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Gymnastics got official recognition in 1881. Currently, people appreciate it as a fine mixture of balance, strength, and precision for flawlessly executing critical acrobatic movements like twists, flips, and others. Level 4 is considered the first competitive level in gymnastics. Gymnasts must at least earn a minimum mobility score for advancing to Level 5 from level 4. 

Level 4 in Gymnastics is a compulsory level. The gymnasts have to learn a particular routine for each event for competing at this level. The judgment of the gymnasts is done based on the way of execution of skills and how he or she performs the exact routine flawlessly.

So what are the level 4 gymnastics requirements!

In the USA gymnastics structure, Level 4 is the fourth level that can be entered by the gymnasts who have passed Level 3. As this level is compulsory, gymnasts have to compete in an identical routine. Certain skills are mandatory in the new compulsory routine. 

The ideal age to enter Level 4 gymnastics:

A gymnast must be of at least 7 years old to be able to participate in the first competition. 

Skills – level 4 gymnastics requirements:

Vault:

• Front handspring

Beam:

• Handstand
• Cartwheel
• Cartwheel to side handstand
• ¼ turn dismount
• Split leap (120 degrees)
• Split jump (120 degrees)

Bars:

• Squat on
• Straddle / Pike Glide kip
• Back hip circle
• Long hang kip
• Cast to horizontal

Floor:

• Front handspring (two feet)
• Back walkover
• Straddle jump with a split of 120 degree
• Back extension roll
• Round-off back handspring

How many hours a gymnast of Level 4 should practice?

4 to 5 days per week are okay for a Level 4 gymnast. 15 hours approx. is the average amount of hours required for a level 4 gymnast to practice. In fact, they can increase timing for practicing more and achieve perfection. 

Again, timing can be broken as 3 hours per day in a week.

New Level 4 Gymnastics Program:

Today’s Level 4 (2013-2021) is the earlier Level 5 (2001 – 2013). The main skills are taken from earlier Level 5 are now used for generating new Level 4’s routine.

Now, there are only 5 compulsory levels and not 6. The new USAG Compulsory levels are from 1 to 5. The main elements from the earlier Level 1 and Level 2 are taken together to create a new Level 1 routine. 

Level 4 is the starting of the advanced levels. Here, the gymnast is expected to expand each and everything he or she has learned till now in the program’s first phase. The balance beam skills involve various activities like career steps, partial hand stops, somersaults, split jumps, pivot spins, and side strips. Moreover, the gymnasts have to perform backbends, headstands, and advanced turns and jumps. This applies to all advanced levels including Level 4. The more advanced level it is, the tougher the activities become. 

Additional things you must know:

• Gymnasts can skip level 3 and straightaway participate in the competition at Level 4

As per UASG, it is not required for gymnasts to compete in Level 3 and progress to Level 4. They can skip the competition in Level 3 and directly advance to Level 4. There is one condition though. The gymnasts have to prove that they can demonstrate proper development of skills and ample prerequisites.

Tips for gymnasts to stay safe while practicing and competing:

• Always get a sports physical done before you begin a new sport.

• There should be a qualified program director and coach during every practice and competition. 
• The coach must remain updated about the current safety recommendations.
• Do a warm-up and stretch without fail before starting your gymnastics practice and competition.
• A coach must assist the gymnasts every time they are trying to do any difficult stunt.
• A padded floor is a must for practice. Never ever try to do any stunt on a hard surface.
• Take care of the mat and the equipment and check them to make sure if these things are in good condition.
• Always inform the coach if you face difficulty in performing any movement. If the coach refuses to assist you, inform your parents or authorities in the administrative department. 
• Do not try to do any stunt all of a sudden by yourself without the supervision of your coach.
• Do not do any new move in a competition that you haven’t done earlier or practiced enough.

