Parents Speaking of TOP's...

[3LittleGymmies]

What do you think the reason is that some gyms are "into" TOP's training and testing and other gyms are not? My older daughter REALLY wants to make it to TOP's testing, but our gym doesn't "do it". She has been trying to find out what all of the skills are from her TOP's friends at other gyms so that she can perfect them and convince her coaches that she's prepared to participate, haha! Gotta love her determination, though. Well, I take that back, in the breakdown of our parent's organization budget, it lists $500 for TOP's testing. But I have not seen nor heard about any kind of TOP's training or anyone going for testing at all and neither has she. She is in the advanced group for her level, so I am sure that we would know about it if it existed. So maybe it's something they would do IF and WHEN they had a gymnast who seemed especially talented? Our last gym had a few exceptional girls test this year but it's not the norm for them to participate in the program at all. Maybe some gyms think it's important and imperative to eventually going elite, etc. and other gyms just don't think it's worth the time/effort and makes no difference in the long run?

 

[B&M's mom]

I don't know about every gym, I can just speak from our experience. My DD did TOPs at her old gym which did not offer an elite track. She was the first gymnast to go to testing. When she went to National testing, I attended the parent's meeting. We were told that USAG uses TOPs to identify girls who might benefit from additional training but also as a way to train coaches who don't have experience with elite gymnastics.

After that season, my DD moved to a different gym which did have an elite track. That gym doesn't do TOPs. There are several coaches who have elite experience. As far as I can see, it hasn't hurt my DD at all as she has been invited to several developmental camps and is getting ready for the qualifiers.

So if your gym already has an elite track, they may not do TOPs as they already understand the parameters of the elite track.

 

[gymmomtoo]

I don't know--our gym used to do TOPs (DD went an extra day for it when she was younger and tested), but don't anymore. I don't know why. I should ask the HC sometime--he usually has a good reason for everything.

 

[rjb123]

our gym does not do TOPS. Our HC has had elite in the past (not now) and has an excellent track record of success at all levels. I am not really sure WHY we don't do it, but we don't. If I was guessing as to the reason I would think that our coaches have enough years of experience at high levels that they don't need the educational component. And if they did need "something" they have a network that they could go to if needed. (Mind you this is a random guess!!)
That said, our gym incorporates TONS of conditioning into the training. When we have gotten girls on our team from other gyms there are frequently rivers of tears shed for a few months while they adjust. Even the rec kids do a good amount in class! I really do feel fortunate to have chosen our gym for my DD (especially considering I chose it based on the fact it was the one closest to our house!!)

 

[3LittleGymmies]

This is really interesting! I guess that I always thought that TOP's was about gymnasts getting noticed/getting their names out there. I never really thought about the coaches getting anything out of it.