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What are the main differences between High School cheer and All Star Cheer? Is it possible for an athlete to do both?
My guests, Scott and Lauren Borgmier, are experts when it comes to cheerleading. Both of them were cheerleaders and on UCA staff. Scott worked at the Varsity main office, Lauren worked as an All Star cheer judge, and now they coach a very competitive high school team.
Scott and Lauren are the hosts of The Mark Thru Podcast, and have authored two children’s books about cheer: ABC Cheer with Me, and 123 Cheer with Me.
The Borgmiers share their wisdom about high school and All Star cheerleading, and really good insights when it comes to doing both.
WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ALL STAR AND HIGH SCHOOL CHEER?
Scott and Lauren gave a smart and detailed answer about the big differences between All Star and high school cheer. Normally you would think that it’s just more sideline cheer and a dead mat on high school, but it’s more than that!
In All Star cheer there are longer seasons and more skill-related divisions. Essentially, there is a place for literally everyone in All Star cheer. High school cheer, in addition to being involved in game day for multiple sports, is limited to high school-aged students, of course, and the skill level is pretty specific.
THREE THINGS EVERY HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADER SHOULD HAVE:
• Coachability
• work ethic
• good attitude
Having tumbling skills as a high school cheerleader is good, but being coachable is more important. A coach can take you as far as you want if you are open to their coaching and correction.
ARE ALL STAR CHEERLEADERS GUARANTEED A POSITION ON THEIR HIGH SCHOOL CHEER TEAM?
It’s easy to think that the time spent on the mat as an All Star cheerleader translates to high school cheerleading, and Scott says for the most part, that’s a valid assumption. However, there is a sliding scale when it comes to skill.
It’s safe to assume that a standing tuck will probably get you on a high school cheer team just about anywhere. Coaches like Scott and Lauren? They want a variation of a full.
The kids who struggle the most to make a high school cheer team are the ones who can do tumbling skills on a spring floor, but not on the dead mat.
HOW DO WE PREPARE OUR KIDS FOR HIGH SCHOOL TRYOUTS?
First and foremost, have this conversation with your athlete and as them things like, ‘Do you want to do high school cheer? Are your friends thinking about doing high school cheer? Why or why not?’ Have these conversations earlier than you think, so that you can help to start preparing them with things like private lessons, should they decide that they want a shot at being a high school athlete.
CAN ATHLETES DO BOTH ALL STAR CHEER AND HIGH SCHOOL CHEER?
FIRST AND FOREMOST – THIS IS UP TO INDIVIDUAL COACHES ON BOTH SIDES, SO CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL/PROGRAM ON THEIR GUIDELINES AROUND WHAT THEY WILL ALLOW THEIR ATHLETES TO DO!
This is a loaded question, and it’s starting to be a controversial one within some schools and All Star programs because the overlap in seasons is gettting bigger and bigger. According to Scott and Lauren, coaches everywhere are sttarting to ask more of theire athletes, and are less willing to allow them to do both.
The short answer? Yes, it is possible for an athlete to do both All Star cheer and high school cheer. Here’s what you can expect:
BE PREPARED TO COMMUNICATE
Communicate practice schedules, compettition schedules, events, etc. Both sets of coaches should know everything as it relates to your cheerleader’s schedule. Pro tip from this cheer mom: It helps when the coaches can communicate with each other! I have made email introductions between All Star coaches before, when it was appropriate, so they could talk through when each team needed my athlete most.
THE ATHLETE NEEDS TO BE PREPARED TO MAKE BOTH TEAMS HAPPY
This is NOT an easy task! Both teams want the athlete’s attention, which can create stress on the athlete. It’s important for your athlete to know what to expect when it comes to team and scheduling conflicts and how to handle them.
BE PREPARED TO BE IN THE CAR… A LOT!
As a “dual” athlete in both All Star cheer and high school cheer, be prepared to spend a lot of time in the car, driving back and forth between practices and events.
BE PREPARED TO MAKE SACRIFICES
An athlete will find themselves making many sacrifices in order to be successful on both cheer teams. Expect that they will not be able to attend some team bonding events, a football game, time with friends on the weekend, and maybe even have to miss a competition for one team or the other. Again, this will depend on your location and your coaching staff.
IN ORDER TO DO BOTH HIGH SCHOOL CHEER AND ALL STAR CHEER, AN ATHLETE HAS TO BE A SUPER HARD CORE CHEERLEADER!
Consider burnout when it comes to your athlete doing both school and All Star cheer. They will be burning the candle at both ends, and doing both will take a toll on them physically, emotionally and mentally.
SCOTT AND LAUREN’S ADVICE FOR CHEER PARENTS
Volunteer more. Parent volunteers are so valuable when it comes to school cheer!
Please do not use cheerleading as a punishment. Don’t keep them from practice because they’re grounded. The whole team suffers when this happens.
CONNECT WITH SCOTT AND LAUREN:
ABC Cheer With Me book
123 Cheer With Me book
The Mark Thru Podcast
Follow Scott on Instagram
Follow Lauren on Instagram
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