Hairstyles For Competitions

Yes, please someone get the coaches on board. I'm relatively new to this cheer mom gig, but I have spent a lot of time wondering why such a big deal is made of the hair and makeup bit. I'm not the most observant person in the world, but I've never once watched any team competing and said to myself "oh man, that was an awesome routine, if only they had their hair in ___ hairstyle, it would have been SO MUCH BETTER". Glad to know the judges don't really care either. My cheer experience would be much improved if I didn't have to worry about getting CPs hair into a particular hairstyle, but could just put in up in a neat, easy and comfortable style for her.

 

I never understood why would I tell a girl she has to spend hours changing her hair for a 2.5 minute routine? Heck these uniform straps and bling we have nowadays is way more distracting than different hairstyles could ever be. We do tell the kids what the style of hair is (based on popular vote from the team), but obviously make exceptions for kids who would struggle to make their hair do such things.

Just be lucky you didn't have a CP in the days of "sleeping with curlformers in" curls and lip glitter. That was a stain on the history of AS cheer

 

It’s funny because I (a coach) do not care how they do their hair. I would be more than happy with a ponytail. It’s the girls AND their parents who complain that we need something else.

 

I'm pretty certain that if CP was told she had to sleep with curlformers in she'd have turned around and walked right out the door. She is not a fan of having anything in her hair. She loves cheer for the tumbling, dancing and stunting and she loves to perfom, but even at only 10 years old, she could do without the "pageantry".

 

Yep. That’ll do it.

 

So glad the crazy poof md teasing is done! My daughter refused to do that and damage her hair.....only for Worlds would she do it, she’s a cosmetologist and knows what damage it does!

 

I was never under the impression that more complicated hairstyles/makeup earned you more points. Just as long as it’s safely out of your face and looking uniform from girl to girl (the ponytail works best for this a majority of the tkme: classic, clean, easy). Because of that, I always assumed that “appearance” points were basically a gimme. Super stylised hair never came with points attached. Maybe it’s the advent of social media or something that’s got coaches assuming otherwise.

 

Because she is not my child, I am not going to share her photo. But a friend's daughter is not white. At the time, she had very......um.........curly and big hair.......I don't know how to say it properly so please forgive me if I come across as offensive as it is not my intent.........it was majestic and beautiful. Want to know what her coach for a worlds team made her do? He encouraged her to keep it just as beautiful and big as it was and own it. He put her front and center. Seeing her on the mat with her team was a thing of beauty. It was such a positive message to her and the rest of her team. I will always respect him for that choice as it was amazing. They never got points taken away for her hair either. You can't have a uniform hair style for all athletes on a team without making someone uncomfortable. It should be the least thing to worry about.

 

Some gyms are still in that era and wishing it would end.

 

Been there too ugh

 

Does anyone have a photo they’d like to share of what a clear POV from an AS judges’ table looks like?

 

As an athlete I loved having a scrunchie this year it was way more comfortable than a bow and was so cute

 

Never have I ever heard anyone say, "That kid is distracting because they have a curly pony instead of a straight one." The only times I have been distracted by hair is when it was laying on the mat, turning an athlete into Cousin It, or teased to the point it looked like a glued hairy glop bouncing on top of some kids head all over the mat. I love natural looking stage make up and natural hair pulled off the face whether in a pony, braids, hair band, or short.

 

I don't have any photos but unless the hair is causing a distraction (like fake ponies falling out, hair in faces, hair all over the place) I never remember what hair looks like on any team I judge.

As a coach, I've noticed that teams that look "put together" - styled ponies, uniforms that fit well - just present better. When you see a team of kids in ill fitting, outdated uniforms, and ponies thrown up without straightening/curling and lots of fly aways, you can typically bet they are not a strong team. It's a generalization of course, and your uniform and hair don't effect your performance. But I think it does reflect how seriously you are taking it. You wouldn't wear sweatpants and unbrushed hair to a boardroom meeting - you'd put in the effort to dress in a way that makes you look and FEEL good.

 

Everyone remember ancient times with sleeping with the rollers with a bandana and having to wear your uniform top overnight?

I do remember specifically having to straighten my hair out for competitions through middle school and with my wavy hair texture my teammates would spend several hours getting it stick straight. I’d also have to touch it up the morning before which sucked. I feel like the best option for hair is just a low ponytail and bow and a small bow in a headband for those with short hair. The only thing is since I don’t have the specific hair texture I wonder if it would be easy for girls with braids to make a low pony or a modified version of one. Either way making hairstyles lenient for all textures is the best.