So....DD was told by HC yesterday that even though she has all her level 7 skills and is training the level 8 skills, she will be competing 6 this season. DD was heartbroken. She was told by her coach that she wants her walking into optionals meets knowing the meet will be a piece of cake. I'm not sure I agree with this approach, but it is not my decision. She is disappointed, but she has made her peace with it (and is resolved to show her coach that she made a mistake by keeping her back a level).
I think she also feels a bit cheated since 6 is virtually the same as 5 and DD did very, very well as a 5 last season (mostly scored high 37s) and she feels like HC is making her 'repeat' 5. She is also a little confused since HC told her the only restrictions on 6 and 7 are no 'C' skills, so she will essentially be competing all her level 7 routines. (Do they get bonus for doing so?) I know very little about optionals as this is our first year here, but is this a common practice? Is there a subliminal motivation for the coach to down compete (for lack of a better phrase) a gymnast (other than getting her on podium)?
I don't want DD to get discouraged or de-motivated because she now sees no point in pushing the level 8 skills since she won't be able to compete them for 2 more years...
Anyone else ever deal with this type of situation? If so, how did you handle it? (DD is not quite 11 and we live in the Houston area...not sure if those details matter).
My apologies if I sound like a complete newbie here, but I really know nothing about optionals progression.
I think she also feels a bit cheated since 6 is virtually the same as 5 and DD did very, very well as a 5 last season (mostly scored high 37s) and she feels like HC is making her 'repeat' 5. She is also a little confused since HC told her the only restrictions on 6 and 7 are no 'C' skills, so she will essentially be competing all her level 7 routines. (Do they get bonus for doing so?) I know very little about optionals as this is our first year here, but is this a common practice? Is there a subliminal motivation for the coach to down compete (for lack of a better phrase) a gymnast (other than getting her on podium)?
I don't want DD to get discouraged or de-motivated because she now sees no point in pushing the level 8 skills since she won't be able to compete them for 2 more years...
Anyone else ever deal with this type of situation? If so, how did you handle it? (DD is not quite 11 and we live in the Houston area...not sure if those details matter).
My apologies if I sound like a complete newbie here, but I really know nothing about optionals progression.