All-Star Usasf Major Changes

[idrive]

I agree 100%. When the thread on the rumor of 13 being the new age for world started I commented on liking the idea of the IOC/IO5 divisions moving to maybe 15 or 16 because I feel that eventually those divisions need to be for adults who can no longer cheer in the club divisions. People have complained that senior teams are putting 12 year olds in stunts and that it is unfair at times, but what about a 25 year old putting up a 14 year old in a stunt, isn't that the same problem? I just see absolutely no reason for a 14 year old to be on the same team as someone in their 20s just like others don't think a 12 year old has any business being on the same team as an 18 year old.

I will play devils advocate here. If you are a small gym with talented kids and the only way you have enough kids to field a Worlds team is to use the 12 year olds on Senior or 14 year olds on IOC then this hurts them greatly. Why is it a problem for these ages to be with one another?

 

[Cheer Observer]

I guess that's where I differ. As a parent, I would just assume put my money elsewhere than support this movement...is the future of this sport ensured if people quit because of this new rule?

I agree to a point but let's not get crazy and talk about quitting just yet. If it means that much to you or you kids then fighting the change is well worth the effort. Remember that USASF is not the only game in town and if things stay on this path I could certainly see a Boycott of USASF in the future and a potential split of affiliated organizations. If there is an uprising and a boycott was to take place it would certainly result in a loss of revenue for those involved/affiliated and whenever money is involved you tend to get people's attention.
Let's wait and see what USASF decides to do, it is early in the game yet and the masses have just begun to speak on this subject. If the movement against these changes grows (and you know it will) it will gain momentum and I see that USASF will have no choice but to re-think the rule changes.
Look at the number of posts in this thread in the short time this story has posted, the movement is on the rise.

 

[SmileyRyleigh]

I twisted my ankle doing a cartwheel once. Are they going to ban those too?

 

[libertycoach]

Should a program be penalized for allowing a girl to enter a venue in pajamas? Shouldn't it be the parent's responsibility to make sure their child doesn't look like they just rolled out of bed? Will instances of inclement weather be taken into account when caught wearing "trendy boots"? Will the sneaker makers be held accountable to create a more durable sneaker that can be worn outside and not fall apart? And as long as Big Brother is breathing down our necks, can I suggest a rule be added where cheerleaders are restricted from carrying their cellphones in the waist of their skirts/shorts? That drives me NUTS!

 

[ztaprincess]

I will play devils advocate here. If you are a small gym with talented kids and the only way you have enough kids to field a Worlds team is to use the 12 year olds on Senior or 14 year olds on IOC then this hurts them greatly. Why is it a problem for these ages to be with one another?

I have less of a problem with a 12 year old and an 18 year old (still not 100% comfortable with it), but the reason I have issues with it is because I see no reason why a 14 year old needs to be on a team with someone who is 24 or 25. Sure if you have a IOC5 team that is ages 14-19 then I can understand not seeing an issue, but many IOC/IO teams have athletes older then that on them. There are 2 instances in my head right now of adults having sexual relations with minors that blew up on the board and in local news. That does not shed good light on cheer at all. Now I know that those things can still happen within a gym at practices or competitions, but I think that removing the possibilty of having a 14 year old on a team with a 25 year old reduces that chance of happening at least within a team. I don't think this will fix the problem but I think it is a step in the right direction.

Also I think that there needs to be more of a push to get the teams from other countries into senior divisions so that their age divisions line up more with US.

 

[uptown_outlaw]

Okay the next person to compare the USASF to Hitler and the Nazi party is literally getting punched in the face. Give me your address, I will come and find you, and punch you in the face.
People are seriously overreacting about how bad this is.

I'm pretty sure you are breaking some USASF rule by threatening harm to another individual...

 

[DJ]

Eric D. Little
We all should just hang in there and see how the soup comes out after the pot has been stirred. But if it's too hot, don't blame me for doing a theatrical move and don't dare kick me out of the kitchen.

 

[WORKxB4xUxREIGN]

This whole situation is insane in the membrane! There was a set system in place that we all felt was a bit cracked at the foundation, but not capable of flipping upside down. That was until it was completely flipped upside down. I felt as though we, the current individuals involved in cheer, were walking down a long road and were kicked in the back from behind!! No warning, no nothing. Last night Kristen from Top Gun made a good point when she said to never forget that we all have a voice, not matter how big or small, we have a voice. As long as you have kids and families in your gym who support what you have done and are continuing to do, you have a voice!!! The tides are changing and along with the crack down on the cheeropoly with the event producers and Varsity, it would be nice to see gym owners begin to also see global domination hasn't helped the case any!!!

 

[idrive]

I have less of a problem with a 12 year old and an 18 year old (still not 100% comfortable with it), but the reason I have issues with it is because I see no reason why a 14 year old needs to be on a team with someone who is 24 or 25. Sure if you have a IOC5 team that is ages 14-19 then I can understand not seeing an issue, but many IOC/IO teams have athletes older then that on them. There are 2 instances in my head right now of adults having sexual relations with minors that blew up on the board and in local news. That does not shed good light on cheer at all. Now I know that those things can still happen within a gym at practices or competitions, but I think that removing the possibilty of having a 14 year old on a team with a 25 year old reduces that chance of happening at least within a team. I don't think this will fix the problem but I think it is a step in the right direction.

Also I think that there needs to be more of a push to get the teams from other countries into senior divisions so that their age divisions line up more with US.

Unfortunately the instances of which you speak are going to happen. As a parent I feel I have my child at a gym that understands this happens and does not put our kids in those situations. If on any team there is a real possibility of things happening then that team (gym) needs to make some changes. I understand the intent of the change but the reality for me is they are all attending the same gym and usually the same competitions. If the problem is at the competition then fine set the age and seperate the times these ages will interact. If it is a problem at the gym level address it there.