You must follow certain gym rules:

• One person should practice on the equipment at a time. Equipment includes rings, uneven bars, balance beam, etc.
• Do not train alone, especially critical stunts.
• Do not wear any jewelry during practice or competition.
• One person should practice on a trampoline at a time.
• No chewing gum is allowed during practice and competition.
• Wear a gymnastics costume that won’t be stuck with any equipment.
• If you get hurt or feel pain, stop training immediately. 
• Visit a doctor for regular physicals and medical check-ups. In fact, if you get hurt, going to a doctor for a check-up is very important.
• Playing various sports throughout the year is crucial for preventing overuse injuries.
• When you will jump into a foam pit, do land on feet, back or bottom. Do not attempt to land on your knees. Also, no diving headfirst is suggested.
• Acquire knowledge about the team plan for emergency situations. 

Know about gymnastics gear:

Gymnastics gears depend on the specification of the events.

Footwear:

Shoes usually contain a reinforced toe for helping pressure absorption during landing after a vault. Many gymnasts prefer wearing gymnasts’ shoes having rubber soles for protecting against slipping while performing on the balance beam. 

Grips, wrist straps and guards:

Usually, male gymnasts make use of these gears on the still rings, parallel bars, and high bars; whereas female gymnasts wear these gears on the uneven bars. These gears help in improving the hold of the gymnasts on the apparatus. Also, gymnasts can be saved from blisters on their hands. 

Most of the gymnastics grips contain a piece of leather connected to a wrist strap. There are other options that are wrapping hands in gauze or sports tape. It is compulsory for beginners to use tape, gauze, grips, etc. for protecting their hands from tearing and blistering.

Do not forget that beginners are basically children with very soft skin and body. They are prone to injury. Hence, safety gears are must for them as well as adults.

Spotting belts:

These belts hook into cables connected to the ceiling. Spotting belts provide support to the gymnasts when they learn something new or practice any difficult move. 

Conclusion:

Level 4 is tougher than Level 1, 2 and 3. Again, this is the first advanced stage. Thus, the gymnast must be extremely careful. The coach, administrators, and parents should take this Level very seriously as the little gymnasts are entering the world of competition and gradually moving towards national and international championships. The activities will get more critical with the furtherance of the levels.

Jump off the beam, flip off the bars, follow your dreams and reach for the stars

Nadia Comaneci

Competitive gymnastics has several rules. One of the main rules is that gymnasts cannot skip any level. A little gymnast must qualify all the requirements of both level 1 and Level 2 for upgrading to Level 3. 

Following are the level 3 gymnastics requirements.

What is the ideal age for entering Level 3?

Not only this, the gymnast must reach at least 5 years of age to start Level 3. The passing of the earlier levels ensure that the kid has the knowledge of fundamental skills that are crucial for learning the skills of Level 3 safely. 

Though level 3 is not considered as competitive yet some gyms conduct intramural competitions for motivating the children.

In the USA, Level 3 is ideal for kids who are usually between 6 and 8 years old. They learn back handsprings, forward and back walkovers, and front tuck flips done on trampoline.

Restriction in age has been designed for protecting the gymnasts from injury. However, there is a confusion as some critics argue that the age restriction originated in order to forbid the junior gymnasts to compete in senior competitions. 

General-purpose of Level 3 gymnastics:

Level 3 gymnastics allows the gymnasts to prepare for competition. The kids need to train 6 to 8 hours per week during Level 3. All kids who have entered Level 3 learn the compulsory routine. The music is also the same for all. They can compete at the local level. Again, the gymnasts can go for state championships. 

Level 3 gymnastics requirements:

Vault:

• Handstand flat back on stack mat
• Handstand fall over barrel
• Handstand arch to standing position
• Tuck over
• Straddle over
• Jump off block to stick
• Dive roll on stack mat

Rings:

• Leg swings
• Tuck sit
• Support
• L-hold
• Inverted hang
• Skin the cat pull up
• Swing dismount

Floor:

• Handstand forward roll
• Handstand to bridge kickover
• Split jump
• Leap with split (90 degree)
• Round off back handspring
• Backward roll to push-up

Bars:

• Front hip circle
• Back hip circle
• Mill circle or forward stride circle or single leg basket swing
• Pullover
• Single leg squat
• Underswing dismount

