To be competetive or not.

jewel7275 · 03-07-2007, 08:00 AM

My daughter is 8 years old this month and will shortly complete her first competetive season as a level 4. She never did level 2 or 3. She was moved up quickly in one year's time. All her friends are moving to level 5, and she wants to go with them. Do we keep her at level 4 again, where she will learn no new skills, but "perfect" the ones she has, or do we challenge her with new skills...and not stress any importance on the scores at competition? Help. Those with experience...impart your wisdom.

Stressed Mom in Jonesboro, Arkansas

**Geoffrey Taucer** · 03-07-2007, 09:40 AM

My philosophy is that it's almost always better to do a level that challenges the kid, as opposed to one they can do without effort. I would have to be familiar with the kid to give a definite answer, but generally speaking, if she has the necessary skills and wants to compete 5, I'd let her compete 5.

**JBS** · 03-07-2007, 10:01 AM

She is very young....so overall it is not really going to matter in the long run. What were her scores like in Level 4? If she is going to be the very good or the best one on the Level 4 team, then definitely move up to Level 5.

Many gymnasts that are on top at the lower levels have problems as they become average gymnasts in the higher levels. If competitive gymnastics is something that she (and you) are interested in for the future, then you want her to peak at a higher level.

pammyh1 · 03-07-2007, 10:23 AM

If she has the skills, there should be no question, move her up. The scores at that level are not the most important. If she is not challenged, she may lose interest or feel left behind. Even if the skills are not perfect the coach has no reason to hold her back.

jewel7275 · 03-07-2007, 10:48 AM

Thanks, is very helpful. She has the skills. She is consistently in the top 6 at the meets. She is just very small. She is 8, 4'0 tall, and only weighs 48 lbs. (But it is all muscle). I am just worried that she will not be as competetive on the 5 team.

jewel7275 · 03-07-2007, 10:51 AM

She was consistently in the top 6 at competitions. She is competetive, but not overly. We just don't want to see her board, but we also don't want her to quit because she can't yet do what the older girls do. She will be the youngest on the 5 team.

pammyh1 · 03-07-2007, 10:52 AM

She will struggle some, but that's ok. From my experience, I have seen that it makes them work that much harder. I believe that the majority go through peaks and valley's, she will probably be in a valley for a little bit, but then, if she wants it, you will see her peak.

jewel7275 · 03-07-2007, 10:53 AM

Thanks. She does have the necessary skills. Another question for you... How much time should level 4's spend in the gym, and also level 5's.
Right now my daughter spends 10 hours, the rest of the 4's are only doing 6, But the 5's do 12.

pammyh1 · 03-07-2007, 11:01 AM

Our 5's and 6's workout together. They have 11 hours for team practice and an extra hour for tumbling, so 12 hours total. I believe our 3's and 4's practice between 6 and 8 hours.

jewel7275 · 03-07-2007, 11:12 AM

What state are you in?