DD's gym will have conferences in a couple of weeks and I'm wondering what I should ask the coach.
DD is 8, Level 4 practicing Level 5, and started in gymnastics in August of 2011. She scored over 37 in the meets we've had so far and she won all-around in them, as well. DD seems to have raw natural talent to go with a lot of focus, drive, and determination.
Other parents have asked me if DD will move up to Level 5 soon (I don't know), if she will skip a level (I don't know), and exclaim about DDs abilities (I agree but I'm mom, not the coach).
From appearance, it does seem like DD may be a gymnast long-term but I've also been told that the head-honcho coach taps the Elite material pretty early on and that they get funneled into a special practice group by Level 7. DD has a ways to go before that. DD also says that her coach often comments that DD is "behind," which I think means in terms of TOPS testing (DD could easily do the strength portion but not the skills) and in terms of where she could potentially have been given natural talent if she'd started gymnastics early.
I want to ask the coach what she means when she says Dd is "behind," what DD need to do to bridge the gap, if DD will likely move levels mid-season given her scores, if the coach has a plan for her long-term, and if it would be valuable to seek an evaluation from head-honcho coach to see if she feels the elite tack is worth pursuing and if so, her recommended progression. But I also recognize I am a parent and perhaps some of this is stuff I won't be privy to or is presumptuous to ask of a coach. Since we like the gym, Dd is very happy there,and the training is high-quality, I would like to do my part to have a long,happy, respectful relationship with them.
So, what is okay to ask? Coaches, what question do you wish parents would ask but they don't? What question makes your eyes roll?
Thanks for any and all feedback!
DD is 8, Level 4 practicing Level 5, and started in gymnastics in August of 2011. She scored over 37 in the meets we've had so far and she won all-around in them, as well. DD seems to have raw natural talent to go with a lot of focus, drive, and determination.
Other parents have asked me if DD will move up to Level 5 soon (I don't know), if she will skip a level (I don't know), and exclaim about DDs abilities (I agree but I'm mom, not the coach).
From appearance, it does seem like DD may be a gymnast long-term but I've also been told that the head-honcho coach taps the Elite material pretty early on and that they get funneled into a special practice group by Level 7. DD has a ways to go before that. DD also says that her coach often comments that DD is "behind," which I think means in terms of TOPS testing (DD could easily do the strength portion but not the skills) and in terms of where she could potentially have been given natural talent if she'd started gymnastics early.
I want to ask the coach what she means when she says Dd is "behind," what DD need to do to bridge the gap, if DD will likely move levels mid-season given her scores, if the coach has a plan for her long-term, and if it would be valuable to seek an evaluation from head-honcho coach to see if she feels the elite tack is worth pursuing and if so, her recommended progression. But I also recognize I am a parent and perhaps some of this is stuff I won't be privy to or is presumptuous to ask of a coach. Since we like the gym, Dd is very happy there,and the training is high-quality, I would like to do my part to have a long,happy, respectful relationship with them.
So, what is okay to ask? Coaches, what question do you wish parents would ask but they don't? What question makes your eyes roll?
Thanks for any and all feedback!
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