WAG What level transition seems to have the biggest drop-off in gymnasts and why?

[ayyyrial]

Most the big drop-offs I saw in my team happened around old L6, while struggling to master some events for L6, having to stay in L6 multiple years, etc, usually combined with being around middle school age which causes growth spurts, fear issues, and starting to feel 'old' for that level.

Although I aged out before I got to this point, I don't think I ever would have competed beyond L7 or a somewhat substandard L8 due to a lack of good coaching on floor as well as coming to realize that my strength to weight ratio was plateauing and would limit me (especially on bars) due to my body type.

 

[fuzi]

I think backwards fear gets a lot of (JO) gymnasts during the transition from level 4 to level 5. A back tuck on floor, a BWO or BHS on beam, and a flyaway - all at once! If they make it through level 5, most stick around for level 6 and 7. The next big drop off is between level 7 and level 8.

And like everyone else said, the transitions to Junior High and then High School are often times when gymnasts decide to move on. With the rise of Xcel, we have more gymnasts moving over to Xcel when they start Junior High or High School, rather than quitting altogether.

 

[raenndrops]

I would say the hardest transition is always, without a doubt "THE NEXT ONE"

 

[duyetanh]

I would say the hardest transition is always, without a doubt "THE NEXT ONE"

Well written!!!

 

[mariposa]

I can definitely see how many would plateau and just stay in level 8 or level 9 until they graduate. I think my kiddo will top out at level 9 or end up a specialist on events for level 10 (I can see her getting other events). Just getting level 9 beam for this upcoming season has been rough and she probably won't progress beyond the skills she has now. Her series isn't up to competitive level as a 9, so level 10 beam will not be easy. So unless she just competes 10 beam with a very low start value, I can see her doing level 10 as an AAer. It's a big jump from 9 to 10 for sure. And even 8 to 9 has been a big jump. I won't be surprised if she starts the season scratching events or with reduced start values.

She's happy though and keeps plugging away at it, so I keep taking her.

 

[Deleted member 14190]

The level drop off really depends on the training and gym you are at. I see many different drop offs from different clubs. For us, it's level 8 to 9. Its just hard!

 

[lemondrop]

I saw a big drop this year between level 5 and 6/7. At our gym, going to optionals means jumping from 16 to 20 hours. We had 6 of 15 girls (including my older df) drop rather than commit to those hours. They were all capable and slated to move up to either 6 or 7, just wanted to do other things.

 

[Iwannabemargo]

I'm not sure the "girls and cars" phase ever really ends, lol..

80's flashback

 

[JoyAvenueMom]

This is not scientific...but a good estimate:

According to MMS, at this year's state meet: 111 nine year olds; 101 10 yo, 97 11 yo, 86 12 yo, 58 13 yo, 33 14 yo, 20 15 yo, 23 16+ yo Not very many stay in past the age of 13.

 

[SHELOVESGYM]

I have noticed that at most of the meets we've been to there are the most sessions for level 3 (not many gyms in my area compete level 2). Then there are usually almost as many sessions for level 4 and very few level 5 sessions. At our gym also there are a ton of level 3s, a slightly smaller group of 4s and very few 5s. So it seems to me that a lot of kids drop out after level 4.

 

[raenndrops]

I have noticed that at most of the meets we've been to there are the most sessions for level 3 (not many gyms in my area compete level 2). Then there are usually almost as many sessions for level 4 and very few level 5 sessions. At our gym also there are a ton of level 3s, a slightly smaller group of 4s and very few 5s. So it seems to me that a lot of kids drop out after level 4.

Or their gyms score them out of L5 and on to L6, lol

 

[profmom]

This is not scientific...but a good estimate:

According to MMS, at this year's state meet: 111 nine year olds; 101 10 yo, 97 11 yo, 86 12 yo, 58 13 yo, 33 14 yo, 20 15 yo, 23 16+ yo Not very many stay in past the age of 13.

The cliff dropoff at around age 13 and beyond is not just a gymnastics thing. Many, many kids stop playing sports at around that age. Some of it is associated with the busier schedules and broader interests of middle school/junior high, but some of it is about overspecialization in sports, privileging of early developers, and the corresponding determination that a 13 year old who hasn't "gotten anywhere" isn't going to and is just wasting time by continuing. The Changing the Game blog covers this phenomenon well.

 

[vbdb]

We seem to lose a lot of our girls in the early years of high school. Ages 13-15, usually the level 7 to 8 transition.

 

[Iwannabemargo]

As said above, it seems generally to be an age related drop off.

Outside pressures, school and social, plus the realisation of skill levels topping out, "I'm going no-where so why commit all my time"

 

[CuriousCate]

Any knowledge as to what most of these 13+ year olds transition to after getting so far in the sport? Diving?

 

[profmom]

At my kids' gym looking at 11 and ups who've left, I have seen kids go to competitive diving, pole vaulting, other track and field, swimming, soccer (younger ones), lacrosse, horseback riding, football, BMX biking, and just doing rec stuff for fun and spending the time on other things entirely.

 

[Gymmommy71]

Track and field and diving seem to be the popular sports for ex gymnasts. Competitive and school cheerleading as well. Some will start to get into coaching. There are also those that stop athletics and and just focus on academics and more academic activities like student council, speech, etc.

 

[Aussie_coach]

Any knowledge as to what most of these 13+ year olds transition to after getting so far in the sport? Diving?

Many do nothing at all.

But some get into sports that use their gymnastics skills like cheerleading, diving, dance etc. others take a totally different approach, for ours volleyball is common.

 

[vbdb]

My DD started taking a diving class for fun, turns out it is not easy for a gymnast to figure out how to land on her head instead of her feet According to her they do everything wrong after years of building muscle memory for gym.
Last week they were falling back off the diving board to go headfirst into the water and she can't stop her legs from coming over like she's doing a back handspring! Her tucks are lovely though.

 

[e'smum]

we had girls that went from level 4 to excel and then this year we had one leave level 6 and move over to excel. the 3 of them came together with another girl (who has moved on to level 7) from another gym for their 2nd year of level 4. they all competed level 4 together at our gym and then moved over for one reason or another. we have 12 level 6 girls that are competing this year. we had 13 but one did leave right before the level 5 mobility meet.