What are mga in-gym competitions?
At MGA, we have seasonal in-gym competitions where our class kids get a chance to show off what they've been learning! In class, our students in boys gymnastics, girls gymnastics, and T&T learn routines on each Olympic event. During our in-gym competitions, athletes perform the routines that they've learned in front of a judge, who then gives them a score from 0-10.0 - a 10.0 being perfect. Once athletes have finished competing all of their routines, there is an award ceremony where they receive medals and ribbons for their performance.
The purpose of these competitions is to give students a goal to work toward in class, to prepare athletes for possible future competitions on competitive team, and most importantly to HAVE FUN!
The purpose of these competitions is to give students a goal to work toward in class, to prepare athletes for possible future competitions on competitive team, and most importantly to HAVE FUN!
competition format
Stretch and march-in
MGA in-gym competitions generally last around 3 hours, from start to finish. At the start of the competition, spectators come in and have a seat in the viewing area while athletes go out on the floor to begin timed stretch. Coaches lead athletes during stretch, which lasts about 15 minutes. After stretch-out, athletes are lined up for march-in where an announcer introduces the different groups of athletes. Once athletes are introduced the national anthem is played and each group of athletes goes to their first event.
Warm-up and competition
Once at their first event, each group of athletes will have between 10 and 15 minutes to warm-up their routine on that event with their coach, to get ready to compete. Once warm-up time is over, athletes go one at a time to perform their routine in front of a judge. Each athletes gets one shot to show the judge their very best routine. Athletes may receive help or spot from their coach during their routine, however if an athlete does require assistance, it will result in a deduction of their score.
Feel free to cheer for your child! This helps make the experience more fun for athletes and can give them a little extra boost of confidence! You may take pictures and videos as well, just be sure to turn your flash off, as it can be a hazardous distraction to competitors. Please also keep in mind that only athletes and MGA event staff are permitted out on the floor during the competition, and students will stay with their coach until the competition is finished.
Feel free to cheer for your child! This helps make the experience more fun for athletes and can give them a little extra boost of confidence! You may take pictures and videos as well, just be sure to turn your flash off, as it can be a hazardous distraction to competitors. Please also keep in mind that only athletes and MGA event staff are permitted out on the floor during the competition, and students will stay with their coach until the competition is finished.
judging
After an athlete is finished competing their routine, the judge will give the routine a score from 0-10, in one-tenth point increments (examples: 7.6, 8.8, 9.2, etc.). All routines start at a 10.0, then receive deductions from the judge for things such as:
After all athletes in a group have finished competing their routines on that event, students line up with their coach and rotate to their next event to begin warm-up.
- form breaks (bent legs, flexed feet, bent arms, etc.)
- skill performance errors (incorrect skill height, body position, etc.)
- assistance (getting help from coaches by spotting or talking athletes through routines)
- falls on skills
- missing skills in the routine
After all athletes in a group have finished competing their routines on that event, students line up with their coach and rotate to their next event to begin warm-up.
Awards ceremony
Once everyone has finished competing on all of their events, athletes go sit by the podium for awards. While the scores are being put into the system and calculated, students get goodie bags with treats and prizes inside. During this time, students are permitted to go see their parents and family in the crowd, if they wish. Once it is announced that we are ready to begin with awards, all students need to be back out on the floor.
Athletes get awarded for the top scores on each event, and for all-around (the sum of the athlete's scores on all events). Awards are also separated by level and age group (Pink 4-6, Pink 7-9, Pink 10+, T&T Beginner, etc.). For the all-around award we go all the way out for placings so that each child receives at least one award. This is a great time to take lots of pictures and cheer for your little athlete!
Once awards are finished for the last group, the competition is concluded.
Athletes get awarded for the top scores on each event, and for all-around (the sum of the athlete's scores on all events). Awards are also separated by level and age group (Pink 4-6, Pink 7-9, Pink 10+, T&T Beginner, etc.). For the all-around award we go all the way out for placings so that each child receives at least one award. This is a great time to take lots of pictures and cheer for your little athlete!
Once awards are finished for the last group, the competition is concluded.