What does it take to be elite??

[gymnasticsbabie]

okay so i want to know what everyone thinks it takes to be an elite.
sooo...
What do YOU think it takes to be an elite???

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Determination and a love of the sport.

Or were you looking for something more concrete?

[DEMom]

From the perspective of a parent, this is what I think gets you to the upper levels & elite in gymnastics . #1 You have to want it more than anything. #2 You have to stay healthy (no injuries). # 3 You have to have a competition mind - no head games, #4 You need to have natural ability, #5 You need a Good Coach, #6 You need to make make smart decisions, #7 you need the money trees to keep growing. LOL
BTW excellent video on youtube! You've got the ability Go for it!

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by DEMom #1 You have to want it more than anything.

Actually, I would argue that this isn't true, at least not in all cases. I'll use myself as an example; I will be competing next year as an elite on floor and vault, but going elite has never been a goal of mine until very recently. And it was really a "what the heck, why not?" sort of thing.

And I'm not insanely talented either; I'd consider myself to be moderately talented, and I coach a number of kids who I think have far more natural ability than I ever did.

I'd say the most important thing it takes to become an elite, more than ANYTHING else, is enjoying the sport enough to stick with it. Kids (and even old farts like me) always work hardest when they're having fun, and those who really love the sport have more fun when they're working hard. So we get a nice little positive feedback loop, which tends to really propel kids upwards in terms of ability.

[blantonnick]

Lots and Lots of Wheaties!!!!!!!!!!

[DEMom]

Yes I agree. I thought I listed working hard. We have a number of gymnasts at our gym and they each seem to have 1 or 2 of the qualities. Some are so phenomenal and natural but they develop head issues, some work hard as can be and want it more than anything but there not natural, and some are so calm cool and collected at meets and consistent but don't want it as much. I have commented to the other parents if we blend the 3 kids we could have a phenomenal gymnast! But I am a parent and it is just my POV. And I'm sure you are too modest. If you are training elite you are very talented. WTG!

[Aussie_coach]

To be elite where I live you have to be

Starting gym and obviously talented by about age 6
Natuarlly strong
Naturally flexible
Short
Without any physical problems (like pidgeon toes, hyperextended arms and legs etc)
Prepared to train a huge number of training hours from a very young age
Prepared to reduce the amount of time you attend school in order to attend training.
Prepared to be regularly tested for body weight and told how much you need to lose
Have a parent who is prepared to dedicate a huge amount of their time and their income to your training
A natural performer who likes being in front of an audience
A person who is not stopped by fear

I am not saying this is my opnion for what it should take to be elite, because I don't agree with al of the above. However these are basically the requirements to train elite in my state and country. In Australia being an elite gymnast is not a goal for gymnasts who reach that level it is a goal designed only for those with a serious potential to represent your country at an international level of competition (ie world championships and olympic games).

[I-Heart-Beam]

"Training is principally an act of faith. The athlete must believe in its efficiacy, he must believe that through training he will become fitter and stronger, that by constant repitition of the same movements he will become more skilful and his muscles more relaxed. He must be a fanatic for hard work and enthusiastic enough to enjoy it."
A quote on our wall, I love it. I think to succeed you have to be completely and utterly dedicated and crazy about what you want to succeed in.

[cccam]

i honestly don't know what it takes to be elite. I see girls at my gym with enormous potential, then i look out to the elites now, and see the girls at my gym are practically nothing compared to the elites

i guess, being an elite gymnast means you have to give up and sacrifice whats neccesary to get to that level. Some don't have to sacrifice much. You need to love gymnastics more than you love anything to give up normal things like going to school [in some cases] and having a social life. You have to be willing to sacrifice your health [partially] because sooner or later whether its big or small, you will get an injury.

And you have to have parents and coaches who believe in what you can do, and are behind you 1000% and they don't put pressure on you to win, the drive comes from the gymnast.

[gymnasticsbabie]

hey guys! thanks for all of your opinions. it definetly makes me want to work harder in the gym. its really interesting to see what everyone thinks it takes.

i have a problem though. my coaches say i can move up to the elite group but im already a junior. i would be competing for the UK. My parents talked to some of the people for British gymnastics and they said that be invited to Challenge cup (the meet to qualify you to British Championships) and then hopefully qualify through to Championships (you only need a 48.00 to qualify you, so hopefully not that hard).
so the problem is first of all i think im too old (i just turned 16 last week) and i would only be an elite until i go to college, unless i train elite in college like alicia sacramone does or like shavahn church does, which is like a year and a half away! so my question then would be, should i go for it?? HELP!

the second problem is to be an elite at my gym you have to be homeschooled. my parents...well... they don't really like the idea of me being homeschooled lol. so how do you think i should convince them? HELP!

okay the THIRD problem is if i decide to stay in the A group (the group i train in now) then my bar setting will be at 2 below F instead of at FIG (2 below F is 4 below FIG... does that make sense haha). I don't know if i can adjust to going at FIG. i used to swing bars at FIG but now i swing further out at 2 below F. so im wondering if i should just stay in the group im in now and keep trying to adjust.

This summer im going over to England if i decide that i want to pursue an elite career.

PLEASE HELP i would love any help/ opinions on this because im really confused as to what i should do.