seeking advice for DD choosing between 2 sports

[clueless]

DD didn't end up dropping any gym hours. In fact she's increased them (still doing 2 days but longer sessions). And we've just been given some info on moving up to the next group in the Xmas holidays. I'm not sure if I misunderstood the expectations of the next group before or if they've changed, but they train 4 days pw not 3. But they did suggest starting out at 3 days so the jump isn't too tiring.
DD did end up dropping swimming - it's compulsory during much of the year at school anyway. That way she's been able to do a second day of the other sport she's obsessed by.
The problem is more which days than the total number - they clash.
DD is in a club-based IDP program and competed IDP 1 this year (there were other clubs who came to our club comp but not in the IDP group so the fact she did well may not mean much? Suppose we'll find out when she competes with the HPC girls).
As best as I can tell by comments made on CB, DD isn't working on skills as big as other aus elite girls. Like she doesn't do any somersaults of any sort except the rolling type. Handstands everywhere though.
If DD doesn't accept the extra gym hours she'll be moved to the levels team where the days/hours are less. If anything I think the levels girls do more competitions and DD LOVES competitions. But no one knows of any girls who've been invited back into the international group so I'm pretty reluctant.
In her other sport there's no 'penalty' for not doing the extra hours/days that have been suggested for next year, but I assume she won't do as well as the other girls who do more.
I didn't know I personally was leaning in any direction until I started writing, but now I can see I'd prefer her to focus on gymnastics and do less of the other because it's easier to change her mind than the other way around.
HELP!! I haven't started explaining options to DD because I don't know how to guide her choices, or how to even tell for sure what she'd rather do. I really don't think she has a strong preference yet. I do know the thing she loves most about the other sport is that they compete more often, but I assume they would even out over time? I'm also not sure whether or how much I should let her be swayed by which coaches and team mates she likes best?!
Is it just my DD who loves something else but gym? What would you do??
PS: My thread title's not right. She'll still be able to do two sports - but only a little bit of one compared to the other.

 

[mumoftwogymnasts]

Not sure how old your dd is, but the IDP system is Australia as I understand requires girls to enter from a young age (5-6 yrs) and train at a higher level and intensity that girls in the levels system, aimed at preparing them for future elite competition. I think it is rare to enter the IDP program at an older age, so I think it is rare for girls to reenter that program if they have left at an earlier time.

Gymnastics does take up a lot of time, especially IDP. It's a hard decision to make, because I can understand wanting to allow her to try and love other activities. How does you dd feel? If she had to choose between the two sports which one would she choose? Is she old enough to make a considered choice between the two?

 

[Aussie_coach]

Hi,

I would recommend you stay on the IDP route for now. It is easy to drop back from the IDP route to the regular levels stream, but once you do step back there is almost never a chance to step up.

IDP will focus more of strength and conditioning which will be invaluable in the future, the strength and conditioning will allow her to learn the harder skills at a much faster pace later on and also significantly reduce her risk of injury. She will also be learning skills at a more accelerated rate, again meaning it will be easy to drop back and still be very successful if the hours become to much.

There are not as many competitions in IDP as the regular levels stream as the focus is more on the long term development of the gymnasts. A great deal of time is not spent learning and perfecting routines as it may be in the levels stream as this time is so valuable at this age. They learn as many skills as they can while they are young and get as strong as they can. There will be time for lots of routines and competitions later.

Remember that she is young, if you want her to have some longevity in the sport then putting her in too many competitions too early will not help.

If you don't choose IDP she isn't being "penalized" she is simply being put on another path. That path does not lead to the Olympics or international level competition the way IDP does but it still leads to many wonderful successes in the sport.

I wouldn't worry too much about the swimming here in Australia all kids can swim, they will swim at school all the time, at friends house, at the beach and everywhere they go. They get good.

 

[gymgurl]

I agree totally with Aussie coach as i can tell you when i was younger i had a load of natural talent for the sport but due to a lot of events including starting at the wrong gym the second gym closed down and then i broke my arm and the other nearby gym had just burnt down.....so i was forced out of the sport. I wish my parents would have been willing to drive that little bit further to another gym (only about 10 - 15 mins further away) but unfortunately they weren't and if i didn't quit i would be around level 7 or 8 and quitting gym was my biggest regret to date so i say keep her in it and keep all doors open and don't close any for your daughter.

 

[clueless]

Not sure how old your dd is, but the IDP system is Australia as I understand requires girls to enter from a young age (5-6 yrs) and train at a higher level and intensity that girls in the levels system, aimed at preparing them for future elite competition. I think it is rare to enter the IDP program at an older age, so I think it is rare for girls to reenter that program if they have left at an earlier time.

