I would just like to know if there is a good reason why the USGA does not want six year olds competing in L5?
Hey, if your coach says she's ready, and you the parent says shes ready, and the child is willing and able....then why not? I mean heck, in China they start serious conditioning and training for many hours a day much earlier than here in the states, and well, those athletes don't seem to be the worse for it.
Maybe the USGA is just a bunch of knuckle heads who are being over causious. I say good for your coach who has found a way to get around the rules. If I had my way, they'd all start their training in the womb. Why doesn't the USGA just get with the program.
USAG must certainly realize that in order for a 7 yr old to compete L5 at 7 years old, they would most likely be training L5 at 6 years old.
Training the skills for L5 is very typical even when you are a L3. All gymnasts will need to learn their kip, bhs's, fhs's, cartwheel on beam, handstand on beam, fhs vault etc. These are some of the skills that gymnastics builds on.