Parents How to?

[ARR04]

Hello my daughter is on a level 3 platinum and we are trying to figure out how to get her seen and to learn how to get her to were she can be more noticeable to ever make it to nationals or find out all that information and the steps she is still 9 but a great gymnast . But I don’t know how any of those steps work how we got o the next step or how does it work in Nashville TN. Any inside parents can help me

 

[skschlag]

I am not sure what Level 3 Platinum is, but it sounds like she is very early in her gymnastics career. At this point, the focus should be on fun, development of basics, learning to be coached, and, FUN.

Nationals is not something you get noticed for. As you progress up the levels, you can qualify to nationals based on your level, score, etc. She is a long way from that at this point.

So for now, what level is she? Is this her first year?

I would say to let the year play out and let the coaches guide the next steps.

 

[ARR04]

This will be her second year competing. I am just wondering if a doing everything right and not having her stuck on! She loves it and wants to learn more about how to grow in the sport . That’s what I am trying to do learn the process but for me not to overwhelm her or push her . But to be likely you are doing great at your age and level. She is 9 turning 10 in march.

 

[Coach Kate]

I am not aware of a level 3 platinum.

The USAG developmental program uses numerical levels 1-10. Levels 1-5 are compulsory, where each gymnast does the same routine. If she is a level three, her biggest floor skill is a round off backhandspring, beam is a handstand, her whole bar routine is done on the low bar, and she vaults over a stack of mats.

The USAG Xcel program uses precious metals and gems across six levels, with bronze being the lowest level, sapphire the highest and platinum right in the middle. A platinum gymnast is doing saltos on floor, probably cartwheel or walkover skills on beam, jumping to the high bar and competing a kip, and vaulting over the table.

I do not know much about NAIGC, so if you are not in the USAG system, this won't apply.

There are YMCA nationals, Xcel nationals (I believe this is the first year it's not just an invitational) and developmental nationals. YMCA nationals has both developmental levels and Xcel levels. Xcel nationals naturally only has Xcel. And developmental nationals is exclusively for qualified level 10 athletes.

There are also NAIGC nationals, which again, I know almost nothing about.

Knowing what program your daughter is involved in will help get you better and more specific answers.

 

[ARR04]

I am not aware of a level 3 platinum.

The USAG developmental program uses numerical levels 1-10. Levels 1-5 are compulsory, where each gymnast does the same routine. If she is a level three, her biggest floor skill is a round off backhandspring, beam is a handstand, her whole bar routine is done on the low bar, and she vaults over a stack of mats.

The USAG Xcel program uses precious metals and gems across six levels, with bronze being the lowest level, sapphire the highest and platinum right in the middle. A platinum gymnast is doing saltos on floor, probably cartwheel or walkover skills on beam, jumping to the high bar and competing a kip, and vaulting over the table.

I do not know much about NAIGC, so if you are not in the USAG system, this won't apply.

There are YMCA nationals, Xcel nationals (I believe this is the first year it's not just an invitational) and developmental nationals. YMCA nationals has both developmental levels and Xcel levels. Xcel nationals naturally only has Xcel. And developmental nationals is exclusively for qualified level 10 athletes.

There are also NAIGC nationals, which again, I know almost nothing about.

Knowing what program your daughter is involved in will help get you better and more specific answers.

She is actually a USAG silver fist year competition. She was like I am
Not platinum what is that .. lol dead!! But yes USAG Silver with the skills you mentioned she is working on her tuck for her floor routine now but they said she has to wait until this season is over to add it for next year .

 

[Coach Kate]

Technically they are allowed to do up to one salto in silver but her coach decides if it is competition ready.

Does her gym use Xcel in place of compulsories or is Xcel completely separate?

Regarding nationals, it looks like this year is still an invitational for all xcel levels, but you'll find many gyms don't participate (ours did not). If this is her second year competing and you didn't hear about it last year, odds are your gym either does not participate at all or only for higher levels.

Next year, there will be a process for platinum, diamond and sapphire athletes to qualify through regionals for a national competition.

I'm not really sure I understand your original question of "getting her seen". It's irrelevant until level 10 or close, and it doesn't sound like she's on that path. Even if your gym uses Xcel to bypass compulsories, that usually happens after gold and they petition or score into level 6 or 7. If she's 9 now, 10 in gold, and does level 6 at 11, and continues to do a level a year, she's level 7 at 12, level 8 at 13, level 9 at 14, and a first year level 10 at 15. That's when you would start thinking about recruitment and getting noticed, and that's an extremely aggressive time line.

I would talk to your daughter about what her goals are, and help facilitate a conversation between her and her coaches. They are the ones who can tell you what potential and options she might have, and if and when a transition to development program might be a good fit for her.

 

[Dahlialover]

Hello my daughter is on a level 3 platinum and we are trying to figure out how to get her seen and to learn how to get her to were she can be more noticeable to ever make it to nationals or find out all that information and the steps she is still 9 but a great gymnast . But I don’t know how any of those steps work how we got o the next step or how does it work in Nashville TN. Any inside parents can help me

In gymnastics, parents, gymnasts, and coaches each have different roles to play. As a parent, your role is to set your child up for success in the gym by delivering them to practice on time, well-rested, well-fed, with their hair tied back. That’s the bulk of your job. The other big thing that falls to you is choosing a gym and a program and paying the bills. The only other thing that you need to do is to be a good cheerleader. Everything else falls to the gymnast and the coaches.
If you are doing all these things, then there is nothing else to do other than to kick back and enjoy the ride.

 

[Sebastian12]

AAU nationals is right in TN this year and many usag gyms attend during their off season, it is a huge comp but fun at the same time.

By “seen”, if you are talking about instangram, then nah, they don’t get much out of it beyond a few free Leos. Their profiles don’t matter until they are high levels.

 

[HurricaneLR]

Look around your gym - do they have numeric levels 1-5, or do they just have xcel bronze, silver and gold for the lower levels? If a gym has both programs at the lower levels, usually xcel trains less hours, and may not be geared toward higher level optionals (levels 6-10). If that's what your daughter wants, you could have a conversation with the coaches to make sure they know she is interested in moving to DP (the numbered levels) and see if they think that makes sense for her. At least then they will know she's interested. Honestly, you could just ask them to explain it to you - our coaches/owner were really good about explaining the various programs and levels to newer gym families, because it can be really confusing. They will probably just tell you where they think your daughter fits in.

But like everyone else said, gymnasts don't really get noticed until they are a much higher level. You just make sure she is getting good training and enjoying the sport.