Expert: Kimmi - 8/31/2007

Question
Hello,
My 8 yr old daughter is a first time flyer on a youth level 3 squad this year. She is 4ft 2 in and about 53lbs. She is slight but very muscular. Her bases complain that she is too heavy but she is about the same size of the other 3 flyers on her team. I think the issue is her not knowing how to hold her weight in the stunt so that she seems lighter. It could also be that the bases are not very strong. There is no way that I am going to restrict calories or put my child on a diet because she is told she is too heavy! She is probably a bit underweight for her age to begin with, so I really don't think her weight is the issue. What exercises can she do at home to help her stay tight and help her bases with the weight distribution. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Kathy

Answer
      First of all, let me state my displeasure that your daughter's coach has not put a stop to the complaining bases. Allowing girls to complain that other girls are "too heavy" only causes to give young women weight complexs that can last their entire lives. I would definitely say something to the coach about not appreciating these bases comments.
     Now on to the issue: Every coach has their own opinion on stunting, but it is my opinion that in most cases if stunting is not working, it is not because the flyer is too heavy, it is because the bases are not strong enough. If I had no idea about the physique of your daughter I might be unsure, but from what you say about her, there is no way that she is too heavy. And in no way, shape, or form should any 8 year old be restricting calories. The focus for girls that young should be on eating healthily and growing up strong.
    As for holding her weight in the stunt, when they load in she should have her arms locked and be holding all her weight up on her arms. If the bases were not holding her feet, she should still be able to hold herself up on their shoulders. After the dip, when the stunt is going up, she should shrug upwards with her shoulders and stand tight and tall to assist the stunt in going up. Once she is up she should always be extremely tight. If your daughter is doing all these things, then she is doing her job to assist with her weight. As for exercises anything that works the core muscles in the stomach and abs is great for flyers, but be aware that at your daughter's age, she might not be able to build much muscle definition. For flexibility, working things on one foot while standing on a chair, or a balance trainer is great for balance as well as for the core muscles.
   I really think that the problem is not with your daughter but with her bases. They should working on getting stronger and basing correctly. You can speak with your daughter's coach about this.
   I hope that my advice has helped and I wish you and your daughter all the best of luck. Please let me know how it goes!
Happy Cheering!
Kimmi