporting that ankle brace!!!!)

Good luck everyone............

Congrats on the bid!

Your daughter looked great! Glad her ankle is holding up!

 

[cheermom1]

wow I just found this thread cool - i do have wonderful news that my dd squad got an invitation to nationals this year - I don't know how they are are going to get there but i'm proud of them

 

[rbuzzotta]

Congrats on the bid!

Your daughter looked great! Glad her ankle is holding up!

Thanks!!! It was a long road to recovery but I am happy to say it is about 95% healed!!! Still gives her a little bit of trouble and still sporting a little 'cankle" but all in all, lucky to have gotten back her skills and able to do what she loves again!!!

 

[rbuzzotta]

wow I just found this thread cool - i do have wonderful news that my dd squad got an invitation to nationals this year - I don't know how they are are going to get there but i'm proud of them

Congratulations!!! What Nationals will she be attending and who does she cheer for??

Also, welcome to this thread. It is great to root on other teams at compeittions!!!!

 

[cheermom1]

Congratulations!!! What Nationals will she be attending and who does she cheer for??

Also, welcome to this thread. It is great to root on other teams at compeittions!!!!

thanks she cheers for Lincoln high in Ar. and they are in Fl. in Feb. the girls are super excited!

 

[KSchwagg86]

I'm an all star cheer alum...this thread is great!!

 

[addicted2dizney]

I'm an all star cheer alum...this thread is great!!

Hi Welcome. I see you're from NJ.. Where did you cheer?

 

[fitmama]

Welcome Reb (fitmama)............I don't know if you could use your water park passes to get into WW o S complex for a cheering competition. The past few years, at Worlds, I had to pay $25 to get into the competition regardless of having park passes.

ok, that's what i figured...i'm guessing i do, but thought i'd ask...do i NEED water park tickets, though, to GET into WW o S, but an addtional $25 to get into the comp? or do i have to book my vacation through UCA in order to be able to attend the comp?



on the subject of attendance. i'm only familiar with our gym's mini's, but we are also told miss 3 practices and you're off the team. i don't know if this is enforced. they do want the girls there, even if they're sick. i know for one extra Saturday practice, a girl was vomiting and the mother called and they still wanted her there. she ended up leaving early.

 

[goofy!]

ok, that's what i figured...i'm guessing i do, but thought i'd ask...do i NEED water park tickets, though, to GET into WW o S, but an addtional $25 to get into the comp? or do i have to book my vacation through UCA in order to be able to attend the comp?



on the subject of attendance. i'm only familiar with our gym's mini's, but we are also told miss 3 practices and you're off the team. i don't know if this is enforced. they do want the girls there, even if they're sick. i know for one extra Saturday practice, a girl was vomiting and the mother called and they still wanted her there. she ended up leaving early.

You do not need the water park tickets in order to get WWOS tickets. In fact, they are separately sold. I tried to buy the WWOS tickets in Downtown Disney and they told me I needed to go over to WWOS to get the tickets.

If they run it the same in 2009 as they did in 2008, you will need regular park hoppers if your team is competing in Hollywood Studios. Half our gym competed in Hollywood studios - Indiana Jones theater and ??? (name is escaping me) and the others at the Milk House. DD's team was at Hollywood Studios on Saturday and at the Milk House on Sunday. Some teams did both days at Hollywood Studios, some both at the Milk House and some like DD's team, split between Hollywood Studios and the Milk House. The upper level and special needs teams were at the Milk House on Sunday for ESPN taping.