How do they do it?!?

[GetaGrip]

Earlier today, I had states, and I was watching some of the girls on their events, and I was astonished. Some of them had the most amazing scores! e.i. 9.7 on floor or a 37.875 on AA. After getting a pathetic 32.375, I was pretty determined to figure out the successful gymnast's "secret". Is any one here a successful gymnast or know one, and what do they do right? I mean, I got a 34 at zones, then a 32 at states. I got 36's in level four, and high 34's in level 5. So shouldn't my scores be staying the same? Please help!

-GCG

 

[CoachTodd]

Scores on new skills really don't really reflect scores from previous levels. I really don't think comparing scores to others is really fair to you. You have to also know how long the other person has been doing the skills they are competing. Many gyms keep kids down until they can score the 36 or 37 AA.
Just keep with comparing you to you and improving what you do.

 

[nettyinpa]

I agree with what CoachTodd said. You can't compare yourself to other gymnasts. It's hard not to do, I'm sure. You don't know how long they've been doing that lever, or how much time they put into routines. Some gyms do nothing but routine after routine, just to do well at meets. That, to me, does not make a well rounded gymnast. Sure, I'd love for my dd to win 1st place at every meet but I know that's just not going to happen. As long as she's happy with how she did, and is progressing, I'm happy. I know that from a moms point of view I am guilty of sitting on the bleachers wondering why someone the same age as my dd did so much better than my dd did. That just gets me nowhere. I'm learning to focus on her high points and what she does do well, not on how much better someone is than she is. Set goals for yourself at each meet and strive to reach them. Let the others do what they do. There will always be someone better and that is out of your control.

 

[gymmomntc2e6]

I agree with the above posts as well. As hard as it is try not to compare yourself to the other girls. Try to set attainable goals for youself ( pointed toes on every event, faster block on flat back etc). Everyone is different, for some it comes easy, some just work harder, some just get it.

My DD is a first year L4 and has been scoring in the upper 34's all season ( with the exception of last weekend when the beam fairy forgot to show up LOL) and her teammate (also a first year L4 - same hous coaches etc) has been in the 37's all season. Everything she does is beautiful and looks easy, while my DD struggles to keep her long skinny legs straight !! But she tries, has fun and is proud of herselfand i am proud of her too !!

Listen to your coaches and try to make the corrections they give you. Be proud of youself, just going out there and doing 'your thing' in front of people is something to be proud of.

Good Luck

 

[Flippers Mom]

I agree with all the above - don't compare yourself to others. A good way to check on your progress is to see if your scores are improving from meet to meet.

That said, I might be able to give you a little bit of insight. Flipper recently moved from a small, wonderful gym whose gymnasts were usually in the middle of the pack to a bigger, much more competitive gym whose gymnasts are usually on the podium. The major differences I have seen are: 1) New gym requires team members to work out twice as many hours as old gym - I wish it didn't, but it does make a difference, 2) Emphasis on basics - making sure the basic skills are perfect before building on them for the next skill, 3) Know the scorebook - the new gym coaches know the judges scorebook inside and out and work with the kids to remove anything that might get even the smallest deduction, and 4) At the old gym, kids were pushed to move to the next level as soon as they had the skills - not when they were proficient at skills. The new gym requires girls to not only have minimum skills, but have enough proficiency to expect to compete at every meet. Generally, girls don't move up until they average at 37 at the previous level.
Is the extra time and money spent at the new gym worth it? Flipper is thriving and is so proud of all the new skills she is able to do and knows that she will do well competing and that is good enough for me.