High Bar:

• Cast
• Tap swing
• Pullover
• Chin up
• Back hip circle
• Leg lifts
• Swing (1/2 turn)
• Underswing dismount

Uneven bar:

• Pullover
• Cast
• Forward side circle
• Back hip circle
• Leg cut
• 1 chin up
• 3 leg lifts
• Piked glide swing
• Single leg basket swing
• Straight body lift to support
• Squat to pike sole circle dismount

Parallel bars:

• Support walk
• Front support
• Support and swing
• Swings
• Long hang swing
• Turn (90 degree)
• Straddle travel
• Rear dismount

Beam:

• Straight jump
• Tuck jump
• Leap with split (90 degree)
• Handstand
• Arabesque
• Coupe walks
• Jump front support mount
• Side handstand dismount
• Skipping
• Passe turn (1/2)
• Side releve turn
• Cartwheel (handstand straddle down)
• Cartwheel (handstand dismount)
• Lunge to lunge

Pommel Horse:

• Leg swings
• Tuck hold

After learning all these required skills, a gymnast becomes ready for competing in a Level 3 meet. 

How to avoid losing points:

It is very important to hold proper tight posture while doing a strong vertical handstand using your arms with simultaneous support to the handstand. 

The most common reason for deduction at this level is failure of maintaining a straight body.

Single leg squat:

If you fail to display a straight line from the feet to shoulder with a hollow body positioning, 0.20 points will be deducted at the time of your routine.

Front hip circle:

You must maintain good control during the time of returning to the bar.

Single leg basket swing or mill circle:

Level 3 gymnasts face challenges while doing a perfect mill circle. You must steer clear of hooking your leg on the bar. 

Underswing dismount:

You must maintain a tight posture by pulling your stomach tightly. Also, keep your shoulders flexible and head straight. Tilting your head backwards is wrong. If you fail to extend your body properly during flight, then the low height will result in 0.20 of deductions.

Remember:

Always do proper warm up that you have learnt in Level 2 and keep your mind refreshed. As a gymnast, you should get your muscle memory back before learning new skills.

Suggestion for gymnasts:

• Both the kids and their parents must acquire detailed information regarding the way of training and the reason for that particular way of training.
• Obtain a full introduction of training and competition. 
• Get helpful tips and advice from the experts, or seniors on practicing and competing.

Suggestion for coaches:

• You must watch the programs used by national and elite level coaches for training gymnasts of Level 3.
• Achieve a new perspective to coach gymnasts of Level 3.
• Keep watching your gymnasts training consistently so that you can improve their performance.
• Always keep your mind open for learning new things irrespective of your level of experience and coaching. 

Suggestion for parents:

• Gather all the needed information about Level 3 gymnastics starting from entrance to competition.
• Know about your kid’s training part and how you can help him or her to accomplish each drill and skill. 
• Support your little level 3 gymnasts and monitor them so that they don’t waste months and years learning wrong things. 

The mandatory part of gymnastics of all levels. ” The Gymnastics Mat”:

Purpose:

• Gymnastics mats are meant for shock absorption for keeping gymnasts safe and healthy. 
• There are various types of mats that serve different purposes. It includes:
• Creation of surface for absorbing the impact of flips and cartwheels.
• The thicker gymnastics mat provides extreme shock absorption that results after a dismount from the uneven bars and balance beam. 

High quality gymnastics mat helps in keeping gymnasts of any age comfortable. Again, good quality mats create a surface having an ideal amount of firmness to give the gymnasts a platform to perform their best. The mats lower the chance of injury to a great extent.

Most Common injuries suffered by gymnasts.

These are:

• Elbow dislocation
• Lower body injury 
• Superior Labrum Anterior-Posterior (SLAP) Lesions in shoulder
• Lower back problem
• Wrist Sprains
• Achilles tendon Injury
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury

In gymnastics, the upper body of the gymnasts is used as a weight bearing joint. Hence, shoulder wrist and elbow injuries are very common.

How will you use the gymnast mat?

