All-Star Trying Out At Two Gyms

So weird, I was just thinking about this today! Is it bad that I'm trying out at two gyms and seeing what level I make? (I'm not a SOLID level. I have skills in random stuff and weaknesses in other stuff).

Whether or not you tryout at a new gym and your own, or at two completely new ones, you really should get a feel for the programs you are interested by attending classes, observing practices, etc. as stated above. Tryouts alone are not going to give you a true feel for the program.

Try out at both. However I would let both know up front because news does travel fast, whether you want it to or not. Just because the coaches don't say anything to you about it, does not mean that they are not aware of you trying out someplace else. Friends, friends of friends, and coaches talk a little more than we like to think they do. Better to hear it straight from you than from someone else. That is both maturity and integrity.

Make your final decision in time enough to let the gym that you did not choose know gracefully. Yes I realize that it is your money and you can pay for services wherever you like but gyms close, merge, realign, every few months it seems. The gym you turn down today may be the gym that buys out the gym you choose tomorrow. Better not to needlessly burn a bridge if you do not have to.

I am speaking strictly as a coach not as a consumer, parent, or client.... Nothing irritates me more when someone "gym shops" to find the highest level team they get on to. Yes, I get that Suzie's dream is to be on a level 5 team but if she gets on to one with out the tumbling and skills needed, don't plan on making that trip to worlds. Why not be happy at kicking some serious butt at some bigs comps on a lower level team where your athlete can really shine and maybe getting that bid to the Summit?

The only time that I think it is okay to gym shop based on team levels is if your current gym doesn't offer the level you need and I can kind of understand why a borderline level 4/5 athlete would jump around trying to get on to a level 5 team but I don't necessarily agree with it.

DaniV said:

I am speaking strictly as a coach not as a consumer, parent, or client.... Nothing irritates me more when someone "gym shops" to find the highest level team they get on to. Yes, I get that Suzie's dream is to be on a level 5 team but if she gets on to one with out the tumbling and skills needed, don't plan on making that trip to worlds. Why not be happy at kicking some serious butt at some bigs comps on a lower level team where your athlete can really shine and maybe getting that bid to the Summit?

The only time that I think it is okay to gym shop based on team levels is if your current gym doesn't offer the level you need and I can kind of understand why a borderline level 4/5 athlete would jump around trying to get on to a level 5 team but I don't necessarily agree with it.

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agreed, but sometimes I feel that you can grow out of your gym, even if your a level four athlete and your on an amazing, winning junior 4 team, sometime you just grow out of a gym. so maybe they want to see if she is better suited at another gym with different coaches. even I can relate that sometimes after 7 years at a program it seems coaches begin to look at the newer kids as opposed to the older ones


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DaniV said:

I am speaking strictly as a coach not as a consumer, parent, or client.... Nothing irritates me more when someone "gym shops" to find the highest level team they get on to. Yes, I get that Suzie's dream is to be on a level 5 team but if she gets on to one with out the tumbling and skills needed, don't plan on making that trip to worlds. Why not be happy at kicking some serious butt at some bigs comps on a lower level team where your athlete can really shine and maybe getting that bid to the Summit?

The only time that I think it is okay to gym shop based on team levels is if your current gym doesn't offer the level you need and I can kind of understand why a borderline level 4/5 athlete would jump around trying to get on to a level 5 team but I don't necessarily agree with it.

Click to expand...

agreed, but sometimes I feel that you can grow out of your gym, even if your a level four athlete and your on an amazing, winning junior 4 team, sometime you just grow out of a gym. so maybe they want to see if she is better suited at another gym with different coaches. even I can relate that sometimes after 7 years at a program it seems coaches begin to look at the newer kids as opposed to the older ones.


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I guess my take is a little different. Try outs really are placements. For smaller gyms, it's important that those looking to be placed on a team have true interest in being at that gym. If your CP is the only one there trying out for other gyms, that's one thing. But when a dozen or so kids are at try outs for a gym that they aren't committed to, then it can really change team levels at a small gym. If you are unsure what you want to do for next year, I would wait until after placements, see what teams the gyms have to offer, and go from there.

If you feel another gym would be a better suit for your CP, then check it out. But, IMO, simultaneously trying out at 2 gyms tells me you are looking to see where you can be on the highest level.

platinumcheerashley said:

agreed, but sometimes I feel that you can grow out of your gym, even if your a level four athlete and your on an amazing, winning junior 4 team, sometime you just grow out of a gym. so maybe they want to see if she is better suited at another gym with different coaches. even I can relate that sometimes after 7 years at a program it seems coaches begin to look at the newer kids as opposed to the older ones.

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And that, I totally understant. I've had athletes that were getting very close to burned out on the sport switch gyms and now they are thriving. I did it myself when I was in gymnastics.

I meant more specifically the kid who is a true level 2 or 3 athlete that gym shops to see who will place her on a level 4 or 5 team.

I am a coach and a parent of 2 all star cheerleaders...I don't see a problem with this at all from either side and I will address some of the concerns others have mentioned in this thread from my perspective and experience.

We have kids come to tryouts all the time that decide not to join the team after finding out what team/level they were placed on. Yes it sucks because we try really hard to make sure each team is chosen to give it the best chance possible for success. BUT, tryouts are tryouts and it is what it is. If they will be happier somewhere else then I didn't want them on my team in the first place. We always make it work out one way or another.

