Anon Gold/Platinum Level?

[Anonymous (5fd0)]

I started gymnastics pretty late (12), did it for a year and then moved to another gym when I was 13. I was put on a gold team (it was an xcel only, not highly competitive gym), but due to injuries, and not having all the skills I needed on my own, I competed unsanctioned as a gold level gymnasts. After that year I did two years of sanctioned gold. (I was doing PT throughout most of this and they mainly just told me to take breaks). The first year I scored 32-33 AA and second year 35-36 AA. I know they're pretty low scores, and I struggled mostly on vault and bars. I'm supposed to do another year of gold this season but I'm wondering if I could be platinum instead. My coach has mentioned switching mid-season but that's not likely/usual at my gym. Since I started later, and my gym isn't highly competitive my form isn't the best either.
These are my platinum level skills:
VAULT- Either a front handspring or half on, though both of these need a lot of form work.
BARS- I have both kips but I struggle connecting them to other skills/casts a lot of the time. I sort of have my free hip/clear hip but I hit my feet on the floor if I don't bend my legs, though most of the other platinums at my gym also do this. I have a tuck fly away, and single/double back hip circles + under swing. Tap swings.
BEAM- Wolf jump. Full turn. Handstand-cartwheel connection. Backward roll. Front tuck dismount.
FLOOR- Front tuck. Round off back handspring. Round off tuck. 1 1/2 turn. Split leap+tuck jump.

Do you think this would be enough for platinum? I know I would be on the lower end skill wise, but gold is getting pretty boring for me after two years. I also am one of the oldest on my team, and at most of the meets. Would a gymnast at your gyms still be gold, or would they be able to move up to platinum? Do your gyms switch levels mid season very often, or only in higher levels/skills? Am I missing any skills/requirements?
Thanks so much for reading all of this, and any input would be appreciated!!

 

[Anonymous (625b)]

First off - give yourself a little credit! The average person cannot do gymnastics at the gold level. Gymnastics is HARD so be proud that you're where you are, regardless of age!

Based on your skills, here are my thoughts on moving to platinum:

Beam: you need to add a flight skill to have a 10.0 start value - so either two connected cartwheels, a roundoff, a back handspring, a front walkover, etc. Cartwheel cartwheel might be your best bet.

Floor: you'd be fine with your skills

Vault: a front handspring doesn't have a 10.0 start value but I've seen many girls score better on that vs. the half on twisting vault that is common in platinum.

Bars: might be a struggle without connections but sounds like you have the elements and just need to keep working at it. Strength is a factor here so ask your coach for simple strength exercises you can work on at home.

If you were my daughter and wanted to continue in Platinum, I would meet with your coaches together to explain that you'd like to continue to advance even though you know you have some work do and you'd like to be around more teammates your own age. Assuming you are a hard worker with a positive attitude, I think it's possible. Good luck!

 

[Anonymous (e214)]

First off - give yourself a little credit! The average person cannot do gymnastics at the gold level. Gymnastics is HARD so be proud that you're where you are, regardless of age!

Based on your skills, here are my thoughts on moving to platinum:

Beam: you need to add a flight skill to have a 10.0 start value - so either two connected cartwheels, a roundoff, a back handspring, a front walkover, etc. Cartwheel cartwheel might be your best bet.

Floor: you'd be fine with your skills

Vault: a front handspring doesn't have a 10.0 start value but I've seen many girls score better on that vs. the half on twisting vault that is common in platinum.

Bars: might be a struggle without connections but sounds like you have the elements and just need to keep working at it. Strength is a factor here so ask your coach for simple strength exercises you can work on at home.

If you were my daughter and wanted to continue in Platinum, I would meet with your coaches together to explain that you'd like to continue to advance even though you know you have some work do and you'd like to be around more teammates your own age. Assuming you are a hard worker with a positive attitude, I think it's possible. Good luck!

Hand stand cartwheel is fine for platinum. It requires either an acro connection or a flight skill, not both.