Firstly, buy mats keeping your kid’s activities in mind. Different activities lay different impacts on the body of a gymnast. Hence, gym mats of various thickness are required depending on the skills and levels.

Also, consider the height from where the gymnasts are supposed to land. Young kids in Level 3 are not allowed on high equipment like the students of advanced level. Hence, thinner mats are enough for them in respect to the shock absorption factor they need. But, in case a gymnast is involved in performing various skills including that of higher equipment, then purchase thicker mats. 

Ways to prevent injury: Very important for Level 3 gymnasts

• Wearing needed safety gears is crucial during practicing and competition. Specialized equipment include hand grips, wrist guards, footwear, pads, elbow and ankle braces.
• If the gymnasts get hurt, take them to the doctor without wasting time. 
• Follow the instructions of the doctor until complete recovery.
• Keep a first aid box handy at the practice area and during competitions.
• Check equipment to make sure they are in perfect condition. These include mats, padded floor, etc.
• Give stress on spotters while learning new skills.
• Always warm up muscles by doing light aerobic exercises like running a bit, jumping jacks, etc. before starting training. 

Conclusion:

Level 3 gymnasts must follow the entire suggestions religiously. Parents and coaches must take care of them every moment. Do not forget that they are progressing towards a critical competitive level.

Gymnastics is all about focusing on and coordination. Mere than a sport, it is an amalgamation of body and mind to let your body develop better consciousness and coordination. Today, this sport exercise has gained a lot of fame because of the endless benefits it comes with.

Not all parents are keen on letting their child pick up Gymnastics thinking how doing a backflip or forward roll is going to help them in life? Well, the answer to their question is No. It is not going to help them score number one in school or at work but, it will help them to do multiple skills at a time. They can lead to a better lifestyle which is way important than earning a six-figure salary.

so , what are the benefits of gymnastics for child!

Is Gymnastics right for your children?

It is a sport that needs immense dedication and coordination. Whether it is a sport or a school/career, children today are competing at a very young age. Their life has better exposure than going to school and doing homework. They are seen participating in various competitions, enrolling in various activities clubs, adventuring by joining different camps, and so on. Regular physical activities do help your child from health problems but gymnastics will help them in the long run by keeping obesity at bay, no diabetes, and heart-related problems.

What are the benefits of gymnastics for children?

No wonder, every mommy wants their child to enroll in a gymnastic class. That’s great. But before you go ahead, let you read in detail all about gymnastics and whether it is good for toddlers?

Related Read: Why should gymnastics be taught in schools | Reasons & Benefits

Gymnastics is great for health and overall well-being

Regularly participating in a gymnastic class, your child can have a range of health benefits such as improved cognitive skills, better coordination, fitness, and prevent heart-related issues in the long run.

Determination and discipline

To achieve something in life, it is important to have determination and discipline and that’s what gymnastics teaches your child.

Related Read: How to discipline a child that doesn’t listen | Practical Methods

Kids learning gymnastics are found to be driven by determination. The sport is helping children learn about what is hard working, positive attributes and how to bring determination and discipline is their lives;

Confidence and self-esteem

Gymnastics is one of the sports that helps in boosting self-confidence in kids. There is a sense of confidence when your child masters the skill – the self-confidence skills. As they start towards advanced classes, your children learn to handle intense challenges and tackle them methodically. This boost in their self-confidence aids them in their daily lives where they learn to face their fears and build skills on how to handle them.

Learns to overcome their fears

Performing gymnastics is not easy. It involves a lot of muscle movements that are tough and challenging. It is obvious for a child to develop a fear. The coach at the gymnastic center encourages kids to talk about their fear so that they can help you get through. Their primary agenda is to work on their fears and help them build confidence that they can do it. The coach approach matters a lot when it comes to coping with fears and helping children on how to overcome such situations. This in the long term encourages your children to try new things with the confidence that they can handle any situation that life throws. 

Help them set goals

The capacity to have an athletic, flexible kind of body can’t be built overnight. It requires an immense level of dedication, determination, and discipline. The sport teaches your kids to set goals and hard work to put in to achieve those goals. During the process, your child learns to manage the challenges, and most importantly how to stay calm under the stress.

