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Saltos
Prep Opt. Team Program – 2006/07
Gymnastics
East
General
Overview
Saltos is
the alternative optional team program at Gymnastics East. It is
a unique program that meets the needs of many gymnasts by
providing a team atmosphere and competition experience without
the strenuous commitment of time and finances of the J.O.
program. Saltos is comprised primarily of former compulsory
team members who excel in other activities as well as gymnastics
and don't want to be tied only to one sport. The optional
nature of the program also allows gymnasts to develop original
routines that fit their own talents and personalities. At least
one year of prior USAG competition experience is required and
team members must pass a test of skill, strength and flexibility
before joining the team.
Gymnastics East is one of seven gyms in the Puget Sound region
that currently has a Prep Opt. team. Different gyms have
different program goals and consequently there is quite a bit of
variation in the age and skill level of competitors in the
league. Every year steps are taken to develop the program in
the region and help to make it fair and fulfilling for every
athlete participating. Gyms take turns hosting meets and
generally every gym participates in every meet. The meet
schedule is set at the league coaches meeting in late summer.
Saltos is
a year-long team commitment. During the summer months the
program emphasizes skill progression and routine development.
Fall and winter seasons focus on competition and routine
refinement while still allowing time to practice skills not yet
ready for competition. The focus during spring is on acquiring
new skills, setting goals for the upcoming year and working
towards those goals. Every spring the coaches will evaluate
team members and make recommendations for the following season.
Financial Requirements
Saltos
team workouts are 5 hours per week. Tuition is based on a
48-week year which allows for 8 “non workout days”. Every once
in a while, we need to cancel workout on a certain night, but
will schedule a make-up so as not to exceed our 8 non-workout
days. This is relatively uncommon, but if your daughter cannot
attend the make-up, we do not prorate for that. I do anticipate
having to do this at least once this summer, possibly twice.
Tuition for the 06/07 season is $162.00 per month. You are
committed to the monthly tuition once you sign up for Saltos.
If your daughter misses a number of workouts due to a
conflicting activity, your tuition will not be prorated. Each
gymnast’s account at Gymnastics East must be current and in good
standing in order for that gymnast to attend workout.
Expenses
in addition to tuition are as follows:
1.
Annual equipment fee of $52.00, payable July 1st of
each year. The Saltos team uses all of the team equipment and
therefore shares in the cost of acquiring and maintaining it.
The fee varies based on how many hours a week the team works
out, and our fee is less than all of the JO team programs from
Level 4 up.
2. USAG
Introductory Prep Opt. membership - $15.00 annually.
3.
Annual coaches education fee of $50.00, payable July 1st
of each year. Saltos team coaches attend the annual USAG
congress or other clinics for continuing education and
training. This fee helps to cover that expense. The balance is
paid by Gymnastics East and the Saltos Booster Club.
4. Team
uniform. Saltos team members have a team leotard that is worn
for all competitions and may be worn to workout as well.
Generally we keep a team leo for two years before updating to a
new design. We are planning to keep the same leotards as last
year with a cost of $70.00. Team warm-ups are also required for
competition. Our warm-ups are the same as the rest of the
Gymnastics East team program. Cost is approximately $78.00 for
the jacket and pants.
5.
Choreography and music. This cost varies depending on the music
selected and whether the gymnast choreographs her own routines
or pays someone else to do it. In general, you can expect to
pay at least $100.00 for floor routine choreography and private
lesson time to learn it (usually around 2 hours) and $50.00 for
beam routine choreography. Music is additional if you order
from a service such as Floor Express or need to have someone
specially cut music for you.
6. Meet
fees are $40.00 per meet and must be paid at least 10 days in
advance of the actual competition. Late registrations are
sometimes available at the approval of the host gym, and have a
$5.00 surcharge added. The Saltos team competes approximately
seven times per season.
Competition
Meets are
always held on Sunday afternoons. Every gymnast in the Saltos
program competes all-around. Team members are expected to
compete at every meet if healthy. Any exceptions must be
arranged in advance with the team coaches. Competition is a
privilege and part of the Saltos team commitment. If the
gymnast does not want to compete, then Saltos is not the right
place for her. Gymnasts are expected to attend workouts
regularly and must be in attendance the week of a meet in order
to be able to compete. If a gymnast misses a number of workouts
and/or competitions, a meeting may be held with the coaches,
gymnast and parents to determine whether or not the Saltos team
program is really the right place for the gymnast.
