I'm interested in the things that make parents and gymnasts feel really good about their gym. What is the difference between a gym/coach that makes you want to shout from the rooftops rather than slink home and wonder if you are in an unhealthy place.
For me, as a parent who has had five children competing in gymnastics since 1992, (yikes I'm old....LOL)
I've seen a few different gyms, quite a few different coaches, and I've seen the sport go from where a 9.0 on any event usually placed first, to the present where girls are fighting for 9.8s at Level 4!
But some things remain constant for me:
I want my children quality coaching that is technically correct from the start. BTDT with the skills learned wrong and struggling to unlearn the mistakes.
I want my children to be challenged to do THEIR best, not to be limited by what the coach thinks is "good enough". For the time and effort put into the sport, I think it's not fun to go to meets and come in last.
And I want the coaches to know my children personally, to care about them, and to have a plan for their development, regardless of their level.
What things are deal breakers for other parents? What about gymnasts? Do you want to have fun or train seriously and can both of those be done at the same time? And coaches, what kind of programs do you run and why?
For me, as a parent who has had five children competing in gymnastics since 1992, (yikes I'm old....LOL)
I've seen a few different gyms, quite a few different coaches, and I've seen the sport go from where a 9.0 on any event usually placed first, to the present where girls are fighting for 9.8s at Level 4!
But some things remain constant for me:
I want my children quality coaching that is technically correct from the start. BTDT with the skills learned wrong and struggling to unlearn the mistakes.
I want my children to be challenged to do THEIR best, not to be limited by what the coach thinks is "good enough". For the time and effort put into the sport, I think it's not fun to go to meets and come in last.
And I want the coaches to know my children personally, to care about them, and to have a plan for their development, regardless of their level.
What things are deal breakers for other parents? What about gymnasts? Do you want to have fun or train seriously and can both of those be done at the same time? And coaches, what kind of programs do you run and why?