What is the difference between the Mason Dixon League & USAG Gymnastics? - Page 2

MdGymMom01 · 05-29-2008, 01:05 PM


Quote:
Originally Posted by Scout's Mom So, in your gym, who makes the choice--the athlete, the parents, the coaches, or some combination?

In my case, the coach suggested that she be on the Mason Dixon League because she is new to gymnastics and she has had some hesitation issues with her BHS--mainly hesitation problems, balking and lack of confidence. She said that kids that are new to the sport or have some issues usually do better in the MDL because it is less strressfull and they don't compete as much. They also get more medals and ribbons in the standings so this helps with confidence buliding. These issues started at the cheerleading gym where we were at this past year. She was on a Level 2 team where they "stressed the BHS as a needed skill". I think the pressure got to her and they weren't focusing so much on form or technique with her, just that she "needed to get this skill" so bent legs and other form breaks were "accepted". So, with this in mind, for the past month or so, her new gymnastics coach really worked with her and helped her build her confidence up and NOW she is doing her standing BHS by herself on the tumble track and on the floor! The extra conditioning and strength training in gymnastics has really helped her. It is so nice to see the confidence coming back in her! She hasn't done so many BHS's by herself since like September.

Anyway, the coach says that if she wants to compete more and gets used to the competition schedule and feels more confident, she can switch to the USAG track. I think the MDL will be great for her because it introduces her to the world of gymnastics without creating fear or stress issues.

Tumblequeensmom · 01:20 PM

GymDog.... Do you coach at a gym in Northern Virginia?? Our gym owners came from Maryland where they were involved in the MDL as well.

-Lynn

flippymonkeysmom · 05-30-2008, 05:33 AM


Quote:
Originally Posted by MdGymMom01 These issues started at the cheerleading gym where we were at this past year. She was on a Level 2 team where they "stressed the BHS as a needed skill". I think the pressure got to her....

Sounds a lot like my dd2 (9yo). She used to do gymnastics so her form was pretty good - but then went to allstar cheer. She had great a great bhs and could do series of 5 or 6 from standing or from a ro. Then they pushed her too fast to do her bhs back tuck and she took a nasty spill in December and has refused to tumble since. Now that the cheer season is over (and she switched to playing soccer) and the pressure is off- this past weekend out of nowhere she started tumbling again. She is doing her bhs, bhs series and standing back tuck as if she never lost it. I really think that when you put too much pressure on these girls it totally backfires sometimes.

gym law mom · 05-30-2008, 03:40 PM

There is a similar program in CO called Eagles(the name really does stand for something--just don't know what). Our previous gym had a very large program and our current gym is looking at starting one. They get girls from the USAG teams that just don't find that to their liking for various reasons, some kids just move to it from rec to be able to do some gym competitions and some like it to learn enough skills and get competition experience so they can make the hs team. Hours are fewer, its less expensive, juding is much looser than USAG----so a very nice option to many girls. A few girls do move from this program to USAG, but have to try out and usually repeat the level they just finished in the rec league on the USAG side or are moved down a level.

flippymonkeysmom · 05-30-2008, 04:23 PM

If they had something like that by us I have a feeling dd2 would be all over it. She opted out of gymnastics b/c she saw how many hours dd1 spent in the gym and how hard she worked - and she was like - yeah...no thanks. If there was something a little less intense I think she would have stuck with it. I think it is great that those options are out there to either get started or for those who love the sport but want a life too.

gymgirl_60 · 09-28-2008, 01:18 PM

i was on mason dixon for 7 mnths. it is alot less stress and easier workouts. for me, there was a 4-6 hour difference between mdl and usag. on mdl i went 9-12 hours depending the wee. now i go 15 hrs. the strength is less intense. the only bad thing is since less gyms have it you need to travel longer. on usag all my meets(i m in compulsory) ar no more than an hour. but a couple of mdl meets were 3 hrs away. hope your dd likes it, i did!

gymgirl_60 · 09-30-2008, 11:54 AM

actually, i may b wrong about more travel time. i am alevel 6 so dont travel far like optional girls do but i have a meet in virginia this year

TuesdayPillow · 10-04-2008, 07:01 PM

MDL was always used for kids that either don't have the talent/drive/ability to put in a time commitment for USAG. It sounds like your gym is using it as a pre-team that actually competes. They will get their own floor routines (unless coach makes one up that everyone just does) and can choose certain skills to put in the routine.

MdGymMom01 · 10-04-2008, 07:18 PM


Quote:
Originally Posted by TuesdayPillow MDL was always used for kids that either don't have the talent/drive/ability to put in a time commitment for USAG. It sounds like your gym is using it as a pre-team that actually competes. They will get their own floor routines (unless coach makes one up that everyone just does) and can choose certain skills to put in the routine.

That sounds a bit harsh, and a bit insulting, IMHO. The MDL kids at our gym train the same amount of hours and are very talented and have drive and ability just like the USAG kids. The difference is that MDL competes locally and only about 6 times a year instead of 10-12 like USAG. There is a bit more flexibility with the routines in MDL (you can switch out skills and the routines aren't as compulsary like USAG.)

So far, it seems like a great fit for dd, she trains hard, takes her gymnastics very seriously, gets to compete AND still has time to do other school activities which make for a very balanced childhood IMHO.

NYgymfan · 10-05-2008, 11:17 AM

I know a lot of girls that would LOVE something like that here. Its not that they are any less talented or have any less desire to be great gymnasts, its just that they want a little time for other things that "normal teenage girls" get to do and most gymnasts don't.