Travel to
meets outside the Puget Sound region is a possibility. I will
continue to look for Prep Opt. meet opportunities, trying
specifically to tie in with school breaks or long weekends.
The
judging criteria in Prep Opt. is quite a bit more lenient than
the USAG JO standards*. Therefore, scores tend to be a bit
inflated and somewhat inconsistent. Each year steps are taken
to further refine and standardize the judging criteria and make
improvements in the quality of the judging in the league. Some
meets do not feature a team award, but focus only on individual
achievement. Placements are awarded on each individual event as
well as in the all-around for every age group.
*Gymnastics
East has set its own requirements for the Saltos team program
that are more difficult than the basic league requirements.
This is done in order to accomplish the program goal of
preparing the gymnasts for future gymnastics competition outside
the Prep. Opt. league. It also allows us to more effectively
coach the gymnasts by not spreading the skill level in the
program too wide.
Team Communication
Each
Saltos team member has her own file in the file cabinet in the
team locker room. There is also a team bulletin board up in the
hallway on the wall between the bathrooms. All notices and
memos are placed in the gymnast’s files as well as posted on the
team bulletin board. It is a good idea to be in the habit of
checking them both. While oftentimes there is not anything new,
it is the best way to stay informed with current team
information. The Saltos team coaches have a file at the front
of the Saltos team file drawer.
Workout Etiquette/Work Ethic
Gymnastics is fun, but it is also hard work and has an element
of risk. To maximize the safety and progress of the gymnasts,
as well as to maintain a respectful environment, we have certain
expectations for behavior during workout. This includes
speaking respectfully to coaches and teammates; following basic
safety rules; wearing proper workout attire (no baggy sweats,
pjs or any kind of pants which hang down on the feet); keeping
hair tied back; being on time for workouts; doing all assigned
conditioning and tasks during workout. We ask that if a gymnast
needs to leave the area during workout that they notify a coach
first. Also, gymnasts are not to get on any equipment
(including tiny tot fitness area) prior to the start of workout
and are not to hang around after workout to play or goof off in
the gym.
In
gymnastics there is also an element of fear. We have worked
hard to provide a program based on progression of skills with
suitable drills and preparation. We also provide gymnasts with
tips and tactics for dealing with fear. Occasionally, in spite
of this, a gymnast will give in to her fear and repeatedly
refuse to work a skill they are capable of. Fear can be very
contagious. It is detrimental for both the individual gymnast
and the team to repeatedly “balk” at a skill, cry, etc. When
this happens, we will ask that gymnast to move to another event
or take a short break outside the main gym area to regain her
composure. This is not in any way meant to punish or humiliate
a gymnast. It is simply an opportunity to step back from a
situation that is not productive at the time and regroup for
another try next workout.
Gymnasts
who continually breach the rules, have a major infraction of
some kind (ie. pushing a teammate off the beam or chasing
recklessly through the gym), or drag down the team work ethic,
may be asked to leave the gym area for a time. This gives them
a chance to remember the expectations and adjust their attitude
or behavior before rejoining the group.
Attendance Expectations
The
Saltos team is a unique program. Although our time requirements
are less stringent than the JO program (two 2 ½ half hour
workouts each week), it is a year round team program that
requires commitment from its members. The safety and success of
each gymnast, as well as team unity, is maximized by regular
attendance. We also expect gymnasts to be prepared and on time
for each workout. This means gymnasts should be ready to begin
workout at the designated start time. This promotes an
atmosphere of respect among teammates and with the coaches.
Required school functions that conflict with workouts are
excused with advance approval from the coaches regardless of the
timing.
Recurring
tardiness, lack of preparation or attendance may indicate a lack
of commitment to the program and may trigger a conference with
the coaches to reevaluate whether or not Saltos is the right
placement for the gymnast. Missed workouts the week
immediately prior to a meet may result in ineligibility to
compete.
