ILLINOIS
at Jamfest's Super Ntls -
National Champions
with a
FULL PAID BID
to WORLDS!
leaves Jamfest Super Ntls as
NATIONAL CHAMPS
LEVEL CHAMPS
GRAND CHAMPS
& WITH A PAID BID TO US FINALS
declared
at
Jamfest's Super Nationals
lives up to their name by
becoming NATIONAL CHAMPS
at Jamfest's Super Nationals
Darlene Fanning brings her
highly acclaimed program
and her 23 years of
experience to Illinois
Offering Stunt Classes
to help you reach
new heights
the #1
Tumbling Coaches
in Illinois
hosting specialty
clinics by the
BIGGEST names in
the cheer industry
Offering 11 teams
Levels 1 thru 5 -
a team for every level
of athlete
That's
the way
we do it!
Site Updated 2/21/12 - Home
*** NEWS ***
Unity takes on CheerSport Nationals and wins! We're so proud of your UNDEFEEATED SEASON! Next up, Unity takes on Dallas!
For information on our Lock-in being held on March 2nd click on the pdf to right or on the invite to view!
Congrats to Achieve, Excite, Unity and Passion for 1st Place finishes at CheerSport!
ICE of Illinois sent 9 teams to Jamfest's Super Nationals competition. These talented teams competed against 550 of the best teams from 24 states and Canada. The following performances were a result of the commitment and hard work the athletes dedicate to this sport every day:
Four-1st Place (Achieve, Lightning, Passion, Unity)
One-2nd Place (Spirit)
Three-4th Place (Excite, Heart, Intensity)
One-8th Place (Dream) **ICE Lightning received a Fully Paid Bid to the Cheerleading Worlds in Orlando, Florida!**
**ICE Passion received Grand Champions of All Senior Levels!**
QUARTER SEASON TEAMS FORMING! Click on TEAMS for more info.
New Class Schedule begins January 9th. Clinics begin January 7th.
Unity, Passion, and Spirit take home National Titles from WSF! Passion also receives Viewers Choice Award and GRAND CHAMPIONS! Lightning receives At Large Bid!
So proud of all of our teams!
Congratulations to Inside Cheerleading Magazine's & Nfinity's 2011 Junior All-American Team which includes our very own Ciara Wu. Over 2,000 applicants were sorted through to pick 30 outstanding junior cheerleaders aged 14 and under!
ICE® is starting a POWER TUMBLING team headed up by Csaba Turks. Please click on our STAFF page for more information on our newest coach! Contact Csaba directly at 815-970-4930 for information about Power Tumbling.
Monday thru Thursday, our busiest gym days, we have
trainer Kim Jenckes on staff to evaluate and treat any injuries.
Please go to our Staff page to learn more about Kim's background.
Click HERE to email for information on our program or to schedule a private tryout.
ICE LockInRev.pdf
We've Got Connections
Click HERE for CLINICS!
IL Tumbling Levels.pdf
Registration
The following costs are based on a 10 week session. Classes that run fewer weeks due to holidays or competitions are pro-rated. Costs for each class are listed at the left.
ICE Athletes Tumbling Classes
$100 for first class
1/2 off for second class, third class, etc.
Non-ICE Athletes Tumbling Classes
$130 for first class
$90 for second class, third class, etc.
Jump Classes $50 for ICE Athletes and Non-ICE Athletes
* Does not apply to 1/2 off deal listed above *
Flight School $160 for ICE Athletes and Non-ICE Athletes
(4 flyers to a class)
Annual Registration Fee: $30 for new athletes
Please make checks payable to ICE with athlete's name &
class information in memo
Max. # of athletes per class is 8 Min. # of athletes per class is 4
(Class WILL be cancelled if less than 4)
Parent Name:
Email Address:
Athlete & Team Name:
Phone Number:
Class Day, Time, & Level:
Phone registration is available at (630) 692-1ICE
from 5:00-9:00PM Monday thru Thursday.
Class Schedule: Monday, January 9th - Sunday, March 18
10 Week Long Session
(No classes on Jan. 14th, 15th & 29th, Feb. 18th, 19th, & Feb 26th)
(Click on CLINICS at the top right for more weekend training options.)
Monday - Cost $100/$130 for Non-Member
5:00-6:00PM Tumble 3/4 With Coach Nikol
- Will focus on advancing level 3 athletes to level 4 athletes. Will also work on level 3 specialty passes.
