Coach Howard has the best write-up I’ve ever seen on a problem that plagues all “ability level” competitive structures.
Coaches competing kids in a lower level than their actual ability group in order to WIN.
In this article, he talks about the Jr Olympic WAG program:
… While the USA Gymnastics minimum for moving up is a 31.0 All-Around, USAG will never mandate moving up gymnasts with any score for liability reasons. …
The Gyms and Coaches, Actually Doing This, are the Culprits
The responsibility for this is squarely on the shoulders of the gym(s) and coaches that are engaging in this practice. I have never heard any justification for sandbagging that rings true. It is obvious that they are simply trying to stack the deck, so their gymnasts can win, by holding them back …
read more on Gymnastics Zone – The Unethical Practice of Competitive Sandbagging
He singles out the Judges Cup meet each year as being the most conspicuous example.
We can all name coaches who we consider most guilty of sandbagging. But most gyms have some kids competing a level lower than they might for one reason or another.
Parents and kids understand the problem.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 