Parents How much to communicate at a new gym

[All4thekids]

hello all. My dd recently switched gyms. she switched for various reasons, drive time, friends at this other gym, training times being earlier, etc. It was not to find a better gym or coaches but I will admit I did think that maybe being at a new gym it might open up the door for my dd to get into the JO program. DD has only ever competed XCEL. After her first season she fell in love and like most of you other gym moms know...she wanted to go to the Olympics! Having been a former gymnast I knew the statistics but didn't say anything that would diminish the passion. Knowing USAG rules I made it a point to ask the new gym when they test out skills and stated that my dd had hopes of going into the JO program. I was told well she's XCEL and that is where she will test out. ?? What? So, I left a message for the program director/owner to go over things. I thought maybe i didn't ask the right question. I had a nice conversation with the owner and it seems like my dd will get the chance to test skills and possibly move to JO. since she is new they needed time to get to know her, see her work ethic, etc. Sounds all fair honestly. Heres where my dilema is. The XCEL program is very lax compared to their JO program, much less drills, much less emphasis on form as well. As is the case I have seen at our last gym. I by no means am critiquing the gyms but presenting an observation. We have loved the XCEL program thus far but now as my dd is heading into high school she needs a switch to even be considered for college, which is what her goal has changed into over the last couple of years. Since the gym knows my dd's goals do I just sit back and wait or speak up as the off season progresses? My dd has already expressed how she doesn't feel like she is getting enough to be able to show them she wants to test to the JO group. TIA!

 

[MILgymFAM]

Is your DD an Xcel Diamond? If she is heading into 9th grade and is Xcel it will be very hard for her to do NCAA gymnastics. Most girls on that path are L9/10 before they ever step foot in high school. I know that some places treat Xcel and JO as equal, but our experience has been like yours, with Xcel being less hours/ less strict/ less conditioning. Coming from that to get to NCAA will be HARD. My DD went from Xcel bronze in 7th grade (her first year of gymnastics) to training L8 going into senior year (with a year off gym team in the middle), and honestly I’m thrilled with where she is and couldn’t have dreamed of her doing anything more. At her age, I don’t think she’s too young for realistic expectations.

 

[Madden3]

I have no idea if it is realistic or not for your daughter to compete in college, but is that the only reason to compete JO? If both you and your daughter want more intensity than is being offered in the Xcel program at this gym, I think it makes sense to ask about moving to JO.

Also has your daughter expressed wanting more conditioning or more practice time to her coach? What about asking the coach about correcting her form more when at practice? (My son says he sometimes asks the coach when he thinks he needs more feedback.)That would show work ethic and a desire to do more.

Personally I have never regretted expressing my concerns or addressing questions to the appropriate people at our gym. I have regretted NOT doing so. A gym is a business and you are their customer, and a customer's concerns and questions should be paramount.

On the other hand, it makes sense to not be pesky. If you JUST had the "we have to get to know your daughter first" conversation, it might make sense to wait a bit, or maybe ask if there is a way to increase gym time while still in Xcel?

 

[bookworm]

I agree with MILgymfan. Your daughter is currently in an Xcel program that you describe as "lax" , has not been transitioned/accepted into the JO tract and wants to do college gym....I'm going to be brutally honest here...her chances for actually competing on a D1 or 2 college team are slim to none....unless you are thinking of a team like Rhode Island College where it could happen. She just doesn't have enough time to get the skills required to even be considered...as MILgymfan said, most NCAA gymnasts are levels 9/10 before high school.

But that doesn't mean she can't do gymnastics in college....there are many schools with club teams that she could join. She might want to consider another way to be involved in college gymnastics...one of our friends who was a level 8 was the team manager at a D1 program, traveled with the team and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

[momnipotent]

I think the suggestions above about more conditioning and asking for feedback above are really good ones, and I think it should all come from your daughter for right now. Have her ask if there is any chance she can add conditioning with another group to her daily routine either before or after her excel classes. The feedback about form is good too-then she should show she is really working on it, either in class or by coming to open gym. She could also ask what she would need to do to move to JO. I think the coaches should see that she is dedicated to the sport and is making every effort to improve before you have another discussion with them so the perception is that she really wants more and not just that you want more for her. With that said, if after a month or two neither one of you has any answers, I think a follow up conversation on your part would be totally appropriate.

 

[All4thekids]

Thanks guys. I agree it will be tough for my dd to compete in college. I have spoken to her about d1,d2,d3 schools and the club gymnastics. I have also told her gymnastics doesn’t have to stop when she graduates high school. This last year she has stressed so much on timing and needing to be a level 7 next year to even have a chance to be looked at her senior year. I’m hoping that goes away soon! Is like to see her having fun again!
I’ll definitely talk her more about expressing things to her coaches, I agree that is a great way to show her drive. I’ve got 5 children and 3 athletes out of the bunch and I sports has been a great way for the kids to learn independence. I’ve never felt the need to talk to a coach until this. Fingers crossed!!

