Parents How important is presentation in floor routine?

[Dream]

So DD7 has her first competition in 2 weeks only 3 more practices. Her floor routine is rough. Her skills look good with pointed toes etc but her timing to the music and engaging the audience is lacking. She basically rushes through it looking at the floor and often finishes before her music.
I was leaving it to the coaches but I am a little concerned about her going to competition with it looking like it does. How important is being in time with the music and engaging the audience vs having the skills look good? Should I try to help or just let it be and see what happens? She of course does not want help from mom because what would mom know about it? So tempted to let her and coach present what they have created but . I dont have dance background but it really needs some!

 

[Coach Kate]

What level? For example, elite has a full artistry checklist, but lower levels have their own guidelines. Compulsory routines have to be performed one specific way without much room for interpretation.

There is typically a small deduction for finishing off the music and general artistry things like that.

But with young athletes like yours, an initial focus on skills won't hurt them with the polish and presentation following as they mature and the skills become second nature.

 

[gym_dad32608]

Stay quiet mom. She will figure it out. Skills are more important, at least at this stage. Proficiency with skills will lead to confidence which in turn will lead to more "presentation". I dont think you need to worry about that until L10.

 

[Dream]

Yes it is bronze so not high stakes. We have 4 groups at our gym and the other 3 groups routines look alot more polished. I know you should not compare but some of them make the audience want to watch them as they are really owning the floor and telling a story. All 42 girls "performed" their routines at our in house meet in Dec and hers has gotten worse over the last month instead of better. I will leave it alone and let her and her gym figure it out. The coach did ask me to work with her in it a little but again without a background in dance or gymnastics I dont know what to tell her. Just don't want her to be embarrassed but it might be too late now to do much about it except stress her out.