7:30-8:30PM Stretch/ Body Position Class with Coach Brittney
- Will focus on stretching and correcting body positions. Will also work elite stunt work on the floor with drills and weights.
Wednesday - Cost $100/$130 for Non-Member
4:00-5:00PM Tumble 3/4 with Coach Michael (See description under Monday's class)
5:00-6:00PM Stretch/ Jump Class with Coach Keith
- Will focus on stretching for jumps and jump conditioning.
Thursday - Cost $100/$130 for Non-Member
4:30-5:30PM - Tumble 2/3 with Coach Ryan
- This class will focus on advancing the Level 2 Athletes to Level 3. Will work tucks and specialty passes.
Saturday - Cost $80/$104 for Non-Member (No Class 1/14, 2/18)
12:45-1:45pm - Tiny Tumble 3-4 year olds with Coach Sandy
Sunday - Cost $60/$78 for Non-Member for Tumbling and $96 for Flight (No Class 1/15, 1/29, 2/19, or 2/26)
11-1:00PM Neuqua Eric, Michael
1-2:00PM Tumble 3/4 (See description under Monday's class)
1-2:00PM Flight School 1 Kayleigh, Brandon, Trey
2-3:00PM Flight School 2 Kayleigh, Brandon, Trey
1-3:00 pm Open Gym
CLINICS JAN12.pdf
CLINIC COSTS:
No clinics on Feb 19th,or March 10th
2 hour clinic $25/$30, member/non-member
1.5 hour clinic $20/$25, member/non-member
1 hour clinic $15/20, member/non-member
Sign up a week at a time!
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED IN ADVANCE.
CLINICS NEED A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS TO RUN OR THEY WILL BE CANCELLED. YOU WILL BE EMAILED IF THE CLINIC YOU CHOSE DOES NOT RUN.
CLINICS RUN ON SATURDAYS AS FOLLOWS:
11-12:00 PM Full Clinic with Keith
12-1:00 PM Back Handspring Clinic with Nikol
1-2:00 PM Back Handspring Clinic with Keith
12-1:00 PM Stretch Clinic with Keith
12:30-2:30 PM Tumbling Level 3-4 with Justin
11-12:00 PM Tumbling Level 4 with Lance
Suggest a clinic if the above don't work for you.
(Annual Registration Fee NOT Required)
Clinic Day, Time, & Type:
YOUR REGISTRATION IS NOT CONSIDERED COMPLETE UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED. PLEASE MAIL PAYMENT TO:
ICE Allstars
2680 Diehl Road
Aurora, IL 60502
Phone registration is available at (630) 692-1ICE from
5:00-9:00PM Monday thru Thursday.
Justin Miller Click HERE to send an email.
Justin went to Downer’s Grove North and is SO excited to be returning to ILLINOIS! He was formerly an awesome tumbling coach in Mishawaka and Ft. Wayne, AND Senior 4 and Senior 3 Head Coach. Justin cheered at ISU, coached gymnastics at IL Gymnastics Institute Level 1 through Elite. He also was a camp instructor/choreographer for five years with Super CDA, and a member of our International Open team. Justin can spot up to doubles, so be sure to schedule your private lessons with Justin at the front desk!
Darlene Fanning Click HERE to send an email.
Owner and Head Level 5 Coach
Darlene is the Owner of ICE® All Stars and ICE® Athletic Center. Darlene only coaches the Senior Elite Worlds Teams and the International Open Coed team. She oversees every team at both Mishawaka and Fort Wayne, IN, along with the Aurora, IL location and aids her coaching staff throughout the year in running their respective teams. In addition to All Star Cheerleading Darlene keeps up the Fitness side of ICE® at the Mishawaka facility.
ICE tems consistently place in the top at local and national competitions and our premier senior teams consistently place in the illustrious Top Ten at the USASF Cheerleading World Championships. ICE has made appearance on/in Cheerleading Magazine, ESPN, Good Morning America, Fox Sports, and numberous newspapers, radio and television stations.
Lance Lee Click HERE to send an email.
New to the program is Lance, who is from Patterson, NJ, and attended and cheered at Temple University. He began coaching at NJSE, under the direction of Theapia Best, and went on to work at Platinum Elite of GA, Stingrays, and Fame. He is a collegiate and all-star NCA National Champion
and a silver medalist at the Cheerleading Worlds. Lance has been coaching and doing choreography for 12 years. His goal is to prepare children not only as athletes, but as successful people in their everyday lives. Go up and introduce yourself to Lance. Hes a wonderful addition to our ICE Family.
