I think every child has to be looked at individually. If they are unable to get most of thier skills by competition season I think they should be held back but that is not to say they can't uptrain skills for the next level. My daughter repeated level 4 this year and had a great year I was lucky that her coaches were able to make the right decision for her. She still uptrained with the level 5 and I think she will do well next year. In the case of her gym I know the decision was not made for financial reasons it would have been easier to have the coaches go have all the girls in the same level they are a small group instead they had to have the coaches go 2 different meet sessions with just 3 to 4 girls. I agree Gymjourney's mom parents should really stay out of moveups they should let the coaches decide and instead be supportive of your child. How does a parents complaints of their child not moving up affect that childs feelings I am sure on one level or another these children feel like failures and that they are dissappointments.