Do I Base On Level Two Or Fly On Level One?

[Hannah Grace]

So recently my coach asked me if I wanted to move up to level two and base or stay on level one and fly. There might be a possibility for me to fly fully (group stunts,pyramid) but its very unlikely. If I do fly on level two it will more likely be for things like intro or coed stunting but I might end up basing completely. I love to fly that's why level one seemed like the better option as its likely I'll fly for everything. But level two does seem like a good option too, as I will be able to develop my level two skills and I'll be prepared for level 3 (as I have some level 3 skills and are very close to getting others.) I'm so torn what do I do?

 

[Hannah Grace]

BTW this will be my third year on level one.

 

[CheerBank]

Is there any possibility of crossing over so you can fly on the level 1 and base on the level 2? This way you would still get to do what you love while learning new skills as a base and competing using your higher level skills.

 

[hk91]

personally, i would go with level two. you might love to fly, but by moving up you will give yourself the chance to advance in other areas. who knows...if you excel in other areas of cheer, maybe you will love them more than flying.

 

[Teal_cheerdad]

Ask if you can do both. I think you'll find it might make you a better athlete.

 

[Mamarazzi]

All depends where your heart is. If you really don't want to fly, and you can't choose both, go for L2.
The level is irrelevant when your passion lives with whatever you do with the 2:30 you're given.

 

[tumbleyoda]

All depends where your heart is. If you really don't want to fly, and you can't choose both, go for L2.
The level is irrelevant when your passion lives with whatever you do with the 2:30 you're given.

Agree. I would rather have an athlete happy flying on a lower level team and being more of a team player, than grumbling, complaining and always saying she can do that (fly) better the other flyers that are currently flying on a higher level team.

 

[cheer25mom]

Agree. I would rather have an athlete happy flying on a lower level team and being more of a team player, than grumbling, complaining and always saying she can do that (fly) better the other flyers that are currently flying on a higher level team.

What do you do with "wannabe" flyers who aren't happy basing but don't have the size/skill necessary to fly? It seems to be something that a lot of cheerleaders and cheer moms here deal with, with really no good solution. This is the second season in a row CP has had to deal with this within her stunt group and at this point I am really at a loss as to what to tell her about how to motivate her teammate. There always seems to be that one kid on the team holding onto the dream of being a flyer who does the bare minimum or less basing. How do you motivate that kid to accept the role of base and do their job?

 

[retiredl5cheer]

What do you do with "wannabe" flyers who aren't happy basing but don't have the size/skill necessary to fly? It seems to be something that a lot of cheerleaders and cheer moms here deal with, with really no good solution. This is the second season in a row CP has had to deal with this within her stunt group and at this point I am really at a loss as to what to tell her about how to motivate her teammate. There always seems to be that one kid on the team holding onto the dream of being a flyer who does the bare minimum or less basing. How do you motivate that kid to accept the role of base and do their job?

Cheer may not be the sport for them. As a coach, I've had a few of these. I usually hype up how important their basing role is. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Flying is viewed as the ultimate dream for most cheerleaders, so it's hard to encourage some bases.

 

[tumbleyoda]

What do you do with "wannabe" flyers who aren't happy basing but don't have the size/skill necessary to fly? It seems to be something that a lot of cheerleaders and cheer moms here deal with, with really no good solution. This is the second season in a row CP has had to deal with this within her stunt group and at this point I am really at a loss as to what to tell her about how to motivate her teammate. There always seems to be that one kid on the team holding onto the dream of being a flyer who does the bare minimum or less basing. How do you motivate that kid to accept the role of base and do their job?

@retiredl5cheer is right. There is no other sport that allows so much "if I can't play this position then I will sabotage the rest of the team" garbage as cheer does. Better to cut a bad apple than let then infect everybody. But only cut them if you have done due diligence educating them about your decision - that it was not a personality decision but a program one. Teach and educate them the value of all positions and encourage both parent and athlete to give it a honest chance for success. Avoid at all costs the that it is my decision and you must deal with it grandstanding.

Unfortunately the industry has promoted/highlighted the flying role more than the basing/backspot roles. Favorite pics of stunt sections 95% of the time focus on the flyer and what they are doing and not the bases/backspots and what they are doing. Most promotional work focuses on the flyer (although this has gotten better the past couple of years) Many gyms tend to put up more pictures that show the "fun" of flying rather than the fun of basing/backspotting or more importantly being on a team. So in some ways I feel like we have unintentionally contributed to a mindset that we are not trying to readjust.

Crossing over is one way which has been mentioned to help deal with the situation. However we do not crossover in our gym except in extremely rare cases, injury, sickness the day of competition, etc. Only one crossover in the whole cheer program. We spend a lot of time educating both parent and athlete about all positions. Especially the fact that there are more basing opportunities on every team than flying. On every team we have flyers on the ground basing. They are taught that it is better to be on a team with girls/boys you genuinely like and work together well with, no matter your position on that team. That to be interchangeable is better than being a specialist. Stunt coaches do spend time with those girls no longer flying to still work on skills just in case they are needed to go into the air again, or to keep their flying skills up for college tryouts.

ETA: Fix spelling and grammar.