AboutRik Feeney Expertise I can answer questions regarding all levels of the sport of women's gymnastics, the business of gymnastics, and the marketing of gymnastics programs.
Experience I am the author of "Gymnastics: A Guide for Parents and Athletes" currently being published by McGraw-Hill. I am also a ghostwriter and co-author of the Gymcert series of books "Levels 1-3 Gymnastics Coaches Certifications Manuals" for recreational gymnasts, and the "Levels 4 - 6 Skills and Drills" books as well as Safety Basics for Gymnastics Instructors. I have written several other books on the sport of gymnastics for Richardson Publishing, the latest of which is titled, "Back Handsprings: The Secret Techniques." Oh, and by the way, I was a competitive gymnast through high school and college (Temple University), gymnastics club owner for 10 years, and women's gymnastics coach for 30 years working with gymnasts at all competitive levels
Organizations USA Gymnastics
National Writer's union
Florida Writer's Association
Publications USA Gymnastics magazine
Technique magazine
International Gymnast magazine
several newspaper articles
Education/Credentials Temple University - Health Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
Norwich University - Bachelors of Arts in Writing & Literature
Awards and Honors Several state and national level gymnastics champions in different systems of competition.
Past/Present clients Gymnasts, coaches, and club owners nation-wide.
Question QUESTION: Hello-
We recently moved to the U.S. from another country where my 10-year-old competed in gymnastics for two years up to their level 5. The levels did seem roughly equivalent to USAG; but during the two months since she started with a USAG Level 5 group, I am beginning to see her old program was much more like TOPS. So while she is still missing a couple of Level 5 and 6 skills in USAG, she also has quite a few skills at the optionals level, especially on beam and bar (and her program also for example started the kids at Yuschenko vault approaches at their level 5). Now she's not "allowed" to do any of these skills in practice, but keep herself within the USAG Level 5 skills realm which she finds frustrating. On the other hand, there are a few USAG 5 skills where she is behind (which is why they set her there rather than Level 6), yet the group rarely trains them because she's the only one who lacks them.
She really wants to get to the optionals level! Prep-Opt seems to have a "bad" rep in terms of being less competitive, yet I am wondering whether in this specific case Prep-Opt might be more a more rapid and appropriate path to "fill in" the specific USAG skills she is missing for optionals. At her gym, Prep-Opt is a much smaller group (4 versus 8-10 kids), with highly varied levels of ability so they do get much individual attention; yet she still would be getting in 9 hours of practice a week. (The Prep-Opt coach is also a skilled one who works with all levels including 7-10.)
Any thoughts? Many thanks-
Jean
ANSWER: Helloe Jean,
I have a few questions for you.
What country are you from where they train Yurchenko's at Level 5?
How old is your daughter now (10 or 12) and how long has she been in gymnastics?
What are the skills she lacks for level 5 competition?
How many days a week does she workout and how many hours per workout?
The foundation or basic skills are the keys to optional level competition. I am not a fan of moving a gymnast quickly through the Levels just to get her to optional status. I believe she should earn the right as demonstrated in her scores which for me would have to be consistent 9.5's on all the events. If she truly is training properly, this should not be a problem.
Also, keep in mind that in the U.S. prep optional guidelines can vary from state to state so as a system of progression competitively, it may or may not make sense for your daughter based on where you live.
If the coaches where you train right now have developed quality gymnasts and competitive teams that regularly place within the top three at meets, then I would follow the coach's advice and not micromanage her training. On the other hand, if after a month or two you feel there is not only no improvement but a loss of skill then direct communication with the coach is a must.
With the brief information you have provided it is difficult to give you more concrete advice.
Always practice gymnastics under the guidance and supervision of a qualified gymnastics coach with USAG Safety Certification.
Regards,
Coach Rik
www.GymnasticsTrainingTips.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Rik-
Thanks for the admonition not to micromanage :-) -- I appreciate that! I helped coach (a number of parents volunteered) at her old club, and I feel this decision of "which group" (or gym) is really the only point at which I can/should be involved. After that, it's a matter of trusting the coaching staff and good communication.
She is barely 10, and was in the new (2 seasons) Swedish program for two years. (They have two vaults each at Levels 1-6, one using a table and one with stacked mats at 110cm. The latter at Level 5 is a Yurchenko landing on the back on the mats in a tight hollow; the Level 6 moves to a back handspring on the mats to standing. She competed Swedish Levels 4 and 5 last year.)
At this point she actually does have all the USAG Level 5 skills but needs polish to get those 9.5's as you recommend, she has poor form. She is missing her back walkover on beam, and the running FHS-FHS step-out plus RO-BHS-salto on floor for Level 6. Her main challenge is tumbling runs. The Swedish floor compulsories though Level 6 allow only a brief skip-start to do for example a front hand spring FHS step-out. They focus on stationary skills first, so the BHS at Swedish Level 4 is standing; and she has a standing back salto, but is intimidated I think by running into these skills so just got the double BHS for USAG Level 5 last week.
The main barrier for all the other Level 5's seems to be not floor, but bar (where she can already do the full USAG Level 6 routine, whereas her Level 5 mates still struggle with the kip). So since the group was formed in September they've focused strongly on that, doing tumbling only every sixth practice or so. Practice is 4 days a week but just two hours per practice, 8 total (she was last doing four days a week for three hours in Sweden.)
One big difference is that in her old gym, they worked on both current level and next level skills year-round, except for the couple of weeks just before a competition; but beginning in September none of the girls are allowed to do anything but the Level 5 skills of the group. The gym is indeed a successful one at Levels 4-6 and perhaps that exclusive focus is part of its success? I have noticed however that their gymnasts do tend to move to other gyms at higher levels.
She'll certainly get very very good at Level 5 here, but is as I noted frustrated at not being able to practice the higher level skills she does already have. (The PrepOpt group on the other hand has a girl who can't manage a kip for Level 5 but is working on her RO-BHS-layout, they seem to be encouraged more to move at their own pace on individual events.)
The normal Optionals progression does seem to be the main path, so my daughter may simply need to have patience and adjust to the different gym culture here if that's the norm! Any reflections you might offer would be helpful.
Many thanks-
Jean
Answer Hey Jean,
So many things to think about.
First, take a few deep breaths.
Now, I suggest you give the system a try for a few months. I have always found, whether it was myself coaching at a new club, or a new gymnast coming in to my established program that it took a good six-months or more for both gymnast and coach to get acclimated to each other. You know figure out the quirky behaviors.
Having a past with someone, which can only be accomplished by hanging in there, is the key to feeling like you are a part of something.
Have you taken a look at other gyms in your area? What made you decide on this gym? Was it a gut reaction or did it just feel right? Don't discount your intuition in either direction.
