Welcome to
Over The Top Gymnastics
Our USA Junior Olympic Team Philosophy
We hope that every one of our Junior Olympic Program gymnasts understands what an honor and compliment it is to be selected as a member of our team program. Gymnastics is a physically and mentally demanding sport, requiring a great deal of natural talent to succeed. Team gymnasts are hand selected by our coaches because we have seen in them a spark that shows that they have what it takes to achieve in gymnastics. This “spark” includes the capacity to attain the physical strength and flexibility necessary for gymnastics as well as the mental toughness and desire that are required to excel in this sport.
Our Job as team coaches is to help our gymnasts harness their natural talent by guiding them through training exercises designed to progress them towards the higher level of gymnastics. However, we are only guides. In the end, every gymnast will only get out of their team experience what they put in. We believe in inspiring our gymnasts to set their standards for performance high and helping our gymnasts to achieve their personal best. We want to help them build a work ethic that readies them for success, but we also know that it is the individual gymnasts who must ultimately put in the effort. We can guide them, but their progress in this sport is really up to them.
Achievement in gymnastics is hard work-really hard work-and nobody understands this more than the coaches. We are the motivators who will help train their gymnasts through the hard times and cheer them on for successes. We will push you though the plateaus and marvel at your accomplishments when you progress. There are days when our gymnasts will love us and days when our gymnasts will dread seeing us- but in the end, as coaches and athletes, we all have the same goal- to help our gymnasts develop the confidence and attitude that will make them successful gymnasts. No short cuts, no skimping, no excuses. We teach our gymnasts to take responsibility for their achievement by learning that hard work and dedication lead to success.
We are here to help young athletes achieve in a sport that we mutually love. We truly believe that the success they can find in this sport, if they are willing to put in the effort, will give them a confidence and determination that will stay with them for a life time. And that- ultimately- is more important than any cartwheel or back flip we will ever teach them. As coaches we know this, and we take more pride in this than anything. There are no greater thanks a gymnast can give her coach than allowing us to watch them grow into determined, confident, and successful young adults.
At Over the Top Gymnastics Academy we define success as: to be the best that you are capable of becoming.
Our USA Gymnastics Team Program is designed to prepare young gymnasts for competition in the USA Junior Olympic Program. Children are trained at an accelerated pace to prepare them for all aspects of gymnastics competition. Emphasis is placed on developing the necessary strength, flexibility and technique for high level gymnastics. Gymnasts are placed into this program based on individual aptitude and interest. Gymnasts work out from two to five days per week depending on their level.
USA gymnasts typically participate in four to six sanctioned meets a year. These competitions can be on a local, state, regional and even national level and may require considerable traveling time. Regional and national level meets are for level 8 –10 gymnasts only, with the exception of Invitationals which are open to all level gymnasts to participate in.
Junior Olympic Levels
Levels 1-4: The first four competitive levels are one thru four. They consist entirely of compulsory routines. Compulsory routines are pre-choreographed series of skills that each competitor must perform. They are made up of core skills needed for each event, built on the skills from the previous level. The philosophy of these routines is for the athletes to practice toward perfection of these basics. The minimum competing age for these levels is 6 and there is no maximum age. The athletes are arranged in groups at the competitions. Awards are given in ranges rather than in places.
Levels 5-6: Levels 5 and 6 are also compulsory only levels of competitions. Each level builds in the skills of the previous level and likewise is judged with higher expectations. The USA Gymnastics structure is based on a progressive step by step building of physical, emotional, and psychological skills. Proficiency in all aspects of the gymnastics at each level is expected and required to insure a safe and smooth movement through levels. The minimum age for this level of competition is 7.
Level 7: Level 7 is an in between step. It bridges the gap between the all-compulsory levels and the all optional levels (8-10). The gymnasts have required skills that can be put together in an optional routine.
Level 8-10: The first level of all optional competition begins with Level 8. Optional competition consists of each gymnast performing her own routines for each event. The Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG) produces the optional rules every four years in conjunction with the Olympics. This book dictates what each routine needs to contain (composition), the value of what is done (difficulty), and how to evaluate how well it is done (execution). There are three optional only levels; 8, 9, & 10. The minimum age for level 8 is 8, while for levels 9 and 10 the minimum age is 9. As with the compulsory levels, the requirements and expectations increase as the level increases.
Level 10 is considered a Pre- Elite Level and for the truly dedicated and motivated gymnast.
Prep Opt: In addition to the level programs offered at OTTGA we will be participating in the prep optional program. This is an alternative USA Gymnastics competitive program. The PREP is an abbreviation for Presentation, Rhythm, Execution and Poise. Prep-op provides provide an alternative Optional program to serve any or all of the following: This program is optimal for those who desire the challenge of optional routines and competition and also those wanting a limited time commitment. Gymnasts who are preparing for a high school team, and or Level 7 will also fit into this category. Athletes who have "retired" from competing in the USAG JO Optional Program but wish to continue competing in gymnastics in a less demanding competitive environment.
tops: Talent Opportunity Program– The curriculum for this program was put together by the USA National committee. Focusing on strength and flexibility needed for gymnasts on the path of a serious gymnastics career. Dedication and commitment are required.
Team Parents: Parents are always welcome in the gym and we encourage communication between parents and their children’s coaches! Please always feel free to address any question or concerns you may be having about your child’s training with their coach. We simply ask that you reserve your questions for after practices when the coaches can give you their full attention. Or drop a note in the payment box and we will gladly set up a time to chat.