Really stressed about a gymnastics evaluation on Monday 8/25?

Question

I'm 13 years old and I've been doing gymnastics on and off for about 6 years, so basically I've done four full years since the age of about 5-6. I can do a cartwheel, round-off, bridge, handstand, standing back bend using the wall and a round-off back handspring with a spotter. (I can do the round-off part, but I need a spotter for the back handspring.) I'm nervous on what they are going to ask me to do for the evaluation. They are evaluating me for advanced/accelerated classes and for the team. What should I practice on my own at my house until this Monday when the evaluation takes place? What should I do Monday morning BEFORE the evaluation? No, I don't have a trampoline at my house but I have a big open basement with a carpet down stairs. My sister who is 6 is AMAZING at gymnastics. She can do a full middle, right, and left split. She can also do a beautiful back bend and she can do a standing back bend with a spotter, and also a round-off back handspring with a spotter. I'm really feeling jealous because they have a team for her age as well and if she makes the team and I don't, I'm going to feel really jealous. I kind of have my middle, right and left splits... but they aren't there yet. As for the bars, I can do a pull over by myself but I need a spotter for my back-hipcircle and my dismounts and stuff. On the beam, I can do anything they ask me to do but I need a spotter. On the vault, I can do a front-handspring with a spotter. Any advice/comments/opinions or WHATEVER is GREATLY appreciaited! 5 stars for the most detailed, helpful and clear answer. Thank you so much and have a great rest of the summer!

Answer 1

Well, the first thing you need to do is try not to be jealous of your sister's abilities.  Everyone is an individual and has their strengths/weaknesses.  Perhaps yours are not in gymnastics, but if you enjoy doing it keep it up.  Just do your best.

I suggest you practice the things you are most comfortable with doing, as well as those that you need to strengthen-your round-off back handspring, your standing back bend (without the wall), your splits, your front-handspring on the vault, etc.  Most importantly, have fun!

Does your little sister practice harder or more often than you?  If so, that might be why her skills are stronger than yours.

In your evaluation, they are going to be looking to see what you can and cannot do.  It would be better to show more of what you CAN do than what you can not, so while you may be required to do skills you are not perfect at, do them as best you can but try to include as many of the skills that you can do great so that they can see that as well.

Try not to stress, and I wish you the best!