Why move fast through levels if not going elite?

[mariposamama]

So, my DDs best friend (she also does gymnastics and is really talented) were talking about our gyms and the way they move through levels, etc. We were discussing how both gyms have some really young upper level gymnasts and wondering if their goal is elite or not, etc. It led us to question at what pace you would move through the levels ideally and if it is different if you are going towards elite or does it not matter?

I am wondering, if your child has dreams of being an elite gymnast and is working towards that, then should they work through the levels as quick as they can? And if they aren't, should they be held back a bit to slow things down a bit, even if they are really talented?

Just wondering the pros and cons of moving through the levels. What if there is a really talented kid that doesn't want to compete as an elite or parents can't afford elite track? What happens after level 10?

I can see the compulsories being a bit boring since the routines are all the same, but if a child that didn't want to/couldn't go elite, would it be challenging for them to do 2 years at each optional level?

Would love to hear others reasoning. It doesn't probably pertain to my child, but my friend's DD is very talented, very strong, flexible, driven, etc. If she isn't working towards going elite, is their still lots to do while working through? If that makes sense.

[Megley]

I am by no means an expert on this topic, and I'm sure that some of the Level 8-10 parents will have better answers, but as I understand it there are two possible routes to elite. Girls can either just work through the JO system to Level 10 and then, if they are good enough, they can test elite. I understand that you need to have an elite coach, though, so your gym would have to have a coach certified to coach elites. Alternately, girls can use the TOPS/HOPES route to elite, whereby they start very young on the elite road. If a girl wants to go this route, she needs to be at a gym that has these programs. The issue with this route, at least from my perspective, is that it seems to require you as a parent to jump on the elite bandwagon very early - before you really know whether this is what your child wants (before your child is old enough to really know what it entails) - and get into homeschooling and mega hours in the gym.

As for whether one gets enough challenge at the higher levels, I don't really know. I imagine it depends on the girl. I'm sure that many of the skills are difficult to learn and probably take years to perfect. It's probably also difficult to deal with growing and maturing and hanging onto those skills.

We have a 13 year old Level 10 at our gym and several girls who are 8 year old Level 7s likely to go to Level 8 next year as 9 year olds. They will, in all likelihood, hit Level 10 at age 12 or so. I asked one of the parents whether any of them would test elite and apparently the issue comes down to one what the girls' ultimate goals are and whether they and their parents are willing to make the sacrifice - in terms of money, time away from everything else, risk of injury from the hours of training, possibly having to move - for a very remote chance at the Olympics. If not, then I believe many girls spend several years at Level 10 perfecting their skills to have a shot at a college scholarship. As I understand it, there is nothing but elite or college gymnastics after Level 10. I believe many elite girls drop back to Level 10 to spend time on their studies or to just enjoy a more normal life before they head to college.

There is a thread in the Elite section that talks more about HOPES and I believe that the gymnasts' father posts about her desire to do HOPES and go elite. It might have some useful information for your friend. Best of luck to her and her daughter.

Meg

[Megley]

Mariposasmom, I just wanted to add that I think the rationale for moving fast is to get a child to a higher level of skill before the whole fear thing kicks in, usually around age 11 or so. In addition, many gyms (including ours) try to get girls to skip Level 6 because the Level 7 skills are not that much harder and the scoring at Level 6 is very very tough and even demoralizing for some girls.

Meg

[mariposamama]

Meg,

That was what I was talking about. I know they have the Hopes and TOPS for the elite track, but wondered why rush through if those weren't the goals. I did think a bit about the fear factor, with the younger ones. Also figured that maybe some even just go on to something else after level 10. I know that as the levels get harder, the numbers drop, so that probably takes care of most of them.

We were just really wondering if you don't have a future elite goal, why be a 9 year old level 8, etc? You know what I mean? I so don't have anything against that, just wondering why. I am not (am hope not to ever be) at that point, but am sure those that are have their reasons and we were interested in them.

The college scholarship is of interest to my friend and her daughter already says she wants to compete in college (she is only 4.5!). We also wondered if those years at L10 were just more risky for injury if you were competing it for several years, etc.

Thanks Meg!

[Livinatthegym]

We've got 2 girls competing level 10 at our gym. They are high school freshmen. Their moms have said that to have a good chance at a scholarship, the girls need to do several years of level 10. They need to start making and sending out tapes to coaches end of sophomore year. I'm not sure many 1st year level 10s have the skills necessary to get the bonuses required to have 10.0 start values on all events. I suspect without the big skills, attracting the attention of a coach would be tough, so they need several years at 10.

We have a level 9 who is a 6th grader. Her goal is also a scholarship, and she plans to compete many years as a 10.

As far as elites go, there were less than 100 in the country in the 2007 season--and 20,000+ level 4s. I'm thinking elite isn't a realistic goal for very many gymnasts.

Personally, I've never understood the rush. My level 8 is done this year. She's in high school and would like to have a normal life instead of a nightly rush to the gym. Good for her (and my checkbook). I have a 6th grader competing optionals. She could make level 10 by freshman year, so she could realistically go for a scholarship. She doesn't want to. Ok by me (and my checkbook). I figure with our rather casual approach, we've had many years (5!) of good exercise and traveling with the team. Nobody burned bright and burned out early. Nobody's been seriously injured. It's been a good run.

[Geoffrey Taucer]

In case you want to hear from coaches on this, I've mirrored the topic in the coaches' section:

http://www.chalkbucket.com/forums/sh...ad.php?p=19123

[mariposamama]

Thanks Geoffrey Taucer! I was thinking of re-phrasing it for the coaches forum, but now I don't have to!

[GymMom68]

I'm curious, is it the Mother of the 4 1/2 year old who is talking about her daughter going elite?

[mariposamama]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GymMom68 I'm curious, is it the Mother of the 4 1/2 year old who is talking about her daughter going elite?

No. She has neither the desire or funds for her daughter to go elite. Her daughter is very talented. She is strong, super flexible and very driven.

The question came up because she was talking to the mom of a girl on team and that girl is a young upper level gymnast. It made us wonder about why the rush if you aren't going elite. Kind of wondering what the ideal schedule of going through the levels would be, etc. She sometimes worries they are rushing her daughter and she doesn't understand the rush.

[gymnastmom96]

My daughter started on a fast track at a very young age. TOPS gives young girls a huge advantage. However it doesn't mentally prepare them for what's ahead. By the time my daughter was 7, she was in the gym 22 hours a week - that does not include the travel time - we lived 50 minutes from the gym(one way). After a year, it all starting catching up to her tiny little body. It got worse when she started growing. There were lots of tears and prayers during those days. It soon became apparent that she had suffered an athletes worst injury - a broken spirit. We are blessed because our story has a happy ending but they don't all end that way. I couldn't count all of the former teammates who were burned out and crossed over to the darkside (cheerleading).
I see no harm in allowing girls to repeat levels and enjoy standing on that podium. What's the hurry? Lvl 6 is tough but more the reason to polish those skills. Every parent dreams of thier little gymmie as an Elite gymnast one day but reality dictates new dreams as they get older. A child with Confidence, Discipline, Perseverance and Compassion fills my dreams now.