*** 2010-2011 *** Cheer Parent Thread

[Markiesgirl]

Another cheer mom checking in. My DD 14 cheers on a small jr 4. Our gym's first comp is this sunday but due to a flyer in a walking boot the jr 4 team is sitting this one out.

Anyone attending WSF Indy or Jamfest SuperNationals?

Good luck to everyone!

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Another cheer mom checking in. My DD 14 cheers on a small jr 4. Our gym's first comp is this sunday but due to a flyer in a walking boot the jr 4 team is sitting this one out.

Anyone attending WSF Indy or Jamfest SuperNationals?

Good luck to everyone!

We're doing the Indy Jamfest Supernationals!

 

[Family Fun Mom]

So, how was everyone's first competition weekend? I was needlessly worried. Our teams did FANTASTIC! All 4 teams brought him 1st Place trophies and 2 got High Score awards. We also won several specials like Best Choreography, Most Entertaining, and Rocking Music. Those girls (and boys, we have 2) just lit up the stage, it shocked everyone because the day before at the Showcase things were looking uncertain. It was so fun and a huge confidence boost for the teams.

I hope everyone else had a great first competition, too!

Now next week we are in for some real competition, so my fingers remain crossed!

ETA: I figured out the ponywig, too. That sucker didn't move all day!

 

[missypie]

First competition yesterday. D's team won their division, won "best jumps" and got a paid bid to All Levels. YAY!!!

Her team really needed the boost. Last year they were the "Bad News Bears" of the gym. They had too many injuries, so they combined with a younger team two weeks before nationals. All the other teams in the gym were winning and winning BIG and our girls were just praying (literally) that they didn't come in last.

It's nice that it's dark and noisy in the arenas, because I basically cry throughout the routine. I know they want to stick everything SO BADLY and that makes me all emotional.

 

[Tracyee]

As a side note, she came back to the gym last week and got her Full!!

Next competition will be another small one and then in December we start going to bigger competitions leading up to Cheersport Nationals and UCA Disney.

I hope everyone continues to have a successful season and stays injury free!!

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

OK so here's my update.

DD9 Dance team did AWESOME! So did her youth lvl 2 team shockingly. All the parents were holding their breath the whole routine but they ROCKED it! DD14 is on Sr. Lvl 4 and they did Awesome as well. They not only got 1st place but highest score with Paid Bid to Worlds and 50% off Nationals. DD14 filled in last minute on the Jr. lvl 3 team for a girl whom sprained her ankle and although she got all the stunts up half the pyramid didn't stay up (not her side) and she along with SEVERAL others messed up motions. Overall all out of 7 teams 5 of them came in 1st place. Our SHH needs some work but we'll get there. Next competition is local on the 21st.

Congrats Family Fun Mom & missypie on your teams wins too!

woodkins Good Luck to your teams!

 

[goofy!]

Congrats to all who had great weekends! It is so much fun to read about all the success our friends in this thread have!!!

We didn't compete, but we had a fun weekend overall. The kids got their new uniforms on Saturday, it was exciting to see the new design and it was a hit with everybody. Then on Sunday was the gym's showcase, so it was exciting to see all the hard work all the teams have been putting in.

We don't compete until Dec. 11-12, although our two level 5 teams are trekking to Tx this weekend for their first competition.

My kids are so thrilled that the competition season is finally under way! As are the parents.

 

[missypie]

The kids got their new uniforms on Saturday, it was exciting to see the new design and it was a hit with everybody.

I was worried about my D's skirt, since she's grown 3-4" since we got that uniform last year. But no need to worry....yes, it is VERY short, but not as short of some of the teams. Some of the teams look like they've got little bank-aids across them. One team's skirts were so short that you could see their bloomers when they were in a standing position.

 

[goofy!]

I was worried about my D's skirt, since she's grown 3-4" since we got that uniform last year. But no need to worry....yes, it is VERY short, but not as short of some of the teams. Some of the teams look like they've got little bank-aids across them. One team's skirts were so short that you could see their bloomers when they were in a standing position.

