Personally I would follow the slow and steady route especially with a lower level compulsory athlete. Having solid basics is so important in gymnastics and they just might not want to move her to the next level to keep building the basics sometimes even if they have all the skills they might not have them solid and that can cause bad habits. I was an athlete who was rushed moving up levels(never even did compulsory) and now I have extremely bad basics. My coach saw potential and rushed me up to level 6 and then 7 and then 8 all in a matter of three years and then I got stuck why because I couldn’t do anything properly. I eventually switched coaches and have gone back to fix my basics but somethings are so engrained that I physically can’t fix them. In my opinion the slow and steady pace is the way to go and when she does have those basics she will move quickly through levels because she knows the building blocks of gymnastics.
Coaches Gymnast mum clueless lol
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- Jan 8, 2023
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To become elite, you go to a gym that trains elites and you do their program. That is the best way. Or you go to a gym that hasn’t trained elite gymnasts in the recent past but has a coach and owner who have always wanted to do it and are super invested in making it happen for your kid. That second route is not ideal but it is possible. Usually, athletes who start at a gym where they are the only elite-track athlete, have to eventually move to an established elite gym to reach their potential.
Also, people sometimes talk about athletes who didn’t do HOPES or follow certain portions of the elite track but those athletes were training for elite all along, they just a had a coach who had a different scheme for getting them there. They were not doing one level per year at a community gym with coaches who had no plan for their long term development.
If you want to set your child up for success, you go to a gym full of girls like her with coaches who are accustomed to training girls like her. You don’t need to think outside the box. Just make a new post that includes your location and ask for recommendations for nearby gyms that train elite.
- Jan 24, 2013
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A couple of things that I see in this thread....
First - are you aware that Levels 1-3 are not required? The entry point for many gyms is L4 as this is the first level that USAG requires a minimal score before moving to L5. Many gyms cover the L1-L3 as part of pre-team while getting ready to start competition at L4. Also, it is the norm to progress one level per year (until L8 or L9 when some kids need 2 years). With that said, many gyms skip L5 or L6 because they are very similar. Less common (but not unheard of) is progressing a gymnast from L4-L7. Slow and steady wins the race though.
Second - check yourself with your language on your DD being 'gifted'. Winning L2 in no way is a future predictor of having an Olympian on your hands. I totally believe that you have an athletically talented kiddo on your hands but being athletically talented doesn't translate to the next Simone Biles. The road to L10 is long and hard and requires a mindset beyond athletic talent. The road to Elite is the same as the road to L10 x 1,000,000.
Third - a mass exodus from the gym is a red flag. That combined with your gym competing L2 combined with little to no upper level gymnasts suggests that this could be a poor fit for your kid. 7 years is long enough to have some amount of optional gymnasts.
Fourth - this 'developmental specialist' you talk about sounds super sketch. All sorts of red flags here not to mention a waste of money. If you want your DD to have the most opportunities available find a gym with a successful optional program that sends kids to NCAA. If you have an elite gym near you check them out too.
Fifth - always keep in mind that your DD is first and foremost a CHILD. Let her be a kid while nourishing her talent. Burn out is real in this sport. Keep your eyes wide open on the language gyms use while talking about your kid and any promises as to where they see your DD going.
Good luck! It's an incredible rewarding sport!
First - are you aware that Levels 1-3 are not required? The entry point for many gyms is L4 as this is the first level that USAG requires a minimal score before moving to L5. Many gyms cover the L1-L3 as part of pre-team while getting ready to start competition at L4. Also, it is the norm to progress one level per year (until L8 or L9 when some kids need 2 years). With that said, many gyms skip L5 or L6 because they are very similar. Less common (but not unheard of) is progressing a gymnast from L4-L7. Slow and steady wins the race though.
Second - check yourself with your language on your DD being 'gifted'. Winning L2 in no way is a future predictor of having an Olympian on your hands. I totally believe that you have an athletically talented kiddo on your hands but being athletically talented doesn't translate to the next Simone Biles. The road to L10 is long and hard and requires a mindset beyond athletic talent. The road to Elite is the same as the road to L10 x 1,000,000.
Third - a mass exodus from the gym is a red flag. That combined with your gym competing L2 combined with little to no upper level gymnasts suggests that this could be a poor fit for your kid. 7 years is long enough to have some amount of optional gymnasts.
