When my now L10 daughter was younger I definitely deferred to her in terms of not wanting spectators and such. People understand (at least I think they did.) As she got older I slowly got a little less deferential because I didn't want to be raising a diva and the reality is, upper optionals...
It was the coach who announced (when asked by the press) that she wasn’t training there. I don’t think it’s fair to blame her for “causing drama.” She’s a grown woman being coached at a high level, presumably in a stressful environment, by a coach who is used to training young girls and who has...
There are issues with the US health system, for sure, but let me share a different example. A family member was raving about the Australian system because his cousin was able to get a mammogram at age 49, even though (he told me) most can't get it there until age 50. I shared that in the US it's...
But if I were reading a book about someone moving to level 10 it would not feel realistic if she moved up by scoring a 34 in level 9. They move up when they get their level 10 skills/routines. In some gyms they have to have 10.0 start values on all four events to compete level 10. Other gyms are...
My advice is to try focusing on how it's much harder for the new girl and her parents than it is for you and your kid, and what you can do to help make that transition easier. How can you use the opportunity to guide your kid in a way that helps make her a better teammate, and ultimately a...
I think it’s a badge of honor to be able to do a full value two pass routine in L10. I could be wrong but I think Avery Neff did a two pass routine last year and we all know how that worked out. :p
Looks like per mymeetscores, at Region One Championships last year the following teams had ten or more L10s:
Bold
Desert Devils
Gold Medal
Gymcats
Gymnastics Olympica
Olympus
San Mateo
South Coast
You could probably get the full list pretty quickly by checking each region's championships...
Yes, I think this explains what I was sharing - I'm thinking that for some programs there is one arm/person communicating with everyone on the list, regardless of tier. Those athletes are getting the mailers, the bulk emails and in some cases, the instagram likes. Come June 15, the coaches reach...
I feel like I'm still learning because (1) there is a lot to learn and (2) things keep changing! But I was really intrigued to hear an interview that Sydney Seabrooks gave on a podcast recently where she shared what she did. I found it interesting because while she is certainly a strong gymnast...
I have some advice to my younger self, so I thought I would share it here in case it's useful to others (it's too late for me, unfortunately.) It relates to gymnastics medals.
People have different preferences and styles around what to do with medals. My daughter hung hers on a rack for a few...
Gymnastics is not a sacrifice, but a choice. Giving your time to feed the poor is a sacrifice; participating in a club sport is not. So don't buy into the narrative that your child is "giving up" going to the mall, hanging with their friends, blah blah blah so they can do gymnastics. This is...
I feel like I know Joscelyn and her mom through CB, so it's definitely made it very fun to see her make the team and be having such a successful career. I will add that my dd has had some interactions with her that have been nothing but lovely, so thank you for that as well!
Fun! Here's what I think (I'm a parent, not a gymnast):
1. Assuming you mean a dismount, then yes, but I don't know how common that dismount is? A double tuck with a full twist ("full in" or "full out") would be more realistic, I think.
2. Mine says kip and not upstart (US)
3. Beam
4. Saluting
My multi year L10 said “100 percent no.” She said in all of her years, it’s never happened with any coach and the idea that it’s normal is absurd (as we all know.)
I initially didn’t tell my dd she would be trying out, but when she said she didn’t want to do it I told her she didn’t have to of course, but if she did she might get to be one of the girls who wore the red leotards. She immediately changed her tune, did her best and made pre team. I kind of...
Who else is bugged sometimes at how most of the general population is ill-informed about gymnastics and what it means to be "good"?
The other day a dad I know with no connection to gymnastics brought up Livvy Dunne (fascinating how many people know about her!) He made a comment along the lines...
@Aussie_coach Thanks for your insight. While I tend to agree with you, based on what I've observed as a longtime gym parent, I think it's important to point out that this system/method is not foolproof, and parents who have a child who loves the sport, wants more, seems to have some talent, etc...
When my daughter was young and in rec, I politely sat back and waited for coaches to notice her and move her up. When they didn't, I figured there must be some reason that I as a parent couldn't see. I didn't want to be pushy or obnoxious. Finally one day I made a polite inquiry about it. The...