Hi to everyone! I've read your threads for a while, but just really decided to post. Need a bit of help from any veteran gym moms. My daughter is 10 yrs. old and a level 8 gymnast. Recently, her coach decided to test some of the girls (who were of age) for TOPS. My daughter is not going and she thought she was. Apparently, she is lacking in the cast handstand area and can only do 5 press handstands instead of 10. Is TOPS really necessary for their growth as a gymnast? Or can she pursue it without TOPS and have other opportunities? Not because of her coaches telling us anything (no communication there), but we think her body is disproportioned. She is very very muscular, and 4'9". I wonder if it is just more difficult for her to pull herself up. Its just the bars that seem to give her a few more problems(upper body strength). She is an awesome power tumbler on floor though. Any suggestions? She was just so let down. We were never informed of anything from coaches; areas of weakness, what she needs to be working on, not being able to go to TOPS testing. I wish we lived in an area where there was another gym to take her to, but there is not. We are here and she has a passion for this sport. ;./