We are debating whether or not to change gyms and I'm torn as to what we should do. Our current gym has a beautiful facility, but the coaching staff varies greatly - the coach my DD will have through L5 (she just finished L3, age 7) is meh, rarely spots, almost never actually touches a gymnast to correct form or give body awareness for how correct form should feel. Never gives feedback or specifics on how to improve and polish skills and dance elements. I can probably count on one hand the number of times in the entire season she has touched my daughter. I get the vibe that she really doesn't want to be there most of the time. The complicating factor is we have a new coach since November, she won't be her JO coach but she will be her TOPS coach. She's extremely hands on, emphasizing form and proper execution of skills, she was an elite and is quite adamant that she wants to provide a positive, safe atmosphere and not subject her gymnasts to the toxic coaching she endured. All the girls love her because they know she's invested in them and the sport and will literally go the extra mile for them. She's invested so much time in my daughter that I have so much guilt about even pondering leaving.
Our option for the gym move is a well established program, lots of level 10s but strictly JO, no TOPS or Elites. Produces some amazing JO athletes and has anywhere from 1-3 scholarships a year. I went and watched a practice and it didn't seem much different than ours, I should probably go watch a few more. Facility is not as nice but they come highly recommended from a family member who is at a large elite gym.
Does anyone have a gym that does not uptrain yet has TOPS, how do girls learning skills well beyond their level reconcile the two? We do not score out either, so it's a full year at 4 and 5, the only level they will skip is 6 (most girls don't though).
I know we're early on in this craziness, I'm torn between sticking it out through L5 and see where TOPS training gets her - then making the move if things haven't improved on the JO coaching side or just making the move now knowing she will be in a solid JO program with no TOPS.
Our option for the gym move is a well established program, lots of level 10s but strictly JO, no TOPS or Elites. Produces some amazing JO athletes and has anywhere from 1-3 scholarships a year. I went and watched a practice and it didn't seem much different than ours, I should probably go watch a few more. Facility is not as nice but they come highly recommended from a family member who is at a large elite gym.
Does anyone have a gym that does not uptrain yet has TOPS, how do girls learning skills well beyond their level reconcile the two? We do not score out either, so it's a full year at 4 and 5, the only level they will skip is 6 (most girls don't though).
I know we're early on in this craziness, I'm torn between sticking it out through L5 and see where TOPS training gets her - then making the move if things haven't improved on the JO coaching side or just making the move now knowing she will be in a solid JO program with no TOPS.