Move-ups in light of upcoming changes?

[MaryA]

Do you think that, in light of the changes happening in USAG next August that there will be "last minute" meets (using the current level requirements) in July/August for those who may want to get a leg-up on the changes? Especially if, as it is rumored, the requirements for the "new 6" will be somewhat easier than those for the "current 7", and "new 7" easier than "current 8", will coaches of level 5's want to get them to score out of "current 6" so that they can compete "new 6" and so forth? The reason I ask is because DD's gym was thinking about trying their hand at hosting a small meet next March. I started thinking that there may be more interest in a late summer meet, but I don't really know if coaches will be thinking about such things or if they'll mostly just be concerned with digesting/teaching the new requirements, compulsary routines, etc. I'd be interested in hearing thoughts before I suggest the idea to the HC/board. (mostly the idea of hosting a meet in March when we will have been traveling to meets 4 out of the 7 weeks before hand is making me tired just thinking about it)

 

[GymGirl's Mom]

YES- I think DD's gym is pushing some girls forward as fast as they can- fast tracking (like trying to score out of 2 or more levels next year) in anticipation of the 2013 "big change" we'll see how it goes.

 

[cbone]

In my mind, I expect my daughter to move up to Level 4 for the fall season and then to repeat Level 4 since the step up in skills is similar to moving to the current Level 5 at the beginning of next year. That said, we'll defer to her coaches who are big on telling the girls that moving multiple levels in a year is fine if they work hard enough. In the end, I guess it all comes down to whether or not she has the skills she needs. Her coaches know what's best and will move her whenever her skills are there for whatever level she's moving to.

Moving up in advance of the 2013 changes seems to be the wrong answer if the skills aren't in place. That's just my $0.02.

 

[gym law mom]

My gymmie was just starting to compete when they made the last changes to the compulsory routines and that was nothing compared to this change!
I think most gyms will be working hard next summer to have kids at the correct level/making sure all coaches are trained etc. and not worrying so much about meets.

 

[beamer]

I have hopes (unrealistic ones for sure) that DD's gym will ease up a bit on the high standards for movement and move girls up who qualify to states and have all/most skills for the next level. It will be a bummer for those who need to repeat (and my kid is definitely a repeater!) to not only suffer the indignity (in name only, I know, I know!) of competing "down" a level, but also learning new routines with the same skills at the same level.

But that's just my own, personal, unrealistic, feel-good idea.

 

[LizzieLac]

i have hopes (unrealistic ones for sure) that dd's gym will ease up a bit on the high standards for movement and move girls up who qualify to states and have all/most skills for the next level. It will be a bummer for those who need to repeat (and my kid is definitely a repeater!) to not only suffer the indignity (in name only, i know, i know!) of competing "down" a level, but also learning new routines with the same skills at the same level.

But that's just my own, personal, unrealistic, feel-good idea.

^^^^^^ditto!

 

[Natasha]

In our state, we have Judges cup in October, which is the first meet of the competitive season. My guess is that next year most gyms (even the ones who don't normally do it) will compete in it so that they can get the feedback front the judges as they actually get booklets from the judges showing which skills were deducted. Also, in August-September the state holds clinics (4 hours for compulsories) to work on the specific skills, dance elements, etc in the routines. My guess is these will be much more heavily attended next year.
Also, as far as move ups go, it seems it would make sense for gyms to be "strict" this summer in moving gymnasts up (making sure they really have good solid skills with good form) so that they can increase the likelihood of girls not repeating levels next year. However, as far as repeating a level goes, I think some gymnasts may welcome the new routines (at the same level) as I know many who are tired of the routine and music by the end of the season. So, other than the name of the level, it may actually feel less like "repeating" a level than it would in a normal year.