All star cheerleading is a whole sub-culture of its own, a fast-moving sport in a world of fast-moving sports. Also, being a young sport (it was formalized early this century in 2002/3) the rules tend to change rapidly as the need arises. Fortunately the sport has the US All Star Federation (USASF) to coordinate all kinds of aspects of the sports, from defining new divisions at the request of coaches to making recommendations on various matters. Take for instance the coaches at Elite Cheer who have been saying for some time that a new division is required. This was the view of other coaches too and the matter was brought to the attention of the USASF. The way it happened was as follows:
During the summer of 2008 the USASF held several regional meetings throughout the United States. This type of continual communication with the regions is, of course, vital for the smooth running of all star cheer in the US. At many meetings, including those where representatives of elite cheer and dance were present, it emerged repeatedly that many students were being lost because they simply could not reach the demanding standards of tumble required. This presented no difficulties for full-on athletes but for amateur problems it was a definite problem. A lot of coaches were dissatisfied with the emphasis on tumbling. They made the point that the All Star cheerleading is really about stunts and pyramids. Why, then, the domination of tumbling, they asked. At a USASF meeting in New York it was suggested that a new division be formed called the 4.2 Level, which would permit All Star cheerleaders with limited athletic ability but with excellent stunting ability, the freedom to move beyond the Level 2 extension limit, straight right limits in baskets and other limits in pyramid and dismounts.
This suggestion was accepted, and in the week of August 18 - 23, 2008 a National Advisory Board Meeting, a Rules Committee Meeting determining interpretation, a USASF Board meeting and a Safety judge certification took place in Dallas with regards to the new Level 4.2 division. The move met with overwhelming approbation from coaches, who said the inclusion of Level 4.2 would help gyms by increasing revenue and widen the reach of All Star cheer. It was encouraging that most of the coaches who were present said they could add a new all star cheerleading team immediately, with team members recruited from athletes who had recently left their cheer gyms. It was also felt that while it was not necessarily a good thing for another division to be added to a long list of divisions, this was a practical necessity. Some even said it would become the largest All Star cheer division in a few years. To sum up, Level 4.2 involves Level 2 Rules will apply to standing and running tumbling, while Level 4 rules will apply to all other skill sets. The upshot was that the USASF put Level 4.2 for a test year to determine its success. Without the USASF, no such decision could have been made or implemented with the well-being of the All Star cheerleading industry as a whole in mind.
Another area in which communication via the USASF helps All Star cheerleading right down to Elite Cheer gym level is the kind of recommendations they make arising from their ongoing meetings with regional representatives and coaches nationwide. Thus at one point the USASF made a recommendation to coaches regarding the uniforms worn by All Star cheerleading team members. It was a sensible suggestion, advising coaches to consider carefully the body types of all squad members when choosing a style of uniform. They suggested that the uniform should comfortably fit the athlete, and that every cheerleader should feel comfortable when doing a routine in the uniform. The USASF also noted that the skirt on female squad members should conceal briefs totally in front and at the back when the cheerleader is standing, but should fit loosely to the extent that it did not ride up around the waist in the course of the routine. Modesty is the keyword, said the USASF, when it comes to cropped tops, with the tops covering the upper body and not allowing the bra to show when the cheerleaders’ arms are raised.
The contribution made to All Star cheerleading in the United States by the communication offered by the USASF on its website and in direct communication with members is considerable. It is in the interest of All Star cheer that the organization goes from strength to strength.
Tags: all star cheerleading | elite cheer and dance | all star cheer | cheerleading | elite cheer | elite cheer
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All star cheerleading is a whole sub-culture of its own, a fast-moving sport in a world of fast-moving sports. Also, being a young sport (it was formalized early this century in 2002/3) the rules tend to change rapidly as the need arises. Fortunately the sport has the US All Star Federation (USASF) to coordinate all kinds of aspects of the sports, from defining new divisions at the request of coaches to making recommendations on various matters. Take for instance the coaches at Elite Cheer who have been saying for some time that a new division is required. This was the view of other coaches too and the matter was brought to the attention of the USASF. The way it happened was as follows:
During the summer of 2008 the USASF held several regional meetings throughout the United States. This type of continual communication with the regions is, of course, vital for the smooth running of all star cheer in the US. At many meetings, including those where representatives of elite cheer and dance were present, it emerged repeatedly that many students were being lost because they simply could not reach the demanding standards of tumble required. This presented no difficulties for full-on athletes but for amateur problems it was a definite problem. A lot of coaches were dissatisfied with the emphasis on tumbling. They made the point that the All Star cheerleading is really about stunts and pyramids. Why, then, the domination of tumbling, they asked. At a USASF meeting in New York it was suggested that a new division be formed called the 4.2 Level, which would permit All Star cheerleaders with limited athletic ability but with excellent stunting ability, the freedom to move beyond the Level 2 extension limit, straight right limits in baskets and other limits in pyramid and dismounts.
This suggestion was accepted, and in the week of August 18 - 23, 2008 a National Advisory Board Meeting, a Rules Committee Meeting determining interpretation, a USASF Board meeting and a Safety judge certification took place in Dallas with regards to the new Level 4.2 division. The move met with overwhelming approbation from coaches, who said the inclusion of Level 4.2 would help gyms by increasing revenue and widen the reach of All Star cheer. It was encouraging that most of the coaches who were present said they could add a new all star cheerleading team immediately, with team members recruited from athletes who had recently left their cheer gyms. It was also felt that while it was not necessarily a good thing for another division to be added to a long list of divisions, this was a practical necessity. Some even said it would become the largest All Star cheer division in a few years. To sum up, Level 4.2 involves Level 2 Rules will apply to standing and running tumbling, while Level 4 rules will apply to all other skill sets. The upshot was that the USASF put Level 4.2 for a test year to determine its success. Without the USASF, no such decision could have been made or implemented with the well-being of the All Star cheerleading industry as a whole in mind.
Another area in which communication via the USASF helps All Star cheerleading right down to Elite Cheer gym level is the kind of recommendations they make arising from their ongoing meetings with regional representatives and coaches nationwide. Thus at one point the USASF made a recommendation to coaches regarding the uniforms worn by All Star cheerleading team members. It was a sensible suggestion, advising coaches to consider carefully the body types of all squad members when choosing a style of uniform. They suggested that the uniform should comfortably fit the athlete, and that every cheerleader should feel comfortable when doing a routine in the uniform. The USASF also noted that the skirt on female squad members should conceal briefs totally in front and at the back when the cheerleader is standing, but should fit loosely to the extent that it did not ride up around the waist in the course of the routine. Modesty is the keyword, said the USASF, when it comes to cropped tops, with the tops covering the upper body and not allowing the bra to show when the cheerleaders’ arms are raised.
The contribution made to All Star cheerleading in the United States by the communication offered by the USASF on its website and in direct communication with members is considerable. It is in the interest of All Star cheer that the organization goes from strength to strength.
Tags: all star cheerleading | elite cheer and dance | all star cheer | cheerleading | elite cheer | elite cheer
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on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 at 8:03 am and is filed under Youth sports.
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