What does it take to be elite??

[chalkdust]

Ok, Well, My daughter was in a gym that promised her she would make it there "Elite", very talented gymnast. My daughter went from level 4 winning every meet to level 7 the next year and then going to level 9 the following. She was 8 years old and doing level 9. It was not a good thing. She missed lots of skills and perfection on them. She ended up breaking a foot a couple times, her nose and hand she wasnt competing very well so she lost her confidence. She stuck with it and over injuries and battling a serious illness that kepted her out of the gym 1 season. She is still a level 9. She moved gyms last year and what a difference it has made! She has confidence and is winning again. U need to know your at the right gym. Look around and see whats going on and how serious your club is. If your the only talent there then there is probably a reason for it. Move on..... I really think you need a awesome gym that knows the in's and outs.

[ZJsMom]

Chalkdust--I'm sorry your dd had such a negative experience at a young age. That's what's nice about gymbabies position though. At 16, she can make a much more informed choice about what she's getting into. I believe she's at a US gym that has produced top US elites, so I'm sure her coaches know what they're doing. Of course, they probably won't know the ins and outs of the UK system, but if she can train in the US and compete for Britian, she may be able to get the best of both worlds.

[TDiver]

Hey Danielle it's Tori.

I want to say I wish you the best with everything. From watching first hand I know you have a ton of talent and you always have. It seems that you also have the same passion for gymnastics as I do for diving now. I have reached the elite level in diving and I may not have if it wern't for losing gymnastics. I know that if I would've gotten hurt in gymnastics again I would lose not only one but two dreams.. and I know if that had happened I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.

Just from your post I can tell how bad you want it and from knowing you I think you need to give it a shot at all possible. Your amazing at vault and great on the other three events from what i've seen (so i've only seen you practice once in a couple years because you moved but i still saw you!). Can I say wow to the double front on floor!! I really think that you can handle being elite and hope you decide to go ahead and try.

For the homeschooling... it's a lot of persuading and you have to show them how bad you want it. It took me a while to convince my parents to home school me so I could train for both diving in gymnastics (which was about 8 hours a day) and they finally did after some input from other parents let me do it. I cried a few times because of how much it meant to me and I think that helped too.

Well I guess that's all i've gots to say.. sorry I wrote so much!

P.S.- I hope I make spring nationals so I can come see you!! and Good luck!


-Tori

[lannamavity]

Quote:
Originally Posted by chalkdust If your the only talent there then there is probably a reason for it.

Ah, well put.

This poster is speaking from experience at a point where the "glow of the dream" has subsided.

Valuable info.

While it's great to have a positive outlook on life, many people who don't have to do the work to be an elite will say "live your dream...go for it..."

If swinging at FIG and changing to homeschool is too much, then it sounds like college would be a much better focus, especially for your future. It's great that you have been given the option to train with a "special group." Maybe that's all it is.

Perhaps training on FIG once a week could help you be ready for GB without messing up what you have going for you down the road in NCAA.

Perhaps competition in GB could be about life experience, not necessarily a step into Elite gymnastics. You don't have to be an elite gymnast in the US to compete in GB. You may not be really competitive, but it doesn't have to be about that.

...but you would have to discuss that with your coaches.

[gymnasticsbabie]

hey everyone! thanks for your advice, imput, and warnings. haha it put things into perspective for me. Tomorrow I'm going to ask my coach (with my mom) if I can move up to the elite group for this season and next. wish me luck!!

[gymgymgymnast08]

Thats sweet! Good luck!!!!!!

[TDiver]

Hey Danielle, any updates?

[gymnasticsbabie]

hey guys! no updates yet, my coach is actually taking one of the elites to a camp (those week long camp things that they do) and i think she's doing an elite meet. but yea so i couldn't ask her it probably won't be till next week! i asked one of my coaches though and he said sure, but he can't make the final decision so i'll have to ask her

dun dun dunnnnn....

[TDiver]

Oh fun, your coach must be at the ranch.

Least you got some positive feedback, but stinks that you have to wait a week.

Get online soon so I can catch up with you again! Or just message me here.

[gymnasticsbabie]

hey, bad news.. my coach said I couldn't go into the elite group right now because of my bars. Im really bummed because its like my dream. i know everyones like, well you can just go and get a college scholorhsip, but thats really not what i want to do. i don't know if i should continue following what i want to do, or if i should just give it up. like i know if i upgrade my bar routine, she'll let me go. but i feel stupid asking again. ughhh its just really frustrating.. what now? continue on like nothing happened? or forget it and go to college...