2014-2015 TEAM PLACEMENT & TRYOUT INFORMATION WHAT ARE TEAM PLACEMENTS & TRYOUTS? Team placements and tryouts are an opportunity for our coaching staff to evaluate the fitness level, flexibility, and tumbling skills, and in some cases stunting skills of athletes. Cheer athletes will be placed on a team at the age and skill level as determined by our coaches. All athletes attending team placements will be placed on a team. Our Open team has a tryout procedure and not all athletes that attend may be placed on a team. WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT CHEER TEAM PLACEMENTS? Team placements & tryouts will consist of a variety of athletic ability evaluations such as endurance, strength, jump, tumbling and flexibility drills. Most importantly, we will be looking for athletes who demonstrate a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn. With very rare exceptions, we have a team for everyone so experience is generally not necessary to cheer at Panthers. Please review the chart on page 2 that outlines the skills required at each level. 1
ISASF CHEERLEADING LEVELS EXPLAINED The International All Star Federation is a not for profit organization whose mission is to maximize the number of participants benefiting from the positive life experiences of all star cheerleading by developing competition rules and all star gym training guidelines consistent with the latest, best known safety, educational and ethical practices. The ISASF has created rules and regulations designed to ensure that athletes progress safely and appropriately through the all levels. These standards are used to ensure cheer gyms around the country use the best practices. At Panther Cheer we make every effort to offer the most up to date practices in safety, education and ethics. We pride ourselves in building our teams around these levels to ensure success for all our teams. Athletes at Panthers are placed on teams according to their complete skill set. This means that athletes must demonstrate abilities in more than one area of the chart below. Coaches will assess the all-around skill level of each athlete and place him or her on the team that best suits his or her ability level and will adequately challenge them. It is also important to note that levels are the same for all age groups. For example, Level 1 Tiny, Mini, Youth, Junior and Senior age divisions are all allowed to perform the same skills. More information regarding the ISASF levels can be found at www.usasf.net LEVEL STANDING TUMBLING RUNNING TUMBLING STUNTING OTHER 1 Forward Roll Cartwheel Round Off RO Front walkover FWO Back walkover BWO Toe touch + fwd roll Cartwheel + BWO RO + BWO FWO + Cartwheel + BWO Specialty #1 Specialty #2 Double base Torch Pendulum type transition Stunts connected to 1 base 1/4 twisting transitions Cradle Dismount Toe Touch Jump Pike Jump Hurdler Jump 2 Jump Combo- Connected 3 Jump Combo- Connected 4 Jump Combo- Connected Good height & Proper form 2 3 4 5 Back handspring BHS BWO + BHS BHS+ BWO + BHS Combination #1 Combination #2 Multiple BHS (3 is norm) # Jump + BHS Multiple Jumps + Multiple BHS Combination #1 Combination #2 Back Tuck BT BHS + BT BHS + Layout Jump + BHS + BT Jump + BHS + Layout Additional Combo Standing pass to 1/1 Standing pass to 2/1 With whip to full With whip to double Standing Full RO + BHS RO + BHS Series # FWO + RO + BHS Specialty #1 Specialty #2 Punch Front PF RO+ Tuck RO + BHS + Tuck Specialty + RO + BHS + Tuck Add l Specialty Pass RO+ Layout RO + BHS + Layout PF to Layout Whip to Layout Specialty to Layout RO + Full RO + BHS + 1/1 twist RO + BHS + 2/1 twist Specialty to Full Specialty to Double Torch Extension 3 Body Positions flyers Liberty + to 1 post 1/2 twist- Up Extension 1/2 twist- Up to torch Straight Ride Basket Toss Liberty 1/2 twist- Up to liberty 3 Body Positions flyers 1/1 down dismount (Ext.) 1/1 Twist- Up to Prep Power Press in an ext. 1- leg L3 Switch Ups & Tick Tocks Full twist- Up to Extension Release (Switch Up) to Ext. 3 Body Positions flyers 2/1 dismount from Prep 1.5 Twist- Up to Prep 1/1 Down from liberty 1/1 up to body position 1.5 up to extended 2/1 up to extended 2/1 dismount from liberty low- high tick- tocks High- High 3 Jump Combo- Connected 4 Jump Combo- Connected Jumps have pointed toes Jumps have good height Jumps have proper arm swings Jumps have proper fist & arm placements Full Twist Basket Toss L3 Basket Toss #2 3 Jump Combo- Connected 4 Jump Combo- Connected Jumps have proper form (USE L2 above) Kick- Full Twist Basket Toss 2/1 Twist Basket Toss 4 Jump Combo Jumps have proper form (USE L2 above) Multiple Jumps + Back Tuck Kick- Dbl Basket Hitch Switch Jumps have proper form (arms/swing) 2- Mans to extended **There are no pre-requisites for athletes on Level 1 teams but the 2 skills listed are an asset. For each level thereafter, athletes will be required to perform the listed skills, unassisted. Athletes who show potential or are close to being able to perform the skills may be placed on a higher-level team. Please note that there are always exceptions and team selection is not based 100% on skill level. Attitude and past attendance will also be taken into consideration where applicable.
