Level 5 in 2011

[ktkat]

It's worth noting that every gymnast, whether she competes on her own or two at a time, gets the judges' full attention. When they compete two at at time, there are two sets of judges, one for each side of the carpet. I have also noted that when sisters are competing, the meet organizers are usually good about not having them compete at the same time, so parents can videotape both of them.

I agree that at the lower level, competing is about development and getting experience. But, if you are scoring and ranking them, they should all be judged by the same judges to make it fair. My level 4 daughter only does 3 routines so at regionals she had one set of judges twice and the other set once, while it was the opposite for her teammate she competed with. Maybe it will be better at level 5 as there are 4 routines, so they will be judged by each set of judges twice. Assuming they are put on each side of the carpet twice.

[Rosalyn]

Yes, it is standard practice to switch the girls over to opposite sides of the carpet so they get both sets of judges. With L4 having only three routines, it's still uneven, but there is still the variation. If L5 went two at a time, they would surely be experiencing both sets of judges.

[thecabwoman]

My daughter is no longer in RG but if we were, I would elect to opt out of any meet that had 2 girls perform at a time. There has to be a better answer to move the schedule along.

RG is such a finanacial drain on a family. It is one of the number one reasons I know that girls quit. Lower levels are more in it for the fun, the experience and to try it out to see if it is somwthing they want to stick with. Before level 7 a girl is not really being looked at to rank or be a star in the sport anyway so why not reserve the "big meets" for L7 and up. Lower levels could have the experience of competition at local meets up to the State Meet level if their clubs wanted to put on a meet. Anything higher than locally would only for L7 and up.

Our club did exhibitions for parents, friends, and family to come and see the girls and encourage them. They often went over better than the competitions, meaning the girls enjoyed it more and so did the parents.

Attending meets locally and staying in their own state parents will not be drained with the travel expenses. The gymnasts could have the goal of obtaining L7 to get to the big meets. This could place more emphasize on training and skills- not competitions. It would also put a stop to the favorites being picked at lower levels. They would not be competing with each other, nor would higher level judges be seeing them until L7.

From level 7 and up the gymnast and the parents pretty much have to be dedicated to the sport, which they are already. At the higher levels they know the time, dedication, and expenses involved. I am not saying that lower levels are not important. I guess I am saying that many girls at lower levels are still finding out if they really want to do RG and it would be better to remove the stress and expense of major competitions from the equation.

[twilight]

This is definately a hot topic, but just wondering if USAG decides that level 5 will compete 2 at a time...when might they decide this?? It seems sooner better than later, because coaches would need to make a routine for all the level 5 girls, and any level 5 who had an individual routine would have to either move to 6 or learn the new club routine...I know we have some level 5 who are planning to remain at level 5, and they all have their own routines...if they make level 5 like level 4 our girls would need to start learnig new routines...or move to level 6 and learn a club routine...hmmmm..hopefully soon the decision will be made....

[twilight]

I just received the following email from Caroline Hunt about level 5 for next year:


I have copied from you the part of the new text which addresses your question:
A. Routine Regulation
i. In levels 3-4-5 all routines are optional but compulsory for each club. For example: all the Level 3s from the same club perform the same routine. Slight variations in the body difficulty selection are tolerated. This rule applies to all events. For clubs with gymnasts of various age ranges within one level, one music/composition may be used for children and another for juniors/seniors if deemed appropriate.
ii. In levels 3-4, the Meet Director may elect to have gymnasts compete 2 at a time on the carpet; routines should be choreographed for half of the floor area.
iii. In levels 5-9, the gymnasts compete one at a time.

L5 Routines now also have required apparatus elements--I can get those to you next week if the Handbook has not been posted by Tuesday.

Best,
Caroline

Hope this helps everyone out...seems 5 will have compulsory routines by club, but probably not compete 2 at a time...

[MomandCoach]

New code is posted on USAG now.

[fyrebird]

The version I found on the USAG site (with a date of June 2010 on the cover) doesn't have those changes for Level 5. Am I looking at the wrong one? That's happened before. http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/PDFs/Rhyt ... nal_09.pdf

[twilight]

I had posted an email I received from USA gymastics (From Caroline Hunt) stating that level 5 will be compulsory next year. I have recently received another email from her stating that they had another meeting, and decided NOT to make level 5 compulsory...The new handbook is out, and level 5 can use USAG compulsory routines, or clubs can make up their own compulsory routines, or be optional. But take a look, LOTS of changes and requirements!! Sorry for confusing anybody!!!