Women What should I focus on?

[MCM47]

Hi DIVAS, right now I have finished my level 3 usag season. I started gymnastics age 10 , did recreational gym for 1 year, i then did level 2 usag comp age 11, then I repeated level 2 usag comp age 12 with a much more successful season. Currently I am a level 3/4 age 13 gymnast in Canada. My goal for next season is to compete level 4-6. I know it's a streatch but I really want to make it. Right now I have all of my level 4 skills except my cartwheel on beam and roundoff double back hand spring . For level 6 I need an acro series on beam like a cartwheel - backwalkover , or 2 backwakovers, a front tuck on floor , a roundoff back hand spring back tuck , a tsuk half on , and a flyaway. Every other skill for level 6 im very confident with like kip- cast free hip - kip, and 1 and a half turn on beam, and front handspring step out on floor. So do I focus on lvl 6 or 4??? Tbh I also deal with mental blocks on tumbling just so u know. Pls reply and tell me what I should focus on and if you were ever in a similar situation as me.

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

To be honest for a competant level four athlete, the cartwheel on beam is an 'easier' skill. Athletes that have issues with it usually have other fundamental issues that need to be addressed.

As you stated you have mental blocks - so I would guess this is tied in. You have progressed a lot in a short period. I think you need to keep it simple and work on repetition of the basics that will improve you confidence with skills that cause you fear - not push forwards, because it's likely to make it worse and take away from your enjoyment.

You can still push yourself in training where you are stronger, and on bars there is nothing stopping you from casting to handstand in level four.

 

[HopefulGymnast]

I think if you really want to push forwards, there's a way to be working on that while also doing exactly what pineapple lump suggests.

Work on your basics. That means stuff like
- drills and basic forms for your carthweel on beam
- working on your cartwheel on beam
- working body tension and body shape drills

It's maybe not smart to push too fast into the bigger skills like walkover on beam if you're still getting confident with your cartwheel. HOWEVER, I think you can and should start prep for those skills.
For example:
While you're working on your cartwheels, also start working on your bridge kickover and back walkovers on floor, perfecting your form and balence in them. If that's really solid, then start working on them on a line. That way, when you're ready to start working towards putting more difficulty in on beam, you've already got some of the 'prep' done.

Similarly for other stuff: focus on basics, such as shaping, body tension, air awareness. Focus on getting really solid on the skills that you do have. And in the meantime, start simple prep drills for the higher levels.

I get wanting to hurry, and there's always a chance that you can. But I don't think you can hurry by skipping steps. I think the steps are always: basics, current skills, prep drills, and only when that's all really solid moving on to actually putting together the next skills. If things happen to go well, then maybe you progress through those steps quickly and you're in L6 before you know it. But rushing or skipping those steps will probably only set you back. If you're missing some of the prep work, you might learn a skill wrong, devellop mental blocks quicker, or get injured.

So yeah, you can totally start working towards your L6 skills, but focus on form, basics, prep drills, and perfecting your current skills first!

Edit: note, this is based on what I see gyms do and my own experience. I am no coach.

 

[MCM47]

Thank you so much for replying! I totally get what your saying i just feel in a rush bc my tryouts are in August . But it might be best if I do level 4 this year then 6 so I have another year to prepare and maybe learn higher level skills like ones with B value.

 

[NutterButter]

Does your gym let you choose whether you try out for the L4 team or L6 team? Usually L4 is a prerequisite for L6 and even kids who are fast tracked in the sport compete 4 before skipping levels.

 

[MCM47]

Does your gym let you choose whether you try out for the L4 team or L6 team? Usually L4 is a prerequisite for L6 and even kids who are fast tracked in the sport compete 4 before skipping levels.

So many gymnasts in my gym go from level 2-4 , and many skip level 5 and move to optional levels. I think i'm going to compete level 4 next season then six and compete level 6 B value skills. They are allowing 2 other gymnasts to go from lvl 3-6. I just feel really behind bc im gonna be age 14 lvl 4

 

[MCM47]

Is it impressive how I've been doing gymnastics for 3 comp season and am learning lvl 4-6 skills?

 

[NutterButter]

It’s very common to skip either L5 or L6 because they are similar (though I think based on what I’ve been reading L6 is going to be more difficult). Going from L2 to L4 makes sense as L4 is the first level that USAG requires. But usually you need to score out of L4 to advance which is why I was surprised that you have a choice of what you try out for.

My daughter started gymnastics late and was a few years older than her teammates until she caught up to some kids her age in her last 2 years of high school. I know it can be frustrating to find your passion ‘late’ and feel like you are behind but that’s not fair to you. Celebrate the fact that you’ve found an activity you love! You’ve worked hard to get to where you are. Keep at it and don’t focus so much on being behind.

 

[MCM47]

It’s very common to skip either L5 or L6 because they are similar (though I think based on what I’ve been reading L6 is going to be more difficult). Going from L2 to L4 makes sense as L4 is the first level that USAG requires. But usually you need to score out of L4 to advance which is why I was surprised that you have a choice of what you try out for.

My daughter started gymnastics late and was a few years older than her teammates until she caught up to some kids her age in her last 2 years of high school. I know it can be frustrating to find your passion ‘late’ and feel like you are behind but that’s not fair to you. Celebrate the fact that you’ve found an activity you love! You’ve worked hard to get to where you are. Keep at it and don’t focus so much on being behind.

How old was ur daughter when she started and what level did she get to?

 

[NutterButter]

She got to L9! Could have been a L10 her senior year but opted for a 3rd year of L9 instead (long story that involves a serious injury, unfortunate coaching issues and college aspirations).

Her journey was rec for 2 years and then one year each at Xcel Silver, L4, L5, L7, L8. She skipped L6 but that’s just what her gym did at the time for everyone.

 

[HopefulGymnast]

I think competing 4 is a lot smarter for now. It'll give you a chance to really perfect your basics which should help later with your L6 skills, and to work on your L6 skills without constantly struggling and being behind. Skipping to L6, because you're still a bit behind the training probably won't fit very well with where you're at.

Also, please communicate with your coaches. Let them know you have certain aspirations. They'll probably advise you to take it season by season, but at least they'll know what your goals are. They can keep that into account too.

 

[Lynn08]

I would talk to your coaches about what they would recommend. I'm surprised your gym allows you to choose the level you try out for. If you were my gymnast, you'd be doing at least half the season at 4, but most likely the full season. I wouldn't want you to be competing skills you weren't confident in at a higher level than you need to be. I think the cartwheel on beam is absolutely necessary, as well as the RO2BHS. It's usually a solid plan in my experience to have the RO2BHS before the ROBHSBT. So yea, unless you were to have all your 6 skills solid by tryouts I would place you in 4.