Long term health benefits

Gymnastics offer long term health benefits when your child is enrolled for continuous classes. The health issues remain at bay and the sport helps fine-tune the body and mind. It improves focus, along with letting your child have a fit body even when he is growing up.

It helps develop sportsman spirit

Gymnastics is a solo sport however it does involve group learning activities. Thus, helping your child learn to develop sportsman spirit and how to remain positive even when he/ she is losing. Furthermore, it also teaches to cheer their peers along with understanding what healthy competition is all about. Additionally, honing their social skills through interactions that happen in the class. This way they learn to compete and cheer up when they lose.

It is a fun activity

Kids are naturally drawn towards activities that are fun doing like flipping, jumping, free fall, tumbling, swinging, and so on. Gymnastics is all about that. Channelize their hyper by enrolling them into regular gymnastic classes. It is a great fun activity, where your child will learn many good things than just knowing the sport.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Gymnastics

• There is no proven evidence but it has been believed that girls’ puberty is delayed. Because of the excessive dieting and a lot of strain to get it right, girls experience stunted growth.
• Because gymnastics is all about getting a perfect flexible body which is only possible through a vigorous diet. There is no room for curviness hence it has been seen that children tend to develop eating disorders.
• It is a high-impact sport, which means children are prone to get injuries often while learning. Muscle pains, broken bones are normal.
• At times children are seen developing psychological effects of gymnastics.  The sport requires having a vigorous regime of getting everything perfect from posture to the movements that can hurt their self-esteem. Coaches’ aggressive training methods impacting psychologically on your child’s mind. 

What Are The Safety Measures That Parents Require Ensuring Their Child Safety?

Below-mentioned is the tips to remember:

•  Know that your child is interested in gymnastics. If he/she is not keen to join, let them understand the benefits of gymnastics and why it is important.
• Not all body types are made for this vigorous exercise. If your child is prone to injuries it is a hint that it may not suit them. Discuss this with the coach and they will guide you on how you can start with the sport.
• Your child must learn under a certified coach. Find a reputed gymnastic center for your child. Check the reviews and feedback before enrolling. The reputed gymnastic center will have certified and knowledgeable coaches who know a fine way of tuning with kids.
• Make sure that your child learns the basics thoroughly before advancing to the next level. This can prevent severe injuries. Also, the coaches teach on how to deal with those injuries and recover to get back into the game.

Myths Busted About Kids Joining Gymnastics

• Parents think that gymnastics is for strong and flexible bodies. Well, this is completely baseless. The earlier your child joins the gymnastics class the better his/her body leaves the stiffness.
• Most of the parents think that is not a sport to pursue as it does not have much of a career graph. Well, it all depends on how one takes it. By participating your child in various competitions he/she can make a career out of it.
• Parents think that twisting, swinging, jumping, balancing, and such bodily movements can injure their child severely thus thinking that it is a dangerous sport.
• It is a girl sport, a prevailing myth-making round about gymnastics which is completely untrue.  Nowadays, boys too are showing keen interest in joining this amazing coordination building sport. This further helps them in pursuing other sports like baseball, football, etc.

FAQs

When should my child start gymnastics?

Like most other sports, there is not any specific age to start gymnastics. You can join a gym at any age to practice for becoming a gymnast. There are classes based on various age groups. From as early as 18 months of age. 

Is gymnastics bad for the body?

No. It is a myth that people carry around the sport. Regular participation provides innumerable health benefits to all age-group children. In the long run, it prevents chronic illness like blood pressure, diabetes, and heart-related problems

Can gymnastics cause scoliosis?

Gymnastics does not cause scoliosis, however, an intense range of muscular motion can be the reason. The coach is the best person to guide your child, ensuring such things don’t happen.

 Can gymnastics cause arthritis?

People who have done gymnastics from a young age and have been careful with their body movements have minimum or zero complaints of developing arthritis. Mostly the arthritis impact is seen in their back muscles, wrists, ankles, and knees. But, with proper diet and good care, this can be prevented.

