Like Goldilocks and the three bears you will find there are different levels of gymnastics competitions and you
need to choose the one that is “just right” for you and your program at this time.
There are a variety of gymnastics competitions you should be familiar with:
Recreational - this type of competition is very low key and is used mainly within a clubs’ recreational class
programs. It allows young gymnasts the opportunity to present their skills to an audience and potentially to
earn a score that will move them to a higher level of training.
Mock Meet - during this competition the team coach may ask a local judge to come to the gym and score team
gymnasts on each of the apparatus. This helps set the tone for the season while letting each gymnast know
which skills or combinations need to be cleaned up previous to the actual competitive season.
Note: This is a great way for new clubs to practice running a gymnastics meet. Especially, running the scoring
system to make sure runners, flashers (if necessary), and score table personnel are able to do their jobs
effectively especially, if you have an in-house computerized system versus a professional company
specializing in scoring competitions.
Dual Meet - one coach will call another club and ask to have a dual meet for the purpose of preparing the
team for the upcoming season (like a mock meet). Sometimes, this meet may be used to obtain qualifying
scores for sectional or state championships - if it is sanctioned by the USAG.
League Meets - Each area of the country has different methods for running their competitive seasons. Some
areas choose to develop leagues where teams are placed in various levels depending on their competitive
standing from previous years. This system has the advantage of allowing clubs of similar strength to compete
against each other and not be dominated by one “powerhouse” gymnastics program.
The league sets its own rules for competition and qualifying scores to higher level meets. League rules
usually mimic the USAG, although some rules may be changed for the benefit of novice performers.
Participants in this type of competition may or may not use the scores obtained to qualify for a USAG
sanctioned competition.
Qualifying Meets - a meet where scores can be obtained for a gymnast to qualify to the next higher level of
competition. This is a very important meet. Several gymnastics clubs usually want to host the “qualifiers.” As
a result, you may have to bid for this meet. On the bid form you provide a complete description of your facility,
experience in running meets, gymnastics equipment, and how you intend to run the meet...
This report contains "manual" meet score sheets, announcer scripts, pre-meet inspection lists, coaches
meeting information, and a complete outline and resource information to make hosting any competition easy.
need to choose the one that is “just right” for you and your program at this time.
There are a variety of gymnastics competitions you should be familiar with:
Recreational - this type of competition is very low key and is used mainly within a clubs’ recreational class
programs. It allows young gymnasts the opportunity to present their skills to an audience and potentially to
earn a score that will move them to a higher level of training.
Mock Meet - during this competition the team coach may ask a local judge to come to the gym and score team
gymnasts on each of the apparatus. This helps set the tone for the season while letting each gymnast know
which skills or combinations need to be cleaned up previous to the actual competitive season.
Note: This is a great way for new clubs to practice running a gymnastics meet. Especially, running the scoring
system to make sure runners, flashers (if necessary), and score table personnel are able to do their jobs
effectively especially, if you have an in-house computerized system versus a professional company
specializing in scoring competitions.
Dual Meet - one coach will call another club and ask to have a dual meet for the purpose of preparing the
team for the upcoming season (like a mock meet). Sometimes, this meet may be used to obtain qualifying
scores for sectional or state championships - if it is sanctioned by the USAG.
League Meets - Each area of the country has different methods for running their competitive seasons. Some
areas choose to develop leagues where teams are placed in various levels depending on their competitive
standing from previous years. This system has the advantage of allowing clubs of similar strength to compete
against each other and not be dominated by one “powerhouse” gymnastics program.
The league sets its own rules for competition and qualifying scores to higher level meets. League rules
usually mimic the USAG, although some rules may be changed for the benefit of novice performers.
Participants in this type of competition may or may not use the scores obtained to qualify for a USAG
sanctioned competition.
Qualifying Meets - a meet where scores can be obtained for a gymnast to qualify to the next higher level of
competition. This is a very important meet. Several gymnastics clubs usually want to host the “qualifiers.” As
a result, you may have to bid for this meet. On the bid form you provide a complete description of your facility,
experience in running meets, gymnastics equipment, and how you intend to run the meet...
This report contains "manual" meet score sheets, announcer scripts, pre-meet inspection lists, coaches
meeting information, and a complete outline and resource information to make hosting any competition easy.
| Excerpt from the Introduction to: Run a Great Gymnastics Meet or Invitation: Idea / Resource Guide |
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