Eric Collins Click HERE to send an email.
Hometown: Woodridge, IL
Cheerleading Experience 2004 - 08
• Downers Grove South High School
• State Champions Freshman Year
• ICE Athletics/ICC
Coaching Experience 2007 - 2010
• Coached Junior 2, Junior 1, Small Senior 4, Large Senior 4, Large Senior Coed 4
• Summer Camp Staff 2011
• Cheer Command Rockets • Small Senior 5
• Paid Bid to Worlds
• Cheersport National Champions Small Senior 5, Small Senior 4
2011 - Present • ICE All Stars
• Junior 3, Senior 3, Junior 5, Senior 5
Fun Facts:
• I dont like to lose.
• I fell on my face at Worlds 2007, but I made the best recovery known to cheerleaders.
• Favorite Brands: Coach
• I can sew.
Nikol Schiavone Click HERE to send an email.
Hometown: Oak Forest, IL
I was a gymnast from age 9-16
Competed in levels 5-8 all around, & went to state placing in the top ten each year
From age 16-18, my Jr and Sr year in high school I was a flyer & a backspot at Lincoln Way East HS
Making it to State both years we placed top 20 the first & 7th the second. Both being our first two years as a cheer program
After HS I went on to coach gymnastics at Gym-Kinetics
Coaching ages 3-17
I have coached the mom and tot classes, beginner, intermediate and advanced classes on all events.
After Gym-Kinetics I went to coach at St. Charles gymnastics for 2 years
I coached all rec classes from beginner-Advanced
As well as being the floor and beam coach for levels 4-10 team
Previously coached cheer at All star Rebels for 2 seasons, coaching Youth 2 and one year of Senior 3.
2009-2010 season Youth 2 won JamLive and many other competitions always placing in top 5 and a couple top 10 (as well for the 2010-2011 season)
Senior 3 for the 2010-2011 season placed top 3 at every competition
Tumbling instructor for the Minis to Level 5
Brittney Mooney Click HERE to send an email.
Brittney began her cheerleading career with Darlene at ICE of Indiana. She then went on to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago and placed within the top 4 at NCA College Nationals.
She then attended St. Cloud State University and has made teams such as NC State Large Coed and Trinity Valley Community College, both highly recognized cheerleading programs.
She currently coaches at ICE and has 8 years of coaching experience. She is ASEP, First Aid, CPR, USASF UP TO LEVEL 5 AND AACCA CERTIFIED.
Sandy Gillespie Click HERE to send an email.
Levels 1-2 teams coach
Home Town: Geneva, IL
College: Graduate of Elmhurst College with a BS in Marketing
CPR and First Aid Certified
Coaching Biography:
13 time National Championship and 4 time Grand Championship winning coach
Has coached Tiny thru Youth Level 3
Tumbling instructor
Cheerleading Biography:
Former College and HS cheerleader
Previous Background:
Allstar Rebels - Winningest Illinois Coach at the Tiny Level past four years including two undefeated seasons.
- Mini Level has always finished with at least one National Title each season
Cheer Spirit - 5 years coaching various levels and pre-teams as primary role was Director
Chicago Spirit - 1 year coaching Mini Level
Choreographer of 6 National Title winning routines
Sammy Platon Click HERE to send an email.
Hometown: Lemont, IL
Current City: Aurora, IL
Education: Northern Illinois University - Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences
- Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education (In Progress)
Cheerleading Expereince:
Years Cheering: 10+ years (pop warner, junior high, high school, all star, college), Lemont High School 2000 - 04 with a 2nd at State (2003),
ICE Athletics Small Coed 2003 - 04, International Open Coed 2005 - 07, Northern Illinois University Coed and All Girl 2004 - 06, Illinois Cheer Company International Open Coed 2009 - 10.
Favorite Cheer Experience:
My first football game as a college cheerleader, and competing on the open teams so my kids could see me cheer.
Coaching Experience:
NCA Staff, 2004 - 2006 - Top Rookie Instructor
ICE Athletics/ICC Summer Camp Instructor 2005 - 10
ICE Athletics/ICC Team Coach 2006-11
ICE All Stars 2011 - Present
Coached levels 2 - 5, Minis - Seniors
Numerous National Titles
3 Grand Champion titles
Favorite Coaching Experience: Winning Jamfest Super Nationals for Small Youth 3, winning Youth Level 3 Grand Champs, and teaching a cheerleading camp in St. Gallen, Switzerland!!
