Parents How long should gymnast be at L10?

[Chamomile]

I have been told that colleges do not want a gymnast to be at L10 for more than 3 years. Is this correct?

This is an interesting thread. I’m curious people’s thoughts on where the line is for a gym between hopeful and dishonest?

I have seen families allowed to believe their gymnast is tracking toward Olympic glory at gyms that don’t have and don’t intend to have elite training.

I have also seen 7th-9th grade Xcel platinums allowed to believe they may be able to get a D1 scholarship.

When I say allowed it can mean coaches are aware and don’t provide information to coaches engaging in the conversation with no viable plan.

I struggle because I believe kids should be allowed to dream big and chase goals even when they may be out of reach but in gymnastics where it is such a great time and financial commitment should parents at least be notified of statistical realities? It bothers me especially when coaches seem to have no intention of helping an athlete pursue their dreams. I however all for a gym that will help a kid pursue their dreams even if they are a ‘long-shot.’

 

[GymnastMomX2]

When I say allowed it can mean coaches are aware and don’t provide information to coaches engaging in the conversation with no viable plan.

Our coaches have been very transparent with the process, and I appreciate it. My daughter is a freshman, and should have been a first year level 10. She unfortunately had to have surgery and missed the season. We had a meeting with her coach about what this meant, should she come back, and he was very upfront with us that it would be difficult but he thought it was worthwhile for her to try and had faith in her. Now more recently he’s had a conversation with my daughter about how important it was for her to get certain bar skills by end of summer, and even straight up told her that her other events weren’t good enough to get recruited, so making sure her bar skills were strong was key if she wants to do college gym. It might sound harsh, but it’s the reality of things.

 

[gracebrassel]

This is an interesting thread. I’m curious people’s thoughts on where the line is for a gym between hopeful and dishonest?

I have seen families allowed to believe their gymnast is tracking toward Olympic glory at gyms that don’t have and don’t intend to have elite training.

I have also seen 7th-9th grade Xcel platinums allowed to believe they may be able to get a D1 scholarship.

When I say allowed it can mean coaches are aware and don’t provide information to coaches engaging in the conversation with no viable plan.

I struggle because I believe kids should be allowed to dream big and chase goals even when they may be out of reach but in gymnastics where it is such a great time and financial commitment should parents at least be notified of statistical realities? It bothers me especially when coaches seem to have no intention of helping an athlete pursue their dreams. I however all for a gym that will help a kid pursue their dreams even if they are a ‘long-shot.’

Agree with with everything you said.

This is an interesting thread. I’m curious people’s thoughts on where the line is for a gym between hopeful and dishonest?

I have seen families allowed to believe their gymnast is tracking toward Olympic glory at gyms that don’t have and don’t intend to have elite training.

I have also seen 7th-9th grade Xcel platinums allowed to believe they may be able to get a D1 scholarship.

When I say allowed it can mean coaches are aware and don’t provide information to coaches engaging in the conversation with no viable plan.

I struggle because I believe kids should be allowed to dream big and chase goals even when they may be out of reach but in gymnastics where it is such a great time and financial commitment should parents at least be notified of statistical realities? It bothers me especially when coaches seem to have no intention of helping an athlete pursue their dreams. I however all for a gym that will help a kid pursue their dreams even if they are a ‘long-shot.’

Agree with everything you said. I was told that by other parents whose kids repeated a level, but I don’t think the parents thought their kids should be repeating. I think the coaches told them that to soften the blow. As a parent I would prefer the truth, but some parents at our gym can be pushy and do not handle the truth well.

 

[Chamomile]

Our coaches have been very transparent with the process, and I appreciate it. My daughter is a freshman, and should have been a first year level 10. She unfortunately had to have surgery and missed the season. We had a meeting with her coach about what this meant, should she come back, and he was very upfront with us that it would be difficult but he thought it was worthwhile for her to try and had faith in her. Now more recently he’s had a conversation with my daughter about how important it was for her to get certain bar skills by end of summer, and even straight up told her that her other events weren’t good enough to get recruited, so making sure her bar skills were strong was key if she wants to do college gym. It might sound harsh, but it’s the reality of things.

