TOPS TESTING CHANGES FOR 2012 SEASON
The following are changes to the STATE LEVEL TESTING program. They will be in affect for the 2012 TOPS season.
Update 3/27/2012
TOPS Testing SCHEDULE
TOPS Physical Abilities Manual
Physical abilities changes
All Handstand Holds will be 30 seconds.
Eliminate the Bridge, the Jump Test and the Sprint Test
Skill testing changes
Local tests will include skill and skill combination testing.
Coaches are encouraged to use additional 8 inch or 4 inch matting for safety.
Coaches are able to stand near the athlete (without blocking the testers view) for the safety of the athlete.
Bars
8 Year Old Bars
2 glide kip casts to minimum 45 degrees in a row, clear hip circle to horizontal, to glide kip cast to horizontal, to stoop back toe circle, jump to high bar to kip cast to horizontal, swing 1⁄2 turn with feet at minimum horizontal with the bar, changing one hand only (level 5 dismount).
1. Legs together on all casts
2. Option to straddle on the first glide only. All other glides are legs together.
3. May bend the knees on the second 1⁄2 of toe circle
4. Landing of final skill is not judged. The height of the swing is primary.
9 Year Old Bars
2 glide kip casts to minimum 45 degrees in a row, clear hip circle, back toe circle or stalder circle to 45 degrees, to glide kip cast to horizontal to stoop back toe circle, jump to high bar to kip cast above horizontal, swing 1⁄2 turn with feet and hips above the bar, changing one hand only (level 5 dismount).
1. Legs together on all casts
2. Option to straddle on the first glide only. All other glides are legs together.
3. May bend the knees on the finish of the toe circle to facilitate jumping to high bar
4. A coach must stand between the bars as the athlete moves to the high bar. Safety spot when needed. Additional matting is also recommended
5. Landing of final skill is not judged. The height of the swing is primary.
10 Year Old Bars
Glide kip cast 1⁄2 pivot to kip cast to minimum 45 degrees, clear hip circle, back toe circle or stalder circle to above 45 degrees, to glide kip cast to horizontal to stoop back sole circle, jump to high bar to kip cast above horizontal, swing 1⁄2 turn with feet and hips above the bar finishing with both hands changed before dropping below the bar height.
1. Legs together on all casts
2. Option to straddle on the first glide only. All other glides are legs together.
3. A coach must stand between the bars as the athlete moves to the high bar. Safety spot when needed. Additional matting is also recommended.
4. Landing of final skill is not judged. The height of the swing is primary. Alternating or simultaneous hand change.
Note: It is suggested the 1⁄2 turn swings be taught on a single bar with hands on coaching. Move to a regular two bar system only when the athlete is safe to do so.
Beam
Start anywhere on the beam to accommodate spacing. Low beam matting is to the height of the bottom of the beam.
8 Year Old Beam sequence
Back walkover finish in lunge, 2 or 3 steps to split leap or switch leap, front to back cartwheel finish, standing back tuck dismount to stick. Front walkover on low beam.
9 Year Old Beam
Back walkover finish in lunge, standing back handspring, 2 or 3 steps to switch leap, front to back cartwheel finish, standing back tuck dismount. Front walkover on low beam.
10 Year Old Beam sequence
Back walkover finish in lunge, handstand step down to back handspring, 2 or 3 steps to switch leap, front to back cartwheel or round off, or 1 or 2 back handsprings to back tuck stick. Front walkover on low beam.
Floor
No additional matting available.
Coaches are encouraged to spot the finish of none sticking skills.
8 Year Old floor sequences
Sequence 1– 1 to 2 steps hurdle to 2 front handspring step outs to front handspring feet together. None sticking. The athlete should be encouraged to be moving forwards at the completion of the final skill.
Sequence 2– From panel mat jump hurdle round off to 2 back handsprings to back tuck to stick.
Sequence 3– Start arms up. Kick through scale to HS, show for 2 seconds. Extend shoulders to front limber, stand up from limber with arms and head staying back and connected, finish through tall position to forward roll to pike up to HS, 1⁄2 pirouette to HS stoop down to tall stand, tuck sit to back extension handstand lower with straight body to push up position with no pike. Stoop feet under to stand and finish.
9 Year Old floor sequences
Sequence 1- 1 to 2 steps hurdle to 1 front handspring feet together to front tuck landing with stick.
Sequence 2- From panel mat jump hurdle to round off 2 back handsprings to back whip to rebound.
Sequence 3- From panel mat jump down to punch tuck front to stick. Arms up kick through scale to HS, show for 2 seconds. Extend shoulders to front limber, stand up from limber with arms and head staying back and connected, finish through tall position, front pike roll, pike up to HS show straight body then 1⁄2 pirouette to HS stoop down to back extension handstand lower with straight body to push up position with no pike. Stoop feet under to stand and finish.
10 Year Old floor sequences
Sequence 1- 1 to 2 steps hurdle to front handspring step out to front handspring feet together to front tuck landing with stick.
Sequence 2- From panel mat jump hurdle round off 2 back handsprings to back layout stick.
Sequence 3- From panel mat jump down to punch straddle split to punch tuck front to stick. Arms up kick through scale to HS, show for 2 seconds. Extend shoulders to front limber, stand up from limber with arms and head staying back and connected, finish through tall position, front pike roll, pike up to HS show straight body then 1⁄2 pirouette to HS stoop down to back extension 1⁄2 turn forward roll to stand and finish.
For More Information Contact your State TOPS Coordinator.
