Optional Routines

[nettyinpa]

I have a question and figured I could probably get an answer from parents, coaches and gymnasts alike. My dd will be moving up to Level 7 over the summer. She's already talking about getting her own music for her floor routine. She's even picked out a song. I was talking with some of the upper level moms at our gym and a lot of them said the coaches usually hand down old routines, from girls that have graduated or quit. What I want to know is, what would you do? Ask the coach and pay the fee to have new routine choreographed to a song your dd loves? Or use a routine that's been out there before, probably scored well, but may not be your dd's favorite?

Thanks for your input!!

 

[gymnut1]

I think if she feels very strongly about it and it wont cause too much upset or jealousy at the gym I would get her the one she wants but give it as a birthday or Christmas present.

 

[flippinlolly]

Do you know how long girls at your gym tend to keep their routines? If it's for quite a while I would recommend getting the new routine. I know that, for me, when you have the same routine for several years, you hear it over and over, practicing it repeatedly and if you don't love the routine and music to start with you can get tired of it very easily and not try as hard. A lot of the routines that you see doing well out there are ones that really suit the girl's personality becuase they are able to put themselves into the routine and really sell it, rather than looking like they're just "doing the steps they were given".
I know how expensive new routines are and if there is an old routine where the girl had a very similar style to your daughter and your daughter likes it then I can see why it can be worthwhile.
However, a girl's first optional routine is a very defining moment. It's the first time she gets to show off who she is and what gymnastics is to her, rather than doing exactly the same thing as all the other girls. You can tell how exciting it is from the way your daughter has already picked out her song. When a gymnast connects with their routine they can put there heart and soul into it and each time they compete their putting their own stamp on their gymnastics. Oftne if an old routine is used you get the feeling of it not really being their routine. It's just something that "another girls done before me". Optionals allows the individuality and I think that an old routine often takes away from that.

 

[bookworm]

That's interesting because our gym never passed down routines and wouldn't even let girls use music that had been used in the past three years so we always had to get new music (to the tune of $25 to $100 depending on the source) and new choreography ($325 ...although I will say, the choreographer the gym brought in was fabulous ...and for that price, he worked whatever amount of hours required to get the routine and make it work).

My daughter did have one routine when she was a level 7 that was made up by one of her coaches (we were at a smaller gym) and the music was like fingernails on a chalkboard and the actual routine was even worse..but i only paid $50...so I guess you get what you pay for.

Remember that you will hear this music at EVERY meet and EVERY practice so consider the money for this an investment in YOUR sanity!! Good luck!

 

[Flippers Mom]

I have never heard of anyone handing down old routines. Requirements for what must be included in routines change on a regular basis making it almost necessary to get new routines. Flipper gets a completely new routine and music every 2 years - on the off year, the routine is just tweaked to add difficulty or meet changed requirements.

You will also want to pick music that you haven't heard very much. Some music can be heard over and over at meets and I was warned that it is hard not to compare the different routines that use the same music. If you are going to use a currently popular song, make sure your routine is top of the line!

 

[kristilyn73]

I would push for her own routine. Like the other posters said, it is really important for her to feel her Own routine.

Having their own routines help with presentations skills which (most of the time) increase scores...

 

[gymdog]

It'll depend on what the coaches want. It's unusual to pick music with no coach input. But if the parent is willing to pay for a choreographer they probably won't resist going that route (but I'd try not to get my heart set on any music that hasn't been pre-approved).

 

[NotAMom]

I second talking to the coach(es) first before deciding on anything.

 

[nettyinpa]

Thank you all for your input. I obviously wouldn't just get a song without running it by her coaches first. I'll probably approach them after states is over and get their input. She really does love this song, we're constantly going on-line to listen to it and she makes up dance moves all the time. I think her one coach is a choreographer and I believe she charges like $300 for a routine. So, that's something else to think about as well.

 

[NotAMom]

I was talking about approaching the coaches on what goes into the routine. I think most coaches are receptive in your music preference, if there is one. With that being said, all our music is screened by our gym and the gymnast gets to choose from a selected collection.

 

[gymmomof1]

How exciting for her to be getting her own routine I'm sure when you talk to the coaches they will let you know how it is handled at your gym. At my gymmie's gym they have a specialist who they have worked with for years who creates the music/routine for the girls.

 

[grizzoline]

Yeah, I'd talk to them. I'm not the greatest fan of handing down routines, at least not a gym like yours (we sometimes do that, but when you have 6 hours of practice /week but still have to do optional routines that kinda changes your priorities - but even then we definitely look for the kids' style, they still get a choice in both movements and music, we sometimes even had two girls with the same music [we had like 2 weeks until a comp when we decided they were doing optionals] they both loved the music but ended up having very different routines).

Either way, at such a big gym, it shouldn't be done. and at the very least they should allow you to do it differently if you're making an effort.

