So I'm an xcel gold, and a junior in high school. I really want to get good scores, though I keep ending up with a mix of high 8s, and low 9s. I started pretty late in gymnastics at a small gym that honestly doesn't progress kids super fast. And I often end up with the highest scores (at least AA) of the gold levels at my gym. But with all of that, I don't usually compete the hardest/most difficult skills that I have. For example, on beam, I do a backward roll instead of a cartwheel because I never fall on my roll (I don't often fall on my cartwheel, but much more frequently than my backward which is basically once a week if ever... also due to a back injury I cant do any of my walkovers on beam). On bars I don't compete my kip because I'm scared I'll get a really bad score because when I compete with my with my pullover I still usually end up with an 8.9, though my kip isn't any . On floor I have my round off tuck, but I'm stuck deciding if I should just compete my round off back handspring because I know I will always make that just fine. I got first often on beam last season competing with my backward roll, but it doesn't always feel fair to me when I see the other gymnasts doing harder skills than me. All that to say, would you compete the harder skills? What would the pros/cons of that be for you? I plan on being platinum next season if I can clean up my free hip/clear hip and vault, so I feel like I should compete harder skills, but I also really want to score/place well this season. Sorry this is long, but if you read through this all, what are your thoughts and opinions? I would love any help/opinions!!
As a gymnastics coach, I emphasize the importance of "working the code." Excel Gold represents a lower level of competitive gymnastics, where all the skills you mentioned are classified as "A" skills.
Let’s use the floor exercise as an example. There are specific requirements and restrictions that athletes must adhere to. For a floor routine, competitors are required to perform a minimum of six "A" skills. Among these requirements, at least two acrobatic flight elements must be directly connected. Examples of these connections include a round-off back handspring or a front handspring step-out round-off.
The second requirement is for a second acro pass, which can consist of either a connection with a minimum of two directly connected acrobatic flight elements or one aerial or salto.
The third requirement is a dance passage that includes a minimum of two different elements from Group 2 (Leap / Jump / Hop), with one of these elements needing to be a leap that has a minimum angle of 120°, and the elements can be either directly or indirectly connected.
Finally, the routine must include a minimum of a 1/1 turn on one foot. It's important to note that restrictions apply: athletes are not permitted to execute "B" value twisting skills or any "C" elements. Therefore, valid "A" skills for the floor routine include round-offs, front handsprings, front tucks, back handsprings, back tucks, pikes, and layouts.
Although some skills may be more difficult for you to perform than others, they can still hold the same value. On the balance beam, skills such as a cartwheel, a backward roll, and a back walkover are all classified as “A” skills.
Your beam requirements are as follows:
1. A minimum of a 1/1 turn on one foot.
2. Two different Group 2 elements (leaps, jumps, or hops), with at least one element achieving a minimum of a 120° cross or side split (either performed in isolation or as part of a series).
3. Two acro elements, which can be performed with or without flight (either in isolation or as part of a series). At least one of these elements must achieve or pass through an inverted vertical position. For example, your cartwheel and a handstand pass through vertical, while your backward roll does not, but it is still considered an acro element.
Finally, you must also include a dismount as part of your routine.
A Sissonne on beam is an “A” skill. A split leap that achieves 180° leg separation is a “B” skill. A switch leap that achieves 180° leg separation is a “C” skill. A switch leap that achieves 180° leg separation with a quarter turn is a “D” skill.
You mentioned the kip on the bars. I have a lot of girls who can perform kips, but I don't allow them to compete with this skill just yet. For example, if a girl doesn't fully extend during the glide and has a pike position, she'll lose 0.2 points. If she bends her knees during the kip, that's an additional deduction of 0.1 points. Bending her arms will incur another deduction, and if she stops after the kip, that's a 0.3-point deduction. Additionally, if they perform an extra swing on the cast, that results in another 0.3 points lost. However, the same girl can do a nice straight leg pullover and cast right out of it with zero deductions.
The key factors that determine your scores are whether you meet the requirements and the quality of your performance. For example, if you're performing a leap on the floor and do not reach the required 120°, there will be a deduction. Similarly, if your leap is not level, if your knees are bent, or if your feet are flexed, deductions will apply. If I have a gymnast who has qualified for states, I would allow her to try her upgraded skills in a meet for fun and to see how she scores. Additionally, I might let them test these skills if they are preparing to move up to a higher level.
