Kcanflip
Proud Parent
Curious on what parents and coaches would recommend in my gymmies situation. We are not at this crossroads yet, but will be in May. My DD will be 12 in early summer. She did USAG through level 3 then we changed gyms and the new gym felt she wasn't competition ready for level 4 USAG so we are doing the state organization competition route for level 4 starting here in January/February. It mirrors USAG but I don't believe the scores obtained count for USAG mobility. My DD started at a late age at a recreational gym before moving to a more competetive gym, and is not a natural. She is strong but struggles with flexibility and form. She has also grown several inches just in the last few months which has been...interesting. She's still average for her age, and skinny and not overly developed which is good. But her her foot size change was major! She also is not a fearless type and beam is her nemesis. So backwalkovers/back handsrpings on beam will be a process with her!
So in May, I imagine our options will be 1) Do level 4 USAG or 2) stay on the path we are on now doing the state organization at level 5 (same time next year) OR Xcel (same time next year). I'm assuming level 5 USAG is not an option as tryouts are in May and they have done little level 5 training to this point and with her competition schedule running through early May, doubt she will be ready. My daughter in all honesty does not have an opinion on this at this point. She's not a very decisive kid when it comes to her gym aspirations. She loves gym but gym stays at the gym for her. She's not one that lives in the gym nor wants to, so we try to stick to 3 days a week during the school year (10.5 hours/week...not optional...she really needs more) but will do 4 days a week (probably 14 hours) over the summer. May continue 4 days (14 hours) into next school year, but I hear 7th grade is a toughie so that may not work with homework and social life. Trying to keep a balance! While she does not have college aspirations, I worry about not at least getting a score at level 4 and level 5 in USAG in case she changes her mind and has a major skill explosion and change in her level of commitment! And also just because I don't want her to feel like she's not capable of doing so! I also worry that by going Xcel and not being required to learn some of the level 5 skills would be a disservice. I see a lot of Xcel routines without kips to cast or without clear hips. But.....I also worry about her age and how long she will stick with it. Right now she has no plans to quit but 12-13 seems to be the magical age of quitting. And I would love to see her get to experience her *own* custom routines...especially on floor before she ever retires from the sport. So feeling anxious in that respect. Seems like that is when gymnastics really gets fun! I guess I feel like we are racing against the clock a bit as I worry she may never get to the fun if we stick with USAG or the state stream.
So for USAG: level level 4 in fall would be age 12 and level 5 next fall would be age 13 and level 6 at age 13 1/2 in spring.
Or, for state stream: level 4 now at age 11 1/2, level 5 next year same time at age 12 1/2 and then following year level 6 at age 13 1/2.
Or, for Xcel route: would do level 4 state stream now at age 11 1/2 and then Xcel (Gold?) at age 12 1/2 next spring.
I am probably WAY overthinking this but just curious on what others think. I will take all input with a grain of salt and not take offense at any crazy gym Mom references. Ha Ha.
So in May, I imagine our options will be 1) Do level 4 USAG or 2) stay on the path we are on now doing the state organization at level 5 (same time next year) OR Xcel (same time next year). I'm assuming level 5 USAG is not an option as tryouts are in May and they have done little level 5 training to this point and with her competition schedule running through early May, doubt she will be ready. My daughter in all honesty does not have an opinion on this at this point. She's not a very decisive kid when it comes to her gym aspirations. She loves gym but gym stays at the gym for her. She's not one that lives in the gym nor wants to, so we try to stick to 3 days a week during the school year (10.5 hours/week...not optional...she really needs more) but will do 4 days a week (probably 14 hours) over the summer. May continue 4 days (14 hours) into next school year, but I hear 7th grade is a toughie so that may not work with homework and social life. Trying to keep a balance! While she does not have college aspirations, I worry about not at least getting a score at level 4 and level 5 in USAG in case she changes her mind and has a major skill explosion and change in her level of commitment! And also just because I don't want her to feel like she's not capable of doing so! I also worry that by going Xcel and not being required to learn some of the level 5 skills would be a disservice. I see a lot of Xcel routines without kips to cast or without clear hips. But.....I also worry about her age and how long she will stick with it. Right now she has no plans to quit but 12-13 seems to be the magical age of quitting. And I would love to see her get to experience her *own* custom routines...especially on floor before she ever retires from the sport. So feeling anxious in that respect. Seems like that is when gymnastics really gets fun! I guess I feel like we are racing against the clock a bit as I worry she may never get to the fun if we stick with USAG or the state stream.
So for USAG: level level 4 in fall would be age 12 and level 5 next fall would be age 13 and level 6 at age 13 1/2 in spring.
Or, for state stream: level 4 now at age 11 1/2, level 5 next year same time at age 12 1/2 and then following year level 6 at age 13 1/2.
Or, for Xcel route: would do level 4 state stream now at age 11 1/2 and then Xcel (Gold?) at age 12 1/2 next spring.
I am probably WAY overthinking this but just curious on what others think. I will take all input with a grain of salt and not take offense at any crazy gym Mom references. Ha Ha.