Closing Thoughts

Gymnastics is suitable for children of all age-groups. However, it is recommended that you start with the younger which can be 5 years. Let your child explore the possibilities and have fun especially if you have a hyper kid. It is one of the best ways to channelize their enthusiasm where along with they learn to get disciplined, determined, and focused which are important elements of a successful life.

Level 2 in gymnastics comes after the completion of Level 1. It is the second level included in the gymnastics level structure of the USAG Junior Olympic program. There are certain skills that are compulsory in the routine of level 2 gymnastics requirements. All gyms do not compete at this level. Also, this is not considered a required level. 

The basic levels including level 2 prepare a gymnast to get more accustomed to his or her body and take control of the body weight. Immense dedication is required to learn these skills. The regular practice gradually makes the activities perfect and the gymnast can progress to the next level.

Though gymnastics is rewarding to the body of children, yet they must be trained under professional supervision. Parents must take care of while their kids are practicing the drills at home or the park. It is better if the right kind of mats, grips, and chalk are used so that the Level 2 gymnasts can train properly and safely. 

If your child is not able to do a certain skill of Level 2, it means he or she needs more muscle development and strength to accomplish it. Ask the trainer for body specific workouts and make the kid do them regularly. Make your child follow an expert-recommended diet.

Never make your child do any activity that the coach has not suggested. 

Ideal age of Level 2 gymnasts:

Generally, kids of 5-6 years reach Level 2. 

Level 2 allows the kids to join a team and compete for the first time. They usually need 4-5 hours of practice per week.

Level 2 gymnastics requirements:

Vault:

• Jump to handstand on the mat stack and straight body fall to flat back
• Tuck over
• Straddle over
• Handstand and fall over a barrel
• Handstand arch to stand
• Dive roll-on mat stack
• Jump off the block – stick

Note:

There are several changes in Level 2 from Level 1. The first stage involves a stretch jump. Level 2 requires an inverted jump. 

Remember:

The gymnast must stretch properly for making the muscles warm. It reduces the risk of injury.

Uneven Bar:

• Cast
• Pullover
• Leg cut
• Mill circle (forward stride circle)
• Back hip circle
• Under swing dismount (squat to pike sole circle dismount)
• Single leg basket swing
• Three leg lifts
• 1 chin up
• Piked glider swing
• Straight body lift – support

Note:

Bar event of women is prominently acknowledged and appreciated as competitive. Young gymnasts can learn various skills at a good rate to become competitive. The number of skills increases at this level.

High Bar:

• Pullover
• Swing ½ turn
• Tap swing
• Leg lift
• Chin-up
• Cast
• Back hip circle
• Under swing dismount

Note:

High bar 2^nd tier skill set requires more refinement and definition of muscles. Daily exercise and various learning skills help in achieving them.  Parents and guardians must take care of the young kids practicing at home.

Parallel bar:

• Support walk
• Swing
• Turn 90 degree
• Support and swing
• Longhand swing
• Front support
• Straddle travel
• Rear dismount

Note:

As per the experts, the gymnast at level 2 can train on a short p-bar before performing the skills on the actual equipment. It will reduce the risk of injury of the kids learning Level 2 skills. Children can get scared or lose confidence as they are not familiar with actual bars. With practice and moving on to the actual apparatus, they can gradually become confident and achieve perfection. 

Beam:

• Jump to front support mount
• Arabesque (30 degrees)
• ½ pivot turn
• Lever
• Tuck jump
• Stretch jump
• Coupe walks
• Cartwheel to handstand dismount (side)
• Skipping
• Cartwheel handstand straddle down
• Side relieve turn
• Lunge to lunge

Note:

The beam event is recognized globally. The all-women event involves balance and precision for executing great skills. 