Fourth - this 'developmental specialist' you talk about sounds super sketch. All sorts of red flags here not to mention a waste of money. If you want your DD to have the most opportunities available find a gym with a successful optional program that sends kids to NCAA. If you have an elite gym near you check them out too.
Fifth - always keep in mind that your DD is first and foremost a CHILD. Let her be a kid while nourishing her talent. Burn out is real in this sport. Keep your eyes wide open on the language gyms use while talking about your kid and any promises as to where they see your DD going.
Good luck! It's an incredible rewarding sport!
- Jan 24, 2013
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I was able to identify your DD based on what you've shared (side bar - you should change your username and not share results if you wish to be anonymous). Your gym appears to focus on Xcel. Xcel is a great program but will not get her to upper levels or provide opportunities for NCAA. You are wise to find a new gym for her ASAP if you want to maximize her potential.
- Jan 31, 2008
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Assuming the poster isn't just taking us for a ride with someone else's details - the spelling of 'mum' raised my eyebrow
Issagymnast
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- Aug 2, 2024
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- #26
Im Australian lol mum
Issagymnast
Proud Parent
- Aug 2, 2024
- 39
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- Thread starter
- #27
Gym starts at L2. No exceptions. No jumping levels they say.
Dad was ex professional athlete so she seems to be "gifted". Time will tell. I was told to put her in gymnastics by a gym coach!
Developmental specialist competed in the Olympics years back in gymnastics.
They only say she has potential. Nothing else.
Thank you. Im learning.
Issagymnast
Proud Parent
- Aug 2, 2024
- 39
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- #28
Why do I want to be anonymous? What is DD? How do you know if gym provides opportunities for NCAA? Im Australian btw thus spelling! I just made a new post as suggested asking for Elite gyms.
- May 10, 2023
- 191
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Its good to at least keep your daughter's name anonymous because anyone can find out your daughter's full name, the gym she competes for, etc. just based on your username and the scores you have provided above.
DD refers to your child (Daughter)
You can go to any gym and have a chance to become an NCAA gymnast, however, there are some other gyms who have more experience getting higher level gymnasts into college programs.
For example, my gym competes a program where not many even make it to upper optional levels before graduating or quitting, but every few years or so we will have a really talented Level 9. Last year, we had our 2nd level 10 in our gyms history (only a 1st year 10), and got into a D3 program and is now an All American and won Freshman of the Year at her college's program. There have also been girls who were higher levels and went to our gym, but decided to switch gyms because they found a program better fit for them.
Carly
Proud Parent
- Jan 3, 2016
- 440
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You want to try to stay anonymous because if your gym finds out that you posted this or something in the future, there could be repercussions from the gym such as being kicked off the team. Not necessarily what you posted but just in general for most people on this website.
SupportingHerDreams
Proud Parent
- Mar 3, 2016
- 251
- 382
1) Listen to the advice on staying annonymous! I thought I was being vague enough to stay annonymous on this sight and my daughters old gym saw a post that I made and got very upset. They took there frustrations out on us by quitting teaching my daughter new skills and held her back a level. The gymnastics world is small and coaches and owners do not like to be questioned (for the most part). The annonymous feature could be a life saver if your daughter wants to stay in this sport!
2) Kind of a side note on Elite training. My daughter is currently on the elite path. I was told, before committing to this class, by an outside source that the elite path is incredibly hard on the athlete physically and emotionally. Now that our family is in this, I would just reiterate that. Excelling at level 2 is great and fun but is nothing like what it takes to train elite. In our experience, elite training is persuing perfection. The athletes gymnastics is never good enough. If you have a gymnast that enjoys awards and compliments and celebrating new skills they may not be prepared for what the elite path looks like. They need to be able to handle always hearing they can do better or work harder. Unless their gymnastics is perfect (and let's be realistic, it never is) then they need to be ready to constantly hear that it isn't.
3) You talk about your child being bored with not being challenged. For us the elite path looks a lot more boring than just DP. It is a ton of conditioning and slow detail work. It isn't about learning the big flashy, impressive skills but about putting in hours a day building strength and perfecting small details through repetitive drills.
All this to say, the elite path is so intriguing and exciting at first but in the end it is not for everyone. I hope by sharing our experiences I can give you a little more realistic idea of what it looks like.
