- Mar 14, 2011
- 125
- 166
I've seen this topic come up several times in several threads. What do you consider a "true level x" team? Are all athletes on that team exactly that level? Is that possible? Is it a team that has mostly that level skills and some almost that level? What exactly makes a team a level 2 or 3 or 4 or 5?
Many teams I saw at All-Levels seemed to be topping out at their level...many level 1 and 2 teams made my jaw drop (Pro, CT Spirit, USA Wildcats, Xtreme Cheer)! Even two years ago, when I stopped coaching all-stars, the skills at these levels looked NOTHING like this. I think this is great for teams to be working to max out the level skills by the end of the season. That, to me, is how teams prepare their athletes for the next level. Could many teams I saw probably bump up a level by this point in the season? Sure. But its the END of the season. Yay for them! Tryouts are likely coming up within the next few weeks, and those gyms can probably plan to move most of their athletes up a level. If you were the gym owner, isn't this what you would want?
I can imagine these teams that top-out the level skills are difficult for teams who do not compete against...but does that make the top teams out of level?
Many teams I saw at All-Levels seemed to be topping out at their level...many level 1 and 2 teams made my jaw drop (Pro, CT Spirit, USA Wildcats, Xtreme Cheer)! Even two years ago, when I stopped coaching all-stars, the skills at these levels looked NOTHING like this. I think this is great for teams to be working to max out the level skills by the end of the season. That, to me, is how teams prepare their athletes for the next level. Could many teams I saw probably bump up a level by this point in the season? Sure. But its the END of the season. Yay for them! Tryouts are likely coming up within the next few weeks, and those gyms can probably plan to move most of their athletes up a level. If you were the gym owner, isn't this what you would want?
I can imagine these teams that top-out the level skills are difficult for teams who do not compete against...but does that make the top teams out of level?