Anon Repeating Platinum

[Anonymous (0385)]

Hi, sorry this is kind of a rant but also seeking advice or an explanation .
So my coaches just told me I am repeating platinum. I had a pretty successful season, I got 1st at regionals and I have all of my diamond skills, they still need to be cleaned up but they can be ready over the summer. I had a very bad mental block resulting in me getting really upset almost every practice for about a month. My coaches decided to make me repeat platinum “just in case” I have another mental block. I’m going to be a freshman next year and am not really looking to repeat a level. Is this unreasonable? I work hard every practice and also have all my skills. I also think I have grown mentally too.

 

[Anonymous (1d38)]

What is wrong with repeating platinum? It sounds like your coaches care about your mental health and success. You have 4 more years of gymnastics in front of you. Why don't you make it a positive 4 years? I'm not sure what you mean by "really upset". If one of my athletes has a block and is getting extremely upset at practice, I would want to try to help them through it in the same way. Blocks often come form too much pressure/anxiety/feeling overwhelmed.

 

[Anonymous (cf0e)]

The thing with mental blocks is that they can happen again - whether you repeat or move up. Also, it feels rather punitive if that truly is the reason that you aren’t being allowed to move up to Diamond. With that said though, I do agree with the previous poster on what you mean by ‘really upset’ so there’s that too. I think having a conversation with them is reasonable and maybe involve your parents.

 

[Anonymous (0385)]

What is wrong with repeating platinum? It sounds like your coaches care about your mental health and success. You have 4 more years of gymnastics in front of you. Why don't you make it a positive 4 years? I'm not sure what you mean by "really upset". If one of my athletes has a block and is getting extremely upset at practice, I would want to try to help them through it in the same way. Blocks often come form too much pressure/anxiety/feeling overwhelmed.

Next season because I have to repeat, I am going to be the oldest person on the team, and many of the girls moving up from gold are around 8-10. And all of my friends on my team are moving up do I feel like I am being left behind. Is it okay that I feel like it is a punishment for something that wasn’t in my control. I overcame my mental block eventually and I worked hard and got all my skills, even before all my teammates who are moving up.

 

[raenndrops]

Could you ask if you can practice with the DIamonds, even if you will be competing Platinum. Explain that you want to compete upgraded routines in Platinum (so it doesn't feel as much like repeating), and it would be more advantageous to practice with others who are training those skills.

 

[Anonymous (b56e)]

Try to arrange a meeting with your coach/head coach, bring a parent if you can and explain how you feel. Good luck.