General Info
WHAT ARE ALL STARS?
All-Stars, also known as "competitive" or "performance" cheerleading, is unlike typical "school" or "professional" cheerleading. It is a team sport that combines gymnastics, acrobatics, partner stunting, pyramid building, and dancing into a synchronized, high energy, constant motion routine that must be performed within 2 minutes and 30 seconds. All Star teams, which are made up of members from various schools with the primary focus on performance and competition, compete in different divisions and are judged similar to the way gymnastics, diving and figure skating are with scores ranging from 0-10, including 10th of points. Competition cheerleading has become one of America's fastest growing sports and has received national TV coverage (on ESPN, CBS, FOX Sports and USA Network) in recent years at the high school, All Star, and college levels.
All-Star Cheerleading, unlike many other seasonal sports, is a highly athletic discipline that requires year round training. All Star Cheerleaders typically practice 4 to 9 hours per week. Practices tend to be more frequent and longer in preparation for major competitions.
WHY DO I HAVE TO COME TO SKILL EVALUATIONS/TRYOUT?
Although Elite Styles is a no cut program, tryouts, or skill evaluations are necessary for team placement. We will look at your Overall Skill Level, Potential, Ability to work with others, and Coach-ability.
WHAT IF I HAVE NEVER CHEERED BEFORE?
Most kids have not cheered before. 8 out of 10 of the kids in our program have never cheered or taken gymnastic classes before. They are all new just like you.
WHAT KIND OF CHEERLEADERS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
MD Elite is looking for kids that will represent our program with pride, respect and excitement! We are a competitive program, but we want to have fun too! We want to be a family with all the kids, coaches and parents that make up our award winning program!
There are always concerns about what we are looking for in skill evaluations such as "type" or "size" of cheerleader. Nothing could be further from the truth. We need cheerleaders in all "types" and "sizes". On a cheer team, there are many different talents and positions needed. Therefore, we want everyone to tryout and experience cheerleading in their life.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO THE CLINICS & SKILL EVALUATIONS?
All athletes should wear a t-shirt, cheer shorts, socks, and flat bottomed athletic/cheer shoes. The shirt and cheer shorts should not be excessively loose or tight, and shirts must be tucked in. Girls tend to be more comfortable wearing a sports bra underneath their t-shirt. Hair must be secured away from the face at all times. To ensure all participants' safety no jewelry should be worn at any time. This includes watches, rings, necklaces, and body piercings such as ear rings, navel rings, eyebrow rings, tongue studs, etc.
WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED?
TUMBLING
Tumbling is not required. Tumbling is an important part of our routines, so we will help you improve your tumbling during practices. If you do have tumbling skills, you will have the opportunity to perform those at tryouts. MD Elite always offers tumbling classes. If you would like to join a tumbling class, just call!
You might be wondering, what do I need for skill evaluations as far as tumbling is concerned. Well, the answer isn't that simple. We will be taking a look at each athlete during skill evaluations and evaluating their overall ability. There might be certain qualities that an athlete has that would make him/her valuable to our program without having tumbling skills. Remember, we are looking for other qualities besides tumbling! If you don't try, you'll never know.
JUMPS
This one's easy. We are looking for a toe-touch. It should be at least level, preferably hyper-extended. It should look effortless throughout the body and the face (you need to be able to smile while jumping!) It should land with the feet completely together. That's it! Of course, for the younger or newer cheerleader, we will actually teach a toe-touch, so don't worry!
DANCING
For dancing, you will be taught age-appropriate 8-counts. They will be fairly easy, so don't stress out!
CAN I DO ALL STAR CHEERLEADING AND SCHOOL CHEERLEADING? 
If you have the energy and parent support go for it. We had several athletes who have done it in the past, but we ask that MD Elite practice times and performances are first priority. To perform at the level that MD Elite is committed to, we need everyone at every practice. Many of our cheerleaders have chosen an All Star team because there are no games, after school practices, assemblies, posters making, etc.
HOW LONG IS THE SEASON?
Our season starts in May right after skill evaluations. We understand that the summer time typically means vacations and we do not discourage kids from vacationing with their family. Since we practice all year round we do ask kids to come to practice if they are in town. The season concludes in mid May the following year. Our season is 12 months long.
DO WE PERFORM?
Yes. We perform at many local events, regional and national competitions.
HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU COMPETE?
We usually compete between 8-15 times in a season with the older teams traveling out of town twice.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We always try to keep the costs to a minimum and really are charging the absolute least amount possible. The main costs are monthly tuition and competitions. Tuition for the 2008-2009 season will be $70 per month for all except for a 10% discount for multi family members and the Open level 6. Prices are based on a year long program - 12 months total from June 07 through May 08. Your uniforms you buy and you own them. All members will be responsible for the care of their uniform and the appropriate length of your skirts. You will also need to buy Elite Styles practice wear, crop top leotard (team dependant), boy cut bloomers & shoes. Choreography fee ranges from $50-$300 and Local Competition Fees are approximately $600 total for the year.
FUNDRAISERS
We fundraise!!!! To help offset the cost of competitions and tuition we will start fundraisers immediately and continue them throughout the year. We also accept sponsorships. There are many athletes that have been able to pay for these costs entirely through fundraising and sponsorships.
STILL INTERESTED?
CALL US FOR TIMES TO STOP BY THE GYM - OR COME ON BY ON MON THROUGH THURS NIGHTS FROM 7-9 PM.
PAPERWORK - You can pick up the paperwork at the gym.
PARENT MEETING - Parental support is a vital part of a successful All Star program. The Parent Meeting was held in May where we discussed our competitive program and answered any questions parents had. New cheer parents, please call the gym and we'll set up a meeting just for you.
(Minis) L1/2
Age: 8yrs & under
Training: 4 hours week; Plus tumbling
Athletes: 20 Max; NO TRYOUTS
(Youth) L1/2
Age: 11yrs & under
Training: 4 hours week; Plus tumbling
Athletes: 20 Max; NO TRYOUTS
(Youth) L3/4
Age: 11yrs & under
Training: 4-6 hours week; Plus tumbling
Minimum skill level: RO/BHS/BT
Athletes: 25 Max
(Junior) L1/2
Age: 14yrs & under
Training: 4-6 hours week; Plus tumbling
Athletes: 25 Max; NO TRYOUTS
(Junior) L3/4/5
Age: 14yrs & under
Training: 4-6 hours week; Plus tumbling
Minimum Skill Level: RO/BHS/BT
Athletes: 25 Max
(Sr Girls) L1/2
Age: 18yrs & under
Training: 6-8 hours week; Plus tumbling
Minimum Skill Level: None
Athletes: 18 Max
(Sr Girls) L3/4/5
Age: 18yrs & under
Training: 6-8 hours week; Plus tumbling
Minimum Skill Level: RO/BHS/BT
Athletes: 18 Max
(Sr Co-Ed)
Age: 18yrs & under
Training: 6-8 hours week; Plus tumbling
Minimum Skill Level: RO/BHS/BT
Athletes: 25 Max
(Open)
Age: 18yrs or HS Graduate
Training: 5 hours week; Plus tumbling
Athletes: 25 Max; NO TRYOUTS
(Dance)
Age: 18yrs & under
Training: 2-4 hours week
Athletes: 25 Max; NO TRYOUTS
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