Or what about the new shorts trend? Most I have seen are cute, but some are so short the kids might just as well wear their spankies out on the floor

 

[Family Fun Mom]

We had Jamfest in Detroit today and our girls (and boys) rocked it! The Youth 1 team took first place and my dd's JR 2 team took second place plus got "Most Entertaining" while her SR 3 team also took first! We're off to a fantastic start! Can't wait for the rest of the season!

 

[kidzmom3]

There was a tragedy in the cheer world today. A mother driving her girls to a competition was killed when another car drove head on into them on the highway. They were from Midwest Cheer Elite. Please keep them in your thoughts (prayers if that is something you participate in) and travel safe this competition season.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

There was a tragedy in the cheer world today. A mother driving her girls to a competition was killed when another car drove head on into them on the highway. They were from Midwest Cheer Elite. Please keep them in your thoughts (prayers if that is something you participate in) and travel safe this competition season.

Oh, dear. That's just horrible. Are the girls okay? What a terrible, terrible tragedy. My prayers go out to everyone who is part of the Midwest Cheer Elite family.

 

[tngramma]

Granddaughter cheered All Star last year for first time. This year she is flip flopping for 2 teams.

I would like to ask all you Moms how your coaches speak to your girls during practice. Our girls seem to only hear criticism and yelling. They are 7-11 years on level 1 and 2.

Don't get me wrong we do not expect everything to be cheery all the time but DGD is coming out in tears after practice. For example at Friday's practice the coach asked who wanted to be on the front row for the dance portion. Of course most every girl raised her hand. The coach singled out 6 of the 12 girls and told them they would NEVER be on the front row. Then pointed to my DGD and said "you especially! "

Is this how most coaches act. She has 4 coaches and all will ask the girls if they are stupid if they mess up. They yell and tell the girls they will be kicked off the team if they do not get their act together.

We are so frustrated and are considering going to another gym next year. We have invested too much money this year to leave now and DGD loves to cheer.

 

[woodkins]

Granddaughter cheered All Star last year for first time. This year she is flip flopping for 2 teams.

I would like to ask all you Moms how your coaches speak to your girls during practice. Our girls seem to only hear criticism and yelling. They are 7-11 years on level 1 and 2.

Don't get me wrong we do not expect everything to be cheery all the time but DGD is coming out in tears after practice. For example at Friday's practice the coach asked who wanted to be on the front row for the dance portion. Of course most every girl raised her hand. The coach singled out 6 of the 12 girls and told them they would NEVER be on the front row. Then pointed to my DGD and said "you especially! "

Is this how most coaches act. She has 4 coaches and all will ask the girls if they are stupid if they mess up. They yell and tell the girls they will be kicked off the team if they do not get their act together.

We are so frustrated and are considering going to another gym next year. We have invested too much money this year to leave now and DGD loves to cheer.

We left our old gym specifically for that reason. There is one thing for coaches to yell there is an entirely different thing for them to be demeaning, and borderline abusive. Saying things like "stupid" and telling them who will NEVER be in the front is not appropriate. Our coaches will tell the girls what mistakes they have made after the routine, but it is more like...you are hitting on 8 instead of 1 or you need to point your toes, etc.

My daughter walked out of the gym and left the sport for over 6 mos. It took me that long just to get her to walk back into a gym. These coaches are doing alot of damage. I would honestly talk to the owners and demand my money for the rest of the year and go somewhere else. The impact on your child's self esteem is much more than you can imagine. I can abuse my daughter for free, I don't need to pay these coaches to do it for me

Seriously though, I personally would not allow my daughter to continue in an environement like that. I pulled my own from that gym and demanded the remainder of my money back. When they balked at the refund I told them that I would be sure to let all of the mothers that I knew the type of treatment and coaching that their gym does and I'm not too sure they want the type of publicity that I will be giving them.

