CheerMAD.com

05/21/2026

Let’s start from the run-out!

05/20/2026

Tryouts insight by a multi-Worlds, Majors, NCA, UCA, Summit Championship Coach and gym owner, Kelly Helton:

Based on the tryout questions I am getting - I would like to take you on a journey Inside the mind of a coach this time of year: 🤯

When it comes to putting rosters together - here is how it goes for flyers (for the most part)

After tryouts - we are looking at each stunt position specifically - each team can house a certain number of each stunt position.

For instance - SSX has 5 flyers, 5 main bases, 5 side bases, 5 backspots and 2 tumblers

While many flyers are extremely talented for their level - ultimately we can only keep a certain number per team. Typically - we try those who tumble with the best technique, consistency and difficulty for their level first. Being in range with tumbling is the hardest thing to do in cheer for higher levels. We also consider who will “trick fly” in pyramid (Size and the ability to separate skills is important here) Who will coed stunt if applicable and basket/dismount because it is also a large part of the score 🙂

Most often - the flyers are responsible for a large part of the tumbling score. Experience goes a long way - so those who are still size and age eligible for teams typically get tried first also.

For flyers - we look at
1. Body control and stability (tight hips/knees/ankles/feet-no leaning) - this is the hardest thing to teach and takes a lot of reps to master (hence why flight class is important)
2. Timing/flexibility/performance/etc - improvement in these categories can be short term if applied consistently
3. The ability to apply correction, remember counts and specific instructions for arms and catch on to Choreo quickly. Attitude also plays a part

If they have all of these things - the size and strength of the bases and backspots plays the last part and is obviously important as all competitive sports deal with comparison of size (IE - football also uses certain body types for different positions). We have to keep safety at the forefront of all decisions.

IF we have strong enough groups and can make tumble range - THEN the Bases and backspots lacking strength to hold up the flyers we need should work on those skills with smaller flyers - maybe on a younger division or lower level - regardless of tumbling skills so that they MASTER a position of some kind. This includes but not limited to quickness in getting PROPER grips…pace of skills…aggressiveness…willingness to apply correction…stamina. If you were tall for your age group but stopped growing, it may be time to learn how to base.

Flyers wishing to tumble a higher level than we can offer a group for that we deem SAFE may need to consider introducing themselves to basing. This transition is almost always successful due to their years of perspective in the air.

Communication is key this time of year ESPECIALLY between parent and child. Please remember that cheer is more than a stunt position or a level - it is a place they come to with friends, to stay in shape and keep a clear mind while working on life skills like time management, goal-setting, determination and more. A happy parent = a happy child 90% of the time.


CheerCast
Cheer Extreme Raleigh
CheerMAD.com

CheerMAD is the premier resource for cheer moms and dads to stay informed about Allstars, competetive cheer trends, competitions, products, services and everything that makes us Certifiably CheerMAD!

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

A parents guide to Cheer evaluations.

05/19/2026

In the news: Varsity Brands Named in New Bill Targeting Private Equity in Youth Sports

Bill seeks to end 'vulture practices' in kids sports; can it work?

USA TODAY
Senators Chris Murphy and Rep. Chris Deluzio have introduced the “Let Kids Play Act,” a federal bill aimed at eliminating private‑equity “vulture practices” that inflate costs and restrict access in youth sports.

The legislation would ban such investors, force refunds of junk fees, cancel predatory contracts and create a fund to subsidize participation, targeting practices like mandatory hotel stays, streaming fees and data‑mining apps.

Introduced on May 13, the Bill targets private equity firms (large investment companies) in youth sports, including Varsity Brands, which was named. It would ban practices like requiring families to book specific hotels to compete, charging fees to watch your own child's game, long-term contracts, no refunds, collecting children's personal data for profit, and more.

Why it matters: Cheer families worldwide already feel these costs – competition fees, streaming fees, and travel requirements are built into the sport.

Varsity Brands controls a large share of the global cheerleading market, from competitions to scoring to streaming.

This Bill is a direct challenge to how that control is used.

What’s next: The Bill is in its early stages and faces a long path to becoming law, if it does at all.

Even if it doesn't pass, lawmakers say the Bill alone may raise more awareness about the industry.

In 2024, Varsity Brands was acquired by KKR, a global investment firm, for a reported $4.75 Billion, exactly the type of situation this Bill would address.

If interested in proactively following this issue, PM us and we’ll add you to our list that has organically formed 😃






Image via Sportico

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05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the “Ms” of CheerMAD ♥️

05/05/2026

People are talking about:
The Summit 2026 Top 50 Scores from the International Summit Finals and The Summit Finals.

⁣⁣⁣Find all of the results from The Summit 2026 here:
⁣
https://cheertheory.com/competitions/the-summit-championship-2026/

Thanks again Cheer Theory for the fantastic coverage.

05/05/2026

People are talking about: Cheer Athletics Dallas (not the hallmark location Cheer Athletics in Plano) is closing but some speculate some version will emerge under another brand.

05/05/2026

More teams wrapping up.
More to go next weekend.

Practicing for the final big comp.
Practicing for try-outs.

Saying “Goodbye.”
Saying “Hello.”

* This is CheerMAD original content with the help of AI enabled graphics to CheerMAD specifics. 😉





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05/05/2026

End of season reality.

* This is CheerMAD original content with the help of AI enabled graphics to CheerMAD specifics. 😉





Inside Cheerleading Magazine
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Open Championship Series

05/04/2026

So that’s where her (fill in the blank) is!

The “in between.”

In between the last comp and a new season.

In between tryouts and the last comp.

In between signing up for 2026-27 and paying for 2025-26.

In between assessing the mental cost and the emotional elation.

In between today’s reality and tomorrow’s missed moments.

Wherever you are, you showed up, you, did your best, you matter.

* This is CheerMAD original content with the help of AI enabled graphics to CheerMAD specifics. 😉





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