All-Star Not Flying Anymore?

[Katelyn Flyer]

I am usually a flyer but this year I'm a base and it is really disappointing because I love flying and I know that I won't ever get to fly again. I am really flexible and have good body positions but I don't know if I should just give up on stretching for body positions since I am a base now.

What do you think I should do? Should I keep stretching and try to be a flyer again?

 

[newbiemom]

How does your gym pick flyers? I guess I'm wondering what makes you say you won't ever get to be a flyer again.
I would keep stretching because the flexibility will help with more than just flying. I know my daughter will be disappointed when she can't fly, but I think it's a normal part of most flyers cheer careers- to end up basing at some point and I think that having been a flyer before can help make you an awesome base. Just concentrate on being part of the team, in the best way that your coaches see fit, and not focus on the disappointment of not flying.

 

[Boughetto]

I am usually a flyer but this year I'm a base and it is really disappointing because I love flying and I know that I won't ever get to fly again. I am really flexible and have good body positions but I don't know if I should just give up on stretching for body positions since I am a base now.

What do you think I should do? Should I keep stretching and try to be a flyer again?

You definitely shouldn't give up on stretching for body positions. With cheer at anytime a flyer could be injured or leave a team and you could always be tapped to fill that void. On a more positive note, think of it as making yourself a more well rounded athletic by being able to say you have experience as a flyer and a base.

 

[Momager]

Keep stretching- you may end up on a coed college team and get back in the air.

 

[dawgshow]

Plus, flexibility is helpful for jumps and, often, the dance.

 

[WinstonsGirl]

Keep stretching. It's July, so stunt groups aren't set yet for the year. Also, you never know what your coaches will need next season either. Just cos you're not flying this year/right now doesn't mean you won't again

 

[FaithOverFear!]

I know a lot of girls who based during allstar and flew in college. I also went from flying, basing, to flying. You never know what could happen, I would keep stretching.

 

[FierceIsTheName]

There is a girl on my team who is extremely flexible and was a flyer last year, but transitioned to basing half-way through last year and this year. I have never heard her complain, and she's actually very good at basing. In one of our transition stunts she gets to fly. Just because you don't fly the main stunts doesn't mean you won't fly at all!

 

[SL&AM]

Don't stop stretching!!!

 

[311cheermom]

My daughter was a flyer on one of her teams for the past two years. She has grown so much in that time, and she is backspotting this year on both of her teams. (She had always backspotted on her younger team.) Due to her height, almost 5'6" at 13 years old, it is likely that she will backspot the rest of her cheer career. She knew this would one day be the case so it did not come as a surprise and she is happy with the change. When she was flying she felt like she was always fighting to keep her spot, to prove they needed to keep her in the air, so not having to do that is a big weight lifted. With that being said, if you have the flexibility and skills, and your gym has flyers your size on other teams, I would definitely keep your flying skills up this season. On a different team you very well could be flying someday again.

 

[Keep_Believing]

@311cheermom Strong backspots are critical, important, and needed. I see post by very popular big cheer gyms "seeking backspot with level 5 tumbling for world's team" on a regular basis. My oldest CP (turns 14 in Aug.) is a base and wants to back spot, but she will be lucky to hit 5'1.

 

[311cheermom]

@311cheermom Strong backspots are critical, important, and needed. I see post by very popular big cheer gyms "seeking backspot with level 5 tumbling for world's team" on a regular basis. My oldest CP (turns 14 in Aug.) is a base and wants to back spot, but she will be lucky to hit 5'1.

Thanks for the encouragement, I will pass it on to cp! She is making sound progress on her tumbling skills now that her growth has finally slowed down (7 inches in two years!) and hopes to have her full by the end of this season.

 

[coach12]

We always tell our kids - you're not a base, flyer, back - you're a cheerleader and a member of a team! And each member of the team needs to do what is needed to help them be successful.
This year we happened to have a team with an over abundance of former flyers. We had to put people in different roles than they were used to. Our point flyer from last year is basing now & loves it! She told us she wants to do whatever to help the team & she also realizes it makes her more well rounded when she learns different positions.

 

[emo_wifey]

We always tell our kids - you're not a base, flyer, back - you're a cheerleader and a member of a team! And each member of the team needs to do what is needed to help them be successful.
This year we happened to have a team with an over abundance of former flyers. We had to put people in different roles than they were used to. Our point flyer from last year is basing now & loves it! She told us she wants to do whatever to help the team & she also realizes it makes her more well rounded when she learns different positions.

That is a great way to put it! Our gym has an over abundance of flyers in every level, and of course CP wants to be one as well. I always tell her, no matter what your spot is, it's important. If you're not the flyer, it's your job to protect your flyer!

 

[TealArmySparkle]

It's not exactly the same as I've never flown but I've based my whole cheerleading career and during try outs and team trials for senior 3 I was moved to back spotting. I was honestly shocked as I'm only 5'3 and I never expected to back spot but we've got an abundance of junior girls transitioning to senior this year so my coach figured I was one of the strongest girls they had from the returners and due to all the bases being a tad smaller than I am, I had to move. Although I'm doing something I've never done before it is still nice to know that I'm helping out my team. We managed to get another stunt group sorted by moving me to backing, therefore meaning we will get more points for having more stunts in the air. This year is my senior season and I'll be moving on to university cheerleading next year so who knows if I'll be backing, basing or possibly flying next season. All I can say is be thankful that you have made a team because there is probably another girl out there wishing they could have your spot and I definitely know that you can be doing one thing part the way through the season and then be pulled up into another position the next training session, so don't count out flying in the future and make sure to keep your skills up!