Parents Next level

[nycgymmom]

Our coaches have this crazy idea that they can move our L4 to L6/7. Is that possible?

 

[GymDad9.9]

yes

 

[gymbeam]

Yep! Totally possible. We live in an area where Compulsory season is in the fall and Optionals is in the Spring. Do you know if you do? If so, then that gives you a lot of time between season 4 ending and Level 7 season beginning to get ready.

Here's how our gym transitions all girls from Compulsaries to Optionals:

Oct-Dec: Compete Level 4
Following Oct-Dec: Compete Level 5
Jan-April: Compete Level 7​

So, if they are just going to have her score out of 5 versus competing the whole season, it will actually be even more likely for her to be ready for Level 7 by the next January since she won't be doing whole seasons of 5 and 7 back-to-back. Does that make sense?

(Oh, and Level 6 is essentially the same as Level 5 so in that case it is definitely possible.)

 

[GymDad9.9]

Yep! Totally possible. We live in an area where Compulsory season is in the fall and Optionals is in the Spring. Do you know if you do? If so, then that gives you a lot of time between season 4 ending and Level 7 season beginning to get ready.

Here's how our gym transitions all girls from Compulsaries to Optionals:

Oct-Dec: Compete Level 4
Following Oct-Dec: Compete Level 5
Jan-April: Compete Level 7​

So, if they are just going to have her score out of 5 versus competing the whole season, it will actually be even more likely for her to be ready for Level 7 by the next January. Does that make sense?

Sounds like it could be a fast track situation, which could consist of a scoring out of 5 following Level 4 season with transition to Level 6/7 in January.

 

[nycgymmom]

Thx everyone! Great information gonna share with the parents

 

[gymbeam]

ahhh, so not waiting that year in between. still totally doable- especially if coach is the one recommending it.

 

[gymbeam]

Thx everyone! Great information gonna share with the parents

have they already competed 4?

 

[Deleted member 18037]

Yes, you only need one score out at L5, which in NY is a 32

 

[nycgymmom]

Yes, you only need one score out at L5, which in NY is a 32

Perfect thx!

 

[nycgymmom]

Yes, you only need one score out at L5, which in NY is a 32

Do they have to score out L5 to do L6 or just L7

 

[Deleted member 18037]

Do they have to score out L5 to do L6 or just L7

All JO gymmies must start at L4 and score out to move. (Doing and moving through 1-3 are up to the gyms and coaches).

L4 and after require a score out to move. L6 however is not required at all.

So they need to score out of 5. Whether they go to 6 or 7, depends on coach/gym.

 

[munchkin3]

Totally possible....Level 5 and 6 are very similar...all levels are mandatory EXCEPT Level 6....

The toughest skills going from 4-6 will be

freehip- IMO the hardest......it MUST be at or above horizontal.
Casthandstands.
BHS on beam....
flyaway.....(but this is more a fear thing)

IF the child is well on their way with these skills, then the Giants would naturally be the next step and would then dictate if L7 is the goal.

The biggest change in thinking with going from compulsories to optional besides the fear factor is that the skills take a longer time to master......so giants in one month are NOT the same as giants in 6 months. Casthandstands take a LONG time to be able to control.....The evolution of the skill is what matters and how quickly the kid gets them and progresses dictates if the jump is possible.

 

[raenndrops]

Totally possible....Level 5 and 6 are very similar...all levels are mandatory EXCEPT Level 6....

The toughest skills going from 4-6 will be

freehip- IMO the hardest......it MUST be at or above horizontal.
Casthandstands.
BHS on beam....
flyaway.....(but this is more a fear thing)

IF the child is well on their way with these skills, then the Giants would naturally be the next step and would then dictate if L7 is the goal.

The biggest change in thinking with going from compulsories to optional besides the fear factor is that the skills take a longer time to master......so giants in one month are NOT the same as giants in 6 months. Casthandstands take a LONG time to be able to control.....The evolution of the skill is what matters and how quickly the kid gets them and progresses dictates if the jump is possible.

BHS on beam may be an individual gym requirement, but it is NOT a USAG requirement.

 

[Ali'sMom]

Yup.
Our girls did L4 in the spring. Did a L5 scoreout meet a few weeks later.
The following year, 4 of them did L6 and one did L7.

 

[Tigtimes]

There are many gyms in our area that do this. I would say that besides the one super selective power gym the others that do it usually see the kids repeat level 6/7 that following year , meaning 2 years at those levels.

 

[nycgymmom]

There are many gyms in our area that do this. I would say that besides the one super selective power gym the others that do it usually see the kids repeat level 6/7 that following year , meaning 2 years at those levels.

Yes that is what concerns the parents!

 

[Deleted member 18037]

BHS on beam may be an individual gym requirement, but it is NOT a USAG requirement.

Yes and a giant is not a USAG requirement for level 7

 

[Ali'sMom]

Yes that is what concerns the parents!

Going from 4 to 6 is extremely common. It's the bigger gyms that have their girls prepared for L7.
To put it into perspective, one could just about compete L6 with a L5 routine. Just need higher casts on the bars, and a clearhip. But, L5 is compulsory, which means the girls have to follow the exact L5 routine. Whereas L6 is optional and can play to each girl's strengths. (No flight (BHS) is required for L6, so the same BWO they would do in L5 will work for L6 - or even a CW).
Where I am, L6 is much more commonly competed than L5.

 

[Seeker]

Yes that is what concerns the parents!

I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing...esp if you assume you will be doing 1 yr at L6 and 1 yr at L7 from the start. You're also not really "skipping" anything or being fast-tracked as it's essentially the same progression year-wise as the standard path thru the required USAG levels. Since L6 is not required, any 2-yr combination of L5/6/7 is pretty standard.

Some gyms don't like L5 (or the former L6) -- scoring can be brutal and since it is compulsory, there is little flexibility in skills and routines. By "skipping" L5 and competing L6, it allows the gymnasts another year to perfect the gateway skills for L7+, while not getting hammered in the meets.l by competing skills that are not quite ready for prime-time. L6 is quite flexible, so some of the allowable routines will actually be easier than L5. It's a great way to build confidence, add skills as they become competition ready and have a lot more flexibility in routine construction and the skills competed.

If managed well, it can actually be a much kinder and gentler path thandoing L5 and jumping to L7. Don't worry!

 

[Deleted member 18037]

Yes that is what concerns the parents!

Repeating a level or doing 5/6 and seven is pretty much the same difference. They all get to where they are supposed to be.