Shooting Stars ages 4-5 yrs 45 minutes Tuition $45/mo - once a week
Preschool classes are taught with a physical development focus through various movements and skills. Basic motor skills taught are running, jumping, skipping, circling, and more. Basic gymnastics skills taught include forward rolls, backward rolls, handstands, cartwheels. These classes are movement based and combine gymnastics development with basic movement processes in a creative way.
BEGINNERS - These classes are generally for kids that have not taken a gymnastics class before. Basic gymnastics and movement skills are taught on the four gymnastics apparatus: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise. This is an introductory class. On vault kids learn to run, jump, and land. On bars, kids learn to hang in various positions, pullover onto the bar, swing, and land. On beam, kids learn to walk, kick, balance, and land from a small height. On floor, kids learn to roll in different directions, handstand, cartwheel, run, leap, and much more! 75% skill acquisition rate is required for advancement to Intermediates.
These classes are for kiddos that have taken beginners or have a little experience at gymnastics but have not met the 75% acquisition rate for skill to advance. In this class kids will continue to work on skills from the beginner class, as well as work on intermediate skills after showing proficiency at beginner skills.
This class is for kids having shown proficiency in beginner level skills. Skill on vault include running and jumping, handstands, somersaulting. On bars, girls learn or progress their back hip circles, various dismounts, and work on strength of arms and tummy. On beam, we work more on high beam will progressing in balances, jumps, and dismounts. On floor, girls learn... Girls are eligible for competition team level 1 as an intermediate by invite only.
Advanced level kids have shown 75% proficiency at the Intermediate level and are ready to advance to more complex skills and movements. On vault, kids work on jumping to handstand, form, run strength. On bars, kids learn more about circling skills, such as the windmill, and begin working kip drills and being on top of the bar. On beam, we are getting closer to performing a handstand, jumping bigger, and learning leaping technique. On floor, the round-off is worked diligently to prepare for back handsprings later in the year. Walk overs and leaping are also taught.
Thompson Gymnastics competes in the AAU Missouri Valley District as an AAU member club. We compete using the many of the offered levels in AAU including the Xcel system, which has 6 levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Sapphire), Developmental system (Levels 1-5), and the Optionals (Levels 7-8) . Competition classes are by invitation only. Competition requires not only the skills needed for the level, but also an attitude of persistence and coachability to succeed. Anyone who competes practices at least 2x per week. Practice length depends on the level. For more information click on the competition tab or contact the office.
Thompson Gymnastics also offers tumbling classes for cheerleaders and dancers that wish to add more difficult skills to their routines. Sometimes we are able to divide the classes into beginner and advanced tumblers, depending upon numbers. Because we feel strongly that younger kids should experience the all-around benefits of development through gymnastics, tumblers are required to be 8 yrs. old. Beginning tumblers work cartwheels, round-offs, walkovers, back handsprings, and aerial cartwheels. Advanced tumblers work tumbling passes that include multiple back handsprings, back tucks/pikes/layouts/twisting, front handsprings, and front tucks. This class is currently in demand-only status. If you are interested, please contact the office.
These classes are built on a demand basis. If we have enough boys interested, we will create a class dedicated to the boy's side the sport. Events would include floor, bar, vault, and basic work on pommel horse & mushroom. If interested, please contact the office so we may determine how to progress.