2) Kind of a side note on Elite training. My daughter is currently on the elite path. I was told, before committing to this class, by an outside source that the elite path is incredibly hard on the athlete physically and emotionally. Now that our family is in this, I would just reiterate that. Excelling at level 2 is great and fun but is nothing like what it takes to train elite. In our experience, elite training is persuing perfection. The athletes gymnastics is never good enough. If you have a gymnast that enjoys awards and compliments and celebrating new skills they may not be prepared for what the elite path looks like. They need to be able to handle always hearing they can do better or work harder. Unless their gymnastics is perfect (and let's be realistic, it never is) then they need to be ready to constantly hear that it isn't.
3) You talk about your child being bored with not being challenged. For us the elite path looks a lot more boring than just DP. It is a ton of conditioning and slow detail work. It isn't about learning the big flashy, impressive skills but about putting in hours a day building strength and perfecting small details through repetitive drills.
All this to say, the elite path is so intriguing and exciting at first but in the end it is not for everyone. I hope by sharing our experiences I can give you a little more realistic idea of what it looks like.
Issagymnast
Proud Parent
- Aug 2, 2024
- 39
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- #32
Australian mum here! who posts BS. no time for that!
- Oct 25, 2010
- 2,093
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After reading your original post and though the thread, I had a few thoughts. I have decades of experience in this sport and have 3 gymnasts. I wanted to try to help you out with a few answers.
1. This isn't like school, you do not get daily, weekly, monthly reports on your daughter's progress. She trains and they coach, and unless there is an issue, they do not need to meet with you. If they identify her as gifted and elite material, they will usually pull you aside and talk to you about that path, not the other way around.
2. Coaches and owners are bombarded with parents who think their child is gifted, or should be pushed, or should skip levels, etc. They are often vague to avoid hurting feelings, and they usually know how to train the kids better than the parents do, especially new gymnast's parents. We see the Olympics and we see the glamour and fame, but we don't see the years and years of hard work and training that started with compulsory levels. The early years are VERY important to the optional years.
3. Winning level 2 is wonderful, but it's not an indicator of the future. Each level has challenges and each level builds on the level before it. Skipping levels is not always the best course, even when they are gifted. I know many level 7, 8, and 9 gymnasts who were scoring 38 AA and even 39AA at levels 6 and 7 and 8, who were allowed to score out of the next level and move up, and many of them ended up quitting, injured, or repeating the level they skipped to. (Not all of them, but many of them). It's a special kid that is able to skip levels and move quickly and maintain their ability, drive, and winning. Even the ones that are amazing often have a period of frustration and struggle, so keep that in mind when you are trying to find a place that will skip your kid or move her as fast as you want her to move. Remember that for the most part, the coaches do know what is best for your daughter. You do not want to push her into over-training, injuries, and burn-out which are all very real things.
4. Be careful going outside of your gym and finding someone who will be your "yes man" and agree to train your kid without the blessing or knowledge of her gym. They may just be seeing $$$ and will gladly take your money and do your bidding. Most gyms frown on getting outside coaches to train your daughter unless it's a mutual agreement. You don't want to get a reputation in the gym world as "that mom."
A new gym doesn't mean they are green and clueless. Let your daughter enjoy success and build her confidence, she has plenty of time to reach the highest levels. The Las Vegas meet is a regular invitational, it's not any kind of international championship or anything. Most meets, even the biggest ones, are invitationals that anyone is allowed to enter. I haven't looked up her scores, but is she regularly scoring 38 or 39 AA at level 2? Even if she is, it doesn't translate to success at higher levels, believe me. I've seen many a fantastic and undefeated high-scoring level 2, 3, 4.... move to higher levels and then experience struggles due to growth, harder and scarier skills, and having to work hard and long hours that caused them much grief, anxiety, burn-out, and many eventually retiring.
Slow down, mom. If you want to try other gyms, that's ok, but don't expect suddenly having your daughter training really high skills without first getting solid basics, something that takes time and lots of conditioning and training the same things over and over and over.
Sorry about the book!
1. This isn't like school, you do not get daily, weekly, monthly reports on your daughter's progress. She trains and they coach, and unless there is an issue, they do not need to meet with you. If they identify her as gifted and elite material, they will usually pull you aside and talk to you about that path, not the other way around.
2. Coaches and owners are bombarded with parents who think their child is gifted, or should be pushed, or should skip levels, etc. They are often vague to avoid hurting feelings, and they usually know how to train the kids better than the parents do, especially new gymnast's parents. We see the Olympics and we see the glamour and fame, but we don't see the years and years of hard work and training that started with compulsory levels. The early years are VERY important to the optional years.
