advantages/disadvantages of "skipping" level 6

[dancengym]

My 9 year old is starting level 6 this year. She started gymnastics 2 years ago. She currently qualified for national tops testing. So, she is just learning the skills required. She also is learning level 6 routines. Her coaches have indicated she may go to early states and then go to Level 7. I don't know how far my daughter can go with gymnastics. And I've been told the skills at the optional level is more important that the lower levels. My daughter has her level 7 skills, including her giant, but 1) does it contribute to more stress learning so much in one year; 2) if her coaches want her to go to early states, then she'll have only half a season to clean up her level 7. She may need to repeat 7; 3) is it better to repeat 7 than go through 6 and then 1 year of 7? Any thoughts?

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[momof5]

Personally I like the idea of doing one meet at level 6 to get a qualifing score then compete the rest of the season at 7. This what my dd also 9 is doing. Some of the girls in our gym to do this while others go through a season of 6 and a season of 7. I do know that some of the girls that have done this have been stressed out, but do fine by the end of the season. So far my DD is thriving but we are still months away from competion season. Skipping 6 doesn't neccesarily mean that they need to repeat 7.

[cher062]

If she has L7 skills and the coaches think she is ready then I say let her go for it. In some ways its harder but according to my DD it's more fun too. There is nothing like getting your own routines and music.

I don't think there is any more stress at L6 than at L7 unless your DD doesn't think she is ready then she may worry but from what you have posted she sounds like she is more than ready. If she does the 1/2 season as L7 it doesn't mean she will repeat it. If she has a qualifying score and looks good to move on to L8 they will move her when she is ready. Usually too the optional levels don't have that 1/2 year split so she will have more time to get L8 skills before she competes after her L7 season.

I would go with it if your DD is excited about it.

[Ingwe]

My dd skipped L6 and went right to L7 (with 1 meet at L6 for the qualifying score)
I don't think there are any advantages or disadvantages, it just depends on the kid.
Morgan was prepared for 7, she had all of her skills and really had no worries. Then her eyes were opened, going from compulsories to optionals is huge and you really can't prepare for that.
She had a shaky start but by end of meet season she was putting up great scores and even qualified for regionals.
For her I think it was the right choice. She got to experience some difficulties and disappointments and in turn she matured as an athlete.

[hakunamatata]

The jump from 6 to 7 is pretty big, but it sounds like your daughter has a lot of her optionals skills ready at this point, so that's great! If her coaches think it's a good idea to move her up, it probably is. She won't necessarily have to repeat level 7, especially since she is so close to being prepared for 7 right now as it is. From what you've said, it seems like she's a really quick learner; I don't think it will add too much extra stress to learn so much in one year, since she is clearly a natural gymnast and a fast learner. If she does have to repeat level 7, I think that might actually be better than having her competing level 6 when she's really ready to move forward.

A few of my teammates (many years ago) made this same jump between levels. They had a little bit of a rough start, only because it takes a while to choreograph and learn brand new routines and to get the connections between new skills, but by the end of the season they were doing great, and they moved forward to level 8 that next year without much difficulty! Whatever you and your daughter decide, I wish her luck this season!

[gymjoy]

[COLOR=Indigo]My responses are in purple...[/COLOR]

I've been told the skills at the optional level is more important that the lower levels. [COLOR=Indigo]By who?[/COLOR] [COLOR=Indigo]The skills taught, and hopefully perfected, in the compulsory levels create a stronger optional gymnast ready to take on those "more important" skills safely. Some coaches believe that younger girls have less fear of learning the harder, scarier tricks[/COLOR] [COLOR=Indigo]than older girls.[/COLOR] [COLOR=Indigo]I personally have seen it work both ways[/COLOR] - [COLOR=Indigo]and fail both ways.
[/COLOR]
My daughter has her level 7 skills, including her giant, but 1) does it contribute to more stress learning so much in one year;
[COLOR=Indigo]Really depends on your dd, and on how her coaches prepare her. My dd repeated level 6, but skipped 7. Even though she was well prepared and did well at Level 8, made it to regionals and even was regional beam champ - she was still very stressed and says she would never skip another level - ever[/COLOR]!

2) if her coaches want her to go to early states, then she'll have only half a season to clean up her level 7. She may need to repeat 7;[COLOR=Indigo]So, if she needs to repeat L7 that's fine. Unless their is some finish line your racing to reach?

[/COLOR] 3) is it better to repeat 7 than go through 6 and then 1 year of 7? Any thoughts? [COLOR=Indigo]six of one, half a dozen of another - as my grandmother use to say[/COLOR]. [COLOR=Indigo]I think a strong Level 6 season while up-training is just as good as repeating Level 7[/COLOR].

[dancengym]

Thank you everyone for your valuable insight and suggestions. If the coaches decide to move her up to L7, my daugther would be thrilled. My only concern is why such a rush? I guess if her goal is to go Elite or further, then I see it. But at this stage, does anyone really know how far a gymnast can go? I am just wondering when does one decide if their gymnast is going to do elite or further? Her coaches have indicated to me last year, she has the talent and hardwork to go to elite. But she was only 8 when they told me this with only one year of training. My DD, as of now, wants to go as far as she can. I don't want to hold her back if this is what she wants, yet I don't want her to be pushed to a point of burn out and/or she will no longer enjoy the sport. In addition, how do you guys handle school, friends and other family obligations with such a big commitement to the gym?

[dunno]

sometimes the "rush" is not in what level you compete at. sometimes it has to do with the windows of 'learning curves' opening and a coach having to take advantage of what is taking place in those learning curves when they are happening.

gymnastics takes so long to learn for most kids that those windows need to be exploited as efficiently and safely as possible.

[nevertooold]

the "rush" ... has to do with the windows of 'learning curves' opening and a coach having to take advantage of what is taking place in those learning curves when they are happening.

gymnastics takes so long to learn for most kids that those windows need to be exploited as efficiently and safely as possible.

Would love to hear you more of your thoughts and experiences in regards to this.

[NotAMom]

dancengym, you sound like a very logical, sensible and caring parent and you're not blinded by the glory ahead. That is a huge plus. You child should and will thank you for that.

Whether to skip not skip has two folds. Even for two gymnasts with identical talents, their roads are paved by the individual coaches and the programs involved (assuming the parents doesn't impose either way).

For a TOPS gymnasts (not just training), almost without a doubt the fast track is taken as that is the real intent of the program (to get to elite in the shortest time). As others have pointed out, in your situation, the L6 and L7 dilemma is a small one. You could probably go either way. If your gymmie's rate of progress continues, under TOPS she will be L8 before long. Like dunno said, the only difference in pace may be the efficiency in hitting these he calls windows. Only her coaches can know this (and hopefully they do).

OTOH, for a gymnast who takes the normal path (i.e. non-TOPS), I think gymjoy said it best. I have also seen kids in either situation. From my observation, kids who perform well at L6 (repeated or not) can naturally carry that competency into L7 then move into L8 at whatever rate she chooses. Not as much the case with those who scores out L6 and rush to get to L7.

Just my 2 cents worth.