Injury Policy
Injured
gymnasts are expected to be at workout for at least a portion of
the scheduled practice time. It is our goal to concentrate on
the areas of the body and training that can be worked during
recovery. Not only does this help maintain the athlete’s level
of fitness for a quicker return to full workouts, it keeps them
in touch with their teammates and helps them stay connected with
the team.
It is
important for the parents of an injured gymnast to communicate
very clearly with the coaches the nature and extent of the
injury as well as any prescribed limitations. In some cases a
doctor’s note may be required before a return to full workouts.
If an injury causes a significant decrease in workout time,
Gymnastics East may prorate tuition on an individual basis.
This must be arranged in advance with the office as soon as the
nature of the injury is known.
Planned Non-Workout Days
All
Gymnastics East teams work out 48 of the 52 weeks each year.
Saltos team tuition is based on those 48 weeks and then spread
evenly over the full year. Scheduled non-workout days generally
coincide with major holidays, gym show and school closures. A
couple of “floaters” are at the discretion of the coaches. Any
workout cancellations beyond the eight scheduled non-workout
days will be made up with an alternative workout date.
Skill Evaluations/Team Trials/Placement
Although
Saltos includes gymnasts of varying skill levels, there are
basic requirements for skill, strength and flexibility that all
team members must meet. A list of required skills is attached
to this packet. Team participation is only available with
advance approval of the team coaches and depends not only on
physical readiness of the athlete, but their work ethic,
attitude and commitment as well. Gymnasts interested in joining
the Saltos team must arrange a trial workout or skill evaluation
in advance. We do not recruit gymnasts from other teams.
Saltos is separate from the Gymnastics East JO team program and
should not be considered a stepping stone, or “in” to the JO
team.
We hope
this packet helps you to understand the Saltos team program at
Gymnastics East. It is a strong program that continues to
develop every year. If you have further questions, please
contact Anne Konen at Gymnastics East – 425.644.8117.
Saltos Skill
Requirements
2006-2007 Season
Required skills for testing (please
do not test if you do not have the following skills):
_____
round-off back handspring
_____ front handspring vault, unassisted
_____ vertical handstand on beam
_____ glide kip on low bar
_____ squat-on, jump from low to high bar
In order
to qualify for Saltos team placement, you must score at least
80% on the following section of the evaluation. (32 out of 40)
Vault
_____
fly spring on Tumble Track
_____ handstand multiple hops on runway
_____ 60 second tight body handstand against wall
_____ 10 handstand shoulder taps
_____ run, hurdle, jumpy uppy with speed and tight board
presentation
Bars
_____
straight arm back hip circle
_____ front hip circle
_____ cast to horizontal
_____ long hang pullover
_____ correct tap swings
_____ 8 long hang chin ups
_____ 8 straight leg lifts
_____ knee press held for 10 seconds
Beam
_____
cartwheel to handstand 2 second hold
_____ back shoulder roll
_____ cartwheel
_____ split leap with hip rise
_____ full turn on toe in coupe position
_____ 30 second presses in each of 3 holds (L, straddle, knee)
_____ 10 coupe releve’ lifts with 10 second hold on each leg
_____ 2 second scale or other balance hold with control
Floor
_____
round-off two back handsprings
_____ front handspring double down
_____ split leap with 120 degree split
_____ two leap or jump combination
_____ handstand straight arm forward roll
_____ back extension roll to straight vertical
_____ full turn with control
_____ wolf jump with front leg horizontal
Strength
_____
rope climb to top
_____ straddle press to handstand
_____ 30 second hollow hold with straight arms at ears
_____ 30 second arch hold with straight arms at ears
_____ 25 consecutive V-ups
_____ 25 cricket push-ups with hollow body position
Flexibility
_____
180 degree splits on cartwheel leg
_____ straight arm bridge with shoulders over hands
_____ dowel stretch to 10 inches off the floor with face down
and arms straight
_____ pike stretch against wall, fingers touching wall
Attitude
_____
big smile!
Gymnast name:
_________________________
Score:
_____ out of 40 (32 minimum required for Saltos team
eligibility)
Date:
____________
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