spider_monkey
Proud Parent
I know this is a common topic, but I have literally nobody IRL to talk to about this. We are considering a gym switch, and I need some people who are not inside my head to look at this situation objectively for me. Please give me frank opinions/advice.
DD is currently level 6, 10yo. We've been at her gym for 7 years, first with my oldest and now with my level 6 DD. She has lots of potential. She scored very well last year (2nd year on team, XCEL gold)- top of the podium most meets, averaged 37's, and a floor title at state and regionals. She consistently got high-9's on floor last year. She's had all of her level 6 skills (except for a week clear hip) for almost a year now. No doubt she was ready for level 6, just spend the summer/fall to clean everything up.
However, fast forward to now, and she's getting very mediocre scores, mostly mid-8's. Her bars are weak and she's scoring at the bottom in most meets. Even when she hits all four events, she's not placing well at all. Even her floor, which she really excels at, is scoring mid-8's. She does not seem to be progressing. She's doing the same skills the same way she did them a year ago, and her clear hip is still weak. She's getting very discouraged about why she's not scoring well or improving.
The gym is small. Six optional gymnasts. Only one other level 6 and she is a head case, and often it is contagious. No chance for team awards. There are a few older girls in level 8. They have not yet scored a 33 AA this season. Scores in the 6's and 7's are common. It was about the same last year in level 7 for these girls, although they did improve by the end of the season. None are hitting giants consistently, bars are very weak. None are flipping their vaults. It's hard to watch. The XCEL girls do a little better, but some of the platinums are really struggling as well. The team seems to be dwindling as well, about 1/3 smaller than last year, and 1/2 the size as 2 years ago. Highest level this gym has ever had is 8, and only a handful.
However, DD LOVES her gym and her coach. Her coach is an wonderful role model and they have an amazing relationship. DD also loves her teammates. She has several friends in platinum with whom she spends most of her free time. Gym is 10 minutes away. Inexpensive as far as gyms go. DD doesn't want to leave. I'm trying to help her see that the way the older girls are scoring is likely her future, and she is starting to see that. But the thought of leaving her coach is terribly painful for her, and she's quite shy and nervous about making new friends.
If we switch, new gym is 30 minutes away. Not far for some of you, but would be a huge change for our family. It would be hard to get her there on time. New gym practices 12 hours for level 6's, current gym is at 15. However, their optionals are doing very well. There was a shift for the better last year in their coaching/management, and their team has really increased in size and quality. There are 8 level 6's, and many 7's, 8's, and at least one 9. They've coached a level 10 to nationals in recent years. Bars are strong, flipping vaults. The girls she was beating easily from this gym last year in XCEL are now outscoring her easily in level 6.
Do I let her stay? Or try to convince her to move? Her goal is college/olympics. I know college is a long shot, and olympics is obviously just a dream, but no reason why she can't strive for those goals. She knows she can't get there at her current gym and that she'll eventually have to move. But she doesn't want it to happen now. It would be TERRIBLE to leave her friends and coach and my friends. It's our extended family. But I know that she doesn't really have another year to waste.
Would you let your talented DD stay at a gym where she is comfy and happy, or push her to move to the other gym where she will have a better chance of reaching her potential?
DD is currently level 6, 10yo. We've been at her gym for 7 years, first with my oldest and now with my level 6 DD. She has lots of potential. She scored very well last year (2nd year on team, XCEL gold)- top of the podium most meets, averaged 37's, and a floor title at state and regionals. She consistently got high-9's on floor last year. She's had all of her level 6 skills (except for a week clear hip) for almost a year now. No doubt she was ready for level 6, just spend the summer/fall to clean everything up.
However, fast forward to now, and she's getting very mediocre scores, mostly mid-8's. Her bars are weak and she's scoring at the bottom in most meets. Even when she hits all four events, she's not placing well at all. Even her floor, which she really excels at, is scoring mid-8's. She does not seem to be progressing. She's doing the same skills the same way she did them a year ago, and her clear hip is still weak. She's getting very discouraged about why she's not scoring well or improving.
The gym is small. Six optional gymnasts. Only one other level 6 and she is a head case, and often it is contagious. No chance for team awards. There are a few older girls in level 8. They have not yet scored a 33 AA this season. Scores in the 6's and 7's are common. It was about the same last year in level 7 for these girls, although they did improve by the end of the season. None are hitting giants consistently, bars are very weak. None are flipping their vaults. It's hard to watch. The XCEL girls do a little better, but some of the platinums are really struggling as well. The team seems to be dwindling as well, about 1/3 smaller than last year, and 1/2 the size as 2 years ago. Highest level this gym has ever had is 8, and only a handful.
However, DD LOVES her gym and her coach. Her coach is an wonderful role model and they have an amazing relationship. DD also loves her teammates. She has several friends in platinum with whom she spends most of her free time. Gym is 10 minutes away. Inexpensive as far as gyms go. DD doesn't want to leave. I'm trying to help her see that the way the older girls are scoring is likely her future, and she is starting to see that. But the thought of leaving her coach is terribly painful for her, and she's quite shy and nervous about making new friends.
If we switch, new gym is 30 minutes away. Not far for some of you, but would be a huge change for our family. It would be hard to get her there on time. New gym practices 12 hours for level 6's, current gym is at 15. However, their optionals are doing very well. There was a shift for the better last year in their coaching/management, and their team has really increased in size and quality. There are 8 level 6's, and many 7's, 8's, and at least one 9. They've coached a level 10 to nationals in recent years. Bars are strong, flipping vaults. The girls she was beating easily from this gym last year in XCEL are now outscoring her easily in level 6.
Do I let her stay? Or try to convince her to move? Her goal is college/olympics. I know college is a long shot, and olympics is obviously just a dream, but no reason why she can't strive for those goals. She knows she can't get there at her current gym and that she'll eventually have to move. But she doesn't want it to happen now. It would be TERRIBLE to leave her friends and coach and my friends. It's our extended family. But I know that she doesn't really have another year to waste.
Would you let your talented DD stay at a gym where she is comfy and happy, or push her to move to the other gym where she will have a better chance of reaching her potential?