USAG level 2 beam routine

[lagymmom]

I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find a list of exactly what's required for the level 2 beam routine. There is one part where my daughter kind of hesitates (it's really awkward) and she acts like she's not sure what to do next---I'll try to explain:

After the forward roll, she does a scale, then does a kick with 1 leg and a kick with the other leg----at this point, I think she is supposed to do a step, step, and lock, then a tuck jump, turn and tuck jump off the beam. She kind of hesitates after the 2nd kick, and then she steps and locks, then steps and locks again (I heard her coach tell her yesterday that this is what she is supposed to do), and then she does the tuck jump, turns and does a tuck jump off the beam.

I hate to contradict the coach, but what is the correct way to do this? We have state this weekend, and I want to be sure that she does it the right way. She has not scored well on beam at most of her meets (except for 1 meet---she got a 9.5---but I told her to do only 1 step-step-lock), so I really want to be absolutely sure about this before I tell her to do it this way again.

Thanks for your help!

(P.S. one of the parents at practice yesterday said that maybe she was adding the extra step lock to get extra points---has anyone ever heard of this? I don't think that you can do something to get extra points at level 2, can you?

[gymmomntc2e6]

I am not real familiar w/ the L2 beam routine - I have only seen L2 at one meet that we went to. If memory serves they only did one tuck jump then turned and did a tuck jump off the beam.

My understanding of the scoring is that there is a very big deduction for repeating an element (that is not supposed to be in the routine) as the routines have to be exact. My dd is L3. She actually did 2 back hip circles on her bar routine ( she had huge cast - way too much power, LOL ) and she got her lowest score ever on bars in that meet. This could explain why your dd's scores have been low - But it is probably better for a coach or judge to really answer your question.

You may also be able to go to youtube and search level 2 beam routines - someone may have put up some videos. I know there are some L3 and up on there.

[ZJsMom]

Frankly, I'd totally leave this alone. I don't think you want to challenge the coach's authority and confuse your dd as to whom she's supposed to listen to. Telling her to do something other than what the coach says really sticks her in the middle of a power struggle. I don't mean to be harsh, but it's level 2, who cares how she scores. This really should be all about fun at this point.

[lagymmom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZJsMom Frankly, I'd totally leave this alone. I don't think you want to challenge the coach's authority and confuse your dd as to whom she's supposed to listen to. Telling her to do something other than what the coach says really sticks her in the middle of a power struggle. I don't mean to be harsh, but it's level 2, who cares how she scores. This really should be all about fun at this point.

I'm not trying to question the coach's authority---my gosh! My daughter wants to do it right---that's why I asked the question. And yes, it is only level 2, but she does care how she scores---she has told me that she doesn't like not being in 1st place---she is very driven and likes to do her best. Sorry if my question has upset you in any way!!!

[lagymmom]

You may also be able to go to youtube and search level 2 beam routines - someone may have put up some videos. I know there are some L3 and up on there.[/quote]


Thanks---I'll try to check out some of the videos on youtube.

[mariposamama]

Not sure if this is right or not, can't always trust Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USAG_co...ines#LEVEL_2_3

I do sort of get the worry about confusing your DD as to who to listen to. They really should listen to their coach. But, I also get that your DD wants to score well. Hard place to be.

[Shawn]

I have the JO Compulsory Program guidebook from USAG. This is what it says about the L2 beam routine:

1. Jump to front support mount
2. V-sit
3. Forward roll
4. Arabesque
5. Leg swings
6. Releve balance
7. Tuck jump
8. Tuck jump dismount

I think the releve balance (step 6) is where you're having the question. The book describes this step as:

"Step forward in releve on the Left; then Right foot. Close the Left foot behind the Right foot in releve "lock" position. Hold two seconds."

I hope this helps.

[gym law mom]

Gymnasts cannot get any bonus on compulsory routines. Hope that answers the last question you had.

[ZJsMom]

quote=lagymmom;22662]I'm not trying to question the coach's authority---my gosh! My daughter wants to do it right---that's why I asked the question. And yes, it is only level 2, but she does care how she scores---she has told me that she doesn't like not being in 1st place---she is very driven and likes to do her best. Sorry if my question has upset you in any way!!![/quote]

The question's not upsetting to me, I'm just trying to give you another prospective, or option (i.e., ignore it, go to the state meet, cheer like crazy, take lots of pictures, tell she rocks, and take her out for ice cream afterward). It might be worth posting on the coaches' forum to get their take too. I just can't see how this doesn't have the potential to cause a sticky situation for your dd. Maybe I'm missing something, but I thought you indicated you had heard dd's coach telling her to do it one way and now you're considering telling her to do it differently. She's going to have to choose to ignore one of you. Isn't she?

If you really feel compelled to deal with this, I would talk to the coach. Maybe you could say something like "dd's confused about whether it's one step our two in the beam routine. We've seen some girls doing two and some doing one." Hopefully, that will prompt her to go back to the text and double check.

By advising not to worry about scores, I'm not trying to diminish her accomplishment or anything. But what is she 4-5? At this early stage, it really should be about having fun. I'm actually really surprised your state gives out placements for Level 2. Our state starts competing at level 4, and while dd didn't compete level 4 here, my ds just finished his level 4 season. For the boys at least, our state doesn't allow gyms to give out placements even at invitationals. It's strictly achievement so they get blue ribbon for 9 and up; red for 8-9; white for 7-8. In the AA there's a gold medal for 54 and above; silver for 48-54; and bronze for under 48. This way the kids are getting an introduction to competition and being judged, but they really focus on competing against themselves instead of each other.

We go to probably the most competitive gym in our state, but ds's coach always says fun should be the primary focus at this age. Some of the parents seem to take level 4 really seriously here, but I don't think the coaches do. I was at one meet where there were some parents from one of the most competitive gyms from our neighboring state behind us and they seemed to be taking it really seriously. So on one event their son gets a low 9 and they think it should have been higher. The wife starts bugging the husband to go tell the coach to question the score. He says, "you want to challenge a 9?" She "YES; it should have been at least 9.5." So the husband goes and talks with the coach. He comes back and reports "He says he doesn't care about scores at level 4; he wishes they didn't even give them scores. They should just be having fun." So I guess the moral of this story is that even coaches from gyms that are all about getting kids to nationals, getting college scholarships etc., try to put more emphasis on fun than scores at the introductory levels of competition.

[skfleming255]

My dd is a USAG level 2 gymnast. The routine goes: Step, kick (leg swing), step, kick. Then you walk on your toes two steps and then lock your back foot to your front foot. We have the USAG level 1-4 dvd, and this is what it shows. Good luck at state. We have state this weekend, also. What state are you from? Us, Alabama.