AquaticSoul
Proud Parent
Hi everyone,
I’m in some desperate need of advice. Some background info is that my daughter has been in gymnastics for 2 1/2 years (7th grader) and started a new gym for Level 5 in August due to an understaffed previous gym. I thought things were going well until her coaches approached me (first meet is in a week) and brought up the idea of her repeating Level 4, which she regularly scored 34.00+ in. She has all of her Level 5 skills except she needs a spot for her back tuck on floor. The coaches reasoning is that while she’s talented and they can’t pinpoint any issues with ability, her confidence is suffering, which is true. She is required to do a pike-on for bars whereas her old gym had her do a squat-on. She spent 30 minutes trying to get her required 5 pike-ons in a row, only getting four, after numerous attempts and tears of frustration in being unable to move on to other skills and events. I feel like repeating Level 4 would be a waste of a year because she has the skills mastered and she is so close to having her Level 5 skills with a whole season ahead, to master. Her confidence really has suffered at this gym though. She hasn’t been very welcomed by the team although she is kind and hard-working. I just don’t know if to switch back to her old gym, an entirely new gym, stay and consider Level 4 or see how Level 5 goes. The coaches left the ball in our court as to which level she trains this year. I just want her to be happy and still challenged because she loves the sport, but she doesn’t want to repeat Level 4 and I don’t want her to stay where her confidence is suffering and likewise, make her experience yet another gym switch. This is such a critical age for confidence. I appreciate any advice and please be kind! Thank you.
I’m in some desperate need of advice. Some background info is that my daughter has been in gymnastics for 2 1/2 years (7th grader) and started a new gym for Level 5 in August due to an understaffed previous gym. I thought things were going well until her coaches approached me (first meet is in a week) and brought up the idea of her repeating Level 4, which she regularly scored 34.00+ in. She has all of her Level 5 skills except she needs a spot for her back tuck on floor. The coaches reasoning is that while she’s talented and they can’t pinpoint any issues with ability, her confidence is suffering, which is true. She is required to do a pike-on for bars whereas her old gym had her do a squat-on. She spent 30 minutes trying to get her required 5 pike-ons in a row, only getting four, after numerous attempts and tears of frustration in being unable to move on to other skills and events. I feel like repeating Level 4 would be a waste of a year because she has the skills mastered and she is so close to having her Level 5 skills with a whole season ahead, to master. Her confidence really has suffered at this gym though. She hasn’t been very welcomed by the team although she is kind and hard-working. I just don’t know if to switch back to her old gym, an entirely new gym, stay and consider Level 4 or see how Level 5 goes. The coaches left the ball in our court as to which level she trains this year. I just want her to be happy and still challenged because she loves the sport, but she doesn’t want to repeat Level 4 and I don’t want her to stay where her confidence is suffering and likewise, make her experience yet another gym switch. This is such a critical age for confidence. I appreciate any advice and please be kind! Thank you.