When Cheerleading Went From Fun To A Chore 2019

I have seen so many things over the years that myself and many other parents have kept 'mum' on it.


Normally, a parent shouts at another parent, that parent (the one who shouts) and kid gets kicked off the team and gym.

This year, a parent shouts at another parent and kid is still on the team. Parent can watch all because that parent has been there for many many many many years and the staff and coaches favor her. Is that right? She is awfully rude to people and gossips. She gets away with a lot. Sometimes too much.

I have seen money given to the coaches when the owner of the gym is not around so a child can stunt in the air longer. IF that coach is the coach of that team the child who had privates OR exchanged money 'under the table without owner knowing' , that child will be the 'star' person in stunt. That brings me to another point:

privates. Not many can afford them. If the child is doing mostly privates, they will get ahead of the tumbling world, that is normal but for team? The coach will favor them because they will 'win' and given less time on the team to work on the tumbling or stunting.

I have seen kids taken out of the stunt and most of the team, who are practically alternate just for summit, to only see because of their ego, (the coaches ego), they do not get past day one.. in fact they are number 22 out of 22 teams from day one

Double teaming:
in smaller gyms it is not unusual for someone from a level 3 team (for example) to go on level 2, although it isn't fair, it does happen. in Big gyms, if a director has an ego, he or she might take kids from level 5 team to work on level 2 , which knocks those who are on level 2 to feel left behind. I don't think that is fair if the gym has over 200 people.


I have seen many things as being a parent of a child in cheer; things that parents have to keep quiet about, because if a parent speaks up the child will either become an alternate OR kicked off the team. Which is, by the way, a safe sport violation. Meaning: coaches really shouldn't be doing that.. maybe brush up on safe sport ???


And the biggest frustration, if it is 90+ outside, which means it is 10 degrees or more inside since a lot of gyms claim that they cannot afford air conditioning (although some gyms I am sure can't but most now-a-days with the amount of people joining teams can afford A.C.). That is not healthy for the coach or student. A kid or coach can get a heat stroke, again a safe sport violation.

I have seen coaches or a director come in on a team and change almost the entire choreo and add people from other teams to make it a power team. all to 'win'. Yes winning is what is wanted; but so is being a kid and learning. Kids do best when they are learning and having fun.

I have seen coaches throw shoes or scream at the top of their lungs to kids. THEY ARE KIDS. sometimes I feel that young coaches need to get training how to coach kids.

Cheerleading is fun. Competitive cheerleading is fun. Sure there are 'Dance Moms' drama that goes on. However, I think over the years, the sport has went from fun- competitive - family-feeling to just a chore. There is too much sucking up going on; not enough individuality in gyms/teams now-a-days. Why? Gyms need to have their unique way to teach; unique way to do amazing. Example: Top Gunn had their props, Georgia All Stars had their amazing choreography back-in-the-day with "oh yeahhh" and Stingrays? They had their saying "Stingrays, one of a kind, national champions one more time let's go rays". (there are many other gyms, these are the top three that comes to mind) What happened to that? That is the formula that worked, why change it?

 

Maybe you aren't at the right gym. If those things happen, it's time to leave them and find a new gym. I was extremely happy at our gym last season. I didn't see any of that going on. Everything was above board and coaches went out of their way to ensure all on the team had a place and no one seemed favored as at our prior gym. The owner did not put up with drama either. Straighten up or go elsewhere. Truly a great experience for us. We were at CA Charlotte. I realize that my experience may not be the same as others perceive, but I've seen a lot too over the years and can not say anything bad about CA Charlotte.

 

Charlotte is amazing I cannot say the gyms or the state as I want to remain anon. But this is one big well known gym and several other gyms in a certain state. I love the owner, don't get me wrong..the owner is amazing but it is what goes on when the owner isn't around. There was a gym where the coach got upset and threw a fan, FLOOR fan at another coach. This is another well known gym ,not the same. My kid tumbles at various places.

I am frustrated with a lot that goes on that we all have to stay quiet about.

 

also this is not about 'straighten up' this is just about what a lot of parents have been feeling and seeing at a few gyms in a certain state. I have seen coaches run over to the car where the parent sitting in the car , screaming at them, instead of contacting them because they are 'sick and tired of the child not getting something' instead of working with the kid; they give up; they scream and shout... they are kids. kids learn from less shouting and more working together. this is a team sport. I have been in this sport for over 15 years.

the program itself is great; it is what goes on internally and this happens a lot at various gyms; not all but a lot. and this is just me speaking out out of frustration. Sadly, the state I live in, there are not many choices.

 

Sounds like you are dealing with some pretty bad coaches. That really stinks. I fortunately have never experienced any of that with my cp and our gym. I agree that you should look at some other options if your child wants to continue in the sport.

 

Did you report the coach throwing a fan? I would have. The owner might fix it if he or she knew. If the owner was told and did not take corrective action, leave and tell that owner why.