L.E.A.P.
"The L.E.A.P. Program....Giving young Alberta gymnasts a head-start."
The preparation of high level and intricate combinations and elements must be the result of careful planning on the part of the coaches. So, now, more than ever, proper basics and proper physical preparation are of paramount importance.
The word "L.E.A.P." stands for "Let's Evaluate our Athletes' Progress" and came to life in Canada as a result of the obvious need for an evaluation tool for Developmental gymnasts aged 6 to 9 years old. The L.E.A.P. Program recognizes that very few gymnasts ever achieve National or International standards of performance. It also recognizes that proper basics makes gymnastics a safer sport for all gymnasts, regardless of the level that a child reaches.
The L.E.A.P. Program is designed to cater to all levels of Developmental (or pre-competitive) athletes, regardless of the category in which each child ends up competing in. Children between the ages of 6 and 9 need events where they can shine and show their progress.
The L.E.A.P. Program is comprised of two (2) components: PHYSICAL ABILITY & SKILLS and of four (4) levels: Copper, Bronze, Silver & Gold.
Each gymnast testing in the L.E.A.P. Program must achieve a certain percentage in each component to be awarded the prestigious L.E.A.P. PIN for each level.
PHYSICAL ABILITY: A series of exercises must be performed by each child.
Each exercise aims at evaluating the child's level of performance in the areas of strength, power, flexibility, endurance. Each exercise is awarded a certain number of points and each child receives points on the basis of her performance for each exercise.
SKILLS: A list of basic skills must be performed by each child. Each skill aims at evaluating the child's level of performance on vault, bars, beam and floor. Each skill is awarded a certain number of points and each child receives points on the basis of her performance for each skill on each event.
The L.E.A.P. Program is NOT designed as a complete preparation program for female gymnasts. It only attempts at providing coaches with an evaluation tool and with some direction as to which skills are important in any gymnast's basic repertoire.
The L.E.A.P. Reward System is comprehensive and very well structured and it varies slightly from federation to federation. For example, in Alberta, each child receives a certificate, a ribbon at the conclusion of each test, and in the event a child attains a certain percentage in both components of the Copper, Bronze, Silver or Gold levels, she is awarded the prestigious L.E.A.P. PIN !
A child can pass as many levels in one gymnastics year as her age allows, in accordance to the rules.
The L.E.A.P. Program also has a mascot: Gymmy the Leap Frog!