Floor:

Round-off

Bridge back kick over

Handstand for 1 second minimum

Backward roll

Tuck jump

Splits

Heel snap turn (90 degree)

Split leap with leg separation (60 degree)

Split jump with leg separation (60 degree)

Note: 

 With a level, the floor skills become tougher and more challenging. The level tests the determination and capabilities of the gymnasts who reached Level 2. The kids can practice the majority of the skills at home under the surveillance of elders. Using a tumbling mat helps lessen injury. Both boys and girls can perform activities. 

Rings:

• L-hold
• Inverted hang
• Tuck sit
• Support
• Leg swing
• Pull up (skin the cat)
• Swing dismount

Note: 

The majority of the skills involved in-ring training are taught taking the help of certain apparatus like a high bar. Here, the development of the upper body is extremely important. With regular practice under expert guidance, kids can effectively learn ring skills. 

Pommel Horse:

• Leg swings
• Tuck hold

Note:

This event is considered less demanding. Level 2 usually doesn’t support the momentum required for Pommel Horse skills. But, it is observed and proved that leg swings help in acquiring the capability of doing the skills. The more intense practice is required and with levels and body development, coaches teach the required skills to the gymnasts. Regular practice and utmost dedication can make the kids perfect.

Important factors to consider:

The gymnasts’ level of skill:

You have to remember that Level 2 is a junior level, and the gymnasts who are mostly kids may not have the confidence or capability to achieve perfection in all the skills. They may master a specific skill and can be prepared for progressing to the next level. But, they still may lack precision in other skills.

Hence, it is better to give them ample time and days to keep on practicing with care. If they are not prepared, keep them at the same level till they master all the skills. 

The level of commitment of the little gymnasts:

The gymnasts have to learn more difficult skills in Level 2 and beyond. The mental strength of the kids must get the needed support and enhancement to cope with the rise in difficulty. 

Parents, guardians, and coaches should remember that the kids are struggling hard to achieve a certain level of focus, mental skills, and confidence. They need more time to train their mind and body. The number of practice hours should be increased. 

Parents must support their children in practicing their skills, and encourage them. They must make the child understand that failure is okay and normal. The child should learn from the elders that failure teaches them the right way to succeed. It is devotion, consistency, patience, and hard work that can give them the desired result. Parents should celebrate their child’s success and reward them every time they achieve a skill according to the commitment.

Relate Read: How to Improve Confidence Level of Child – A Guide for Every Parent

Gymnast’s maturity level:

Level 2 gymnasts are usually children who are emotionally immature. So, they may face difficulty in going ahead to the next level. They may feel scared as they have to perform difficult skills. Seniors, coaches, and elders must cheer up the kids and motivate them to practice more. Support them in boosting their confidence and teach them how to handle and master harder skills.

A suggestion to the parents of the gymnasts:

Whenever a coach thinks that your kid is ready to move up to the next level that is Level 3, then only your child can progress to the further stages. If the coach thinks that your little gymnast needs more practice and time to master certain skills, then don’t panic or scold your child. Kids are developing physically, mentally, and emotionally. They are seeing new things, learning new things, and experiencing new things. Their body may not have the required strength needed to perform certain skills. Their muscles and bones are getting stronger gradually. It will take time. 

Confidence is another thing that a child may lack. Again, some kids may remain always cheerful and confident. You must not compare your child with others. Every kid is unique and has a distinct learning capacity. Give them the required time and let them learn at their own pace. 

Moreover, if a gymnast repeats a level, that doesn’t mean that he or she won’t be able to pass it in the future. It signifies that the kid needs more practice, coaching, and time to get hold of certain skills. They have to work harder on mental and physical skills. 

Conclusion:

 Check if your kid is feeling overwhelmed. Otherwise, his or her level of motivation may drop. Start small and let them build over time. Start with a few classes per week instead of pressurizing your child to perform the tough skills every day and evening. Your Level 2 gymnasts are kids and you have to keep their interest on top so that they do their practice on their own. 

Always keep it fun and do not think that gymnastics classes are everything in your child’s life. Let your baby enjoy what he or she is doing. Help the little gymnast make friends with other fellow gymnasts. Kids love doing things with friends and together they can achieve their level of mastery over the skills required in Level 2. Don’t forget that safety comes first.