Joining team

littlekateskate · 08-01-2008, 07:55 AM

When your children first joined the team were they invited or did you inquire about it?

jls1969 · 08-01-2008, 08:31 AM

You have to be invited at our gym..

GymTwinsMom · 08-01-2008, 10:08 AM

At our gym you have to be invited. You can ask about a tryout for your child. Good luck!

flippymonkeysmom · 08-01-2008, 10:15 AM

All the gyms we have been at team was by invitation only.

Monkeygirlsmom · 08-01-2008, 10:43 AM

We were invited (I do think you can try out but they do not make it known)

Shawn · 08-01-2008, 10:58 AM

I think it is usually by invitation, though it varies by gym. My DD did try-outs but that was because we were changing gyms. Our gym also does try-outs for girls who are just starting. However, I would definitely let the coaches know your daughter is interested in being on the team. And it wouldn't hurt to ask how it works at your gym.

coveredinchalk · 08-01-2008, 11:03 AM

Our gym is invite as well but I know you can ask for an evaluation. I would see that as most useful if you are moving to a new gym and they do not know your child. Usually, the coaches are watching the recreation classes for potential gymnasts and if your child has "it" they ask you to join and there is nothing more you need to do. I know some gyms use the open tryout method but that seems to be less used.

My only caution would be, if you ask for an evaluation, this "could" set the child up for a face-to-face dissapointment. Just be sure the child has the personality to be okay with that. Also, I know that they watch physical skills but they also tend to look for a type of mentality. Kids who are self motivated or who look like they are so happy jumping around like they just can't stop, the ability to follow careful directions, are a few early signs of kids that would do well on team. Skills can be taught, personality can't. I hope that makes sense!

Shawn · 08-01-2008, 11:05 AM


Quote:
Originally Posted by coveredinchalk Our gym is invite as well but I know you can ask for an evaluation. I would see that as most useful if you are moving to a new gym and they do not know your child. Usually, the coaches are watching the recreation classes for potential gymnasts and if your child has "it" they ask you to join and there is nothing more you need to do. I know some gyms use the open tryout method but that seems to be less used. My only caution would be, if you ask for an evaluation, this "could" set the child up for a face-to-face dissapointment. Just be sure the child has the personality to be okay with that. Also, I know that they watch physical skills but they also tend to look for a type of mentality. Kids who are self motivated or who look like they are so happy jumping around like they just can't stop, the ability to follow careful directions, are a few early signs of kids that would do well on team. Skills can be taught, personality can't. I hope that makes sense!

That's very true. Often coaches look for more than just physical ability. I think if you were to talk with the coach, that would help. You could let the coach know that your DD is interested and the coach could let you know if she is a candidate and why or why not. The coach may tell you that she's not mature enough yet or something, or the coach may just not realize that she's interested or that you're willing to let her do it.

Blackie6 · 08-01-2008, 12:08 PM

Our gym was invite too, usually following pre-team which was also invite. However, I agree with others that you can also request an evaluation. We've had other girls coming from other gyms and they need to find out exactly where to place them by skill. I know our gym doesn't turn girls away, but others have had problems with teams being "closed" and only have a certain amount of spots.

gym law mom · 08-01-2008, 12:10 PM

I would mention to the coach that she is interested in doing and learning more and then ask what other classes they may have that would give her more time and instruction. Many gyms have their own pre-team programs and many of those are by invite only. I know your dd is just a beginner, so don't be upset if they want her to do several more sessions in their rec program before getting involved in a team track.

When my gymmie started in pre-team, it was by invite only. I do agree with the other posters that many coaches look at the whole child---not just skills. Some are ready for a more intense program at an earlier age than others. Some need to develop more skills. Keep the communication open and see where it takes her.