Level too low??

[smileandflip]

Hey everyone---
I go to a gym that is very good and competes very well, but I feel like I'm getting held back. I do very well when I compete and I have skills other girls my "level" (I compete prep opt) don't. I have a cartwheel on beam, can do a front tuck off if I am spotted*, can do 2 FHS's in a row on floor, a front tuck on floor with a mat, ROBHS, and a 180 degree split leap. I have never tried (been allowed) to vault a FHS over the vault table*, but I think I could do it if I tried. On bars I am very close to my kip and can jump to high bar and do a long hand pull over with a spot* and do the L5 dismount. I get really bored with my routines and the skills I do. My "tumbling" passes for my routine include a cartwheel-cartwheel and a round off hollow body roll. On beam all I have to do is a handstand. on bars all I have to do is chin-up pullover cast 2 back hip circles, sol-circle dismount. I honestly do not like my routines at all and want to move up. I am also kinda old for my level and I really love gymnastics so I don't want to just up and quit. And I know they are not holding me back because my skills are crappy---last meet I got a 9.7 on beam 9.5 on bars 9.475 on floor and 9.4 on vault. any comments/suggestion are greatly appreciated.

*all spotted skills/close skills I know I could get soon because I am a hard worker and learn things quickly if given the chance.

 

[Optionals United]

it sounds like you are ready to move up. i dont know much anout the pre opt levels but it sounds like with those scores you are ready to move on! i would ask your coaches wats holding you back so you can get moving on with the next level. wish you best of luck.

 

[Aussie_coach]

Your coaches want you to get the best scores possible on floor. There are a lot of different deductions for all your skills. Its great that you can do a round off back handspring for example but that doesn't mean you are ready to compete it anytime soon. There are lots of little things you will lose points for and possibly score very low. If so you are better off competing the easier skills and continuing to work on the harder skills at training until they are perfect.

As a general rule you should not compete a skill until at least 6 months after you can do it on your own.

 

[Obeg]

Is it possible that it is a situation of money or desire for your parents instead of the coaches? I know the gyms in this area - prep opt is more relaxed and meet much less (aka much less expensive) than regular team. Maybe the coaches feel they can't move you up because of money or time constraints put on them from you parents? That is the case on a couple of the girls on our prep opt team...

If that is the case - maybe a conversation with your parents to come up with a solution is in order. Where there is high will there is always a way.

 

[T.Gymnastics]

I am a little fuzzy on the whole prep opt thing because i have never competed it nor been at that many meets where i could watch it. I feel like after the summer you would be ready to compete at a level 5 usag level though if that is offered at your gym. This being said i think that Aussie Coach is correct when they say you need to have a skill for a while before you comepete it (maybe not six months... but still some time). thus reason i suggest talking with your coaches and asking about options for NEXT year.