gymnastics 7yo

[goodusb]

goodusb

My DS has been attending normal gymnastics and has been asked to try for artistic squad. He was not concentrating enough and his squad coach said that he does not want him in the squad. so I talked to my DS and he is now determined he really wants to improve his behaviour and improve his concentration. Shall I look for clubs which do trails for artistic gymnastics? He has been accepted by a small club for acro gymnastics but I do not get a feel that it is a professional/ well established club...so trying to get into artistic at a more established club.

[merlottime]

Gymnastics requires a lot of dedication, and in my experience the higher the level of the club the more demanding they are. I would be inclined to try out for the artistic squad where you are, then if your DS is keen and demonstrates that he can knuckle down, then would be the time to try out for a bigger club? (Been there, got the T shirt! My DS eventually went back the other way as it was taking over his life and he wanted to do a variety of sports).

[goodusb]

thank you for your insight...I am also oncerend about the fact that gymnastics affects growth....I wonder whether to try out other sports as well now. He says he wants to do gymnastic because he wants to be stronger...perhaps there is other sport that can make him feel that?

[Bogburglar99]

My DD trialled for the artistic squad at her club, didn't get in and now does acro at a different club. Acro strikes me as more fun than artistic, though you certainly need concentration!

Perhaps you could let your son try acro and then think about artistic again if it doesn't suit him?

[merlottime]

I think Acro can certainly be more fun than the endless conditioning that Artistic gymnasts put themselves through. The other good thing about Acro is that you develop the strength and tumbling skills while also learning about working in pairs or as part of a team, which has broader benefits.

[goodusb]

I thought acro can be limiting as it is based on the floor whilst artistic he would get fun with equipment?

[Bogburglar99]

I would say different rather than limiting. Artistic is where they do floor and all the apparatus - so beam, bars and vault for girls, and whatever boys do. All individually based of course.

Acro is routines where they work to music, with a partner or trio. There's a fair bit of dance, lots of tumbling and floor work, but the fun and flashy bit is the balances where they (eventually!) leap over each other, do handstands on each other's shoulders, build pyramids and other structures with each other, etc. It's pretty demanding - DD only does a few hours and she is ferociously fit already.

If you think your DS has the potential for serious international competition then I guess you'd need to stick with artistic as acro isn't in the Olympics. But below that, I would suggest letting him try both and seeing what suits him.

Can he carry on with his recreational artistic class and also do acro at the new club? That's what DD does?

[Dancingdreamer]

Acro isn't an olympic sport but GB are regularly winning medals in acro at European and world championships.

Goodusb - Gymnastics doesn't affect growth (as far as I know) but the most successful artistic gymnasts are usually small. If they are too tall it makes it harder to do the tumbling elements.

[goodusb]

Do gymnasts ( e.g. 7yo) manage to do gymnastics squad + other sports or do they need to be completely switched to gymnastics and nothing else?

[Micah]

It is not a fact that gymnastics affects growth.

Arrange a meeting with your current club and ask about hours and progression. A 7 year old will likely be doing around 8 hours a week, but every club is different.

[goodusb]

Well they invited for a squad trial but then said no after a trial...I am not sure is it skill based or concentration based decision or personal decision...

[Bogburglar99]

It's not unusual to be asked to trial for squad and then turned down (I think). That's what happened to DD anyway. For her they have said to carry on in recreational classes and they may look at her again in the future - which is what we are doing. But she has also started acro at another club which plays to her strengths, gives her a couple more hours/ more intense coaching, and gives her a chance to do some competitions.

Sounds as if your DS may be a bit like my DD - sufficient talent to make you feel they need a bit more than an hours rec class, but not talented enough or temperamentally right for a competitive artistic squad, which seems to be incredibly demanding from a very young age.

If you're not sure why he didn't make the squad, how about asking for some feedback and a discussion with the coaches about what the best route might be for him? I didn't bother with DD as it was obvious - she's great on floor but vaults like a sack of potatoes - but sounds like it would benefit you to have that conversation.