Old Dogs, New Tricks

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Oct 27, 2013
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So far I have not seen a place to discuss 'older' athletes learning new cheer skills. I'm hoping I'm not alone in this world...

I'm 20 years old and have been cheering since I was 13. I cheer on an Open 4.2 team in Canada. I have level 4ish skills all around except for tumbling. When I first started cheer my parents did not have the extra funds to put me in tumbling classes or privates of any sort. Now, being an independent adult I decided to give it a go with a "it's never too late" attitude. Let me tell you though... the shame of doing handstand drills and learning how to front/back walkover is so real. I'm surrounded by little kids pulling tucks and here I am this adult learning how to be a level 1 athlete.
From when I first started cheering I had big dreams of being a high level athlete with high level tumbling and etc... I guess those dreams never died.
Thus, I am hoping that there are others in the same boat as me so we can share struggles, ideas, tips, and advice.
 
It's definitely possible, just harder. My skills were the strongest at 20/21ish, but they were also skills I'd had for 5 years before that. The nice thing about learning when you're older is that you understand how important drills and conditioning are. The hard thing is that sometimes with age comes fear.
 
I didn't start tumbling till my late 20's. You can do this. Pluses for you- you can better understand drills, body positions and can feel what your body is doing. Negatives- fear, you're bigger than the average 8 year old, need more conditioning

If you want this, you will work for it. It takes me a lot longer to get a new skill than the kids. I wouldn't suggest this for kids coming up the levels, but for adults, focus on what you need specifically for your team. I will never walkover, but I can handspring. Focus on the drills and conditioning to get you skills your team can use. And be prepared to work much longer and harder than the kids to get it. The year I finally got my bhs, I was in tumbling classes and open gyms 4 nights a week for about 6 months, plus working out to finally get the skill

You can do this!!! Good luck
 
I am also on the flexibility struggle bus... My body is so stiff, no matter how much I stretch my body feels like it's dying, and with no improvements. I've always been a base, so in my younger years I never thought I needed to stretch, thus some hella bad habits. Even trying to touch my toes is super not fun LOL
 
I am also on the flexibility struggle bus... My body is so stiff, no matter how much I stretch my body feels like it's dying, and with no improvements. I've always been a base, so in my younger years I never thought I needed to stretch, thus some hella bad habits. Even trying to touch my toes is super not fun LOL

If you can, try seeing a massage therapist who also specializes in fascial release. I did this and it helped *so* much with flexibility combined with daily stretching.
 
So far I have not seen a place to discuss 'older' athletes learning new cheer skills. I'm hoping I'm not alone in this world...

I'm 20 years old and have been cheering since I was 13. I cheer on an Open 4.2 team in Canada. I have level 4ish skills all around except for tumbling. When I first started cheer my parents did not have the extra funds to put me in tumbling classes or privates of any sort. Now, being an independent adult I decided to give it a go with a "it's never too late" attitude. Let me tell you though... the shame of doing handstand drills and learning how to front/back walkover is so real. I'm surrounded by little kids pulling tucks and here I am this adult learning how to be a level 1 athlete.
From when I first started cheering I had big dreams of being a high level athlete with high level tumbling and etc... I guess those dreams never died.
Thus, I am hoping that there are others in the same boat as me so we can share struggles, ideas, tips, and advice.
When I started at 20, I was learning cartwheels with 5 year olds. Keep an open mind! :p You'll likely progress rapidly if you don't let fear control you.
 
At 23, I learned how to front-handspring front-tuck last week.
I have never been a 'strong' tumbler per say. It's possible. But it is not easy.
Good Luck!
 
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