Anon Team Gym Help

[Anonymous (8448)]

I have a child who at 6 was told she was ready for team gym. Got brought in to do a class with team gym. Coach said it wasn't a no but not a yes right now would look at my child after competitions. Long story she didn't and pre team tryout came up. I enrolled her as rec classes was getting boring for her. She did not do good at tryouts was afraid. Coach noted the fact she refused and was not ready and it was a form no for now. After this her confidence was knocked and she fell behind. Definitely could not do team now as she's fallen behind. She's 7 now and desperate to make team again she's in privates. But is coming on still behind as other kids her age have there back handsprings. Question is do I keep her in privates or let her down. As I can't take her having a broken heart twice

 

[Anonymous (6e4b)]

What options do you have in your area? Are there other gym options you could try? Not a huge fan of privates at this age for making team, so if you have choices, now might be the time to try them.

 

[Anonymous (766f)]

I agree with exploring options. You should not need to do privates to make team.

Team means a lot of different things different places. Some gyms compete levels 1, 2, and Xcel Bronze, so there are lower entry points to competing.

 

[Anonymous (15b4)]

I'd look for less exigent kind of competitions. Maybe their are harder to find in your area, but I think bronze teams would be not that hard to enter. Some low key excel programs, or programs that do some kind of competitions for upper recreational classes.

 

[Anonymous (772c)]

Part of tryouts is seeing how they do mentally with challenging situations, gymnastics just might not be a good fit. At least at that gym with that style of coach.

 

[Dahlialover]

Check out other gyms. There are very different requirements for joining team or pre-team at different gyms. Additionally, there are gyms that have more advanced rec programs that would keep your daughter challenged. It’s important to let go of the idea that your daughter is “behind” and needs to “catch up”. Gymnastics development is highly individual and, while there are a few gyms that expect 7-year-olds to have their back handsprings, that is not the norm. There are plenty of gyms where 12-year-olds to compete bronze or level 2 without a back handspring. Find a gym that is a good fit for your child, don’r try to change your child to fit the gym. Good luck

 

[Anonymous (977d)]

Definitely don't give up yet- she has lots of time and lots of possibilities. My daughter didn't even start rec until age 9. She certainly didn't have a back handspring, or any real "skills". But she was strong - she did a ton of pull-ups at home and did handstands basically all day every day. 2 1/2 years later she just finished her state meet in Gold and is headed to regionals, and she has the best handstands and bars on the team. Privates can help, I guess, but really strength and coachability are the biggest factors for making a team. So do pull-ups and hollow holds at home, do stretching, jump around and run around on the playground - just get her strength and general athleticism up there, and her tight form through the hollow holds. You also need to find the right gym. For example, neither bronze nor silver require a back handspring, and if the gym you are looking at does, you should look around and find one that is competitive but a little more relaxed. Some gyms also have a rec competition team, which usually gives you an extra day of practice and local meets against other rec kids, and that can help keep the joy in gymnastics if she is getting bored with just rec class. Good luck!