Other Fun Facts:
• I'd rather base than fly
• Josh was the first person I co-ed stunted with and the first person to teach me how to double down.
• I like math.
Kaley Collier Click HERE to send an email.
Kaley is in her third year of coaching with ICE. Last season Kaley coached the senior level 4 team to 2 national championships and level 4 grand champions at GLCC nationals. This year she coaches the Senior Level 5 Open team. Kaley has 7 years experience of all star cheering and was a UCA all star national champion receiving a full paid bid to The Cheerleading Worlds. She was a competitor at The Cheerleading Worlds two times. Most recently, Kaley was selected as an Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader.
Csaba Turks Click HERE to send an email.
Born in Budapest,Hungary.
First time in the gym as a gymnast 6 years old.
After 12 years of gymnastics and my masters degree I traveled the world as circus performer. I worked in 37 different countries. Also, Royal Caribbean cruise line, Las Vegas and many others.
I came to the states 10 years ago.
Started working in Plano at the YMCA in gymnastics (head coach 3 years)
Rush-copley Healthplex - personal trainer 4 years.
I've worked with Ice Athletics, Premier Gymnastics, Twisters Elite, Bolingbrook high school, Yorkville high school.
Currently I'm working at Rush-Copley Healthplex, Bolingbrook high school, Twisters elite and as a new hired to ICE.
My specialties are gymnastics girls and boys.
Power tumbling in all ages boys and girls.
Personal training/nutrition expert.
Ryan Carter Click HERE to send an email.
Gymnast for 13 years, 3 time state champion & 2 time regional champion junior national team member. Member of the UIC gymnastics team from 2005 to 2007. Has coached cheer tumble and power tumbling for 7 years. USASF certified levels 1-5 for tumbling, USTA certified, USAG certified and safety certified
Cerise Harris Click HERE to send an email.
Spent 8 years as a Jesse white tumbler, 4 years competitive high school cheer Alan B. Shepard top 5 state ranked, 6 years all star cheer SuperCDA 2 year national champions, & 2 years of competitive cheer with University of Illinois.
Coaching: 8 years with four time state champions boys gymnastic 3D gymnastic an Cheer, two years with ICC, Master Instructor for the Xtreme Gymnastics and Cheer, USAG certified, USASF certified levels 1-5 tumbling stunts and baskets.
CPR certified.
8 years of congress for gymnastics and tumbling.
Matteo Alfano
Matteo attended the University of Kentucky on a full scholarship and has won 3 back to back National Championships at UCA college Nationals.
He has 10 years of coaching experience in cheerleading and gymnastics and is and currently coaching at ICE and is ASEP, USASF UP TO LEVEL 5, FIRST AID, CPR, AND AACCA CERTIFIED.
Michael Seitzer Click HERE to send an email.
Bio coming soon!
Monday thru Thursday, our busiest gym days, we have trainer Kim Jenckes on staff to evaluate and treat any injuries.
Kim Jenckes, ATC, CKTP is our program trainer.
She holds a degree in Athletic Training from the University of Northern Illinois where she graduated in 2003. With experience at the high school Divsion I intercollegiate athletics and the Olympic Development Soccer Program, Kim brings a wealth of athletic training experience to the ICE programs. Kim is available throughout the year to assist your athletes with their injury and recovery program. She received her Kinesiotaphing Certificaiton in 2011.
ICE offers teams for those in Preschool thru High School Levels 1 thru 5.
ICE is starting Quarter Season Levels this season!
For information regarding our full season teams, call between 5-9:00PM Monday thru Thursday 630-692-1ICE (1423) or email us by clicking below.
ICE Tryout Packet - 2011REV2.pdf
Click HERE for Quarter Season Team Info
Click on a team photo to enlarge
UnityJunior L5
BELIEVE Special Needs
AchieveJunior L3
All Stars
Proudly Presents
Special needs Cheerleading Team
A Special needs team for participants - 6 -21 years with all abilities!
Believe is run by 2 head coaches and 12 amazing senior aged all-star cheerleaders. We have a ratio of 2 athletes per coach. Believe cheerleaders incorporate every aspect of an all-star competitive routine to the best of their abilities, and get to show off their stuff at local competitions. We stunt, tumble, cheer, dance and jump! Not only does this program increase coordination, it makes self esteem soar!
