Question for All? 8 Year Old TOPs

Ingymmom · #1 03-30-2010, 06:15 AM

I looked around a little, and had not seen mention of the 8 year old skills recently included in USAG TOPs, and them (8 yr olds) now being allowed to go to National Testing. So, I thought I would mention and ask:

http://www2.usa-gymnastics.org/women/tops/10skills.pdf

Are your gyms incorporating these skills for the 7/8 yr olds (turning 8 in 2010) TOPs kiddos now? How does everyone feel about this new option being presented?

**bogwoppit** · #2 03-30-2010, 06:24 AM

I have absolutely nothing to offer!!! But I miss you! Hope all is well with you and the fam.

MdGymMom01 · #3 03-30-2010, 06:36 AM

I can't add anything either but I am glad to hear from you!!! How is everything?

Ingymmom · #4 03-30-2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogwoppit

I have absolutely nothing to offer!!! But I miss you! Hope all is well with you and the fam.

Thanks dear! School has been BUSY! lol, I hope all is great with you and fam as well!

Hugs!

Tim_Dad · #5 03-30-2010, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingymmom

Are your gyms incorporating these skills for the 7/8 yr olds (turning 8 in 2010) TOPs kiddos now? How does everyone feel about this new option being presented?

Quick answer is no, we're not. In fact, Few (if any) gyms in eastern Missouri does TOP's prep at all.

I had a chance last weekend to have a conversation with the gym owner and opt coaches after the state meet tear down / beer fest. The general feeling to coaches and owners in our area is that TOP's is mostly a money maker for USAG more then anything else.

While the concepts of the program are sound, it's very hard to tell 95%+ of the athletes that test for Top's that they aren't good enough to make the cut. This becomes more discouraging to young athletes then encouraging due to the intensity of the training involved to prepare. For the few that make diamond, the gymnastics program isn't any better then the training that could be provided by the home gym. - or so I'm told.

For my DD, we used the TOP's style conditioning as part of our home workout program up until late last year. DD and I (as much as I could) did them together as a team with no aspirations of her testing out. The result to me was a better conditioned athlete that was able to pick up new skills much MUCH faster because the strength requirements for the skill were already met. For example, she picked up her Kip at the end of L3, Cast to handstand in L4, has become exempt from most handstand contests, and is the envy of even the L7-L10 girls when she climbs the rope.

I'm not sure if this answers your question.
Tim

gymch34 · #6 03-30-2010, 07:42 AM

Yes, its true, 8 year olds will be invited to National Testing. TOPs is not a big moneymaker for USAG-most of what comes in, goes right back out. (Levels 2-5 are the biggest money makers!)

Please remember this program is an elite program, so it makes sense that 95% wont make the cut. However, if the gymnasts are training correctly, the program will certainly accelerate their development in gymnastics and will provode excellent basics for optional level gymnastics. IT is A LOT of extra work however, which many gyms do not want to take on. Its not for everyone.

The camps are really for the coaches education, and are structured to address the weaknesses that Natl Staff & Marta see in the current crop of elites. Right now, the focus is on lots of handstands and pirouetting on the floor-with hopes it helps w/ the pirouetting on bars. Its working because the developmental camps are very large and the kids are making it to hopes/pre-elite and beyond.

starmaker · #7 03-30-2010, 07:49 AM

Hello Nic, it's been awhile. Well, I think adding skills at 8 years old only makes it that much harder for them. Olivia's gym does lots of uptraining in their regular workout. We have one girl testing as an 8 year old and she is pretty close to having all her TOPS skills. Just this week they started focusing more on some the skills. She has her kip although not pretty and still needs BWO and FWO on beam. She has alot of work to do to catch up to those skills.

Luckily Liv is still testing as a 7 year old and now has a full year to get those 8 year old skills. How's A doing?? She should be good to go!

I am still confused as to how it works. Do they make the diamond team and then the top 8yo go for national testing but don't get to go to Camp? It's seems a bit unfair if that's the case!?!?!

mariposa · #8 03-30-2010, 08:16 AM

Interesting. The skills seem reasonable.

I am actually relieved that DDs gym seems to have stopped working or worrying about TOPS stuff. They still incorportate it into workout like always, but it seems to not be a focus anymore. Abby is bummed, but I am relieved.

And HI Ingymmom!!! So nice to see you here.

Would love an update on your little gymmie!!

mariposa · #9 03-30-2010, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starmaker

Hello Nic, it's been awhile. Well, I think adding skills at 8 years old only makes it that much harder for them. Olivia's gym does lots of uptraining in their regular workout. We have one girl testing as an 8 year old and she is pretty close to having all her TOPS skills. Just this week they started focusing more on some the skills. She has her kip although not pretty and still needs BWO and FWO on beam. She has alot of work to do to catch up to those skills.

Luckily Liv is still testing as a 7 year old and now has a full year to get those 8 year old skills. How's A doing?? She should be good to go!

I am still confused as to how it works. Do they make the diamond team and then the top 8yo go for national testing but don't get to go to Camp? It's seems a bit unfair if that's the case!?!?!

From the USAG website: :: USA Gymnastics :: Women's Elite-Pre-Elite-TOPs

8 Year Olds will be invited to the National TOP Testing

Effective for 2010, 8 year olds will be invited to the National TOP testing based upon their Physical Abilities scores from State TOP testing. National TOP Testing is scheduled for October 1-3 at the National Team Training Center. The TOP Skills for 2010 have been changed to add the 8 year old National TOP Testing Skills. Yes, the top ranking 8 year olds will be invited to attend the TOP Training Camp in December

All changes from last year are in RED

ZJsMom · #10 03-30-2010, 08:45 AM

The skills do sound pretty reasonable. It seems like TOPs had gone in the direction of adding more difficult skills so I expected it to include backhandsprings on beam and giants. I don't know that it makes sense to add more pressure to them so young though. Many testing as 8 are still 7. Most of them are competing as compulsories too, so they are basically always in season going from compulsory season to TOPs testing in the summer and now will have to prepare for skill testing in the Fall.