Women Xcel to DP questions

[gymfan1]

I’ve seen a few forums about this topic before but I just have some more specific questions. What DP level could an Xcel Platinum gymnast move to? I want to move to DP before I graduate (so I can do some form of college gym, possibly club) and I have two more seasons left until then. Would level 8 be in the picture at all or not? Happy to hear any responses!

 

[Coach Em]

I would say that platinum is the equivalent of levels 6/7. Could you totally get to level 8 by senior year! You would have to petition though

 

[gymfan1]

I would say that platinum is the equivalent of levels 6/7. Could you totally get to level 8 by senior year! You would have to petition though

Thanks! I have done a little research on petitioning already. Is level 8 common for seniors or are they usually higher?

 

[Coach Em]

Thanks! I have done a little research on petitioning already. Is level 8 common for seniors or are they usually higher?

A Lot seniors are level 9/10 but 8 is not uncommon

 

[JBS]

I’ve seen a few forums about this topic before but I just have some more specific questions. What DP level could an Xcel Platinum gymnast move to?

I would say Level 5/6.

Would level 8 be in the picture at all or not?

Do you have a kip cast handstand and giants on bars?

 

[NYGymfamily]

What skills are you competing right now? The thing about Xcel is that it's flexible, and each Xcel level covers 2 or 3 DP Levels, so it really depends on the gymnast. DD has competed against girls who went from level 5/6-Platinum, and then a couple who went from L8/9-platinum.

 

[gymfan1]

Do you have a kip cast handstand and giants on bars?

Do you have a kip cast handstand and giants on bars?

Not yet, but I did work both of those skills last year which will, hopefully, make it easier to get them.

 

[NutterButter]

You can absolutely meet your goal of college club gymnastics with Xcel!

One thing about moving to DP that may be a source of frustration for you is that you will likely be ‘behind’ or have some deficiencies on vault and/bars due to differences between the two programs. L8 vault and bars take a few years to develop and if your gym has not already started working drills for these skills as a platinum, you will find that time is likely not on your side. Not trying to discourage you just pointing out that most athletes need a certain amount of time to get to L8 and it may not even be possible even with 2 seasons remaining.

Working skills is completely different from having them competition ready and the bar is usually set higher in DP for what counts as competition ready (pun intended).

 

[gymfan1]

What skills are you competing right now? The thing about Xcel is that it's flexible, and each Xcel level covers 2 or 3 DP Levels, so it really depends on the gymnast. DD has competed against girls who went from level 5/6-Platinum, and then a couple who went from L8/9-platinum.

Yeah, the flexibility of xcel is what’s making this difficult for me. Here’s what I compete:

VT: half on half off
FX: round off back layout, front pike
UB: kip cast, clear hip, kip, squat on, kip, pike on half off dismount
BB: cartwheel handstand, full turn, 2 jump series, cartwheel back tuck dismount

Also, here’s some skills I trained
VT: trained tsuks
FX: trained front layout front tuck connected, trained round off back layout half
UB: trained giants, cast handstand,
BB: competed back walkover

Most of the skills I trained I didn’t get since coaches switched us to easier skills when season came but I just thought I should share just in case it changes anything!

What skills are you competing right now? The thing about Xcel is that it's flexible, and each Xcel level covers 2 or 3 DP Levels, so it really depends on the gymnast. DD has competed against girls who went from level 5/6-Platinum, and then a couple who went from L8/9-platinum.

Yeah, the flexibility of xcel is what’s making this difficult for me. Here’s what I compete:

VT: half on half off
FX: round off back layout, front pike
UB: kip cast, clear hip, kip, squat on, kip, pike on half off dismount
BB: cartwheel handstand, full turn, 2 jump series, cartwheel back tuck dismount

Also, here’s some skills I trained
VT: trained tsuks
FX: trained front layout front tuck connected, trained round off back layout half
UB: trained giants, cast handstand,
BB: competed back walkover

Most of the skills I trained I didn’t get since coaches switched us to easier skills when season came but I just thought I should share just in case it changes anything!

 

[gymfan1]

(Oops posted it twice sorry)

 

[gymfan1]

Working skills is completely different from having them

I completely agree! I’ve worked a lot of new skills but haven’t got them.

You can absolutely meet your goal of college club gymnastics with Xcel!

One thing about moving to DP that may be a source of frustration for you is that you will likely be ‘behind’ or have some deficiencies on vault and/bars due to differences between the two programs. L8 vault and bars take a few years to develop and if your gym has not already started working drills for these skills as a platinum, you will find that time is likely not on your side. Not trying to discourage you just pointing out that most athletes need a certain amount of time to get to L8 and it may not even be possible even with 2 seasons remaining.

Working skills is completely different from having them competition ready and the bar is usually set higher in DP for what counts as competition ready (pun intended).

thanks for your response! I’ve done months of drills for tsuks and some bars skills but never actually got the opportunity to do the actual skills. And I’ve also noticed the bar is higher for DP, especially since my gym only has a few optionals girls.

