WAG DD is interested in following Elite path...

[Deleted member D3987]

@Faith Thanks for your honesty, and no disrespect, but she's not in the UK. So I'm not really concerned w/ that, as the standards there are different. I don't know the requirements that are needed for coaches eyes to be set on a potential gymnast for the elite route. Also, my dd has had some setbacks. She isn't on her team/level now because she lacks skills or is afraid of doing certain skills or whatever the Xcel program is for. We moved from one state to another state. And she was placed there because she hadn't competed. And we don't have a L3 at our gym. So that is where she had to be placed. Now that she's competed and they see what her potential is, they can reassess and go from there.

the standards are really not different at all. it's the systems that are. the US has more Elite coaches than practically anywhere due to our gymnastics population. but make no mistake, Elite biology is still Elite biology no matter what country you live in. and the coaches in all of the countries know it when they see it and coach accordingly.

 

[BlairBob]

Bigger talent pool and more gyms in the US.

And oh yeah, were better.

Well WAG at least.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

another thing to keep in mind. there have been more parents that have ruined their child's path to Elite sports in any sport. and there have been less that have gone along and quietly supported their child. choose the 2nd group.

hard to quantify just how many Elites the US could have if the parents would just get out of the way. the Elite level is more difficult to be at just negotiating the landscape and landmines that are presented weekly. parents on the shoulder of coaches attempting the Elite level, a level that the vast majority of coaches will never see, is like brushing off that mosquito at a picnic ALL DAY LONG. i hate picnics...

 

[myeyeson_u]

Hi @dunno. I heard about you (nothing bad though ). I hear ya. But I haven't gone to anyone about her aspirations. It's something she actually came to me and told me she wanted to do. Well she said Olympics, like all kids say. But I had to let her know there's a process to it. And that's it. And of course there's a lot of work that goes into going that route. And that she had to work very hard. I just inquired throughout the forum. I ask her coach questions, yes. But not to this extreme. Not even about placement. But since I asked him about comments and questions/suggestions that came to me, he volunteered placement possibilities to me. And he's very open and honest about my dd's status and progressions she makes.

And I like that last analogy you made. Haha! That was cute!

 

[DreamerJones]

Would love to see the videos referenced in this thread do you have a link? I think its great you are supportive of your DD's dreams and goals.

 

[flippingtogether]

Yes! I second you sharing the videos of your DD in this thread if you don't mind.....I always love to see good/great gymnastics!!

 

[Seeker]

The YouTube link is in her signature above.

 

[myeyeson_u]

Yes, @DreamerJones x @flippingtogether, what Seeker said. It's readily available

 

[bogwoppit]

www.youtube.com/mzzgymnast22

I put it in the thread as I know signatures cannot be seen on mobile versions of the site.

 

[Dr Maleficent]

Bigger talent pool and more gyms in the US.

And oh yeah, were better.

Well WAG at least.

hmmm. Success to population ratio - with Beth Tweddle, Louis Smith and others, I think the UK is doing pretty well.

 

[profmom]

I really don't mean this to be in the least condescending, but I must exhort you to please, please forbid the home gymnastics. Your daughter has many natural gifts for the sport and her coaches seem to be developing her well, but with the kinds of skills she's now working on and aspiring to do, she really should not be doing them outside of the gym or without the supervision of a coach.

First, if she teaches these things to herself, she's likely to learn them with subtle or major errors in the form and execution that could take weeks or months of correct repetition to fix. This will slow her down in the long run.
But second, and far more important, it's dangerous. The immediate risks of broken bones and concussions are obvious, but even getting an injury and recovering from it can have a long-term impact. One of DS's former teammates was on a home trampoline showing off at the age of 9. He landed something badly and broke a bone in his wrist. His coach read him the riot act and he recovered. Trained and competed all the way up to L10 -- and then the growth plate impact from that injury put him out of the sport for good. I'm sure that people on these boards could easily collect more than a dozen similar stories.

I encourage you in the strongest terms to forbid it absolutely. Certainly you should not encourage her by videoing these things and posting them, but moreso, you should stop her cold. Tell her if you see it at home, she loses a day at the gym. Stretching and strength are fine, but PLEASE, if you want her to have the chance to be an elite ANYTHING, no more tumbling at home!

Best wishes to your DD for a long and brilliant gymnastics career!

 

[Natalia]

the standards are really not different at all. it's the systems that are. the US has more Elite coaches than practically anywhere due to our gymnastics population. but make no mistake, Elite biology is still Elite biology no matter what country you live in. and the coaches in all of the countries know it when they see it and coach accordingly.

Well the french hyper centrelized system is run by a bunch of inept technocrats that have learnt to play the system so that they may retain their status of civil servant.

