Vast Difference In Skill Ability In Classes

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It seems like maybe your daughter is more advanced, maybe too advanced, for the class (compared to kids they are putting in the class) because of not moving up with the December rule. But it also sounds kind of disorganized to have a preteam/level 3 group where the kids can't do a pullover. I have worked in a smaller gym where we've had a little more flexibility in who we let into the preteam class, but we still had basic skill requirements (they need to pass through the level 3 skills). Larger gyms usually have pretty strict skill requirements. So it seems strange to have a L3 class without pullovers and I wonder if they had it in their previous class and have somehow regressed or don't understand something the coach is telling them, etc. For reference, in most gyms the kids have to have a kickover to move out of level 1, then working towards more of a true pullover in L2. By L3 they should have the pullover, even if that is their weaker event, since they need back hip circle too (should have back hip in L2 by USAG progressions).

This is a total guess since I can't judge what I haven't seen, but to be honest not being able to teach forward roll and pullover to kids who were progressed out of L1 and L2 skill classes, and expressing frustration (L1: fwd/bwd roll. L2: forward straddle roll, bwd roll pike - pretty standard) makes me wonder if perhaps this coach is not as well suited or experienced at teaching very developmental levels. Maybe they are more well suited to teaching kids with a little more experience. I work with toddlers through optionals but that is pretty unusual. Most people who coach higher levels of team prefer to do just that. There is definitely a learning curve to instructing classes (kids who will never be on team), developmental (class kids who could eventually be on team), and kids with the physical ability to do L4+ gymnastics. But even within team levels obviously some kids are more capable than others.

I don't know the case at Shelovesthebars DD's gym, but my DD's doesn't have very strict guidelines. We have level classes which seems to have strict guidelines to move from each level. You have to be 6 to start in those classes. The other path is developmental team and preteam and then L4. This path is a disorganized mess. They will make a big deal about needing a certain skill like a backbend kickover to move to preteam and then turn around and move someone who can't do that. They seem to do it to fill spots. This path also costs more than the level classes so I can see why they want to fill those up. To move to L4 you have to have a pullover, backhip circle, backhandspring, etc. But then they have girls come and try-out for L4 who don't have those skills and they let them stay.
 
I think our younger preteam levels must be a disorganized mess. Our coach has lots of experience and is an amazing coach. The jist of it is is that she didn't move these kids up, other coaches did, probably to fill spots. I know the girls will eventually get the skills but it is frustrating to watch.
 
I think our younger preteam levels must be a disorganized mess. Our coach has lots of experience and is an amazing coach. The jist of it is is that she didn't move these kids up, other coaches did, probably to fill spots. I know the girls will eventually get the skills but it is frustrating to watch.

Yeah, it sounds like there's some miscommunication then in the feeder classes. Part of that may be because regular preschool classes are often taught by "seasonal" or less experienced instructors in terms of gymnastics skills (not saying they can't do a good class but they may be unaware of the full USAG progressions for level skills). Our preschool classes can be a little off because people don't always follow the guidelines at registration, but in order to move to preteam we have strict skill testing and requirements. No child moves into a preteam group without being seen by the instructors for that group. And this is a very large program.
 

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