Frustrated

[gymmomntc2e6]

DD is VERY frustrated because she just cannot get her front mill circle. She makes it all the way around then bends that front leg and drops back. She said she is afraid she is going to fall.

She said it makes her feel like she wants to quit. I asked if she really wanted to quit over the mill circle and she said 'no' but it makes her feel like it and "what if I never get it?"

Mom pep talk has stopped working. She loves the bars, they are her favorite event.

any suggestions?

[Gymnasticsgirl521]

DD is struggling with this skill too. To help with the fear our coach has her hook the one leg and hang holding on with the one leg and two hands and swing and try to get back up. She has a blast doing it and says she is like a monkey hanging around that way.

Tell her to keep trying she will find her groove and figure out what will make it click.

[Gymmonkeymomma]

If I remember correctly, I think there is some kind of thing they have to do with turning their hands? I was so happy for my DD's to get out of Level 4, so they wouldn't have to do it anymore!!!

[mom2kazkids]

My DD also struggles with this. This last monday she did it three times and got to the top everytime, but could not get her hands switched fast enough and fell back. Her coach told me not to worry too much about it, as it is only in level 4 and they would not hold her back if she did not get it. Ironically she did get it once, in the warm up at her second meet, just never in a meet or at practice.

Barb

[momof5]

My daughter also struggles with this skill. She has been working on it forever. She is also getting upset that she has been working so long on it and still can't get it. I hate this skill. The good news for her is that most of her class is still struggling with it to. I hope they all get it together so that my DD doesn't more discouraged.

[Shawn]

There have been skills that I didn't think my daughter would ever get and she surprised me. Your DD just hasn't had her "ah hah!" moment yet. It will come.

AAU level 4 doesn't even do the mill circle so I don't think we're going to have to worry about it (unless something changes, of course). Thank goodness for that! Right now I'm hoping DD gets her front hip circle. She needs very little spotting on it so I'm hoping that means she's close to getting it.

[flippymonkeysmom]

just remind her that the front hip and back hip are more important. After level 4 she never has to do the mill circle again - of course keep trying - but tell her not to fret too much - it is not one of the skills they need to build upon.

[Megley]

The mill circle is very frustrating - no question about it. Is there any way that her coach could make it less scary to fall over forward? Maybe put some mats under the bar or something? I watched my dd and her teammates struggle with and then get this skill and the progression seems to be that they first don't make it around, then they fall forward and finally they figure out how to stop on top of the bar. It seems like she is going to have to get up the nerve to fall forward. Ask her what terrible thing she thinks will happen if she falls forward and perhaps have her try hanging in the position she will wind up in if she does. Then she hopefully will see that it isn't so scary. I'm sure she will get it eventually. My dd still has trouble stopping herself sometimes - she has to really put on the brakes. I'll be happy to see it gone next year at Level 5!

Meg

[bogwoppit]

The good news is.....she will never use this "skill" again after level four.

The bad news is..... this will be one of many skills that she will struggle with. SO therefore it is good for her to learn how to deal with the frustration. Many skills are "got" and then lost for days, months and even years!!!!

My DD got her kip when she was 7, it wasn't a skill she needed at the time so rarely worked at gym, she lost it tte next week and didn't get it back until she was 9 !!!!! She got it for when she needed it , but it drove her bonkers.

Little DD was the best vaulter in her level last year and until after her first meet this year, since then however I think she has managed one good vault alone, she even splatted at her last comp on both attempts (deduction of the whole score).

At this point I am very pragmatic about the whole gymnastics thing, as injury, mental blocks, fear, growth and even more injury can all get in the way of "progress", it's life, smile move on. Let them know it's all okay and the skill will come at some point.

[gymnastmom96]

Does her coach offer privates? Most years my dd struggles with one or two skills. Most of the time she can work them out. Last year it was her flight series on beam, this year its her leap series. The one on one time made all the difference in the world for her. Just encourage her and hang in there.