mom2kazkids
Proud Parent
While she is already training L8,
Also from your previous post.
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While she is already training L8,
There has been a lot of discussion lately about very young gymnasts at very high levels, often before they are really ready. So my question is, given that the obvious things (skills, form, maturity, etc.) are in place, what is the "perfect" progression? I have heard that a gymnast wanting NCAA needs to be a solid level 10 by her sophomore year because that's when the college coaches start really watching and looking for their next recruits. And I've heard that elite gymnasts need to be experienced elites before they are seniors (age 16) if they want to make the national teams and get assigned to international competitions. So they should probably make elite by say 14 or 15. And it can often take a year or two after level 10 to qualify as an elite gymnast. So, what age is the ideal age for each level for a gymnast wanting NCAA and/or elite? If you were to plan the perfect progression (that fits in with the current system), what would it be? What age should she start? How quickly should she move through the levels? How old should she be when she reaches level 10? When she qualifies to elite? If you were the coach, how would you progress your talented gymnast?
I'm also confused by your post. I looked at your Youtube channel and you have an 8 year old training L8? You just completely argued against this, but still, your daugter I'm assuming, is L8 and 8? Doesnt make sense to me.
Ok now...I think we are ALL losing sight of the OP! This is suppose to be a "hypothetical" gymnast remember!I guess I didn't make myself clear. I'm talking about a hypothetical situation and setting goals for an elite-driven gymnast. I'm not asking for personal stories or "the reality is" posts. Don't any of you play fantasy football? Shawn Johnson's coach asked her at 6 or 7 years old how far she wanted to go in this sport and then he coached her accordingly. Be the coach and coach your gymnast to the Olympics and college. Assume that everything fell into place, she was never injured, got all her skills in a timely manner, etc. How would you progress her?
Ok now...I think we are ALL losing sight of the OP! This is suppose to be a "hypothetical" gymnast remember!
Maybe from your Blog in your signature???
I'm also confused by your post. I looked at your Youtube channel and you have an 8 year old training L8? You just completely argued against this, but still, your daugter I'm assuming, is L8 and 8? Doesnt make sense to me.
Oh, but I love watching her, she is so great and has great form once she masters it for the most part!
I guess it's all "hypothetical" until you get the "answer" that you want to hear!!
Okay, if I were a coach, here's what I would try to do:
age 7- level 5
age 8- level 6
age 9- level 7
age 10- level 8
age 11- level 9
age 12- Level 10
You're welcome. The thread didn't go where I thought but I'm loving the information!
Thank you sooooo much for this! This makes me feel much better about DD's training. While she is already training L8, these are exactly the skills that she is working on perfecting. It's nice to know she's on the right track working the important stuff.
I also put that because in reality there are very few ideals, advancing faster would allow time for issues later, should they arise.
Can I ask you something? Does your gym have any experience with elites? or "at least" top L10s?
No judgement intended, just wondering. Her progress definitely doesn't look like the typical "focus on basics" approach for elites. However, I don't want to just assume that they might not have their own plan which might very well work out. So I figured I'd just ask.
Everyone has their own opinions at what ages the gymnast should be at different levels. My daughter is an elite/hopes at 12. She has been at that level for 2 seasons. She did level 4 for two years at ages 6 and 7. She has progressed through every level without skipping a level. I feel strongly thats why she is where she is . I have witness many gymnast my daughter's age that skipped level 6 and some even level 5. I would think about 85% to 90% of those kids have quit the sport before turning 12. There is no rush to get to elite, just let your daughter go level by level and if she is really good, she will get to elite.. Even if she just does level 10, that is a great feat too. Level 10's will get college scholarships too. Every child has her own time frame and they must move on at their own speed in this sport.