 

[Aussie_coach]

A lot is going to depend on the gym you are at, but many gyms would never consider a 14 year old to transfer from Exel to JO. If she is not even level 7 yet, it is highly unlikely to happen in may gyms. There is no problem with letting them know it is her goal and asking how realistic it is. But be aware that they may just string her along without any intention of choosing her for the JO team, but may choose not to tell you somthat they can keep collecting your tuition payments, out of worry she may quit or move elsewhere.

Second reality check, if she is only hitting level 7 at the start of high school, there is no college scholarship coming. Generally kids who get scholarships are already solid level 10's by the time they start high school, often even younger.

 

[All4thekids]

Thanks for the reply. DD is aware that scholarships are pretty much out. However, she has been told by a coach that college gymnastics is not out of the picture completely. not all college gymnasts are all around competitors, some are recruited for certain apparatus. DD has 2 skills to get to move over to level 7. coming up in August dd will have been doing gymnastics for 3 years. Her flexibility is finally getting noticeably better. I think if she does move, the biggest thing to surprise her would be her scores. She's a top scorer as an XCEL gymnast but like many of us know JO is much more about form. As a Mom this is scary but if she can get there I'll be there. I'm really hoping this gym doesn't string us along. I don't get that impression. I'm just trying to keep my Momma bear self in lol.....

 

[MILgymFAM]

Thanks for the reply. DD is aware that scholarships are pretty much out. However, she has been told by a coach that college gymnastics is not out of the picture completely. not all college gymnasts are all around competitors, some are recruited for certain apparatus. DD has 2 skills to get to move over to level 7. coming up in August dd will have been doing gymnastics for 3 years. Her flexibility is finally getting noticeably better. I think if she does move, the biggest thing to surprise her would be her scores. She's a top scorer as an XCEL gymnast but like many of us know JO is much more about form. As a Mom this is scary but if she can get there I'll be there. I'm really hoping this gym doesn't string us along. I don't get that impression. I'm just trying to keep my Momma bear self in lol.....

I hope they don’t string you along too, and I wish her the very best of luck moving over- we were there too as my DD made the switch from Xcel to JO as a freshman too. She has had coaches tell her that college gym could be possible for her too. She doesn’t discount her abilities, but coaches that tell her that just makes her assume their naiveté- there are definitely coaches who know less about how this all works than parents from this board. Ha. A gym we were at once was encouraging a L7 senior to make recruitment videos. She was not even a particularly strong L7 and of course it didn’t go anywhere. If your girl gets to L7 as a freshman, and then does a level a year- unlikely but I never say impossible- she would be a senior L10. At that point... yeah, college could be possible. I’d insert an emoji shrug here if I could. Ha!

 

[bookworm]

Thanks for the reply. DD is aware that scholarships are pretty much out. However, she has been told by a coach that college gymnastics is not out of the picture completely. not all college gymnasts are all around competitors, some are recruited for certain apparatus. DD has 2 skills to get to move over to level 7. coming up in August dd will have been doing gymnastics for 3 years. Her flexibility is finally getting noticeably better. I think if she does move, the biggest thing to surprise her would be her scores. She's a top scorer as an XCEL gymnast but like many of us know JO is much more about form. As a Mom this is scary but if she can get there I'll be there. I'm really hoping this gym doesn't string us along. I don't get that impression. I'm just trying to keep my Momma bear self in lol.....

I'm sorry to burst your bubble here but the coach is most certainly stringing you along....telling you that "not all college gymnasts are all around competitors" is a true but very misleading statement for someone in your shoes....the mother of a not yet level 7 or even JO competitor, headed into high school , who has been a gymnast for 3 years and would like to do college gymnastics.....my multi year level 10 daughter did not compete the AA in college ( she did 3 evebts) but this in no way equates to good news for someone in your shoes. The colleges compete the top 6 on every apparatus...and many who are recruited top level 10s, don't compete at all.

For the coach's statement to have been hopeful to you, your daughter would have to be a JO champ on an event or something similar, not a high schooler hoping to get her 4 events competitive in the next 4 years. I am guessing your coach may be looking to see if your daughter may excel at one or 2 events as an event specialist, but again, if she's not a successful level 10 , before specializing, colleges are not going to be looking at her.

I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer but I think you need facts so that you can see this situation with your eyes wide open....and plan accordingly.