YouTube - Tia Orlando - 2001 Magic Classic - Floor Exercise
YouTube - Kristen Maloney - 1998 US Nationals Prelims - Floor Exercise

they both competed this routine internationally, too! (which IMO is an entirely different story to doing that for lower optional levels!).
Gymnastics just shouldnt be mass production. It's just so much more. It's building character.

 

[gym law mom]

Our former gym gave all new optional girls "used" music and routines. In fact, the gymnast inheriting the music did several privates from the girl she was getting the music from to learn the choreo. Yes, they would make slight changes if a dance move just didn't look right, but on the whole girls are doing routines that were done by an older teammate several years ago.

If she loves a piece of music, make sure you can get a good copy on cd or download and let the coaches that will coach her next year listen. Very important to know if the music is too long/too short and if it needs any editing. Had a girl on team this year that found a wonderful piece of music that fit her perfectly. Problem was it was on youtube and they could not find it on any professional recording. Finally, a parent in the gym was able to do a little creative remix to lengthen the music enough for her to use.

Tell dd of the plan to let the coaches hear it and give their opinions and that basically it will be their decision. Hope it works for her!

 

[gymdog]

Handing down routines isn't that uncommon in our region. When I was in 8th grade one of the graduating seniors taught me her routine and I looooooved it. I went to a gym with a fairly big optional program (probably at least 30 girls at the time) and trained a fair amount of hours. Seriously, I don't see how it builds character any more to get a new routine. The opportunity to work with an older, more experienced gymnast can really build camraderie and give the younger girl a role model. And I'm talking about routines choreographed for $400+ - my parents paid that much before. The reason it's done because most parents prefer it. When you're looking at meet fees, leotard, warm up, music cost (can be shockingly expensive in some cases), extra meet fees and travel for optional meets that tend to be further, some people flat out can't afford the choreographers some gyms use.

However, again, if the parents actively desire to get it done, in a lot of cases the coaches will not fight this (it may be preferable in many cases). But asking parents to make this expense when there are other options for teaching a routine is hard.

Also, in the cases of many routines passed down, it's "in between", as in, most girls keep a floor routine 2 or 3 years. Sometimes after a year it'll be clear a routine isn't working. Rather than pay out for another if they have a "known" routine they can see suits the girl they will just have the other gymnast teach her that.

 

[MamaofEnS]

I have never heard of passing down old routines. At our gym, each girl gets her own routine that is choregraphed personally for her. As time goes on, the cheorography is changed as the girl improves her skills, and after two years, she starts over with new music and a new routine. Of course, parents pay for all of this. I thought every gym did this, so I'm surprised by passing down old routines.

 

[NotAMom]

It does not surprise me that old routines are being cycled through. Dance studios do that all the time, including the one seen in competitions.

 

[Panda-girl's Mom]

Does your gym let you choose the music. At our gym they pick it out for the gymnast the routine and music for the first time then they can choose their own the second time. They also pass down routine but I think they would change things in them to suit that gymnast, I know they have to approve of their choice. One of daughters friends came home with the CD's to choose her music and there were so many choices that I would be overwhelmed! I would just be happy for it be picked for her by her coaches, not sure if daughter would feel the same way. Daughter still has one more year until she becomes an optional.

 

[akoshinski27]

I have a question and figured I could probably get an answer from parents, coaches and gymnasts alike. My dd will be moving up to Level 7 over the summer. She's already talking about getting her own music for her floor routine. She's even picked out a song. I was talking with some of the upper level moms at our gym and a lot of them said the coaches usually hand down old routines, from girls that have graduated or quit. What I want to know is, what would you do? Ask the coach and pay the fee to have new routine choreographed to a song your dd loves? Or use a routine that's been out there before, probably scored well, but may not be your dd's favorite?

Thanks for your input!!

Hello, my suggestion is (if money is tight make do with the handed down ones). But if you can afford it let them choose and get it choreographed. we have done both over the years. this season we payed for new music and new routines. they have to have something they love no matter what, if you want them to show the judges they really enjoy themselves. we have been complimented by the judges and other coaches that it makes the routine so much better when it looks like the kids are having fun. besides its new and fresh......alot of times these judges are the same ones over the years and they have seen this routine or that routine before....it gets old. So do what you can do.....*** long as the girls are happy with it......it makes all the differance!! Good luck and God bless.

 

[CoachTodd]

We try to work with the girls to find music that fits their personality and /or dance movement. Many times it has been surprising that the music really isn't what either the coach or the gymnast expected to work for that particular kid

 

[grizzoline]

Seriously, I don't see how it builds character any more to get a new routine.

It's not about one routine, it's about the general attitude. Of course it's not like that in every case, but mostly part of gymnastics, at least to me, is finding your particular strengths and make your gymnastics your own. In a way, it's like a piece of art and you create yourself as one of a kind.

It's one of those things that really impresses me about a gym, when everyone seems to look a little different. But it's hard, and it'S rare.