We have had kids leave our gym for another gym only to return a year or two later and NEVER have the kids at our gym made those kids feel unwelcomed when they returned (most often to the same team/group of kids they were cheering with before as well).

As a parent, if I am not happy with my child's current gym, I believe I OWE it to my child to find a gym they would be happy in. Yes, I would agree most of the time people change gyms because they are seeking to be on a higher level. But sometimes, its because they just don't feel pushed or motivated where they're at anymore. Or maybe they don't click with the coaching staff. Or maybe they've decided that Gym B is more competitive and will give them a better shot at winning. None of those reasons are bad ones to gym shop. I understand the whole "family" thing but "family" won't get you to worlds or an NCA championship if that is your child's ultimate goal.

In the end, every athlete needs to be where they feel the most motivation and the most happy and in the end each gym deserves to have athletes training there that WANT to be there. Bad attitudes are contagious and I for one don't want them around me or my kids.

Tryout at 1 gym, 2 or 10...there's nothing wrong with it and you shouldn't feel ashamed or unloyal for it.

DaniV said:

I am speaking strictly as a coach not as a consumer, parent, or client.... Nothing irritates me more when someone "gym shops" to find the highest level team they get on to. Yes, I get that Suzie's dream is to be on a level 5 team but if she gets on to one with out the tumbling and skills needed, don't plan on making that trip to worlds. Why not be happy at kicking some serious butt at some bigs comps on a lower level team where your athlete can really shine and maybe getting that bid to the Summit?

The only time that I think it is okay to gym shop based on team levels is if your current gym doesn't offer the level you need and I can kind of understand why a borderline level 4/5 athlete would jump around trying to get on to a level 5 team but I don't necessarily agree with it.

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What if you are not happy with the current gym for various reasons? Though most commonly heard of, not all gym hopping is for levels. We jumped ship this year and it had nothing to do with team level but rather atmosphere and what our CP was looking for in a program.

IMHO... I'm sure this isnt popular opinion but... once a season is over, your commitment to that gym is over. You can do whatever you want. You are a consumer and if you want to bring your athlete to another gym to see if its a better fit, or even because you like their socks better, you have that right. I know there is the whole "family" aspect to cheer, which is great, but realistically you are looking for what is in the best interest of your child. We switched gyms even though my athlete loved her old gym, she found new love with her new gym and the kids were/are more than fabulous at both. The kids AND the coaches at the old gym still have a great relationship with her. Maybe thats not the norm and her old gym is a gem among stones, but her relationships with the people trump her current gym status. I also feel that if you are just "shopping for a higher level", that is fine too. If your kids ultimate goal is to be level 5 or go to worlds or whatever, why wouldn't a kid want to take the stepping stones to get there? Talent breeds talent and if your kid wants to be pushed, then stepping up to a higher level team might be what it takes.

Let me add that it has to be done in the right way though... being up front about what your athlete is looking for, what their goals are, and that they are trying out other places will take the shadiness out of it. We were absolutely up front with all 3 gyms she tried out at. As far as full commitment BEFORE tryouts?? That is just insanity. I would run as far away from that gym as possible!!!

I think it's fine to take a class at another gym or shop around to see what program may be the best fit. I've wondered if there should be an additional window after you make a team to decide if it's really the place you want to be. Sometimes that one class or that one tryout session isn't enough to make an informed decision. A month's worth of practices might.

It would be neat - although highly impractical - for that window to be the same for all programs so that gyms weren't disproportionally impacted by kids leaving.

As a parent I think it's fine to tryout at multiple locations but before you do that make sure sure you understand and are honest about why. I don't think tryouts or a few tumbling classes gives you a full assessment of the gym or its coaches, especially if coaches all run their teams differently. If your sole reason is to see if your CP will get on a higher level maybe nothing else matters.

I totally respect that once your season is done your commitment is done, and if the gym you're at can't facilitate your/your kids needs. Its harder to understand when the kid is progressing a steady rate in your program and you have teams that are super successful at higher levels they can move up to and they decide to leave. But thats still their decision, maybe they like a change of scenery, the fact there's a taco bell next to the other gym, find someone attractive at that gym, whatever. What I absolutely cannot stand is when an athlete in the second situation leaves and bad mouths their old gym for no reason or the reason they start is because they think their new gym is so much better, when they have been there 5 minutes. Thats just something I can't quiet understand yet.

Also, I think its completely fine if you try out two or even more gyms if you're not happy or your old gym doesn't have a spot for you and your skills. I just think if you are you should let your old gym owners/coaches know before they here it from someone else, see it on twitter, fb, or instagram lol. More times then not if you let them know prior to the fact that you're going somewhere else and you aren't trying to recruit half your old team, people have an easier time respecting your decisions and maintaining relationships despite being apart of different gyms.

Honestly it isn't shopping for levels. I pretty much know what she is and is nowhere near a level 5 . Maybe taking tumbling classes or observing is a better way to feel out the new gym. The only thing is that once our season is over both gyms go right into tryouts so there isn't much time before hand and I would not take her there to tumble while we're still committed to our current gym. Lots to think about, thanks.