All-Star Should Level 6 Exist?

armycheermom said:

I have a question. Could we get more qualified coaches for level 6, if world bids were given at college nationals?

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Are we assuming in general college coaches know what they are doing?

There isn't a lot of money in college cheerleading so most of the best ones are in Allstar or affiliated with Allstar.

kingston said:

Are we assuming in general college coaches know what they are doing?

There isn't a lot of money in college cheerleading so most of the best ones are in Allstar or affiliated with Allstar.

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Yes, I'm assuming that..I don't know much about college cheer, so correct me if I'm wrong.
If we give world bids out at college nationals, allstar kids and parents, will see those teams compete and their intereste will peak. If we make level 6 the dream level, instead of level 5,allstar gyms will be able to charge for level 6 training and college teams won't have to spend time training kids to do level 6 stunts/baskets. To me, it's a win-win for everybody.

armycheermom said:

Yes, I'm assuming that..I don't know much about college cheer, so correct me if I'm wrong.
If we give world bids out at college nationals, allstar kids and parents, will see those teams compete and their intereste will peak. If we make level 6 the dream level, instead of level 5,allstar gyms will be able to charge for level 6 training and college teams won't have to spend time training kids to do level 6 stunts/baskets. To me, it's a win-win for everybody.

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The bills are paid by parents (in probably 90+%). Where is the money going to come from to pay for all the level 6 training? From the college kids? don't think so.

Im not to sold on Level 6. Typically only the Top 5 thrill me.

Have you guys seen the 'Level 6' Teams that throw something together and compete local.... YIKES!

There is no current progression system to teach level 6. It is the pyramids and baskets that are the biggest concern. They are the most alien to what the rest of Allstar builds up to.

UltimateRudags said:

Im not to sold on Level 6. Typically only the Top 5 thrill me.

Have you guys seen the 'Level 6' Teams that throw something together and compete local.... YIKES!

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bahaha, we do that. But thankfully 90% of the people on the team have cheered at a fairly competitive college.

If you're going to keep level 6, I would like an Open 4 option. I wasn't sold on the idea originally, but I personally like it the best now. There is no level 6 progression, either here or in college. It's 'You're now in college, you can do these stunts!' Back tuck baskets, I don't mind.

kristenthegreat said:

If you're going to keep level 6, I would like an Open 4 option. I wasn't sold on the idea originally, but I personally like it the best now. There is no level 6 progression, either here or in college. It's 'You're now in college, you can do these stunts!' Back tuck baskets, I don't mind.

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Back tuck baskets are legally level 6 but in reality level 4.

If I had the option of Open 4 for my older athletes, I'd take it. But for now, Level 6 is where my older athletes go. We have no right to be in level 5 at a national or international competition. We'd get killed because it's such a highly competative level. Level 6 has such small competition in it, that we're all sort of rocking the level 4 skills anyway (in Canada at least, with a few exceptions). Until the USASF gives us the option to be Open 4, Open 6 is where we stay.

I know for myself, I have no business teaching a full basket toss, and I never would. I guess I'm one of the ones who knows their own limits and respects the limits of my athletes as well. It also depends on how competative you're looking to be. My IO6 isn't looking for a worlds bid, they're looking to stay in cheer a little longer after high school. We basically compete as level 4 with a few 2.5 pyramids tossed in. And I'm happy with it. But I'm 100% for Open 4!!

XtremeWpg said:

I guess I'm one of the ones who knows their own limits and respects the limits of my athletes as well.

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That right there makes you a FANTASTIC coach.

I dont think we should ditch level 6, I think we should alter the skill progressions so that athletes aging out of level 5 are better prepared for either College cheer or Level 6.

I think inversions into stunts should be allowed at level 5 if the start from ground level and end below elevator (You can rewind to crunch at level 4 with one hand, you should be able to do it with no hands at level 5).
Also, the basics of multi level pyramids should be introduced sooner. For example, 2-2-1's should be allowed at level 5 as long as the middle flyers are at elevator or below (basically thigh stands or shoulder sits) and the top girl is at elevator or below (or something along those lines). That way modified wolf walls and waterfalls would be legal.
Also, comps should put more of a focus on inversions into stunts. Inversions should be just as important to your score as twisting mounts and release skills.

Just a thought.

ACEDAD said:

The bills are paid by parents (in probably 90+%). Where is the money going to come from to pay for all the level 6 training? From the college kids? don't think so.

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If the natural progress is level 1-6, parents would still pay. Just like we pay for our 15 year old to master a double, you pay for her to master a level 6 basket. Before we send kids off to college, get them the level 6 training, while under the allstar gym.

YES.

Level 6 should stay. It wouldn't make any sense to get rid of it. I'm not in the mood to type my thesis paper on why it should stay.

Okay, I´m in an German Int. Open CoEd Level 6 Team... and I love this Division... i would never ever wanted to go another Division... i love doing flips in the baskets, i love doing rewinds to extended stunts... i love doing flips out of stunts...and i def. love the whole pyramids...

armycheermom said:

If the natural progress is level 1-6, parents would still pay. Just like we pay for our 15 year old to master a double, you pay for her to master a level 6 basket. Before we send kids off to college, get them the level 6 training, while under the allstar gym.

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But the main differences in level 6 (flipping baskets & 2.5 pyramids) generally take the strength that kids will get at 18+ rather than earlier.

Obviously it's not impossible for 14-18 year old kids to do the skills but is that ability widespread enough to have it be a legitmate level for the high school all stars?

And is it worth the risks to find out?