Parents How to ask and what to ask her coach.

[Josette]

Hi everyone,

My little gymnast is competing this year in xcel, silver level (she is 7 yrs. old). . She has big dreams which I understand at some point she'll need to enter the developmental track. I'm totally new to this so need to be schooled. She has big stage dreams, and being a collegiate gymnast as well.

When and how (what questions to ask) do I speak to her coach about these dreams without seeming to jump the gun so to speak. Is it crazy to backwards plan the next 10 years of her life/training when she hasn't even completed one year of competition yet?

She is totally locked in, loves training, loves watching competition, etc etc.

Thanks for the thoughts, ideas, guidance!

 

[Coach Kate]

I would initiate that now. Does your gym use Xcel in place of compulsories? Is there an opportunity to transition to developmental? Do they think your daughter would be a good fit for your gym's development program? Why/why not?

If your gym does not use Xcel in place of compulsories and they tell you they don't think your child is a good fit for their development program, you could pursue an evaluation at another gym after this season if you want another opinion.

 

[Josette]

Thanks for the reply!

Yes they use Xcel in place of compulsory. I was worried they didn't support developmental track but with a quick chat I learned they do! In your opinion is that approach acceptable for an elite hopeful?

So, I understand at some point she would transition from Xcel to developmental. I don't want it to be a late transition putting her "behind."

It sounds like I have a legitimate ask by asking her coach to backwards plan with me now to college recruitment?

 

[Coach Kate]

Thanks for the reply!

Yes they use Xcel in place of compulsory. I was worried they didn't support developmental track but with a quick chat I learned they do! In your opinion is that approach acceptable for an elite hopeful?

So, I understand at some point she would transition from Xcel to developmental. I don't want it to be a late transition putting her "behind."

It sounds like I have a legitimate ask by asking her coach to backwards plan with me now to college recruitment?

I definitely think that approach is working for a lot of programs and athletes! In what I've seen, the gyms have a way they like to do this - maybe going through gold or possibly platinum, and then scoring out and going to level 6.

I think it's completely reasonable for you to ask something like

We're new to team and daughter is absolutely loving it. She wants to work hard and see how far she can go in the sport and has her eyes on college gymnastics one day. I know it's early and she's young, but I'm wondering what a typical progression looks like in this gym. Do most people do more than one year at each level? When might there be an opportunity to transition to the developmental program and what does that look like?

As a coach, I honestly preferred getting a heads up about this kind of thing in an email and then if you want to set up a time to talk, make sure you communicate that. It can end up being more than a 5 minute conversation and if I have another class to do or it's the end of a long coaching day and I wasn't expecting it, I would be more likely to rush through it.

 

[Josette]

I definitely think that approach is working for a lot of programs and athletes! In what I've seen, the gyms have a way they like to do this - maybe going through gold or possibly platinum, and then scoring out and going to level 6.

I think it's completely reasonable for you to ask something like

We're new to team and daughter is absolutely loving it. She wants to work hard and see how far she can go in the sport and has her eyes on college gymnastics one day. I know it's early and she's young, but I'm wondering what a typical progression looks like in this gym. Do most people do more than one year at each level? When might there be an opportunity to transition to the developmental program and what does that look like?

As a coach, I honestly preferred getting a heads up about this kind of thing in an email and then if you want to set up a time to talk, make sure you communicate that. It can end up being more than a 5 minute conversation and if I have another class to do or it's the end of a long coaching day and I wasn't expecting it, I would be more likely to rush through it.

I'm grateful for your insight. Your suggestions are what I will do.

 

[BusyMomof2]

We are in a region where xcel in place of compulsory is common, and if you're at a strong gym you'll be trained with proper basics and foundation in xcel. Our entire optionals team has xcel roots and several have been state/regional champs, on state teams, etc. So - it can work.

My daughter did Silver - Gold - scored out of L4 - Platinum and is now competing L7 this year. She probably could have pushed to L8 apart from vault.

I think you can mention it to the coach next time you have a meeting, whether that's conversations about next year/leveling up or if your gym offers progress check-ins. A LOT CAN HAPPEN in the next few years so don't stress now. Of my daughter's Silver team of 20 girls, all who absolutely loved gymnastics and wanted to do gymnastics in college...only 4 are still competing.

Our coaches know my daughter would like to do college if at all possible. She's currently in 6th grade and they push her more than others and she likes that. It's still a massive long shot and she knows that but we're supporting her, she absolutely loves the sport and we'll see what happens.

 

[Josette]

We are in a region where xcel in place of compulsory is common, and if you're at a strong gym you'll be trained with proper basics and foundation in xcel. Our entire optionals team has xcel roots and several have been state/regional champs, on state teams, etc. So - it can work.

My daughter did Silver - Gold - scored out of L4 - Platinum and is now competing L7 this year. She probably could have pushed to L8 apart from vault.

I think you can mention it to the coach next time you have a meeting, whether that's conversations about next year/leveling up or if your gym offers progress check-ins. A LOT CAN HAPPEN in the next few years so don't stress now. Of my daughter's Silver team of 20 girls, all who absolutely loved gymnastics and wanted to do gymnastics in college...only 4 are still competing.

Our coaches know my daughter would like to do college if at all possible. She's currently in 6th grade and they push her more than others and she likes that. It's still a massive long shot and she knows that but we're supporting her, she absolutely loves the sport and we'll see what happens.

I agree, so much can change. For now she is all in and I appreciate your posting as it helps me learn how to support her as best as possible.