- Jan 11, 2016
- 408
- 789
I respectfully disagree. My child is youth age (she's aging out this year) and has been on youth teams for the last 3 seasons. There are definitely 6-8 year olds that can hang with high level youth teams and I can assure you the kids get along fine. Also realistically the younger kids are typically the flyers - in most cases an 11 yo lifting a 7yo works better than a 10yo (of course that there are always exceptions-this has just been my experience).
I'm concerned about their progression. I have seen the most crazy side heel stretches, bent knees, and uneven stretches on Worlds teams this season. Nevermind the tumbling. At what point does the 6 year old take the time to fly on a less stressful team, and learn decent flying techniques? Level 5 flyers should be able to stand with the backspot holding the ankle in a heel stretch. This year, I'm seeing 12 year olds who are struggling, needing to be held by knees and thighs. When you compare their technique to a Gabbie D. or Maddie G. caliber flyer, you can see that there is something to be said for flyer maturity.
My other question is, do we really need level 5 flyers to be tinier-er? Why not teach bases proper technique using bigger girls? Why not teach the bigger youth 5 flyers to pull up, and be tight & light, b/c the girls who are basing them don't outweigh them by 40lbs?
Again, when do these kids get to dream about it? When do they get to watch the "big kids" be amazing, work really hard on their technique, dreaming of being like them someday? When do the big kids get to mentor the little kid on a lower level team, and watch them develop? Cheer has become an express train. From potty training, to youth, to Worlds. With no time to savor the journey in between. What life lessons are they teaching these kids, now? Idk, sometimes, just like in real life, the WAIT is worth it.
No hate. Soapbox gone. :banghead:
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