So what is gymnastics "all about"

[Geoffrey Taucer]

We've touched on this in other topics, but I wanted to start a specific topic where we could discuss the most important and driving philosophies behind our coaching and training; why do you coach? Why do you train? What are your goals for yourself and/or your kids?

Some coaches seem to be very competition-oriented. Their goal is to score well and place well at competitions, and their style of coaching is driven by that.

Some coaches are elite-oriented. Their goal is to train their kids to the highest levels of the sport.

I guess I'm a combination of fun-oriented and skill-oriented. I have only two goals for my kids; I want them to work hard, and I want them to have fun. As long as they are doing their best to push themselves, and as long as they're having fun doing it, I don't care if they get first at every meet or dead last. I don't care if their talented or not; if a kid's best effort still isn't enough to place well at meets, that's fine with me, as long as they're still having fun. Now, if, through their hard work, they happen to do well at meets, I certainly don't mind, but I see that as merely a small added bonus, not as the central goal. To me the central goal is the day-to-day drive to become a better gymnast.

I was the same when I was competing: I never even kept track of my scores at meets, and never cared how I placed; it was the skills themselves that I always took pride in.

[hammy]

I did gymnastics because I loved the sport. I loved the challenges, the idea of setting/achieving goals, the doing cool tricks, doing a "different" sport...etc. At times I cared how I did, but most of the time it was all about having fun and doing what I loved.

I coach gymnastics because I want my girls to have the same love for their sport. I want them to love what they're doing and do what they love. It also gives them a way to relieve stress, learn how to deal with fears, overcome challenges, make friends, etc.

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by hammy I did gymnastics because I loved the sport. I loved the challenges, the idea of setting/achieving goals, the doing cool tricks, doing a "different" sport...etc. At times I cared how I did, but most of the time it was all about having fun and doing what I loved. I coach gymnastics because I want my girls to have the same love for their sport. I want them to love what they're doing and do what they love. It also gives them a way to relieve stress, learn how to deal with fears, overcome challenges, make friends, etc.

You said exactly what I was trying to say, but much more succinctly.

[JBS]

Gymnastics is a solid foundation. Any given day a gymnast can leave gymnastics and do something else. They will be better at whatever they do because they first did gymnastics. That's what it's all about to me.

Begin here....go anywhere!

[krazykidzmom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey Taucer We've touched on this in other topics, but I wanted to start a specific topic where we could discuss the most important and driving philosophies behind our coaching and training; why do you coach? Why do you train? What are your goals for yourself and/or your kids? Some coaches seem to be very competition-oriented. Their goal is to score well and place well at competitions, and their style of coaching is driven by that. Some coaches are elite-oriented. Their goal is to train their kids to the highest levels of the sport. I guess I'm a combination of fun-oriented and skill-oriented. I have only two goals for my kids; I want them to work hard, and I want them to have fun. As long as they are doing their best to push themselves, and as long as they're having fun doing it, I don't care if they get first at every meet or dead last. I don't care if their talented or not; if a kid's best effort still isn't enough to place well at meets, that's fine with me, as long as they're still having fun. Now, if, through their hard work, they happen to do well at meets, I certainly don't mind, but I see that as merely a small added bonus, not as the central goal. To me the central goal is the day-to-day drive to become a better gymnast. I was the same when I was competing: I never even kept track of my scores at meets, and never cared how I placed; it was the skills themselves that I always took pride in.

My kid is much harder on herself, and it is very stressful. I wish she could have that attitude.

[littlegymchampsmom]

Some children are just really hard on themselves by nature... it is sad that your daughter feels that way though - you seem a little melancholy about it and as if you have had some bad experiences in the last few years ( I am sure many good as well or else your dd would have stopped)... My oldest son has that personality, I am a little tougher about it and won't let him get down on himself... some kids just have a more difficult time handling pressure. My other ds and my dd (although she is a little sensitive at times) handle things with an amazing attitude, I wish I knew how they can all be in the same family and be so different - what I really wish is that each child came with instructions ... I hope you will be able to share more of your experiences and I look forward...

[audra]

Quote:
Originally Posted by krazykidzmom My kid is much harder on herself, and it is very stressful. I wish she could have that attitude.

When I first started competing that is how I was, I would be so hard on myself at the practice before a meet and then at the meet itself. My parents were ready to take me out because I would get so sick before the competition. My coach recommended taking ballet classes- we thought to help my beam and floor routines. I now think it was to focus more on the performance aspect of a meet. After doing a couple dance shows and recitals my meet attitude changed, and I began to love just performing and realized that if I practiced hard there was no need to stress about my scores.

I'm sure she will find something to help her relax and enjoy the sport- sometimes it just happens at a certain level. Keep being supportive!!!

[littlegymchampsmom]

gymnastics for us - for my dd - was originally about a mommy and me time... my daughter was very shy and gymnastics really helped bring her out of her shell and gave us a very fun time to share together , she is so confident in herself now.... then it became obvious that she was going to hurt herself if I did not get her more gym time, so now it is more about giving her a chance to explore her risk taking side in a controlled/structured environment... she is having such a great time, but from here I have no idea where it will lead - after learning more in this forum - I think, I am still not sure, but I think - her coaches are more geared toward the elite route... my dd talks about making team every single day, she really really wants to, but I have no idea what that will mean for her if we decide to go ahead and do it so.... for now, she is just having fun and I get to watch her progress. I think that her coaches are very good at teaching strong basics which is impt to me.. what she decides to do w/it will ultimately have to be up to her.

For my sons their T & T has been absolutely wonderful for developing strength, coordination etc. that they can use in all of their sports... and they also enjoy it so much and want more and more time in the gym. I am thinking that it can be an addiction, just the feeling that it gives you maybe??? my oldest son is mad at me everyday that I did not get him involved sooner...

[mariposamama]

bumping this up. interesting thread.

for my DD right now, gymnastics is all about fun. she just loves it and is a completely different kid when at the gym. she is focused, tries really hard, doesn't give up and is always out there having fun. i wish she would apply herself half as much to school work as she does when she is at gym. she even behaves better there. LOL

she isn't very competitive by nature and we have already talked about competitions and team. she knows that winning medals or trophies isn't what it is all about. it is about doing her best, working towards different goals and hopefully meeting those goals.

as long as her face still lights up at the words "time to get ready for gymnastics", we will continue.

[gymnomore]

I was a gymnast a long time ago. I loved it because it was a fun sport, and I liked the challenge and thrill of being able to do things that most people only dream about. I don't even remember anything about my scores. I wanted my kids to do it mainly as a fun way of keeping in shape. It became much more than that as they got competitive. Their coach, though very good, was all about winning. Second place was not good enough. On the upside, they improved quickly in their quest for gold, yet there was always that disappointment that followed the sometimes second place (or below) finish. My youngest is still competing. Now, her coach is all about improving skills and having fun. Scores mean nothing at this point. She's having fun, and that's what it's all about. Oh yeah, and she's in shape too!