General Information About Belts and Tips – Recreational Levels

 The ASAP Achievements Gymnastics Training Program uses an original system for defining the gymnastics program and   progress of the gymnast. It is similar to that which is found in martial arts. Beginners receive an Elastic Belt to wear.  Colored  Tips (tape) are placed on the belt as gymnasts complete the designated skill for each event. There is a special colored tip designated for each of the five apparatus.  They are listed below according to “Olympic Order.”

Vault – Purple; Bars – Green; Beam – Blue; Floor – Red; Trampoline – Gray

Once the child has received all five tips, they are awarded the next belt. The entry level begins with the most elementary of gymnastics skills and follows a logical progression toward more complex skills.  Yellow Tips represent flexibility achievements and are not required for advancement.  Students may receive two of the same tip color meaning they have advanced two levels on that particular event.  When they receive their next belt, the second tip of the same color will be transferred to the new belt.

                                                                                        Tracking Progress:

White Belt – Level 1

Yellow Belt – Level 2

Blue Belt – Level 3

Red Belt – Level 4

Purple 1 – Developmental Gym 1 (D.G. 1)                    Parent Meeting Encouraged

Purple 2 – (D.G. 2)

Purple 3 – (D.G. 3) Parent Meeting Encouraged

Pink 1 – Prep Op 1

Pink 2 – Entry Level Team – level 4

Green 1 – Level 5

Green 2 – Level 5

We keep track of tips and belts on our computer system. As the weeks go by we can chart and study their progress.  All students will receive an “anchor”  tip on their belt during the first week of the session and it will be removed when they receive their first event tip.  This “anchor” tip lets the coaches know how often the students are receiving event tips.

Curriculum Time Lines: 

Here is the realistic time schedule one should hope for their child to progress through each belt level:

White - 10 weeks; Yellow - 20 weeks;  Blue - 20 weeks; Red- 20 weeks.  Each level thereafter may take approximately one year. Please keep in mind that even though we have projected the amount of time it takes to progress, it ultimately depends on two major elements: our ability to coach effectively and the child's natural talent and  ability.  Some students will learn quicker and some slower. If your child has been exposed to their belt curriculum longer than the amount of time listed above, then we would like to provide a special evaluation to give you an update as to their progress.  You may inquire about these evaluations at the front desk. 

Rotations: (White – Red belts) Rotations last for about 15 minutes.  Each week a class will start at one of the five events and proceed to two more events in a 60-minute class and three more events in a 75-minute class.  The next week the class will start at the next event in the “Olympic Order” to ensure that all students get even exposure to all events.  We currently use event coaching to train our gymnasts, meaning that the children have a different coach for each event.  This style is very beneficial because each coach is specifically trained on their event.  Therefore, when a child receives their tip for each event, it is certain that the child is capable and knowledgeable of the required skills at that event.

Advancement:  We place the tips on the belts when we know that children can perform the required skills.  Though currently there is not a specific time set aside for tip testing, we monitor achievements continuously by trying to use week 10 of each session to specifically go through these skills.  When we see that a child can perform the hardest skills, we simply and quickly ask them to perform the other primary skills and thereby identify the need to give the tip. Each event has on the average 10 to 15 skills listed for each level.  Though exposure to all of the 10-15 skills is required, demonstration of only a designated few skills on each event are required for advancement. 

All Staff are trained to give tips and belts for the first 3 levels: White, Yellow, and Blue.  For subsequent levels, staff must be certified to give belts.  As a result, sometimes we must set up an evaluation for Red belts and up.  If and when your child receives all 5 colors on their belt, they will either be given the next belt color by their instructor, evaluated during their class time, or given a note asking the parent to call and set up an evaluation. 

Placement:   When a child receives a new belt color, ideally there will be space available in the new belt color class at the same time and we will automatically move them to the class. Sometimes children in the class will progress together and there is no need to move to another class. This is especially true with white and yellow belt classes. If space is not available, we encourage parents to inquire at the front desk to see about other classes offered at different times.  We will either speak directly to the parents or send a note attached to the belt about the new class time.

 Our Recital:  In May we will have a grand recital.  All of the recreational gymnasts are encouraged to sign up to perform their skills for their parents.  We decorate the gym to match a special theme.  A trophy will be awarded to all who participate.

Developmental Gymnastics:  Once a child reaches purple belt, we invite them to join (providing space available) our Developmental Gymnastics program.  This is not required, but is strongly recommended, as it is the best training program for accomplishing higher goals in gymnastics. Our Developmental Gymnastics program is designed to prepare gymnasts for a future in competitive gymnastics on a statewide level.  Once your child has reached the Purple III belt level, she is eligible for the competitive team providing there is space.  This competition consists of a league of teams whose goals are to be competitive by training anywhere from 4 to 6 hours a week.  At even higher levels, students may increase their training time. The main goal is to have fun, learn and perform exciting routines, perform and compete. 

 

  

Skills Learning In Class:

White Belt:

Vault:	Bars:	Beam:	Floor:	Tramp:
Step Hurdle Punch	Chin Hold	Forward, Backward, Side Walking	Forward Roll	Forward Rolls
Under Arm Swings	Front Support	Ballet Feet & Arm Positions	Bridge	Jumps
Jumps-Off Spring Board	Straddle/Pike Hang		Cartwheel
			Tripod
			Body Positions/Shapes

 

Yellow Belt:

Vault:	Bars:	Beam:	Floor:	Tramp:
1 Step Hurdle Under Arm Swing	Cast	Arabesque	Lever	Clap Handstand
Pike Headstand	Forward Roll	V-Sit	Bridge	Forward Roll
Run Jump To Hanstand	Swing Re-Grasp	90' Turn to Stretch Jump	Cartwheel

Blue Belt:

Vault:	Bars:	Beam:	Floor:	Tramp:
1 Step Hurdle to Stretch Jump	Pullover-Block Knee Height	Leap	Side Handstand	Handstand Flat Back
Pike Headstand	Forward Roll-Inverted Hang	1/2 Turn	Handstand For. Roll	Handstand to Bridge
Dive Roll	Swing Re-Grasp	Lever	Bridge Kickover-Panel	Front Tuck to Seat

Red/Purple Belt:

Vault:	Bars:	Beam:	Floor:	Tramp:
Pop Handstand Flat Back	Pull-over	Lever	Bridge Kickover-Floor	Front Handspring
Step Hurdle Stretch Jump	Back Hip Circle(Light Spot)	Leap	Step Hurdle Cartwheel	Jump/Fall Back
Handstand Flat Back	Inverted Hang		Side Handstand-Roll
Dive Roll	Tap Swings
	Leg Lifts