Subject: Becoming Elite
Sex: female
Age: 11
Gymnastics Level: Level 6Hi. I have a question about becoming an elite. I’m currently in level 6. I have all of my tricks except for my free-hip and flyaway. I’ve only competed once in levels 4, and 5. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to compete in the fall season and move up to level 7 after this fall season. Anyway, I was wondering if I have any chance of moving up to elite status. Do you think that I should move gyms in order to be an elite? I don’t know if my gym only has levels that go up to level 9. I’ll try to find that out so that I can tell you. I have pretty good lines. I always point my toes and keep my legs straight. I have my left leg splits and I used to have my right leg splits but I pulled a muscle doing my right leg splits so I don’t go down all the way anymore. Then I’m about 2 inches from my middle splits. Anyway, I would love to know if I have any chance of being at elite status. And if I would be good enough to be able to pass the elite test. I’m also wondering if I have to go to any camps or any tests right now or later. If you could answer these questions, that would help me greatly!!!
Thanks!
You are one of the gymnasts (about 25%) who will turn 16 during an Olympic year – in your case, 2016. That means the first year you would be eligible to compete in an International Elite competition would be an Olympic year. Ordinarily that is an advantage, but it also means that you have only five years to get ready for your first chance to be an Olympian. Five years is enough, but not a lot of time, so you need to get in maximum training mode. You certainly have enough time in your gymnastics career to make Elite.
Flexibility is a key to looking really good and is necessary for doing certain skills which require flexibility. Your flexibility sounds to be average for your level, but you should be satisfied with nothing less than all three splits oversplit. All three splits down is a minimum.
You didn’t say anything about your strength level. This is critical for any chance of making Elite. You need to be TOPs strength strong, both to qualify for Elite, to do certain gymnastics strength skills, like presses, planches and pirouettes and you need to have sufficient power to do the most difficult skills on tumbling and vault.
Your three main questions seem to be:
Would I be good enough to be able to pass the Elite test?
Do you think that I should move gyms in order to be an Elite?
Do I have to go to any camps or any tests right now or later?
Would I be good enough to be able to pass the Elite test?
Don’t make the common mistake of thinking it is talent that makes an Elite gymnast. You will be good enough if you put enough time into training what you need to do to get to be an Elite – high level optional skills and progressions. Right now, as a Level 6, most likely one of your problems is that you may not be training for a future as an Elite, but just to be a good Level 6. You and your coaches must now be seriously training you to be a high level optional gymnast or you will likely run out of time.
You Need More Time in the Gym
You probably need to be training more hours than most Level 6 programs do, if you want to have the best chance to become an Elite. You can work on strength and flexibility at home, but there is little else you can do other than to have more hours in the gym. Anyway, the truth about Elite is that it is available to anyone who does all the work necessary, has the right coaches and training program and support from their parents.
Do I have to go to any camps or any tests right now or later?
There is nothing you need to go to right now, unless you are already to test for TOPs this fall. You will be too old for regular TOPs testing next year, but you still need to be TOPs strong to become an Elite. When you are about ready to go Elite, you will be going to Regional testing, but you have a long way to go before then. What you need to be doing is getting TOPs strong and flexible, working on high level optional skill progressions.
You need to consider a gym change, get to the optional level as soon as possible and train for an Elite future, not just the level you are at this year.
Do you think that I should move gyms in order to be an Elite?
I have stated my opinion that the only way to be sure the gym you are in can produce Elite gymnasts, is if they have done it before. If your gym has not produced Elites and/or winning Level 10 National gymnasts already, you cannot be sure they are capable of doing so. You should look at the best gyms in your area, try them out and make a change if you find that you are not at the best gym in your area.
I have written about this making Elite before and here are some thing you should read:
The Four Elements for an Elite Gymnast
Elite Gymnastics – What It Really Takes
You will need to have TOPs level strength and flexibility to become an Elite. Here are the TOPs physical tests:
USA Gymnastics National TOP Testing – 2011 Physical Abilities (PDF File)
The qualification procedures are listed here:
USA Gymnastics Women’s Program 2011 Elite/Pre-Elite Qualification Chart (PDF File)
USA Gymnastics Elite Compulsory Program (PDF File)
While you still have time to become an Elite, you have to realize that you need to work harder than before, in a program where you are training for high level optionals, if you are to have chance to be Elite.
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- Elite Gymnastics – What It Really Takes
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