Repeating Level 4? - Page 4

Scrapntyme · #31 03-24-2008, 02:52 PM

My dd competed level 4 as a 7 year old and did okay. She and several of her teammates were made to repeat level 4 which IMO, was really a waste of time. She had a solid kip, jump to high bar, etc. and all other level 5 skills. She was bored stiff her 2nd year as a 4 even though she had a lot of success and really should have been a 5. She spent one year as a 5, one year as a 6 and is now level 7. I expect she may repeat this level as she has had an injury plagued season and has missed several of her meets:-(

The one benefit to repeating 4 was they did spend time perfecting level 5 skills but I still think she and her teammates would have done better to do two years of level 5 instead of two years of 4.

Gymnasticsgirl521 · #32 03-24-2008, 05:00 PM

Our gym makes the decision based on each gymnast. Also some parents would like to see their child build some more confidence. I have seen one gymnast at our gym do two years at L4 & 2 at L5. Her mom said her score were just OK in year one and she wanted her to be able to experience the higher scores. Mind you she isn't on the top of her group but she is doing much better than in year one.

I have seen many girls skip levels in our gym and others repeat. I know the coaches have a plan for each gymnast and they are pretty much right on. I say if they need a second year then there is no harm in it.

gymnastmom96 · #33 03-25-2008, 08:14 PM

IMHO as a seasoned gym-mom, I have heard lots of parents say they regret letting their child skip a level, but I have never once heard a parent regret letting them repeat.

Livinatthegym · #34 03-26-2008, 07:04 AM


Quote:
Originally Posted by gymnastmom96 IMHO as a seasoned gym-mom, I have heard lots of parents say they regret letting their child skip a level, but I have never once heard a parent regret letting them repeat.

Very true.

Ingymmom · #35 03-26-2008, 07:42 AM

Unfortunately I have heard plenty of regret for when a child was made to repeat - especially made to repeat L4 (usag jo). I know too many girls that quit the sport from sheer boredom, and/or the feeling of failure when they have to repeat a level. They are NOT failures, this is not what I am saying, but rather it is just how they feel and this feeds self doubt.

**bogwoppit** · #36 03-26-2008, 08:04 AM

I really think how a child will react to repeating a level depends a lot on the childs' personality. In our club we have some girls who have repeated their level and are thrilled by winning all the time. But, then we have one or two who have always opted to move ahead, even when they know they will not win, they want the challenge of competing higher level skills, more than they want to win.

My oldest has always chosen to move ahead when she had the chance. She loves the challenge, but more than that says she would hate to keep competing the basics when she can do better more fun stuff (her words).

The other problem in our gym is that, they train so few hours compared to other clubs that they do not get to work up skills. during comp season OCT-MAY. My little DD almost had her kip and had her RO BHS, amongst other new unused skills, in September but hasn't worked them since, so who knows what that means.

I really like to see clubs treating each child as an individual and not make repeating about winning or the team win. As we have seen in many threads every child has such different needs and it would be nice to have their personality taken into account, as much as skills too. JMHO.

Though if a child just doesn't have the skills there is no choice about repeating. Not every child is going to progress to level 5 or 6, we have all read the statistics, the skills are hard to learn. We can all spot very early on who has the potential to move through all the levels, but as the coaches tell you that is not the only predictor of a future in the gym.

Shawn · #37 03-26-2008, 10:34 AM

It seems to me like there would be ways around making a gymnast spend a whole 2nd year at level 4. This is posted in the coaches' forum and they've made some points that make more sense to me. For example, instead of completely repeating level 4 (maybe because they don't have all their level 5 skills or just need to perfect some of the level 4 stuff or whatever), a more flexible gym might let them train both levels 4 and 5 (or 5 and 6, or whatever the case may be depending on what skills they're having trouble with) and then compete one meet at the lower level to "score out" and finish the season at the higher level. Of course, everything depends on the specific situation and gymnast but for those where boredom of repeating is a problem, this might offer a solution.

mariposamama · #38 03-26-2008, 10:51 AM

our gym does this sometimes. my DDs coach has a daughter in L4 and if she doesn't get the minimum required to move up to L5 this season they will have her do the first meet as a L4 and if she scores well, then finish the season as a L5. she has added the extra day to her training already and is training with the L5s.

gymnastmom96 · #39 03-26-2008, 11:28 AM

I see the jumps mid-season a lot in our corner of the world. Keep in mind that they are repeating the level for a reason. We have a very talented gymnast who has repeated 4 and 5. Her first year at 5 she had several AA and won State beam. She was totally ready for 6 last year but developed a fear of the bwo on the beam. It was BAD. They decided to repeat 5 then move up mid-season when she regained the skill. It never happened so she remained in 5 all season. She has made clean sweeps at every single meet this year except States. She was moving to Prep Opt but really wants to do 6. She's trying to face her fears. She still needs a heavy spot but at least she is attempting it.
Before anyone fusses at me...I agree, its not really fair and we are not at a sandbag gym like some others we know. That's just how it's worked out.

gymjourneymom · #40 03-26-2008, 12:48 PM

I agree that every gymnast should be treated individually in regards to moving up. Every child is unique, all aspects need to be taken in account(skill, maturity, personal drive,etc). If it is recommended by the coach that a gymmie repeat, parents need to trust & respect the coaches plan for the child. IMHO, they really do want wants best for the child (if you don't trust your coach...then that's a whole other issue!LOL). Parents need to learn that repeating a gymnastic level is NOT a sign of failure. I think the parents get "hung up" about moving up more then the kids do. You have to keep a positive attitude, let the kids know you're proud of them....no matter what level they are. IMHO...when the parents get "hung up" about levels... it stresses out the kids even more. Gymnastics is suppose to be fun for them, correct? Don't stress you or your gymmie about moving up...trust your coaches opinion

PS-I'm a parent not a coach