This seems like a good approach!

I’m definitely the parent that would encourage my daughter to stay in gymnastics if she loves it no matter the end goal. I want to understand the realities even if it’s harsh so she can weigh her options and what sacrifices she is willing to make.

The benefits of gymnastics is so much more than outcomes but there is definitely risk and sacrifice.

 

[Chamomile]

Agree with with everything you said.

Agree with everything you said. I was told that by other parents whose kids repeated a level, but I don’t think the parents thought their kids should be repeating. I think the coaches told them that to soften the blow. As a parent I would prefer the truth, but some parents at our gym can be pushy and do not handle the truth well.

I guess I understand the idea of softening ‘the blow’ but what happens when she is a sophomore? Will she be discouraged if the recruiting process isn’t what she dreamed? Given all the facts would the gymnast and family chosen a different path or sacrificed less to do gymnastics? Is a pushy parent all the more reason to be brutally honest? In my mind it’s probably nuanced based on a lot of factors. It does feel like some gyms cross the line of being dishonest though

 

[GymDadWA]

You also have to remember parents hear what they want to hear. It's like the old movie dumb and dumber "so you are saying there is a chance!".

I don't think anyone wants to tell a kid that they have no chance so yeah coaches often soften the blow or mention the long shot exceptions like the one or two times a college coach has taken a chance on someone that is at a level lower than 10, and the parents hear it as it is a regularly occurring event.

 

[gym_dad32608]

I think at this stage of time, there is more onus on the parents than the coaches. Sure, the coaches should be direct and upfront. But the parents should also take some responsibility and ownership when it comes to their child. Last I checked, the internet wasn't a new development and there is now a robust environment of message boards and websites devoted to development, college and elite gymnastics. Even my generation (and I consider myself on the older parent side) can navigate several internet queries to reasonably inform myself on this topic.

 

[Chamomile]

I think at this stage of time, there is more onus on the parents than the coaches. Sure, the coaches should be direct and upfront. But the parents should also take some responsibility and ownership when it comes to their child. Last I checked, the internet wasn't a new development and there is now a robust environment of message boards and websites devoted to development, college and elite gymnastics. Even my generation (and I consider myself on the older parent side) can navigate several internet queries to reasonably inform myself on this topic.

This is a good point. This forum has helped me tremendously. Ultimately it does rest on the parent.

 

[JBS]

This forum has helped me tremendously.

Just a random off topic post to say...

 

[Ajoy]

This is an interesting thread. I’m curious people’s thoughts on where the line is for a gym between hopeful and dishonest?

I have seen families allowed to believe their gymnast is tracking toward Olympic glory at gyms that don’t have and don’t intend to have elite training.

I have also seen 7th-9th grade Xcel platinums allowed to believe they may be able to get a D1 scholarship.

When I say allowed it can mean coaches are aware and don’t provide information to coaches engaging in the conversation with no viable plan.

I struggle because I believe kids should be allowed to dream big and chase goals even when they may be out of reach but in gymnastics where it is such a great time and financial commitment should parents at least be notified of statistical realities? It bothers me especially when coaches seem to have no intention of helping an athlete pursue their dreams. I however all for a gym that will help a kid pursue their dreams even if they are a ‘long-shot.’

It’s such a delicate balance. My daughter is a 7th grade second year level 9 who is doing great, on track for 10 next year, but maybe not great enough (she’s never scored above a 37, those 9.9s needed for college recruiting seem far off and she’s also tall) and I have no idea which way to encourage her. She could switch to day gym, go all in for the next few years and it may or may not work, or she could back off gym, maybe go to xcel instead of 10 and have some other teenage experiences. Like you said, I want her to dream and strive but also be realistic.