If you are new to cheer and would like to see our gym we encourage you to visit us! We welcome everyone to stop by our open house on Saturday, May 3rd from 11am-12pm. We will host an information meeting starting at 11am and we will have coaches available to supervise your children/athletes during this time. Additional information meetings about our competitive program: Monday April 28 th from 6-7pm NEW FAMILIES ONLY Wednesday May 7 th from 6-7pm NEW & RETURNING FAMILIES *All meetings will take place at our NEW location at 12080 Horseshoe Way, Richmond* 2014-2015 CHEER TEAM DIVISIONS, AGES & LEVELS LEVEL AGE PLACEMENT DAY COST TINY Level 1 3-5 N/A. Registration begins May 28 th N/A Level 1 6-18 Tuesday May 20 th 5:30-7:30pm $5 Level 2 / 4.2 6-18 Wed. May 21 st 5:30-7:30pm $5 Level 3 6-18 Thursday May 22 nd 5:30-7:30pm $5 Level 4 10-18 Thursday May 22 nd 5:30-7:30pm $5 Open Team 17+ Thursday May 22 nd 7:30-9:30pm $5 *Age is as of August 31, 2014. Ages are based on most current USASF/ASF rules and are subject to change. **Exact team levels will determined by coaches and will be based on ability level of athletes. Athletes who are interested in being a crossover (on more than one team) must attend placement dates for all teams they would like to be considered for. Please not that there are always expectations and team selections is not 100% on skill level. Attitude and past attendance will also be taken into consideration where applicable. 3
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW/BRING FOR TEAM PLACEMENT DAY? 1. Come prepared by reading this information package in its entire. 2. Register & pay for the appropriate placement on our website. If you have participated in a Panther Cheer class before, simply log into your account and add the class. If you are having trouble logging in please call the gym. New families will need to create a new account. 3. A waiver form must be filled out & signed by a parent prior to participating so arrive a few minutes early if you have not completed one yet. Waiver forms can be found on our website at http://panthercheerathletics.com/drop-in-open-gym/ 4. Participants must wear shorts, a t-shirt and athletic shoes for cheer. Long hair should be in a ponytail and all jewelry must be removed. 5. Come with a smile and a GREAT attitude! 6. Team lists will be emailed out by May 28 th. Summer training starts the week of June 9 th. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call us at 778-297-8437 or email info@panthercheerathletics.com WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TEAM PLACEMENTS? Team lists will be emailed out by May 28 th along with the registration package for the season. If you accept your position on the team you must register for the team online by June 6th. If you do not register by 10am on June 6 th than we will take this to mean you are not interested in accepting the position on the team offered and will open your spot up to someone else. Athlete placements may change throughout the summer if skills are gained/lost. Team rosters will be finalized in September. All competitive teams will practice once a week from June through August. Please refer to the chart on the following page for practice days and times. **PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE DAYS/TIMES MAY CHANGE** The expectation is that if the athlete is in town than they are expected at practice. In addition, throughout the summer, we will offer tumbling classes and specialty clinics for those interested in additional opportunities to gain new skills. 4
TEAM TRAINING DAY TRAINING TIME Tiny Level 1 Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm Mini Level 1 Tuesdays 4:30-6pm Youth Level 1 Wednesdays 4:30-6:30pm Junior Level 1 Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm Senior Level 1 Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm Youth Level 2 Thursday 4:30-6:30pm Junior Level 2 Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm Senior Level 2 Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm Junior Level 3 Wednesdays 5-7pm Senior Level 3 Wednesdays 5-7pm Senior Level 4 Thursday 6:30-8:30pm Senior Level 4.2 Thursday 6:30-8:30pm Open Team Tuesdays 7:30-9:30pm FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ S): Q: I have no cheer or tumbling experience. Can I still be on a competitive team? A: Yes, there is a team for everyone! Q: I cannot attend placements. What can I do to get on a team? A: Please call the gym to arrange for a private assessment. Q: My age fits into a younger division but I want to be on an older team (eg Mini age and want to be on a Youth team). A: You must attend the tryout that matches BOTH your age AND skill level. If you would like to be considered for a different team please let the coaches know at placements. If you are interested in crossing over to a 2 nd team, please let the coaches know at placements. Q: Why is there summer training? A: In the past we found that taking several weeks off has a negative impact on an athlete s skills, especially at the higher levels. Tumbling skills that are not practiced on a regular basis are often lost and skill level regresses. Summer is also an important time to build new skills and bond with your team. Q: I am going away on vacation over the summer. Can I still be on a competitive team? A: Summer training is important as it is a time to build skills and bond as a team. We understand that families take vacations but expect our athletes to be at the majority of practices. If you cannot attend summer practices we will consider placing you on a team in September if there is space. Please contact us if this is the case and we will put your name on a wait list. 5
Q: Do I have to take tumbling in the summer? A: Summer tumbling is optional but highly recommended for all athletes. Q: What is the difference between prep cheer and competitive cheer? A: The biggest difference is commitment level, both financial and time. Prep cheer runs in 2 sessions, September through December & January through April and teams practice 1x/week for 1-2 hours. Competitive cheer runs June through May and teams practice twice a week 1-2+ hours each time plus all level 2+ athletes must take a 1hr tumbling class during this period. Athletes in the competitive stream must attend all practices. If you plan to take vacations in winter or have other serious commitments that will conflict, competitive cheer may not be the best choice for you. Q: Do you offer family discounts? A: Cheerleading is a great sport for the entire family! As a special offer for families with two or more competitive cheer athletes we are pleased to offer the following: 1st child full price 2nd child 25% off of training fees 3rd child 50% off of training fees 4th child is free no cost to train ** discounts will be on the lesser fees and not necessarily in birth order. The discount is off the training cost only, please contact us for instalment amounts. Q: I want to do pre-competitive cheer. When will registration open? A: Registration for our 2014-2015 pre-competitive teams will open mid June. More information will be available once our registration package is completed in May. Pre-competitive teams practice once a week and run in two sessions: Fall September to December AND/OR Winter January to April 6