Women Can i switch from excel gymnastics to JO?

[Gymnastthebest]

So I'm a silver and I'm close to being a gold. I recently found out that people in excel don't really get to go to the Olympics or go D1 and I really want to take my gymnastics to that level. I always feel i dont practice enough, and coaches dont take practices seriously and i know that I can do better if i got more practice. I'm in middle school, but I don't know how to switch, so i can be in a program that allows that. Should I wait until high school? Or start earlier? And I think I should start at level 7 because I have level 7 skills. But what program should I go to? How do I do it? And is it even possible? Also my gym only offers excel. Please, help!

 

[skschlag]

So I'm a silver and I'm close to being a gold. I recently found out that people in excel don't really get to go to the Olympics or go D1 and I really want to take my gymnastics to that level. I always feel i dont practice enough, and coaches dont take practices seriously and i know that I can do better if i got more practice. I'm in middle school, but I don't know how to switch, so i can be in a program that allows that. Should I wait until high school? Or start earlier? And I think I should start at level 7 because I have level 7 skills. But what program should I go to? How do I do it? And is it even possible? Also my gym only offers excel. Please, help!

Age is one factor. If you are below a certain age, you have to start at L4 and score out. Otherwise you can petition into JO, and I think L7 is the highest you can petition into. Also you would need to find a gym that can do this. How old are you?

 

[Gymnastthebest]

Age is one factor. If you are below a certain age, you have to start at L4 and score out. Otherwise you can petition into JO, and I think L7 is the highest you can petition into. Also you would need to find a gym that can do this. How old are you?

I just turned 12

 

[GymnastMomX2]

Yes you can switch, but obviously the first thing you’ll need to do is find a gym that offers DP (it’s not called JO anymore). Since you’re 12 your coaches can use videos to petition you to level 7.

Timing isn’t great right now as teams have already registered for meets starting in January, but wouldn’t hurt to get some evaluations done.

Not sure what grade you’re in but if D1 is your goal the majority of girls hit level 10 by ~9th grade, and the girls going to top schools are usually level 10 much earlier than that. Girls do still get recruited into their senior year, so it’s not impossible if you get to 10 later, especially for D3.

 

[Gymnastthebest]

Yes you can switch, but obviously the first thing you’ll need to do is find a gym that offers DP (it’s not called JO anymore). Since you’re 12 your coaches can use videos to petition you to level 7.

Timing isn’t great right now as teams have already registered for meets starting in January, but wouldn’t hurt to get some evaluations done.

Not sure what grade you’re in but if D1 is your goal the majority of girls hit level 10 by ~9th grade, and the girls going to top schools are usually level 10 much earlier than that. Girls do still get recruited into their senior year, so it’s not impossible if you get to 10 later, especially for D3.

Thank you, there a gym just 10 minutes from me that offers DP so I'll see if I can stop by sometime.

 

[Milomom]

So I'm a silver and I'm close to being a gold. I recently found out that people in excel don't really get to go to the Olympics or go D1 and I really want to take my gymnastics to that level. I always feel i dont practice enough, and coaches dont take practices seriously and i know that I can do better if i got more practice. I'm in middle school, but I don't know how to switch, so i can be in a program that allows that. Should I wait until high school? Or start earlier? And I think I should start at level 7 because I have level 7 skills. But what program should I go to? How do I do it? And is it even possible? Also my gym only offers excel. Please, help!

Level 7 is more like platinum or diamond than gold. So if you aren't on gold yet, level 7 would be a stretch. Having the skills and having them competition ready are very different things.

 

[Dahlialover]

Usually people move from silver to level 3 or 4. This does not require a petition because these are considered entry levels. If you score 36 at two level 4 meets then you can skip level 5 and move to level 6. That would be the most typical path for someone in your position. If you are in a state where the compulsory season is in the winter, It’s probably too late in the season to join change gyms. But you can email and asks out when they offer tryouts. Good luck!

 

[BusyMomof2]

There is much to be gained from the gymnastics without even thinking about college or beyond. Silver to level 7 would not be a possible move for most people. What are your competition ready skills on each event?

Regardless of what level you may fall into, find a gym that is supportive of you wanting to take gymnastics as far as you can go. When talking to gyms, I suggest keeping your short term goals as the primary focus of the conversation - "I'm currently Xcel Silver and would like to move over to the DP program - what will that take? Is this gym willing to support me as I make that transition?" - that kind of thing.