Parents Moving through levels

[klv8]

I'm curious how kids move through the lower levels in JO at a gym that does not compete them? Is it just a matter of getting the required skills? And if a kid already has the required skills for a certain level prior to moving from rec classes, would they still start at level 1, or would they be placed in a higher level?

Sorry if those are obvious questions, or gym-specific. Just trying to learn how this all works!

 

[Deleted member 18037]

The only level you must start at is L4. L1,L2 and L3 are up to the gyms discretion whether to compete the levels and where the kids go.

After that you move based on your gyms requirements and meeting a minimum score in the level you are "scoring" out of.

 

[raenndrops]

The first required competitive level in JO is level 4.
In some areas, competing Level 1 and Level 2 is unheard of. In other areas, some gyms do compete these levels.
USAG does have a "report card" that can be used to show if they have acquired the skills for each level. They say that having 75% of the skills for a level is acceptable to progress to the next level.
Some gyms do their own thing and just determine where to place girls based on skills.
At our gym, we have 3 levels of rec classes. The girls in our rec level 3 are working on learning JO level 3 skills. If they have 75% of the skills by next week (tryouts will be next week for those that would like to join team), they will be invited to team. Those with less than 75% of the skills and those who don't want to move to team will continue with the rec class. Additional team tryouts will happen in July (at gymnastics camp) and in late August.
Any girls who have 90 - 100% of the skills at tryouts will be in a different group than those with 75 - 89% of the skills. The "lower" group will have a "skills-focused" training plan to get the missing skills. This will last through May. The "higher" group will do "club-focused" training through May. Clubs are what the veteran team members are doing. They work non a single skill on each event to work on. Once they have that skill solidly, they pick another skill.
In June, the new girls will all start learning the routines (while continuing skills acquision).
The July and August tryouts require at least 80% of the skills and demonstration of good memory (to learn routines). This is how it works in our gym.

 

[thefellowsmom]

All gyms will have a different way of picking and placing team level kids. Some invite from rec. most high level gyms will pull the kids from rec earlier and put them in some sort of team development program. Some have tryouts, some are by invite only and are very secretive about it. Some will only take young hot shots and some will take older kids or kids with less experience. It really runs the gamut.

All the gyms we have been at have developmental programs that start from around age three. But they all also would take a talented kid found in a rec class. No tryouts. Coaches approach parents personally with an invite.

Our current gym also has three different types of competing team gymnasts. They have our local state program, excel, and JO. The JO team is very very selective.

Where we live there is no level 1, but lots of teams compete level two. It is done in a fun introductory way. No pressure with fun championship meets in each our states areas. I think they are called sections.

In every gym we have been in, a rec kid or kid from another gym will be evaluated and placed in the appropriate training group and level based on the skills they have, their strengths and weaknesses and potential. Coaches decide and place as they wish.

I wouldn't expect that skills learned in rec will have a whole lot of bearing on JO team placement. Strength and basics are and should be the foundation that starts any good JO program. Also the technique and form requirements for a JO back handspring and a rec back handspring are two totally different animals. My dd's development group worked on roundoffs and drills for handprints and connecting the two for a whole year before ever throwing a back handspring.

Good luck!

 

[klv8]

These answers have been incredibly helpful! Thank you!

 

[Bug's mom]

It's a bit different in Canada (Ontario). Girls don't have to 'score out' of mandatory levels. DD's group competed for the first time this year, jumping in at Level 6. Our JO program is closely aligned with USAG in terms of skills.

 

[raenndrops]

I wouldn't expect that skills learned in rec will have a whole lot of bearing on JO team placement. Strength and basics are and should be the foundation that starts any good JO program. Also the technique and form requirements for a JO back handspring and a rec back handspring are two totally different animals. My dd's development group worked on roundoffs and drills for handprints and connecting the two for a whole year before ever throwing a back handspring.

Good luck!

In our gym, a back handspring is a back handspring. Our rec classes, being the avenue to team, do focus on form and technique.