Arriving at the Gym
As a rule, you want to arrive at the gym your gymnasts is competing in at least 10 minutes before the gym opens. If you can’t get there then, you need to make sure your gymnast arrives before open stretch starts. Arriving early helps your gymnast get a feel for the gym and helps you get a great parking spot.
Capital Cup or Traditional Format
When you travel to a gym, there are two main competition formats; capital cup and traditional. In a capital cup format, your gymnast will warm up an event and then compete it. In the traditional format, your gymnast will warm up all events, and then complete them in order.
Cheering and Recording
During the competition, your only job is to cheer and record routines if you choose. When your gymnast is done competing, coaches will likely send them back to you for just a few minutes before awards. No matter what went on during a competition, it’s your job to give your gymnast lots of love, hugs, and encouragement before they walk back out to the gym for awards.
Spectator Tips
When you are watching your son at a meet, you need to remember you are a spectator. Don’t try to be a judge or a coach, just be a supportive parent who is eager to watch your gymnast shine. To be a responsible spectator, you need to follow the rules below.
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Turn off your flash
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Don’t enter the competition area
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Do not speak directly with your son while on the competition floor
Boys Gymnastic Meet Event Schedules
Boy and girl gymnasts have different events and schedules. The Olympic order for boys’ gymnastics meets is:
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Floor
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Pommel
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Rings
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Vault
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Parallel Bars
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High Bar
During a boys’ gymnastics meet competition, you may see boys competing in 4 or 6 events at the same time. Understanding the order will help you determine where your athlete will be going to next.
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Understanding Gymnastics Event Scores
Gymnasts are often excited to see their scores and are a mystery to their parents and other spectators. Boys’ scores are tallied differently under the Federation of International Gymnastics. Boys’ scores are based on 10.0 for execution and also include a difficulty rating or Bonuses. Often the first number you will see will be the start value of the routine if it is perfect. The second score is the score after all deductions were taken. At some meets, the execution score is the only score you may see. Scores for each event determine where your gymnast will place on that apparatus. Scores from all events are added together to get an athlete’s all-around score. In a team meet, the top 3 scores from each event will be added together for team placement. No matter how a score is determined, the individual or team with the highest score wins.
Competition Attire
Boys are required to wear the GW Leotard. Tight fitting underwear should be worn underneath but no boxers. Gymnastics Shorts are to be worn for Floor and Vault only and Longs are worn on the remaining events. After each event the boys are required to change quickly for the next event and put on grips or tape as required. GW Warm up is Required for the General stretch and to keep warm during events. It is also required during the Medal Ceremony.
**If you do not have a Warm up, you must wear your Competitive Uniform. Plain black warm-up pants will also be acceptable.
What to Pack in a Gym Bag
Make sure the bag is clearly marked. A small grip bag is great to keep inside the Gym Bag to keep grips and wrist bands together and it helps to not spread chalk. Some Sports tape, a snack and a water bottle are other great things. NO CELL PHONES or any computer devices are allowed.