What the mind can conceive and BELIEVE, you can achieve.
BELIEVE
Informational Meeting: Saturday, September 17th 2:00pm
Participants will stay to practice after meeting
Cost: FREE to all cheerleaders (nominal fee for the uniform)
Practices: Saturdays from 3:00 - 4:30 PM
Fall Session - September 17th November 19th
Winter Session - January 14th - March 10th
Local performances: TDB
Location: ICE All Stars Gym
2680 Diehl Rd. Aurora, IL 60502
www.ice-cheer.com click on the link for the Illinois gym
For more information:
e-mail Annette Pritz at pritz5_sbcglobal.net or call 630-531-5454
Please contact Annette by September 10th to reserve a spot
ICE Believe Info Flyer.pdf
Directions:
One block West of Eola Roads I-88 exit.
Phone: (630) 692-1ICE
We are located at:
Gym Hours
Mon - Thurs: 4:00 - 9:00pm
Sat: 9:00 - 3:00pm, Open Gym 1:00-3:00pm
Sun: 12:00 - 3:00pm, Open Gym 1:00-3:00pm
Front Desk Hours
Monday - Thurs: 5:00 - 9:00pm
(Phone registration for Classes & Clinics taken during these hours)
In 2011, ICE opened a third facility in Aurora, IL.
Help! I'm a Cheer Parent!
Cheer Vocabulary
Breaking Free
Ice Therapy
ICE is dedicating this section of its website to articles and training tips we believe are the foundation of cheerleading. What you see on our site is just the "tip of the iceberg." ICE is so much more than can be expressed here. We're happy to share our training philosophies along with those from who we admire throughout the cheer industry.
Click on one of the articles above and check back often as this section continues to grow so it may help you continue to grow in spirit and knowledge of our wonderful sport, cheerleading!
Help! I’m A Cheer Parent!
By Debbie Love
Cheerleader Parent Handbook
Have you ever thought to yourself “Help! I’'m a Cheer Parent!”? I am sure every parent of a child in cheerleading has thought these words. To find the best solutions, we probably should run as quickly as possible to a psychologist. In any sport, athletes deal with many psychological issues. All we want as parents, is for our child to be the best in the gym. That is a very natural desire, and it is okay for us to feel this way. It is only when we try to take over our child’s sport for ourselves that we are in the wrong. I know because I have been there.
Let me give you an example. I have six children, all of whom have cheered and competed in gymnastics. When one of my children, Christi, was six, she had a mental block on her round-off back handspring. It was the day before our family vacation. Well, I just went crazy. I thought, “Oh my gosh, she’'s never going to tumble again!” And so I did what every parent does or wants to do for her child—, I helped her. I made her do ten standing back handsprings and ten round-off back handsprings every day, on any surface, the entire vacation. She cried, but I still stuck to my plan. I told myself that I was making sure I helped her, just like a good mother should. I had it all wrong. Christi needed to relax, and build confidence. Repetitions (at a higher level of stress) wasn’t helping at all. She was only six years old. She eventually got her back handspring back, but I will never forgive myself for being so psychotic at the time.
Children always realize they are in competition with other athletes. We do not have to constantly remind them of this and compare them to the other children they are competing against. I feel that many of us live vicariously through our children. I know I have. I did not have the opportunities that my children have and I want them to compare favorably to everyone else. I am sure others feel the same way. But, that is a foolish thing for a parent to do. Remember, we are supposed to love and accept our children with no strings attached. This means that they do not have to be as good in the gym as we think they should be in order to gain our love and acceptance.
We all want our children to be in the front so that everyone can see them. I can remember getting so angry because one of my children was behind someone else and I could not see her. Parents, this sport is not about us. It is about teaching children the nine core values of athletics. No one is in front all of the time or is the best at everything. Even if someone was, cheer does not revolve around your child, —be a team player. Your desire should be to want to see improvements in every athlete and, therefore, a better performance by your team.
I can remember a time that my youngest, who was ten at the time, cried because she wanted to base instead of fly. Another time, ,however, she told her coach to take her down so that another little girl could fly. It was really sweet and I was so proud of her because it showed that she cared more about others than about herself (a good character quality for a team athlete to possess).