3. Winning level 2 is wonderful, but it's not an indicator of the future. Each level has challenges and each level builds on the level before it. Skipping levels is not always the best course, even when they are gifted. I know many level 7, 8, and 9 gymnasts who were scoring 38 AA and even 39AA at levels 6 and 7 and 8, who were allowed to score out of the next level and move up, and many of them ended up quitting, injured, or repeating the level they skipped to. (Not all of them, but many of them). It's a special kid that is able to skip levels and move quickly and maintain their ability, drive, and winning. Even the ones that are amazing often have a period of frustration and struggle, so keep that in mind when you are trying to find a place that will skip your kid or move her as fast as you want her to move. Remember that for the most part, the coaches do know what is best for your daughter. You do not want to push her into over-training, injuries, and burn-out which are all very real things.
4. Be careful going outside of your gym and finding someone who will be your "yes man" and agree to train your kid without the blessing or knowledge of her gym. They may just be seeing $$$ and will gladly take your money and do your bidding. Most gyms frown on getting outside coaches to train your daughter unless it's a mutual agreement. You don't want to get a reputation in the gym world as "that mom."
A new gym doesn't mean they are green and clueless. Let your daughter enjoy success and build her confidence, she has plenty of time to reach the highest levels. The Las Vegas meet is a regular invitational, it's not any kind of international championship or anything. Most meets, even the biggest ones, are invitationals that anyone is allowed to enter. I haven't looked up her scores, but is she regularly scoring 38 or 39 AA at level 2? Even if she is, it doesn't translate to success at higher levels, believe me. I've seen many a fantastic and undefeated high-scoring level 2, 3, 4.... move to higher levels and then experience struggles due to growth, harder and scarier skills, and having to work hard and long hours that caused them much grief, anxiety, burn-out, and many eventually retiring.
Slow down, mom. If you want to try other gyms, that's ok, but don't expect suddenly having your daughter training really high skills without first getting solid basics, something that takes time and lots of conditioning and training the same things over and over and over.
Sorry about the book!
TumbleTwist
Proud Parent
- Feb 28, 2024
- 16
- 41
This was my thought. With the amount of times she used the word "gifted" I was expecting to see high 9's in L2. Her 8.9 score on bars tells me she isn't quite ready for L4/L5 as the OP is saying. I feel like we're being taken for a ride.
Issagymnast
Proud Parent
- Aug 2, 2024
- 39
- 9
- Thread starter
- #35
4theLoveofGymnastics
Proud Parent
- Oct 12, 2022
- 22
- 19
My daughter dominated level 3, first all around at just about every single competition including state. But I don’t think she should be skipping any levels because she is just starting level 4 and does not have all of the level 5 bar skills, but has all of everything else she would need for level 5 even though she is just now entering level 4. At our gym, we have level 3s that are doing front tucks and back tucks on the floor (my daughter included) and are starting to learn how to twist and it seems normal for everyone to train above the level they are actually in for example the level 4s are working backhand springs on the beam even though they don’t need to compete that until level 6. I’ve seen at our old gym girls skip levels and do horribly not to mention lots of injuries. You could always go to another gym to have her evaluated but she needs to have all her skills for the upper levels on all events if you expect her to be placed higher. I see parents whose kids get a few higher level skills on floor during open gym and then feel their kids are being held back but their kids don’t have the higher level vault beam or bars skills in addition. Level 2 and 3 are easy beginner levels and aren’t technically required. So yes, skipping to 4 is possible if she has all the skills and the coaches allow it.
DD is 11..just finished L8.. Regional event champ. She just decided to quit =(. She did level 4 at 8yo. I think she got burnt out... So we're 3 weeks into no practice, no gym waiting to see if she changes her mind.
My advice is 2 opposites. If your DD is really into gymnastics.. Move to another gym that will support her skill level. If DD is content and doesn't want to go super hard... Ride it through another year and see if the interest increases more for you to have the need to move.
Good luck.
My advice is 2 opposites. If your DD is really into gymnastics.. Move to another gym that will support her skill level. If DD is content and doesn't want to go super hard... Ride it through another year and see if the interest increases more for you to have the need to move.
Good luck.
Issagymnast
Proud Parent
- Aug 2, 2024
- 39
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- #38
Very helpful. Thank you!
Issagymnast
Proud Parent
- Aug 2, 2024
- 39
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- #39
Very good read. Thank you. All sound advice
Issagymnast
Proud Parent
- Aug 2, 2024
- 39
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- Thread starter
- #40
Excellent to know.
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