Parents Advice, gym fit, level 4

[NutterButter]

Something that has not been addressed but could be relevant....you mention your DD is an older starter? Sounds like she briefly did rec then started team. Was there pre-team at her gym or did she simply start and compete L3 less than a year later? If the answers to these questions is yes, this here could be the reason why you are seeing what you consider a 'decline' in potential. Most of the gyms in my area will spend 1-2 years in pre-team before competing (and starting with L4). The time is pre-team is spent on foundational skills and shaping that will lead to safer and easier progression across levels. How much uptraining did she do in L3? You mention it was a reason for changing gyms so perhaps she didn't receive much? Could she do a kip when she started at her new gym? How long was she at the new gym before the L4 season started? It's entirely possible that she simply hasn't had enough time to perfect skills to 36+ just yet. And this in no way means that the potential is not there, just that she needs more time with the jump to L4.

 

[34gymcoach]

It sounds as if you have made your decision already. You say you have an idea of what you are looking for- # of routines, amount of time upgrading, etc. Is your background in gymnastics as an experienced coach? If you have that little faith in a successful program, then it is time to move on or open your own program. There is some good advice from experienced gym parents on here. Best of luck!

 

[HannahBanana]

It sounds as if you have made your decision already. You say you have an idea of what you are looking for- # of routines, amount of time upgrading, etc. Is your background in gymnastics as an experienced coach? If you have that little faith in a successful program, then it is time to move on or open your own program. There is some good advice from experienced gym parents on here. Best of luck!

I never said anything on this: “# of routines, amount of time upgrading, etc.” and no I am not “an experienced coach” lol - if you read the post that much would be clear and I wouldn’t be posting here asking for insight. But I’m fairly certain that was meant more as a dig at me than anything.

True, I have lost faith in our program and have found helpful responses from many here. A gym being “a successful program” does not mean it is successful for everyone, per my original post and whether this is a good fit (see title, “good fit”). Since you speculated on my background I’ll speculate on yours - are u a gym owner or coach feeling raw about parents questioning best place for their kids, even tho that is our own job to be doing? Best of luck to you.

 

[HannahBanana]

Something that has not been addressed but could be relevant....you mention your DD is an older starter? Sounds like she briefly did rec then started team. Was there pre-team at her gym or did she simply start and compete L3 less than a year later? If the answers to these questions is yes, this here could be the reason why you are seeing what you consider a 'decline' in potential. Most of the gyms in my area will spend 1-2 years in pre-team before competing (and starting with L4). The time is pre-team is spent on foundational skills and shaping that will lead to safer and easier progression across levels. How much uptraining did she do in L3? You mention it was a reason for changing gyms so perhaps she didn't receive much? Could she do a kip when she started at her new gym? How long was she at the new gym before the L4 season started? It's entirely possible that she simply hasn't had enough time to perfect skills to 36+ just yet. And this in no way means that the potential is not there, just that she needs more time with the jump to L4.

This is very on point, thank you. Yes, she did like two months of rec then straight to team. No pre team. This makes a lot of sense about the long term work needed on fundamentals and which is not always apparent to a new parent (or any parent!). Not much uptraining at all L3, hardly any. Yes early kip.

 

[HannahBanana]

Again, I am not sure you are listening to what several of us have tried to impart. I certainly understand the desire to understand and be able to directly correlate a cause and effect. But what we are all saying is that looking at data of outcomes at L3 and 4 has no validity in this analysis. Those scores are in no way a predictor or explanatory variable regarding coaching or gymnast progress at this level. Trying to use them to justify your hypothesis is a faulty analysis. It is not until upper level optionals, like L8 or above, that I would start to even consider looking at scores as an explanatory variable for progression and performance. It is not unusual for a gymnast to have a dip in results at this and other levels. That is really the normal process. At this stage the best explanatory variable would be coaching experience and past coaching results. And of course if your DD is in a safe and positive environment.

Or another way, if you are an investor, you do not make significant moves at the first blip of a market drop. You might take notice, you might start watching things closer, but you wait for a trend line to develop. Trying to time the market and make changes to your portfolio based on one change just introduces more volatility and risk to your portfolio. Consistent and steady reduces risk and maximizes potential returns. And yes I did make are children a stock LOL.

So take a step back, be the cheerleader mom, help her through struggles and be patient. The time to be more pro-active will come later if you need to.

Great analogies, thank u

 

[NutterButter]

This is very on point, thank you. Yes, she did like two months of rec then straight to team. No pre team. This makes a lot of sense about the long term work needed on fundamentals and which is not always apparent to a new parent (or any parent!). Not much uptraining at all L3, hardly any. Yes early kip.

My kiddo had a similar trajectory with being a late start and no preteam. She started Xcel Silver (kinda like L4-lite) with very little time in rec. The following season she moved to L4. I just looked at her scores on mymeetscores and her highest Silver scores were 37s. But in L4 she never broke 35. She didn't even get above a 36 until L7. It sounds like your kid may just need more time in L4.