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Kitkat I agree- I see so many kids who are could do compulsory 4 easily- BHS on beam, often have BWOBHS on beam, upstarts, flyaways, handspring vault, half on half off sometimes, BLO on floor- yet they're competing grade 14 or 13
I think a linear progression would be much better- and fitting in with the OOA levels, so top grade (5) is equal to compulsory 5- then they move to level 4,3,2 and 1 OOA. Maybe with OOA not having R+C, or a modified R+C
I think we have too many competitions at all different levels- grades, voluntaries, regionals, invitationals. Too much adjusting of routines and rules. Even it out then clubs can actually compete more as there's less time spent on redoing routines..
I also think a linear path is better psychologically- no matter how old a child or how talented, they can see that path to elite, even if they're never going to get there. I think removing that path so early removes all those 7/8 year old dreams and goals before they've had chance to even dream them...
We would have the numbers with a more linear system though? Currently some clubs don't do compulsories, some do grades, others do regional voluntaries, others do/don't do invitationals.
I also hear a lot of talk about tops is that like our range and conditioning ? but you can opt in or out of it it's not essential to compete US levels even better
I like the idea of a system similar to the US as well and one of the advantages seems to be that if you are team you all train the same hours in the same way for the same level - then it's a level playing field training wise and girls will keep up or repeat according to ability and work ethic and not so much age.
I agree optionals are great for gymnasts they can play up to their own strengths. Hopefully next year dd will her find more her own level grade wise the options for 4 piece grades in our region are elite grades 5, 4 or 3 in age only, grade 13 and 14 plus grade 13 and 14 out of age and then grades 12 to 9 and all national grades open age. The 4 piece comps in autumn are pre novice 8, 9, 10, 11 novice 9,10, 11 and then regional level 4 and 3 and then modified fig or for the elites level 5, 4, 3 and 2. We do have quite a varietyBut looking at it from my perspective ( and I would say that as a level 5/4 UK P&F would be a US level 6), at this level - pre difficult skills like giants and serious acro on beam, the US system hits optionals anyway, and so there is some flexibility for those pesky tricky skills, and who says a girl can't level out for years if that one skill eludes her. I would also think that the vast majority of UK gymnasts train many fewer hours than their US counterparts from what I have read on here.
I don't know, but I do think some tweaking away from 3 separate streams is required.
I agree optionals are great for gymnasts they can play up to their own strengths. Hopefully next year dd will her find more her own level grade wise the options for 4 piece grades in our region are elite grades 5, 4 or 3 in age only, grade 13 and 14 plus grade 13 and 14 out of age and then grades 12 to 9 and all national grades open age. The 4 piece comps in autumn are pre novice 8, 9, 10, 11 novice 9,10, 11 and then regional level 4 and 3 and then modified fig or for the elites level 5, 4, 3 and 2. We do have quite a variety
I can't see how the ooa option is going to work over here if the girls are expected to do it on fewer hours. They surely can't keep up like that? I don't get how it could be 'easier' for them if they they are not given the same training. One girl who did level 3 ooa (no idea of her background, I haven't looked it up), looked very lovely and scored well and I don't see any problem with her getting to level 2, but not in a year if she is still doing the hours she is doing now.
I know in our region they had gymnasts retaking 3 last autumn alongside another comp so they get 2 chances a year. I like the idea of ooa. My dd would loved be able to do ooa 5 this year if she had it as an option. I don't think she could keep it up later down the line so for her perhaps no point, especially on less hours like @flossy duck said. She could do the range she has very good oversplits press handstands. Ooa is really great idea it would be nice to see girls going down that route I know my dd would of been thrilled ooa 5 instead of 13 this year even if she just did ooa this year it would have fitted in more with the skills she competed last year at prenovice.Yes you will miss those and go straight in at senior. But of course you need to obtain the requalifying score each year.
I know there are several clubs near me who are actively progressing girls down the OOA path so I am surprised to hear that isn't the case in other regions. I am also surprised to hear that OOA girls are being given half the hours of in age girls. I kind of understand slightly less hours as the girls are only trying to obtain a pass score to enable them to move to the next grade. There is no pressure of trying to make a regional team for nationals, no pressure of competing against the very best at nationals, and no pressure of trying to make British squad. But of course each club will arrange things differently to suit their needs.
Does anyone know if there will be a retake option in the autumn or will it be one chance a year.