MAG Divisions within levels

[Cheryl]

It’s way more than half of the optionals. I think the philosophy is that JD let’s you develop at your own pace in each event. It also gets around the age limits For my kid who started late with a May b-day, it let him ease into Level 8 skills as the season went on. The boys in 9 are usually at Nationals or close to it. The goal is to get all the boys into 10 and go to nationals. I don’t think you can go to Nationals for only one event, right?

One of the coaches at our gym was really involved in setting up the national JD program, so our gym probably uses it a lot more than others. JD1, 9-10 all train the same hours and go to the same meets and practice the same skills, so there is no “lesser” stigma.

 

[skschlag]

It’s way more than half of the optionals. I think the philosophy is that JD let’s you develop at your own pace in each event. It also gets around the age limits For my kid who started late with a May b-day, it let him ease into Level 8 skills as the season went on. The boys in 9 are usually at Nationals or close to it. The goal is to get all the boys into 10 and go to nationals. I don’t think you can go to Nationals for only one event, right?

One of the coaches at our gym was really involved in setting up the national JD program, so our gym probably uses it a lot more than others. JD1, 9-10 all train the same hours and go to the same meets and practice the same skills, so there is no “lesser” stigma.

Ours was too! And we treat it the same way I mean, there are 11! And my ds did JD for 1/2 a season to get more competitive at 9. He went to nationals that year. We have several boys that are doing JD and are trying to get their skills.

Our JDs do have a separate practice but that is just because of numbers. My son was in that practice as a 10 when we couldn't get him to the optional practice.

You can go to nationals at L10 as an event specialist, but it is very difficult!!

 

[Cheryl]

Ours was too! And we treat it the same way I mean, there are 11! And my ds did JD for 1/2 a season to get more competitive at 9. He went to nationals that year. We have several boys that are doing JD and are trying to get their skills.

Our JDs do have a separate practice but that is just because of numbers. My son was in that practice as a 10 when we couldn't get him to the optional practice.

You can go to nationals at L10 as an event specialist, but it is very difficult!!

Yes, my son is 13, but he competes as 14. We are flexible in moving levels, so if he can get his vault and floor to a Level 9 by the end of the season, he will move up. Otherwise, he still does States, Regionals, and JD Nationals.

 

[skschlag]

Yes, my son is 13, but he competes as 14. We are flexible in moving levels, so if he can get his vault and floor to a Level 9 by the end of the season, he will move up. Otherwise, he still does States, Regionals, and JD Nationals.

We do not do JD nationals. Too far, too much money

 

[Cheryl]

We do not do JD nationals. Too far, too much money

I guess that’s a benefit of having one of the heads of JD in your region .

 

[skschlag]

I guess that’s a benefit of having one of the heads of JD in your region .

Is there any talk of having the "qualify" to nationals? I think our guys would be more likely to come. And hopefully move it around the country a bit!

 

[Cheryl]

We do not do JD nationals. Too far, too much money

Is there any talk of having the "qualify" to nationals? I think our guys would be more likely to come. And hopefully move it around the country a bit!

There were 2 groups, for JD1 and JD2. Each session had about 150 kids. Most were from Region 7, but some from farther. I think if more gyms and more kids did JD, it would lead to having to qualify, and moving around. I think this was its first year, but I don’t know because we switched gyms and it was our first year of JD.

 

[profmom]

Give it a few years. I think if the trajectory continues, we will see a JD national meet with qualification and a roving site. My understanding was that last year's meet was kind of, "let's try this and see how it works." It was a success, so this year's will likely be bigger. Until it's ready to be a big qualification meet, West Point is a good venue for it, with the decent concentration of guys doing JD at a high level in the region.

 

[OwlGalLiz]

I think it’s a great program. We have boys in JD2 and JD1 this year. About 6 in total. JD2 trains with the 5/6 group and JD1 with the 7 + group.

 

[skschlag]

I think it’s a great program. We have boys in JD2 and JD1 this year. About 6 in total. JD2 trains with the 5/6 group and JD1 with the 7 + group.

I love that you have so many, but don't like that they still practice with little kids The point was to get them more with their peers instead of with the youngers. Our JDs all practice together.

 

[jenjean70]

That is really sad

I agree....The owner is giving the coaches a hard time about the number of kids quitting team but JD would not have helped those that just quit- they were just done. We do have quite a few that would benefit from JD but our coaches goal is to be more exclusive, like Cypress, but I don't think that is the owner's goal. I know the coaches work with the kids, in hours in the gym, to keep them in the sport but I think some of them would feel more successful in JD and stay in through high school if it was offered.

 

[jenjean70]

Yes, my son is 13, but he competes as 14. We are flexible in moving levels, so if he can get his vault and floor to a Level 9 by the end of the season, he will move up. Otherwise, he still does States, Regionals, and JD Nationals.

There are JD nationals?! I didn't know that!

 

[skschlag]

I agree....The owner is giving the coaches a hard time about the number of kids quitting team but JD would not have helped those that just quit- they were just done. We do have quite a few that would benefit from JD but our coaches goal is to be more exclusive, like Cypress, but I don't think that is the owner's goal. I know the coaches work with the kids, in hours in the gym, to keep them in the sport but I think some of them would feel more successful in JD and stay in through high school if it was offered.

I think you would be surprised....JD has kept many kids in at our gym that thought they were done. And they love it.

I find the exclusive thing strange. Why on earth would you want to be exclusive in a sport that is hanging on by a thread? the goal should be to have more boys, which leads to more spectators, which could help keep more college programs. Exclusivity is not a a good thing....

 

[OwlGalLiz]

I love that you have so many, but don't like that they still practice with little kids The point was to get them more with their peers instead of with the youngers. Our JDs all practice together.

The JD2 guys are right in line age wise with many of the level 5/6 boys. And the JD1 are similar age with our Optionals.

 

[skschlag]

The JD2 guys are right in line age wise with many of the level 5/6 boys. And the JD1 are similar age with our Optionals.

That's good then. We have some 13-16yo JD2s, so with 5/6s would be difficult!