Parents Normal keeping gymnasts in same level for 4 years?

[Tiffany]

I’m starting to think my gym has too many red flags for my daughter to stay any longer. There are 4 girls that have had to compete the same level for 4 years. Two were level 7’s and 2 were level 8’s. It’s always for something really small. Typically these girls have all skills in 3 events and are only missing 1 skill on the 4th event. Our coach doesn’t allow specializing in an event unless it’s due to a major surgery/injury. Is this common? Thanks

 

[GymnastMomX2]

Not normal for all girls, but not unheard of. We have a one girl who has repeated level 8 for at least 3 years, and then another who has competed level 9 all through high school. I don’t know the exact reasoning why, I think there might be injuries they are dealing with, but not totally sure.

Our coaches rule is they have to have 3 of 4 events competition ready, with a plan to get the 4th at some point in the season to compete X level. We don’t have specialist usually either, and unless there’s an injury, all girls are competing all 4 events by their last state qualifying state meet and competing at state.

Judging by what you said I’m not sure it’s a red flag without more info, it could be, but it could also be totally normal and the coaches are putting the girls where they will be most successful. I know we don’t always understand all the level placements in October, but by March at state it usually all makes sense.

 

[Tiffany]

Having 3 events completely ready at this point with the 4th very near sounds a lot more reasonabl. And yeah level 9 and 10 I know can be repeated multiple times but the girls I’m talking about are nearly there but aren’t given the chance due to one skill or he says consistency? We also haven’t had a level 10 in 7 years….ever since this coach started. I just don’t know.

 

[Coach Kate]

Honestly, if we have kids who are even going to do a third year at the same level, we start to have a real conversation with them. It's rare. When we had DP, that was when we started talking about switching to Xcel. Now that we are Xcel only, that's when we start asking if a junior high/high school rec class might be better.

 

[GymnastMomX2]

No level 10s WOULD be a red flag to me, depending on your daughters goals.

 

[Tiffany]

Honestly, if we have kids who are even going to do a third year at the same level, we start to have a real conversation with them. It's rare. When we had DP, that was when we started talking about switching to Xcel. Now that we are Xcel only, that's when we start asking if a junior high/high school rec class might be better.

That makes sense. And these girls I’m talking about are some of the most talented in the gym. They have some level 10 skills but because of one skill they still compete 8.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

My daughter has been an 8 for a few years. Between Covid, injuries and a mental blocks. That’s how it ended up

 

[gymgal]

That makes sense. And these girls I’m talking about are some of the most talented in the gym. They have some level 10 skills but because of one skill they still compete 8.

Is it the same skill that perhaps the coaches don't know how to teach well enough? Are there gymnasts in L9/10? How well are they competing and how did they get there - Repeating levels as well?

 

[Tiffany]

For 3 of the girls it’s been that bail or pak on bars. The others I don’t remember but I do know it’s always a fear to do the skill. Yeah I’ve worried about their ability to coach those harder skills. We have 2 level 9’s but haven’t had a 10 for 7 years since this coach started. It’s always that one skill or not consistent enough for him. Yes the 2 that are 9’s repeated levels too much. One did 7 for 5 years because of bars now that I think about it.

 

[gymgal]

Given the additional info, I would be very concerned. If you feel your dd had the potential to be an upper optional gymnasts, I would move her to a more successful gym

 

[Tiffany]

Given the additional info, I would be very concerned. If you feel your dd had the potential to be an upper optional gymnasts, I would move her to a more successful gym

Yeah that’s what I’m thinking now too. Thank you so much