 

[kidzmom3]

Granddaughter cheered All Star last year for first time. This year she is flip flopping for 2 teams.

I would like to ask all you Moms how your coaches speak to your girls during practice. Our girls seem to only hear criticism and yelling. They are 7-11 years on level 1 and 2.

Don't get me wrong we do not expect everything to be cheery all the time but DGD is coming out in tears after practice. For example at Friday's practice the coach asked who wanted to be on the front row for the dance portion. Of course most every girl raised her hand. The coach singled out 6 of the 12 girls and told them they would NEVER be on the front row. Then pointed to my DGD and said "you especially! "

Is this how most coaches act. She has 4 coaches and all will ask the girls if they are stupid if they mess up. They yell and tell the girls they will be kicked off the team if they do not get their act together.

We are so frustrated and are considering going to another gym next year. We have invested too much money this year to leave now and DGD loves to cheer.

first, I would be sure that her side of the story is accurate. Then, if it were, I would request a meeting with the coach and owner of the gym. If they could not resolve to stop emotionally and verbally abusing the girls, i would remove my child immediately. I would demand a refund of any comp fees and tuition that had not been used. I would then go to a reputable web site such as the Fierce Board and ask opinions on gyms in my area. I would visit the top 2 recommendations and place her in the best fit for her.

 

[tngramma]

We left our old gym specifically for that reason. There is one thing for coaches to yell there is an entirely different thing for them to be demeaning, and borderline abusive. Saying things like "stupid" and telling them who will NEVER be in the front is not appropriate. Our coaches will tell the girls what mistakes they have made after the routine, but it is more like...you are hitting on 8 instead of 1 or you need to point your toes, etc.

My daughter walked out of the gym and left the sport for over 6 mos. It took me that long just to get her to walk back into a gym. These coaches are doing alot of damage. I would honestly talk to the owners and demand my money for the rest of the year and go somewhere else. The impact on your child's self esteem is much more than you can imagine. I can abuse my daughter for free, I don't need to pay these coaches to do it for me

Seriously though, I personally would not allow my daughter to continue in an environement like that. I pulled my own from that gym and demanded the remainder of my money back. When they balked at the refund I told them that I would be sure to let all of the mothers that I knew the type of treatment and coaching that their gym does and I'm not too sure they want the type of publicity that I will be giving them.

This makes me feel better to know all gyms do not coach the same way. We are certainly going to a different gym next year. Just hate to punish the rest of 2 squads. There is at least 1 other girl leaving too.

first, I would be sure that her side of the story is accurate. Then, if it were, I would request a meeting with the coach and owner of the gym. If they could not resolve to stop emotionally and verbally abusing the girls, i would remove my child immediately. I would demand a refund of any comp fees and tuition that had not been used. I would then go to a reputable web site such as the Fierce Board and ask opinions on gyms in my area. I would visit the top 2 recommendations and place her in the best fit for her.

Thank you so much for your input. Sadly the owner is the main cheer coach. DDIL did confront the coache after Friday class and her response was, "Well I said that to 6 other girls too". Evidently if you say it enough that makes it alright.

We are now staying at practice to watch, which means 3 hours each of 3 nights.

I am certainly going to check Fierce Board. Thanks

 

[missypie]

I would like to ask all you Moms how your coaches speak to your girls during practice. Our girls seem to only hear criticism and yelling. They are 7-11 years on level 1 and 2.

Don't get me wrong we do not expect everything to be cheery all the time but DGD is coming out in tears after practice. For example at Friday's practice the coach asked who wanted to be on the front row for the dance portion. Of course most every girl raised her hand. The coach singled out 6 of the 12 girls and told them they would NEVER be on the front row. Then pointed to my DGD and said "you especially! "

Is this how most coaches act. She has 4 coaches and all will ask the girls if they are stupid if they mess up. They yell and tell the girls they will be kicked off the team if they do not get their act together.