 

[JBS]

It’s such a delicate balance. My daughter is a 7th grade second year level 9 who is doing great, on track for 10 next year, but maybe not great enough (she’s never scored above a 37, those 9.9s needed for college recruiting seem far off and she’s also tall) and I have no idea which way to encourage her. She could switch to day gym, go all in for the next few years and it may or may not work, or she could back off gym, maybe go to xcel instead of 10 and have some other teenage experiences. Like you said, I want her to dream and strive but also be realistic.

Sounds like she is doing excellent as a 7th grade L9. L9 scores really don't mean much in the overall concept of college recruiting. My daughter never scored above a 35 at L9.

Anyways... just do what you guys think will be the best and most fun option!

 

[bookworm]

Sounds like she is doing excellent as a 7th grade L9. L9 scores really don't mean much in the overall concept of college recruiting. My daughter never scored above a 35 at L9.

Anyways... just do what you guys think will be the best and most fun option!

My former D1 daughter never scored above a 32.00 in ANY compulsory level but was a level 10 at 10 yo and qualified to JOs for 7 years .... so with all these rules you see now ("must have 2 AA 36s to move up") , I wonder what would have happened. She was a great optional gymnast, did a brief stint in elite (hated it ...it was during the Marta days when "it's just never good enough") and competed as a 10 for 7 years.....and those were the days where 37s weren't commonplace and we NEVER saw a 9.9. She was the JO National Champion on an event with a 9.6 for perspective.

I personally would hate to be going through recruiting now and in some of the scenarios above, I do think it's parents with rose colored glasses choosing to believe "there's always a chance"....but no, I'm sorry if your daughter is not a level 10, and a successful one for multiple years, her chances at any type of gymnastics scholarship are slim to none. I'm not saying she cannot do gymnastics in college but D1 and even D2 and 3 are getting really tough to achieve. Like gym_dad32608 says, you have to do your research and not just believe it because someone says it's so.

 

[gymcoach34]

I agree that colleg recruiting is super competitive and scholarships are even more so! I encourage my gymnasts and parents to take a realsitic look at the skills the colleges they are looking at are competing and who that college is recruiting. For all but the top kids, getting onnto a college team takes a family's time, effort and money-that is just the reality. I also urge the ones that are scholarship worthy to really understand what that means- it's not all glory and flashy leotards-and that the gymnast will be expected to perform a certain way and hold certain standards and comply with everything as payback for the financial payouts.

I have found that most parents don't want coaches to be honest about their gymnast's reality. I once had a parent who refused to believe that a "walk on" spot didn't mean that you just walk on and participate on a top college team because she had watched the Ariana Berlin movie. Refused-said I didn't understand or know what I was talking about......so... yeah......

 

[Chamomile]

My former D1 daughter never scored above a 32.00 in ANY compulsory level but was a level 10 at 10 yo and qualified to JOs for 7 years .... so with all these rules you see now ("must have 2 AA 36s to move up") , I wonder what would have happened. She was a great optional gymnast, did a brief stint in elite (hated it ...it was during the Marta days when "it's just never good enough") and competed as a 10 for 7 years.....and those were the days where 37s weren't commonplace and we NEVER saw a 9.9. She was the JO National Champion on an event with a 9.6 for perspective.

I personally would hate to be going through recruiting now and in some of the scenarios above, I do think it's parents with rose colored glasses choosing to believe "there's always a chance"....but no, I'm sorry if your daughter is not a level 10, and a successful one for multiple years, her chances at any type of gymnastics scholarship are slim to none. I'm not saying she cannot do gymnastics in college but D1 and even D2 and 3 are getting really tough to achieve. Like gym_dad32608 says, you have to do your research and not just believe it because someone says it's so.

I think this is why I ask the question. My DD is a much better optional than she was a compulsory. I’m so glad someone believed in her. She is tracking for Hopes and reading this forum helped me choose a gym.

A 7th grade level 9 is also tracking. I even think with a lot of hardwork and a little luck a 7th grade level 7 can get a D1 scholarship.

