Each level has required skills that are necessary to meet the minimum requirements for that level in competition. The lists are linked by level above. During evaluation weeks, we will observe each of the required skills and measure deductions. Passing or acquiring the skill means the skill is performed with less that 2X the value of the skill in deductions. All skills in the level list will be required to compete at that level. Where applicable, a gymnast can compete more difficult skills, but they will not be permitted to compete less difficult skills in that level.
As the off season progresses, we will approach skill evaluations with a one-on-one strategy to ensure that every athlete is competing the skills that best suit their strengths.
Being prepared to successfully compete at a given level is a team effort between a gymnast and coach. We've scheduled two evaluation periods so that we know well in advance if a gymnast will not have all of their required skills by the final evaluation date. After the first round of evaluations, we'll provide feedback and recommendations, which may include things like more consistent attendance, participation in Open Gyms or All-Team practices, or private lessons. We want to avoid moving girls away from their level due to lack of skill acquisition, but we also want to avoid putting a gymnast in an environment where they cannot succeed. These skill evaluation lists represent the minimum requirement for success.
Bronze and silver will compete between September and early-December. Gold and platinum will compete between January and early-April.
We will provide dates for you to RSVP to ~90 days before the first meet. We will only know the weekend of the meet at the time you will need to RSVP and register for the meets. 7-10 days before the weekend of a meet, we will get our session details, which will include the 3-4 hour window during the weekend when your athlete will compete.
Host gyms will not have the final schedule until a week or 10 days before the meet weekend. You will be responsible for attending one 3-4 hour session during the course of the weekend. The final times and location details will be sent out via email as soon as we have them.
The girls will need to arrive 15 minutes prior to the Open Stretch time listed when the schedule is announced. They need to be competition ready when they walk in the door. This means in their competition leotard, warm ups, tennis shoes, and have all the equipment they may need in their bags (including tape, hair spray, bobby pins, band aids, etc.) They will also need a water bottle and a light, healthy snack (preferably something that's minimal in the potential to make a mess).
Competition hair should be slicked back. No wispies, fly aways, or loose pony tails. They won't be permitted to wear headbands, so you'll need to use pins and hairspray. I recommend Got2B Glued. They can wear braids, buns, pony tails, etc. but it cannot get in their way while they are performing. If you're not sure what hair may be appropriate, ask a coach.
Nail polish and jewelry, including Apple watches and fitbits, will need to be removed. Only one pair of stud earrings are allowed.
You will send your athlete into the competition arena to find their coach while you go through the main admissions entrance. Most meets will cost $5-7/person to get in and not all of them accept cards. Most seating will be in either folding chairs or bleachers, so you may want to bring an stadium seat to be more comfortable.
The girls will warm up, march-in (be announced by gym), and then break out into the events they start on. All groups will compete on a single event and then they will rotate in Olympic order. During the meet, you will not be able to come down on the competition floor and speak with your daughter, so anything they may need should be in their bags.
Meets will last roughly 3-4 hours from warm up through awards. Some venues have concessions, but not all.
Scores will be flashed in the gym and many are populated online through MyMeetScores.com and other similar sites. The girls are divided into even age groups based on the ages of the other kids in their levels. Awards will be given anywhere from the top 3 to the top 100% of athletes. Most commonly, events will be top 50% and all-around will be top 100%. It is not guaranteed that athletes will get a ribbon or medal. Coaches will have these conversations with athletes, but parents should also be prepared.
Team awards are based on the top three scores on each event for each gym. Typically, awards are given to the top three gyms.
Cameras are allowed at meets but flash is strictly prohibited. Some meets will have professional photographers on the floor with images for sale after the meets.
Many meets will sell candygrams that you can purchase for your athlete to be delivered on the awards floor.
We will deliver your daughters back to you after awards. During the competition/before awards is not the time to discuss scores or questions with coaches. Save questions for the end of the meet or the next practice and a coach will be happy to walk you through it.
It depends. We will let you know as soon as we know about the schedule.
