I'm not intending this to be a debate thread, but merely an informational one.
My daughter is competing this year as a level 3. Our states are in March, her birthday is April 2005. So, she is 5 and competes as a 5 year old for the entire season. She and another young lady are the only two on her team in this position - a handful of others started as 5s, but compete as 6s, as their birthdays occur prior to states. The other mom and I have talked about it and share our concerns with one another, as the mom's of the "babies" of the team. We worry about our girls.
So my question is this - I know 5 is the minimum age to compete level 3, and 6 is the minimum age to compete level 4 (which is why both of our girls are starting at level 3). Beyond that, though, do the USAG guidelines continue 1 year/level? Ad infinitum? So, by my count, that would be:
7 for level 5
8 for level 6
9 for level 7
10 for level 8
11 for level 9
12 for level 10
I know there are different levels of elite (jr/sr), which I'm sure also have age minimums.
Are these ages accurate? If not, when does USAG quit having age minimums? Optional levels?
I ask because I see reference to girls being "fast tracked" and I don't understand how that's possible when they're on the young end of the spectrum. I understand how it can be done if they're older, scoring out of a level, or more, per season. They would have more advancement available. But for those, like my daughter, who are riding the age minimum, I don't understand.
And, my disclaimer - I'm not asking b/c I want my daughter to do this - in fact, I always kind of thought she was safe from this type of talk b/c she *is* the age minimum. But, if there comes a time when the age minimum is no longer in effect, I want to know in advance - so I can have my argument of why I don't want her pushed along at the ready. Thanks for any help.
My daughter is competing this year as a level 3. Our states are in March, her birthday is April 2005. So, she is 5 and competes as a 5 year old for the entire season. She and another young lady are the only two on her team in this position - a handful of others started as 5s, but compete as 6s, as their birthdays occur prior to states. The other mom and I have talked about it and share our concerns with one another, as the mom's of the "babies" of the team. We worry about our girls.
So my question is this - I know 5 is the minimum age to compete level 3, and 6 is the minimum age to compete level 4 (which is why both of our girls are starting at level 3). Beyond that, though, do the USAG guidelines continue 1 year/level? Ad infinitum? So, by my count, that would be:
7 for level 5
8 for level 6
9 for level 7
10 for level 8
11 for level 9
12 for level 10
I know there are different levels of elite (jr/sr), which I'm sure also have age minimums.
Are these ages accurate? If not, when does USAG quit having age minimums? Optional levels?
I ask because I see reference to girls being "fast tracked" and I don't understand how that's possible when they're on the young end of the spectrum. I understand how it can be done if they're older, scoring out of a level, or more, per season. They would have more advancement available. But for those, like my daughter, who are riding the age minimum, I don't understand.
And, my disclaimer - I'm not asking b/c I want my daughter to do this - in fact, I always kind of thought she was safe from this type of talk b/c she *is* the age minimum. But, if there comes a time when the age minimum is no longer in effect, I want to know in advance - so I can have my argument of why I don't want her pushed along at the ready. Thanks for any help.