It’s such a delicate balance. My daughter is a 7th grade second year level 9 who is doing great, on track for 10 next year, but maybe not great enough (she’s never scored above a 37, those 9.9s needed for college recruiting seem far off and she’s also tall) and I have no idea which way to encourage her. She could switch to day gym, go all in for the next few years and it may or may not work, or she could back off gym, maybe go to xcel instead of 10 and have some other teenage experiences. Like you said, I want her to dream and strive but also be realistic.

Your daughter is very much in the realm of reason. I’m talking gyms that allow or maybe even encourage gymnasts are outside the statistical realm of reason to think that they are ‘on track’. Ie teenagers in Xcel Gold thinking they are tracking D1.

The replies make me think this isn’t common?

 

[JBS]

This thread is a very good... so it's under the featured area now too!

 

[bookworm]

A 7th grade level 9 is also tracking. I even think with a lot of hardwork and a little luck a 7th grade level 7 can get a D1 scholarship.

Your daughter is very much in the realm of reason. I’m talking gyms that allow or maybe even encourage gymnasts are outside the statistical realm of reason to think that they are ‘on track’. Ie teenagers in Xcel Gold thinking they are tracking D1.

The replies make me think this isn’t common?

No i do not think a 7th grade level 7 “with hard work and luck” is likely to get a D1 scholarship ….because if by age 13, she’s only level 7, she’s unlikely to progress to 10 , and be really good to be recruited by a D1 school. So you are correct… this would be very uncommon, especially now. With cuts in roster size, coaches have to make sure everyone they recruit can contribute if needed so you’re not going to see some of the kids that were on teams for their grades/mat movers etc.

 

[Dahlialover]

I see a lot of borderline delusional hopefulness about NCAA gymnastics prospects in MAG. There are only around 50 spots for freshman men in the entire NCAA and about 1/4 of them are at the service academies, which require athletes to commit to a career in The military in order to attend. But many parents don’t seem to get this. I have noticed a strong correlation between paying for private lessons and having wildly unrealistic expectations for the future. I don’t know if coaches are intentionally fostering unrealistic hopes in order to keep the lucrative private lessons gravytrain rolling, but it seems like a possibility…

 

[Chamomile]

I agree that colleg recruiting is super competitive and scholarships are even more so! I encourage my gymnasts and parents to take a realsitic look at the skills the colleges they are looking at are competing and who that college is recruiting. For all but the top kids, getting onnto a college team takes a family's time, effort and money-that is just the reality. I also urge the ones that are scholarship worthy to really understand what that means- it's not all glory and flashy leotards-and that the gymnast will be expected to perform a certain way and hold certain standards and comply with everything as payback for the financial payouts.

I have found that most parents don't want coaches to be honest about their gymnast's reality. I once had a parent who refused to believe that a "walk on" spot didn't mean that you just walk on and participate on a top college team because she had watched the Ariana Berlin movie. Refused-said I didn't understand or know what I was talking about......so... yeah......

I really appreciate this perspective! I definitely want to know reality but have met parents that the truth would not be well received. I definitely don’t think a coach is responsible for making a parent accept the truth…. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.

 

[iola]

I think it also matters at what age you start gymnastics and how fast you progress.If someone starts gymnastics at the age of 9, competitive gymnastics at 10 and ist a Level 7 in 7th Grade,... this must be a talented, fearless gymnast who got recognized and is fasttracking... in this case i wouldn't rule out a scholarship.
Level 7 in seventh Grade average...difficult

 

[Chamomile]

I think it also matters at what age you start gymnastics and how fast you progress.If someone starts gymnastics at the age of 9, competitive gymnastics at 10 and ist a Level 7 in 7th Grade,... this must be a talented, fearless gymnast who got recognized and is fasttracking... in this case i wouldn't rule out a scholarship.
Level 7 in seventh Grade average...difficult

I’ve seen a gymnast get a D1 scholarship that was 7 in the 7th grade. That being said I know statistically she was the exception not the rule. That being said I wouldn’t consider a coach dishonest if they told a 7th grade level 7 ‘you can make it but this is what you have to do.’