All-Star How Many Athletes Do You Need To Cheet On A "small" Squad?

[Mo' Bettah]

My daughter was cheering for a team that was supposed to compete this weekend. One of the girls was injured and couldn't travel with us. Because we only had 11 girls, our coach told us that we could not compete at "Junior Level One". Is this true?

 

[ACEDAD]

My daughter was cheering for a team that was supposed to compete this weekend. One of the girls was injured and couldn't travel with us. Because we only had 11 girls, our coach told us that we could not compete at "Junior Level One". Is this true?

The minimum is 5.

Here's a link to the grid.

http://usasfrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USASF-Age-Grid-13-14-Rev-10-15-13.pdf

 

[FierceIsTheName]

The minimum is 5.

Here's a link to the grid.

http://usasfrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USASF-Age-Grid-13-14-Rev-10-15-13.pdf

Question. Could a team of 5 still win against a team of like 20?
How would the team of 5 build a pyramid? Is it even possible for them to max out in that category? Or would a team of 5 have an advantage over a team of 20?
(not directed at you, just asking in general!!)

 

[GreenStormLucy]

Question. Could a team of 5 still win against a team of like 20?
How would the team of 5 build a pyramid? Is it even possible for them to max out in that category? Or would a team of 5 have an advantage over a team of 20?
(not directed at you, just asking in general!!)

I don't know the US rules, but we had one girl out for regionals in level 1, so i only had 11 and couldn't max out in pyramids because you have to do an braced (on two sides) extension to max out. Shouldersits can't reach with both hands, so we didn't do the extension in pyramid - did not max out.
I highly doubt you can get into high difficulty pyramid score with 5 kids, no matter how fierce they are.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

 

[Klynn641]

Question. Could a team of 5 still win against a team of like 20?
How would the team of 5 build a pyramid? Is it even possible for them to max out in that category? Or would a team of 5 have an advantage over a team of 20?
(not directed at you, just asking in general!!)

We competed for years on a team that had between 6-11 members on the team, in both the Youth and Junior Divisions. Did we take home lots of titles ? Not first place ones. But, given the limitations due to our size we held our own and held our heads high. And we enjoyed ourselves immensely. We were kind of the So. Cal. Bad News Bears of cheer. We received a lot of second and third places and did decent at IALC.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

 

[SarahS]

I don't know the US rules, but we had one girl out for regionals in level 1, so i only had 11 and couldn't max out in pyramids because you have to do an braced (on two sides) extension to max out. Shouldersits can't reach with both hands, so we didn't do the extension in pyramid - did not max out.
I highly doubt you can get into high difficulty pyramid score with 5 kids, no matter how fierce they are.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

So your rules are different than USASF? Interesting - I didn't know that. In your situation, are bases allowed to have a spotter grip in a prep (one base would have one hand on the back of the ankle and one hand on the toe, so she would count as a spotter for one of the bracing preps)? That would be my suggestion in your scenario (if you run into it again).

USASF rules allow for several things so that you can sort of make things work with smaller teams: in level 1, extensions only have to be braced on one side AND you can actually have the bases on their knees and press to extension and it will count. So the bracer can stand on the ground if she is tall enough, or you can have one of the bases hold the spotter grip mentioned above, while on their knees, and have the remaining two kids in a shoulder sit. Level 2 pyramids can be done w 5 kids, too, with a bit of creativity, but level 3 and above is really tough without more kids.

The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

 

[CheerBank]

Ex-cp's first year of cheer was on a junior prep Level 2. Started season with 14, by comp time down to 11. Won every single competition except for the first one that season and finished in 2nd at Final Destination out of 22 teams. Was all about maxing out score sheet with what they had and impeccable execution. That being said, not sure what would have happened if we were suddenly missing a base or a flyer.

 

[stuntjumptumble]

I saw a team of 7 this weekend in small coed at one up. They placed decently and got a bid to worlds. It was kinda cool to watch a team with one stunt group


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

 

[XtremeWpg]

I watched a team of 10 compete as Senior 4.2 this past weekend. They got really creative with the bracing of their pyramid inversions. It was almost more fun to watch than a large team because you could see the creativity.

 

[catlady]

I wonder if the coach said "you weren't allowed to compete on Jr. 1" or said "you wouldn't be competitive on Jr. 1". Depending on the situation the coach may not have had a crossover to fill in and was perhaps trying to prevent a situation where the girls would have to mark their stunts and pyramid. It takes time to rework a routine with one less person, especially if the injured girl was a flyer, the ratios wouldn't work to hit the maximum on a scorecard with 11 if only 2 stunts go up.

 

[KikiD22]

CP's Youth 1 team had 10 girls for much of the season and did very well. They won numerous division championships (including Jamfest Super Nationals) and 3 grand championships with that roster.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

 

[DropAndRun]

I saw a team of 7 this weekend in small coed at one up. They placed decently and got a bid to worlds. It was kinda cool to watch a team with one stunt group


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

They are local to me.. I am happy for them! Unfortunately they lost a chunk of their team recently (no clue about circumstances) and did the best with what they had I guess! I'd love to see a video of them from this weekend!

And I was going to mention @KikiD22 s daughters team too but she beat me to it. Obviously they have been one of the most successful y1 teams in this part of the country this year with only 10 so it's possible!

 

[Navy Coach 09]

It's possible for sure. I coached teams with 10 and 6 kids this year and they either maxed out or could have (in the case of the littles-they couldn't quite get it) in difficulty. You have to get very creative...but I love that part.

 

[cheernerd5678]

I watched a team of 10 compete as Senior 4.2 this past weekend. They got really creative with the bracing of their pyramid inversions. It was almost more fun to watch than a large team because you could see the creativity.

I saw a tiny 4.2 team this weekend too, what comp were you at?


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

 

[acheer]

I saw a tiny 4.2 team this weekend too, what comp were you at?

The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

Assuming you mean a small senior 4.2? Imagine a tiny 4.2 team