The local clubs are fighting the good fight to get the system dimantled but in our pseudo socialist state things are slow to change.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

hmmm. Success to population ratio - with Beth Tweddle, Louis Smith and others, I think the UK is doing pretty well.

the UK and their system is performing quite well. and i don't think the OP meant anything by what he posted.

but think of this for a moment. just the US collegiate system, and only if you took the top 20 schools (there are 88 D1), and there are 12 full scholarship athletes per team, and there were no Elites in the US at all (and relatively very few and the same as other countries per their population), the US could field 140 (20X top 7 per team) 7 man teams (2 alts and 5 man squad) that would be pretty competitive. maybe they win, maybe they don't, but they would qualify the US to the Olympic Games every 4 years coming out of World Championships. the number of kids doing gymnastics here in the US is staggering really.

 

[shelovestoflip]

the UK and their system is performing quite well. and i don't think the OP meant anything by what he posted.

but think of this for a moment. just the US collegiate system, and only if you took the top 20 schools (there are 88 D1), and there are 12 full scholarship athletes per team, and there were no Elites in the US at all (and relatively very few and the same as other countries per their population), the US could field 140 (20X top 7 per team) 7 man teams (2 alts and 5 man squad) that would be pretty competitive. maybe they win, maybe they don't, but they would qualify the US to the Olympic Games every 4 years coming out of World Championships. the number of kids doing gymnastics here in the US is staggering really.

I know I've seen the answer to this on here before but is there an updated list of number of girls at each level? I recall the number being huge at Level 3/4 and needless to say dropping way down by 9/10, nevermind elite path! I think it's just so important to enjoy the journey and not get caught up in what we as parents think is great for kids. Because we know that they can change in so many ways if/when they make it to the Optional levels and assuming they manage through the tween and beginning teen years without distraction!!

 

[BlairBob]

Indeed. CA and TX are both bigger than the UK and I would guess way more gyms.

 

[myeyeson_u]

I think I've gone over this thread, in its entirety at least twice. I just had a few questions about dd's aspirations. And wanted some feedback/suggestions. Some gave me suggestions/feedback. Some, whom are moms/dads and not coaches, proceeded to tell me based on her age and level that the possibilities are slim, in so many words. But had no idea on dd's story and why she even started where she did. I also saw one who, based on where there gym is at, and what my dd scored at her meets, would score lower at their gym. And this is being compared to gymnasts who currently train AND compete at the compulsory level already. Something my dd hasn't done yet. But yet you've concluded that based on a XCEL SILVER competition, she'd score such somewhere else? Cool! Some assumed I went to the coach and asked/said this and that. And the list goes on. In any case, I'm reading and making SOME notes. Some, not so much

Anyway, I forgot to mention this Friday because I was too busy reading and/or responding to this thread. BUT, dd is currently learning L6 skills. And yes, her coach VOLUNTEERED this info to me. Can we say score out of L4 or L5 for the next season? I think so! So in my eyes, they see potential in my DD!!!

 

[gymgal]

I know I've seen the answer to this on here before but is there an updated list of number of girls at each level? I recall the number being huge at Level 3/4 and needless to say dropping way down by 9/10, nevermind elite path!

last ones I have are from dunno (i think) from 2010. Old level 4 had 20,000 vs level 10 with 2300. And elite 109.

To the OP don't get discouraged by the extent of this thread. That's what happens with controversial topics. People are not always clear on what the OP is asking so they tend to answer based on what they know (or would want to know if they were asking a similar question). Take what can help you and leave the rest.

 

[iwannacoach]

People are not always clear on what the OP is asking so they tend to answer based on what they know (or would want to know if they were asking a similar question). Take what can help you and leave the rest.

Just to clarify.......

The thin bone is *not* connected to the knee bone, but the shin bone is, and rest assured there isn't oboe connected to any part of your foot. Also, I didn't say "half assed" but did say "you're running *half as fast* as you need to go" while working with the kids on vault.

Room for interpretation is a good policy when reading posts.

 

[GYM0M]

I have found this thread to be intriguing! @OP, I feel most everyone on here is just offering their insight and they do not mean to be derogatory or condescending. That being said, i would like to offer some additional insight on some of the comments previously made. Many of these parents on here have 'been there, done that.' Your DD is new to the competition world. She's just got her first taste of competition and ended up on the podium! That's amazing! She may be feeling elated and excited and empowered. She's got higher aspirations, i.e. the Olympics! This is more common than not. No doubt some of these parents have similar experiences, BUT then comes the meet when their DD only receives an All-Around medal for last place..... HUGE back step for the child's confidence! They are basically urging you to prepare yourself for this type of situation bc your child will look to you for comfort and peace of mind. As to her age, she is a bit on the older side, but that can be countered with lots of hard work and perse

 

[GYM0M]

Sorry, hit wrong button!
Perseverance. Just how much? Well that all depends. Usag website has a list of TOPS physical abilities and skills if you want a generalized idea of where other kids are her age (not experience though) that are on the elite path. So many things can happen & nothing is impossible! My DD also has high aspirations and sometimes it does get the better of me. I'm only human! Lol! However, I have developed a sort of boundary line that helps to me in line. I always remind myself that she could quit tomorrow! That helps me to enjoy every minute of her gymnastics bc I treat it like it's the last time I will ever see her do it!