TOPs - usagym.org Services/webinars/feb15.pdf · TOPS A NATIONAL TEAM MEMBERS Receive exclusive TOPS Leotard and Warm-up provided by GK Elite. Invited to the TOPS A National Team

TOPS

Talent Opportunity Program

TOPS

HISTORY

Introduced 22 years ago

Developed by Gary Anderson

Search and discover young talent

TOPS

BENEFITS OF TOPS Discipline

Strength

Talent

TOPS

Ages of TOPS Athletes

7 -10 years old

Based on the age of the gymnast on December 31st of the testing year.

TOPS

TOPS testing combines both

•Physical Abilities

•Basic Skills on events

TOPS

Physical Abilities Testing includes:

Flexibility

Rope Climb

Handstand Hold

Press to Handstand

Leg Lifts

Cast to Handstand

TOPS

Flexibility Testing

Sequence of 6 Kicks

Sequence of 6 Holds

TOPS

Rope Climb

TOPS

Gymnast must climb up to 12 feet on the rope in a pike position. Starting position is sitting on a 8” mat in a pike position with heels off the mat. There are deductions for legs being bent or dropping below horizontal. Deductions are seconds added to the final time. Scoring is based on national testing results.

Handstand Hold

TOPS

Gymnast must hold a handstand for 30 seconds. Gymnast may do the handstand on the floor or beam. Deductions are taken for alignment, bending of the arms, bent legs and feet apart. Deductions take seconds away from the total time in handstand.

TOPS

Press Handstands

7 and 8 year old gymnasts must do 5 complete presses. 9 and 10 year old gymnasts must do 10 complete presses. Points are given for each phase of the presses. ½ point for 7 and 8 year olds 1 point for 9 and 10 year olds Athletes may start on the floor, low or high beam or parallettes.

Leg Lifts

TOPS

Athletes perform 20 leg lifts. Gymnast must start in a horizontal 90º hold and return to that position after every leg lift. Gymnast must touch or go under bar for the leg lift to be counted. Bent legs and failure to complete leg lift will result in deductions and not counting that leg lift.

Cast to Handstands

TOPS

Gymnast must complete 5 cast to handstands. Gymnast must start in the front support position on the low bar. Handstands must be within 15º of the vertical. Two points are awarded for each successful cast to handstand.

TOPS NATIONAL TESTING Same 6 Physical Abilities Test in State Testing

Sprint Run – tested only at TOPS National

Testing

TOPS

TOPS STATE TESTING

Each test is worth 10 points for a maximum score of 60 points.

TOPS

7 Year Olds

Only test physical abilities no skill testing. Only eligible for state testing not

TOPS National testing.

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TOPS DIAMOND TEAM

The top 50 scores of 7 year olds are named to the TOPS Diamond Team.

They are recognized on our website and receive exclusive GK Elite TOPS

leotard and certificate.

TOPS

TOPS Diamond Team Coaches

Invited to observe either TOPS A or B National Team Camps in December

USA Gymnastics pays their camp fees and room/board.

TOPS

8-9-10 Year Olds

Basic Skills Testing

Uneven Bars

Balance Beam

Floor Exercise

No Vault at State Testing

TOPS

Each age level has their own set of basic skills for TOPS State Testing.

Text and video of basic skill testing is available on the USA Gymnastics

website on the Women’s page under the TOPS section.

TOPS

TOPS STATE TESTING RESULTS

8-9-10 YEAR OLDS SCORING

60% SKILLS

40% PHYSICAL ABILITIES

TOPS

The top 100 per age group is invited to TOPS National Testing in early

October.

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TOPS STATE TESTING

June and July Dates and sites listed on our website.

Registration is through club-online registration with USA Gymnastics.

TOPS

TOPS STATE TESTING COST: $50 per test

Must register one week prior to test. $25.00 late fee

Gymnast may test multiple times.

Gymnast may test in any state.

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TOPS STATE MANAGERS

List of TOPS State Managers is on the USA Gymnastics website.

Information on test dates, sites and possible clinics.

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TOPS NATIONAL TESTING Lists announced at the end of August. National TOPS testing takes place at

USA Gymnastics National Team Training Center, at the Karolyi Ranch, a USA Olympic

Training Site in Huntsville, Texas. Cost: $75.00

TOPS

TOPS NATIONAL TESTING Testing is done in two days.

Physical Abilities Testing is the same as state testing with the addition of the sprint run.

Basic Skill Testing is different than state testing.

National skill testing text is available on usagym.org.

TOPS

TOPS NATIONAL SKILL TESTING Vault

Bars

Beam Acro

Beam Dance

Floor Acro

Floor Dance

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TOPS NATIONAL SKILL TESTING

For both beam and floor exercise:

Acro counts to 80% of the final score event

Dance counts to 20% of the final score event

Each event counts 10 points or 40 points maximum

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TOPS NATIONAL TESTING

8 Year olds: 50% Physical Abilities – 50% Skill Testing

9 Year olds: 40% Physical Abilities – 60% Skill Testing

10 Year olds: 30% Physical Abilities - 70% Skill Testing

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TOPS NATIONAL TESTING

All age groups are combined

Top 50 – TOPS A NATIONAL TEAM

Next 60 – TOPS B TEAM

TOPS

TOPS A NATIONAL TEAM MEMBERS Receive exclusive TOPS Leotard and Warm-up provided by GK Elite.

Invited to the TOPS A National Team Camp in early December.

USA Gymnastics pays for the camp fees and room/board plus transportation to the ranch.

Coaches are responsible for their own transportation costs and $300 room/board costs. USA Gymnastics pays the camps fees.

TOPS

TOPS B TEAM MEMBERS Receive exclusive TOPS leotard provided by GK Elite.

Invited to the TOPS B Team Camp in early December.

Athletes: $550 for camp fees and room/board

Coaches: $300 for room/board

Athletes and coaches are responsible for their own transportation costs.

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TOPS A and B Camps

Training two-a-days

Camp director: Valeri Liukin

Working with National Coaching Staff

Coaches Lectures

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Gym Benefits

-Revenue

-Updated curriculum for strength/conditioning training

-Marketing

-More visibility for high quality training/gymnasts

Why TOPS?

Suggested requirements:

-Limit the amount of gymnasts within specified age

groups

-Find a TOPS gym that can mentor your club in the

beginning phases

-Hand select gymnasts from your program

that demonstrate high a skill level

HOW To START TOPS in YOUR GYM

Add TOPS into your club for stronger

gymnasts

TOPS

The start of

something

BIG!

TOPS

Kim Riley Managing Director of Athlete and Coaching Programs

[email protected]

317-829-5627

TOPS State Managers

Contact