The JumpStart Program identifies future elite athletes at a young age and educates their coaches on proper fitness and skill development. The fitness program is designed for all trampoline and tumbling athletes.
Goals:
- Identify talented athletes between 7 and 12 years old.
- Identify deficiencies in fitness and skill factors that can be determined through scientific testing and interaction with national staff coaches. These deficiencies will be reported to both the athlete and the coach for remedial work.
- Enhance the flow of information and educational opportunities to talented athletes, their parents and their coaches in an effort to help improve the athlete's training.
Objectives:
- Identify and notify athletes, coaches and parents of the inherent talent possessed by a young gymnast. This will help all involved in making intelligent decisions regarding the serious pursuit of the athlete's trampoline and tumbling training and opportunities.
- Assist coaches in the development of these young athletes through enhanced access to the best authorities available, in addition to other training and performance opportunities.
- Serve as a "fast track" for young athletes from the early years of training through the international level.
- Enhance early preparation of skills and abilities that will be needed for international level competition four or more years in the future.
- Identify deficiencies in training and health that can be remedied by early and expert intervention.
- Provide a fitness program for all trampoline and tumbling athletes.
1. Athlete Eligibility
- Trampoline and/or Tumbling athlete
- Current USA Gymnastics Athlete Member
- 7-12 years old (Age as of December 31, 2009)
- New for 2009: Athlete may not have competed Level 9 or above during the previous season in the event they are testing for JumpStart.
JumpStart athletes are separated into three age groups (7-8, 9-10, and 11-12). The age group will be determined by the athletes age as of December 31 of the current testing year. The skill requirements vary by age. The same testing criteria are used for both boys and girls.
2. Path for Athletes
Athletes will go from the Club Level to the State Level, from the State Level to the National Level.
Club Level - All athletes are encouraged to participate.
- Strength and flexibility specific to trampoline/tumbling
- General fitness
- Skills for speed
- Must be proficient at all skill sequences and compulsory routines
State Level - All athletes meeting minimum criteria are encouraged to participate. (Note: Spectators are not allowed at State Testing.)
- Strength and flexibility specific to trampoline/tumbling
- General fitness
- Skills for speed
- Individual skills
- Compulsory routines
National Level - Athletes must qualify at the State Level. (Note: Skill testing is closed to spectators. Spectators will be allowed to view the routines.)
- Strength and flexibility specific to trampoline/tumbling
- General fitness
- Skills for speed
- Individual skills
- Compulsory routines
National Training Camp - By invitation to the JumpStart National Team
JumpStart National Team
- Selected annually from participants at the JumpStart National Testing
- Both trampoline and tumbling will name a National Team.
- Boys will be tested and ranked separately from girls.
- At National Testing, the top three girls in each age group (according to rank) will be named to the team. The remaining girls from all age groups will then be ranked together and the next 12 athletes will be named to the 2009 JumpStart National Team (21 total).
- At National Testing, the top boy in each age-group (according to rank) will be named to the 2009 JumpStart National Team. The remaining boys from all age groups will then be ranked together and the JumpStart Committee may name additional boys to the team.
3. Test Administrators
- Club Level - Personal Coach
- State Level - JumpStart Test Administrators
- National Level - JumpStart Test Administrators
NOTE: Each club/coach/athlete is responsible for ALL EXPENSES related to JumpStart testing.