We are so frustrated and are considering going to another gym next year. We have invested too much money this year to leave now and DGD loves to cheer.

My D was formerly a competitive gymnast, so she's had her fill of abusive coaches. She went to her current cheer gym specifically because it is known as a "nice gym." Yes, there are tears on occasion, but just out of frustration when a girl just can't hit a skill that day.

The gym a block away is known as a more abusive gym. I know high school seniors who now have a mental block and can't tumble anymore due to the coaches at that gym.

 

[woodkins]

We will be at the UCA regionals on Sunday. DD8 is competing youth level 2 but may be bumped to the level 3 team very shortly from the rumors going around the gym. I am really excited because their l2 team is struggling and for this competition there are no other teams in their division, so they won't be destroyed. At least it can be a confidence builder-it is the first competition for many of the girls on this team and I wouldn't want to see them get destroyed on their first try. Our level 3&4 are going for their bids to Nationals in Disney & both have 4 teams in their divisions, so I am crossing my fingers for both of them!

On a side note, on Sunday Gianna tried her punch front alone and over rotated and did a face plant on the mat-black eye & full on mat burn all over her shoulder and around her eye. But then she got back up and did this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=CjKPd0uj80c
She also started learning whips, which I think look sooo cool!

 

[goofy!]

Granddaughter cheered All Star last year for first time. This year she is flip flopping for 2 teams.

I would like to ask all you Moms how your coaches speak to your girls during practice. Our girls seem to only hear criticism and yelling. They are 7-11 years on level 1 and 2.

Don't get me wrong we do not expect everything to be cheery all the time but DGD is coming out in tears after practice. For example at Friday's practice the coach asked who wanted to be on the front row for the dance portion. Of course most every girl raised her hand. The coach singled out 6 of the 12 girls and told them they would NEVER be on the front row. Then pointed to my DGD and said "you especially! "

Is this how most coaches act. She has 4 coaches and all will ask the girls if they are stupid if they mess up. They yell and tell the girls they will be kicked off the team if they do not get their act together.

We are so frustrated and are considering going to another gym next year. We have invested too much money this year to leave now and DGD loves to cheer.

Our gym pushes "positivity" to the max. The coaches will correct and occasionally get frustrated and lose their temper when kids are goofing off(they are human after all), but they are never, ever demeaning to any of the athletes.

In fact, the owners make it very, VERY clear that nobody, not the owners, not the coaches, not the athletes nor the parents are ever, ever to bad mouth anybody, from fellow teammates to rival gyms. There are some pretty severe consequences for anybody, including parents, to behave poorly towards anybody else. Consequently, our owners would not tolerate their coaches ever berating one of their athletes.

We certainly would not be at a gym that was abusive to their athletes. There are plenty of successful gyms that don't need to resort to that kind of "coaching."

And now for the Congrats to our Small Small team on earning a World Bid and JC5 for their win at Spirit Celebration this past weekend!! First competition for them and it seems they are off to a great start this season.

My girls' teams don't compete for another few weeks. They can't wait to get underway.

 

[goofy!]

We will be at the UCA regionals on Sunday. DD8 is competing youth level 2 but may be bumped to the level 3 team very shortly from the rumors going around the gym. I am really excited because their l2 team is struggling and for this competition there are no other teams in their division, so they won't be destroyed. At least it can be a confidence builder-it is the first competition for many of the girls on this team and I wouldn't want to see them get destroyed on their first try. Our level 3&4 are going for their bids to Nationals in Disney & both have 4 teams in their divisions, so I am crossing my fingers for both of them!

On a side note, on Sunday Gianna tried her punch front alone and over rotated and did a face plant on the mat-black eye & full on mat burn all over her shoulder and around her eye. But then she got back up and did this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=CjKPd0uj80c
She also started learning whips, which I think look sooo cool!

Way to go Gianna!

Good luck this weekend at UCA!