Recent content by JoyAvenueMom

The way your gym treats Xcel and Xcel athletes would be a great thing to consider. For some gyms, it is considered "less competitive". There are lower expectations, fewer hours, and not a lot of mobility back to JO. Other gyms use Xcel as a sidetrack, moving kids in and out to avoid a lot of...

We have 40+ in Levels 6 and up. At one point this season, every single 12yo was injured, and most of the 13yos as well. Only one kid under 12 was injured, regardless of level. Some are out for the season, others have missed a meet or two. After they go through puberty, it seems rare for girls...

A girl at our gym had this diagnosed in the fall and had surgery. She was 13 and training Level 9. She has continued to o everything the doctor would allow, but will be restricted for quite a while. Just this past weekend, she competed a no-handed L9 floor routine and scored a 9.4. (all front...

I agree with others regarding the possible dynamics of the group. One other thing you might try (if you haven't already) is to address the issue by asking your dd who she would most like to hang with. Then try and schedule a pre-post meet meal with that girl and her family. It's not a team...

Kipper was diagnosed with a unilateral stress reaction in L5, no confirmed fracture. The doc explained that a fracture (where lines are visible on an x-ray) does not normally heal completely. However; it can be managed. In Kipper's case, he was actually more conservative because she had the...

^^^^ Yes. More about age-appropriate than skill appropriate. She needs to be with kids closer to her age. No harm in asking if she is really in the best class. Preschool classes are all about having fun, and are often taught by people who have zero gym experience.

Meets the requirements, but may have a lot of deductions. Cast angles, and trying to giant from less than an handstand might produce funky, archy shape in giants. Kipper was disappointed when her 10.0 sv routine only scored mid 8's at the beginning of the season. There were no major mistakes...

Tight and controlled seems to score better. Think of it as showing strength and precision.

The older they are the harder it is. At 8 years old, I just told her "you are switching". She cried for hours, and I felt horrible. After 2 practices at the new gym she told me it was the right thing to do. Now that she is 12, it would be very hard to move unless she was on board. I...

In our state,there is an official "drop down" date. Gymnasts may drop to a lower level at any point before this date ( a couple of months before state). The stated reason is to not penalize the gymnast for trying the harder level. I assume other states would have a similar policy.

It is difficult to offer advice without knowing how your gym views XCEL. You said: "When I asked about moving back to JO after a year of bronze, her coach is open to it, but it would be based on her progression and what they feel would be the best path for her at that time." I agree with...

This is not scientific...but a good estimate: According to MMS, at this year's state meet: 111 nine year olds; 101 10 yo, 97 11 yo, 86 12 yo, 58 13 yo, 33 14 yo, 20 15 yo, 23 16+ yo Not very many stay in past the age of 13.

I TRULY hope I am wrong...but Kipper's Severs started at 9 1/2. A heel cup was all she needed to get through that season. At 10, it flared up mid -season, and her coach taped gel cup to her foot and that helped a lot. Still, her vaults were absolutely horrible the last two meets because she...

Kipper is 12, and told me tearfully in May that gym "wasn't fun anymore". She looked miserable, and mentioned quitting a couple of times. She said the only reason she didn't want to quit was her friends and her coach. I agonized over her situation, not really sure how to help. The reality was...

She just turned 12 and had a huge growth spurt. Her biggest challenge until recently was fear . Her coach says she is strong enough, she just needs more confidence. With the body changes associated with the onset of puberty...everything is a hot mess!!!