Parents XCEL is limiting?

[francienolan]

I need some straight talk on XCEL, and yes, I have spent a lot of time reading threads on this site and others.

My daughter is currently in xcel bronze and she is one of the youngest at 7. Her coaches have them all doing the same skills and routines, but from what I am reading - isn't the point of xcel that they do their own routines and get to try out new skills when they are ready?
I am looking ahead to her potential path here as a move up in level once a year, which to me means that if she is in diamond by the time she is 11, it will be far too late to move her to a gym that does DP. Am I thinking about this the right way?
Our gym doesn't do DP, and yes I absolutely understand the xcel program intentions, but my daughter is bored, and demanding more gymnastics. She wants to do backhand springs and learn more bars, but its very one size fits all. I feel like she is being limited right out of the gate by xcel - but maybe it's just her current gym?
Thoughts?

 

[NutterButter]

If DP is the goal and your gym does not offer it I would make a change sooner than later. Either to a gym that uses Xcel as a feeder to DP or right into DP. If you wait until she is Diamond you run the risk of not being able to find a place for her simply because some gyms may not take a kid that old and/or a kid from Xcel. Also, as the skills get more difficult, it's reasonable to anticipate that your DD may not move up a level every year (even in Xcel).

With that said, the kids having the same routine is normal for both Bronze and Silver. Much of these levels are focused on basics and it's easier to work with the group as a whole, especially given that these kids tend to be younger. As far as not working BHS yet or more advanced bar skills....this is also normal if you are still in the middle of competition season. They should start upgrading soon enough to prep for Silver.

 

[BusyMomof2]

Is there a DP gym that you can reasonably commute to, knowing that as she progresses the hours and commitment will increase? If yes, reach out to the gym(s) after state meets are complete and ask for your daughter to be evaluated.

However, she's young and absolutely fine to stay in xcel. In our region, more and more teams are competing xcel until level 6 and then some girls move to the DP track and some stay xcel. Because of that, you see 11, 12 and 13 years old moving from xcel to DP all the time.

 

[Coach Kate]

Some gyms use the same routines at the lower levels, it's up to the individual gym.

If DP is an interest, consider doing an evaluation at another gym after the season is over. Certainly don't wait until she's a diamond. Most gyms that use Xcel instead of compulsories transition after gold, maybe platinum, and move into level 6 or 7 from there.