I believe that the best thing we can do for our children is to let them lead in what they want and to own their own skills. If they do not love what they are doing, their experience will not be valuable to them as humans. I love every minute of my job, and the athlete’s job is his or her sport. My parents were not very involved in my cheerleading. It was me who wanted it, not my parents. I would practice it any time I had the opportunity because it was my love, my passion, and it still is to this day.
What About Coaches?
Perhaps you need to get to know the coaches. They will be more than willing to give you a report on your child. Tumbling coaches have it the roughest. Accusations they often have to deal with include: “He likes that little girl better,” “I don'’t get to do my skill enough,” “They don’'t get enough turns,” “Why aren’'t they spotting them more,” and “
They won’t let me move on,” to name a few examples. First of all, let me tell you a story. One of my little girls was on a level 5 gymnastics team when she was seven years old. I watched her practice one day and she did only four cartwheels in an hour. I was furious. However, what I did not know was that her coaches were putting her through other strengthening exercises to build up her ability to perform the skill. I learned that what you see is not always what you get.
Some days in tumbling, we do not even do the skill they are working on. For instance, a back handspring requires strength in plyometrics, core, shoulders, hamstrings, and glutes, and the athlete also must know how to engage her head, core, and power bases. I have seen many people spend thousands of dollars on a back handspring when all they needed to do was strengthen their body appropriately and the skill would have been easy. Athletes must follow progressions from A to Z to learn well and completely. Plus, it will keep them injury-free and psychologically relaxed. Conditioning is extremely important, so do not neglect it.
If you feel something is wrong, do not talk about it to other children or parents. Go straight to the coach and in a non-threatening way, talk to the coach about your issue. Never blame other people. That only makes you look very small and picky. Always remember that a difficult situation is usually one in which we do not have a clear picture or are not familiar with what is going on. Finding out what is happening from all parties involved provides an easier approach to the problem.
If your child develops a mental block, please do not go crazy. There is help. Please see my “Breaking Free” document on how to deal with mental blocks. There are other aids online as well. Dr. Alison Arnold and Dr. Pamela Enders are two great sources of help. The worst thing you can do is add more stress to your child’s overload. The best thing to do is to see if you can identify the trigger—whether it is stress from within, stress from coaches, or stress from outside. Relax. It will get better the calmer you are.
You May Be Thinking, What Is My Role?
You have several roles to play. First and foremost, to support and love your child with no strings attached.
After that, you should ask your child’'s coach what conditioning exercises your child needs and why, so that you have a clear picture of the physiological strengths and deficiencies of your child’s body. Be aware that nutrition is important. 50% of Americans are on diets, with 35% being chronic dieters and 10% having an eating disorder. As a personal example, one of my daughters is and always will have an eating disorder. She developed her disorder when someone told her that she was big. This caused her to go on a low-carb diet, which sent her into a vicious bulimic anorexic cycle. Watch your child and make sure they are feeling good about themselves. Do not push them to be something they are not or do not want to be. After all, it is just cheerleading. Life is more important. Then ask if they need any extra classes, like a flyer class or a jump class, to ensure that they are in the best shape for their year. It takes a cooperative effort between your child, yourself, and the coach to put your child in the best position to succeed, both individually and together with the team. Also, make sure they do not miss any important events. It is always better to try not to miss any at all. We know there will be exceptions: vacations, family emergencies, etc.
What If My Child Does Not Like It Anymore and Wants To Quit?
First of all, if your child tried out for cheerleading, she owes the coaches that year. It is never a good trait to teach our children that they can just quit at any time. They must finish the season and give it their best. Remember that it takes every piece of the puzzle to complete the masterpiece. It is the same with our teams. Each and every person is important and if one quits, the puzzle is incomplete. After the season is over, you may then allow your child to make the choice to continue or not.
What If My Child Is Just Not Good?
Children go through many stages in life as far as growth. At some points they are very awkward. Let me give you an example. My son was on a men’'s gymnastics team for a long time. He was very strong in the lower half of his body, but the upper half had not yet caught up with the lower half. He was fifteen and was very sensitive to criticism. His coach did not recognize this physiological fact and made my son feel that he was not very good. There were several skills he could not do, so he quit the team. Two years later though, when his body equaled out, he could then do all the skills without any practice. So, your child may just be growing. This is a good thing, so be understanding and supportive. Although they may become frustrated, they will probably grow out of it in time. Also, get them a conditioning sheet and exercise with them. Always tackle problems together rather than letting the problems take over.
What About Competition Etiquette?