Gymnastics does take up a lot of time, especially IDP. It's a hard decision to make, because I can understand wanting to allow her to try and love other activities. How does you dd feel? If she had to choose between the two sports which one would she choose? Is she old enough to make a considered choice between the two?

She's 5 and would love to do both every day. I've asked many times which she's rather do that day and it's pretty even which she says.

 

[clueless]

Hi,

I would recommend you stay on the IDP route for now. It is easy to drop back from the IDP route to the regular levels stream, but once you do step back there is almost never a chance to step up.

IDP will focus more of strength and conditioning which will be invaluable in the future, the strength and conditioning will allow her to learn the harder skills at a much faster pace later on and also significantly reduce her risk of injury. She will also be learning skills at a more accelerated rate, again meaning it will be easy to drop back and still be very successful if the hours become to much.

There are not as many competitions in IDP as the regular levels stream as the focus is more on the long term development of the gymnasts. A great deal of time is not spent learning and perfecting routines as it may be in the levels stream as this time is so valuable at this age. They learn as many skills as they can while they are young and get as strong as they can. There will be time for lots of routines and competitions later.

Remember that she is young, if you want her to have some longevity in the sport then putting her in too many competitions too early will not help.

If you don't choose IDP she isn't being "penalized" she is simply being put on another path. That path does not lead to the Olympics or international level competition the way IDP does but it still leads to many wonderful successes in the sport.

I wouldn't worry too much about the swimming here in Australia all kids can swim, they will swim at school all the time, at friends house, at the beach and everywhere they go. They get good.

Thanks. I think I learned more about it from here than the gym. The competition forms say IDP but when they talk they always say "international" which is a bit confusing when tehy're obviously not. Thanks for the reassurrance because I think because of her age I need to choose this for her unless she's suddenly clear the other way.

 

[clueless]

I agree totally with Aussie coach as i can tell you when i was younger i had a load of natural talent for the sport but due to a lot of events including starting at the wrong gym the second gym closed down and then i broke my arm and the other nearby gym had just burnt down.....so i was forced out of the sport. I wish my parents would have been willing to drive that little bit further to another gym (only about 10 - 15 mins further away) but unfortunately they weren't and if i didn't quit i would be around level 7 or 8 and quitting gym was my biggest regret to date so i say keep her in it and keep all doors open and don't close any for your daughter.

Good to get a gymnast's view - thank you. I hope my DD doesn't regret what I do or don't do. Sometimes it's hard to decide what's best.

 

[gymgurl]

I hope she doesn't too, if she can keep doing the other sport a little i think you should do both and focus on gymnastics as gymnastics will help her with any other sport and swimming is very similar in type of muscle needed so her gymnastics strength won't go to waste if she decides to switch. Swimming is also something she can work on alone so maybe that will help with decision.

When i said it was my biggest regret to date i haven't had many regrets but that was definitely one of them. But along with that i got to enjoy many activities that i probably wouldn't have if i was focused on gym and made loads of friends so it was still a good outcome i think do what your DD gets most excited about Now i am happy and training with a great group so whatever you choose she will end up as a happy good kid

 

[Bobby]

What I love about gymnastics compared with other sports is that it's a great feeder to other options like diving and trampoline and aerial skiing. So it keeps options open for a number of sports.
It's also hard to beat for all around fitness, strength, and flexibility!!

 

[NotAMom]

aerial skiing.

Not just aerial (maybe perhaps you heard about it in the Olympics). In fact, I would extend your statement to pretty much all individual sports.

 

[Aussie_coach]

IDP stands for International Development Program, they are the kids who are selected for their potential to eventually be able to compete internationally. The program is designed to train them towards this goal.

Gyms are very selective about which gymnasts go into IDP they must be the right age, height, body size. They must have natural strength, flexibility and speed. They must have determined personalities.

When you watch IDP 1 compete it may appear simple but the skills will get harder much faster. To give you an example by level 2 the girls will be required to be able to kip on bars, round off back handspring on floor, front tuck on floor and so on, but in the normal levels stream these skills are not used until level 5ish.

The girls are also tested on what is called IDEAL skills. Competition is not the most important part of IDP in the early levels the IDEAL skills are. Gymnasts must show they can perform certain skills by a certain age.

 

[Galadriel]

- Can i ask as someone who is just curious - what would the IDEAL skills be for the different ages?
Is it like TOPs testing at all?

 

[emorymom]

What is the second sport?

Do you have the option of pursuing sports during the day? You mention they swim at school. Are there sports schools?

I home school. I'm able to offer a very concise academic load and then drive them to choir, dance, gym, swim team, etc. At this age it is very manageable. 2nd grade math comes fairly easy to swim team and dance students who also study how to read music, KWIM?