I agree and am happy we are part of a gym that encourages that. It's tough to watch other gyms who do not encourage that, though. Their focus is to win no matter what- even if it's not quite fair or valid. I'm glad our kids compete bigger skills well. It's disappointing for the athlete and frustrating for parents to watch kids perform easy skills for the sake of winning, while marginally beating kids who are truly very talented and do bigger skills and come in just under the easy skilled score. The frustration is real and makes people want to find a more valid sport where talent and skill are rewarded- not discouraged.I guess I don't really see it the way you do. The meet is only a point in time and gymnastics has by far one of the longest journeys in terms of development, advancement, and complexity. I feel like a kid who has those bigger skills down solid, should compete them even if the harder skills have a bigger chance for deduction. In just prepares them for the next season and their ongoing development.