 

[NutterButter]

I'll be candid...I think you have too much ground to cover to make L8 before you graduate. I want to be clear that this is not a statement on your overall talent or potential, it's simply based on where you are now vs what is needed for L8 and the amount of time you have to get there. If you were my DD, I would want to help you explore what you want out of the sport for the next 2 years and whether staying in Xcel is the best path or moving to DP (but taking L8 out of the equation). If you stay in Xcel maybe you could get your coaches onboard some specific goals centered on more the advanced skills you've already been training and putting them into your routines. Moving to DP will allow you to experience the sport under a different lens with more attention/focus on the finer details. Everything in DP is 'more' which can be rewarding in a different way. There is no wrong path and you are not less of a gymnast by doing one or another.

 

[GymDadWA]

The skills you are missing are the big skills that define DP8, your current skills are in the DP6 range.

With DP8 and above it's not just about heart and wanting to do skills it's about safety. Going from a cartwheel on beam to connected back handsprings is a safety issue. Flipping vaults requires a lot of timing and power just trying to flip when you aren't ready can get you really hurt. Same for the other exercises the missing skills aren't simply willed into existence they are built up over time and time is limited for you.

There are ways to be involved with gymnastics in college without being on a club team, and it's ok to just be a fan as well, there really will be more than enough to do at college where you won't be missing it.

At my DD's club there are two adult gymnast (former DP10) that are doing adult competitions, and they have watered down their skills to a DP6 range as they just don't trust themselves to do anything more than that anymore.

 

[gymfan1]

I'll be candid...I think you have too much ground to cover to make L8 before you graduate. I want to be clear that this is not a statement on your overall talent or potential, it's simply based on where you are now vs what is needed for L8 and the amount of time you have to get there. If you were my DD, I would want to help you explore what you want out of the sport for the next 2 years and whether staying in Xcel is the best path or moving to DP (but taking L8 out of the equation). If you stay in Xcel maybe you could get your coaches onboard some specific goals centered on more the advanced skills you've already been training and putting them into your routines. Moving to DP will allow you to experience the sport under a different lens with more attention/focus on the finer details. Everything in DP is 'more' which can be rewarding in a different way. There is no wrong path and you are not less of a gymnast by doing one or another.

Thank you for honest responses, I want to be able to set my goals realistically. I think if this is the case, I will likely stay in Xcel since I’d rather be Xcel Diamond or sapphire as a senior than a level 6/7 as a senior if that makes sense.

 

[gymfan1]

The skills you are missing are the big skills that define DP8, your current skills are in the DP6 range.

With DP8 and above it's not just about heart and wanting to do skills it's about safety. Going from a cartwheel on beam to connected back handsprings is a safety issue. Flipping vaults requires a lot of timing and power just trying to flip when you aren't ready can get you really hurt. Same for the other exercises the missing skills aren't simply willed into existence they are built up over time and time is limited for you.

There are ways to be involved with gymnastics in college without being on a club team, and it's ok to just be a fan as well, there really will be more than enough to do at college where you won't be missing it.

At my DD's club there are two adult gymnast (former DP10) that are doing adult competitions, and they have watered down their skills to a DP6 range as they just don't trust themselves to do anything more than that anymore.

Yeah I agree, I have big goals but I don’t want to push it and end up getting an injury that prevents me from any gymnastics at all.

 

[raenndrops]

I’ve seen a few forums about this topic before but I just have some more specific questions. What DP level could an Xcel Platinum gymnast move to? I want to move to DP before I graduate (so I can do some form of college gym, possibly club) and I have two more seasons left until then. Would level 8 be in the picture at all or not? Happy to hear any responses!

You can compete College Club as a Platinum or Diamond if you want.
NAIGC offers Xcel Silver, Xcel Platinum, Xcel DIamond, and USAG Level 9.
Therefore, unless you think you will be able to compete NCAA (L9/10 by senior year), then you may as well stay in Xcel. Then, if you feel ready to compete L9 by your senior year of college, you can without having mobility requirements.

 

[gymfan1]

You can compete College Club as a Platinum or Diamond if you want.
NAIGC offers Xcel Silver, Xcel Platinum, Xcel DIamond, and USAG Level 9.
Therefore, unless you think you will be able to compete NCAA (L9/10 by senior year), then you may as well stay in Xcel. Then, if you feel ready to compete L9 by your senior year of college, you can without having mobility requirements.

Staying in xcel is starting to seem like the best option. Also, out of curiosity, if an NAIGC athlete competes level 9 but has 10.0 SV for level 10, could she get recruited to a D1 program or is that mobility not possible since she would already be well into college? This is mainly just because I’m curious.

 

[Gymgirl84]

I guess one could always get recruited, but I'd say it is really unlikely. It is not usual to have free scholarships, and they probably would want to go with a freshman that has all her years left. Also I guess college coaches don't really follow the NAIGC athletes. Not sure on the exact rules, though.

 

[raenndrops]

Staying in xcel is starting to seem like the best option. Also, out of curiosity, if an NAIGC athlete competes level 9 but has 10.0 SV for level 10, could she get recruited to a D1 program or is that mobility not possible since she would already be well into college? This is mainly just because I’m curious.

They might be able to get a tryout for a walk-on spot, but I don't think it is very likely.
I know of form Level 10 that competed college club at her D1 school and had 10.0 SV on 3/4 events for NCAA and tried for a walk-on spot twice, but didn't make it.

 

[Pfiga]

Several Xcel (most likely platinum or diamond) gymnasts from my daughter's gym have competed in club gymnastics, so there should be no need to switch to DP if that is your goal.