 

[XtremeWpg]

I have less of a problem with a 12 year old and an 18 year old (still not 100% comfortable with it), but the reason I have issues with it is because I see no reason why a 14 year old needs to be on a team with someone who is 24 or 25. Sure if you have a IOC5 team that is ages 14-19 then I can understand not seeing an issue, but many IOC/IO teams have athletes older then that on them. There are 2 instances in my head right now of adults having sexual relations with minors that blew up on the board and in local news. That does not shed good light on cheer at all. Now I know that those things can still happen within a gym at practices or competitions, but I think that removing the possibilty of having a 14 year old on a team with a 25 year old reduces that chance of happening at least within a team. I don't think this will fix the problem but I think it is a step in the right direction.

Also I think that there needs to be more of a push to get the teams from other countries into senior divisions so that their age divisions line up more with US.

Maybe I'm missing something, but how is this any fault of the age grid, the gym or the USASF? Wouldn't the responsibility of a relationship like this fall on a) the parents of the minor and b) the adult in question? By this logic, adults shouldn't coach minors because they're in contact. It's a bit far fetched to say that being on a team together caused the issue IMO

 

[chyeeaaa69]

Just wanted to add that gymnastics involves 4 events (vault, bars, beam and floor) and strong tumbling will not help you on beam and bars where balance and upper arm strength are used. And that darn Level 5 kip on bars is so darn tricky!!!

I also think that with having the 4 events in gymnastics makes them more conditioned in a more well-rounded way. They also train a lot more hours which helps with the conditioning and reduction of injuries (at least at the lower levels). In gymnastics you also have to score out to be eligible for the next level AND you have to have all the required skills on ALL 4 events.

Elements of tumbling are present in every event, whether it's obvious on bars or not, it is. I could go into detail but I won't.
Most cheerleaders I know practice a minimum of 6 hours a week, that's on one team, 2 practices a week, no privates, no nothing, just practice.
Most gymnasts practice 6-8 hours a week at most, until becoming competitive gymnasts, at which point it is more likely 9-12 hours a week before training to either enter elite, or you become an elite, when the training heightens to a LOT more than that, as we all know. Gymnasts are not conditioned to be better athletes because they spend more time in the gym, or because they have 4 events, they are conditioned to be better athletes because the coaches, athletes, parents, and those involved with running the sport understand the need for proper conditioning and training to be able to push your body to do unnatural things, cheerleaders (for the most part) do not understand that need.
Cheerleaders stunt, tumble, and jump. There is a different set of conditioning needed for proper jumping technique than there is for stunting technique, just as the technique from tumbling on a floor to tumbling on a beam is much different and must be conditioned differently.
A gymnast and a cheerleader should be conditioned almost identically. Until a gymnast is elite, they are rarely double flipping, or twisting more than once, and definitely not more than twice. Cheerleaders do not double flip, and do not twist more than twice, so why is it that a recreational gymnast I coach does at least 1.5 hours of conditioning a week, and spends more time on technique than they do throwing the skill while competitive cheerleaders tend to (not speaking for ALL competitive cheerleaders here) ignore technique, ignore the importance of diet, ignore the importance of conditioning (after all, doing 2 full outs a week is enough conditioning right?), and rarely take the time to progress back into tumbling after an injury?

ETA: it is easy to say gymnasts require more so they condition more, and focus more on technique and such, when in actuality cheerleaders and gymnasts are rather similar, and should be taking their conditioning, diet, stretching, etc. equally as importantly. This sport needs to model gymnastics in the way gymnastics coaches treat their athletes, athletes treat their bodies, and in the way the governing body is run.

 

[ztaprincess]

Maybe I'm missing something, but how is this any fault of the age grid, the gym or the USASF? Wouldn't the responsibility of a relationship like this fall on a) the parents of the minor and b) the adult in question? By this logic, adults shouldn't coach minors because they're in contact. It's a bit far fetched to say that being on a team together caused the issue IMO

I am not saying that it is the age grid's fault what I am saying is changing it will minimize some of the time these kids are spending with these adults. Trust me I understand that then issue lies deeper then that, but I am looking at the new rule change as a way to move towards keeping these situations from happening. Like I said it is not the answer, but I think the new rule is a good step. I do not think there is ever a need for a 14 year old to be on the same team as someone in their 20s.

 

[idrive]

but worst of all...RIP all of the girls under 17 on my IOC5 team...

Agreed. This rule may completely destroy our two level 5 teams and ultimately our gym.

 

[libertycoach]

Would this pass the uniform guidelines???

 

[CXAcoach&mom]

Okay.. I dont think I agree with anything!

Uniforms- I think if the parents approve for their kid to be on a team that wears crop tops, shorts etc...let them wear it!

Tumbling- Most kids that have fulls and are working on fulls are ready for it! Atleast in our gym! We dont even let a child do a ROBHS until they have done it perfect over and over at practice. If a child is ready for a full..let them do a full. Most of the coaches I know will not allow a child to go out there and "just throw something" until they have it! They could get hurt doing a cartwheel just as much as they can doing a standing full.

Ages- We are a small gym (50 kids) We have 8-9year olds that have EVERY skill to be on a level 3 team! I dont understand why they cant compete it! We dont allow them to be in any stunt that is unsafe.. most of the time the smallest girls get the weakest bases. BUt in a small gym if they cant do senior 3..we have no where for them to compete.. We dont have enough under 14year old that have tucks to make a junior 3. That isnt fair to the kids and its not fair to the parents that have paid lots of money to get their kids to where they are. This rule is really going to hurt small gyms. And we honestly do not put a younger kid on a higher level team unless the have the tumbling they need for it!