So, DD was on preteam last year from May-December. In January, they bumped up to Level 3. In our gym, Level 3 is noncompetitive (the gym doesn't feel the skills progress well from L3 to L4). The purpose of the level in our gym is to train for Level 4. There are 7 girls in her group that range in age from about 4.5 to 7.
DD has learned a tremendous amount from her coach. Our problem is the YELLING. When her coach gets frustrated, she tends to let the girls know it, and it can get a bit ugly. At first I thought that DD was perhaps a bit "over" sensitive (wasn't paying that close attention myself), but I have now seen other girls break down into tears during practice. These are little 5 and 6 year olds. Breaks my heart. Some parents have now mentioned to me (spontaneously) that they may pull their kids because they just aren't having fun anymore.
DD has most recently been yelled at for bending her arms while doing a BHC. DD manages to hold it together in practice - she does not cry while there - but does cry at home. She says she loves gymnastics, but not her coach. DD's exact words were "I am just not good - I can't get anything right", followed by "I want to get a different coach".
I'd be lying if I didn't say that I am worried a bit about her self-confidence. This same coach runs the Level 4 team, so it is something we'll put up with for awhile. We've entertained the idea of looking elsewhere, but don't want to teach DD to run when the going gets tough, either. So, we're at a bit of a fork in the road there. Is this just a common thing among coaches? Even with the little ones? I told DD that I thought we should at least stick out the Level 3 year since we committed to it, then we could discuss leaving. She then said that she does NOT want to do Level 4 if we stay at our gym (naturally, this could change over the course of the year!).
I do try to focus on the positive with DD. For example, just this week she landed her first handstand on beam and it looked BEAUTIFUL. To the point where I saw it out of the corner of my eye and had to watch - without first noticing it was her. She got a huge smile out of her coach and a high-five (she then took two steps forward on the beam and fell while just walking - lol! She said she was "a little dizzy!"). I try to tell her to remember what that accomplishment feels like when her coach gets a little tough.
Any other tips or helpful hints on how to help her cope with this? It's been a culture shock for her - and me! Oh, and why do team coaches run when they see a parent? I just wanted to ask a quick question about summer camp, and can't catch her. She pretty much refuses to speak to parents, unless to yell at us to redo their hair. Is this common?
Oh and one more question. Is it common for coaches to NOT spot the little ones on the rope? My greatest fear has always been DD falling off it - and one of the 5 year olds actually fell off of it last week. Coach was 15 feet away helping the other girls with handstand-pushups. The girl was banged up but ok... (Her foot had been taped which is likely why she fell). Just makes me nervous! Now they have "enter at your own risk" signs up, but still no spotting. Other girls just hold the bottom of the rope while their teammate climbs.
And yes, when training hours pick up I've planned to not watch - but for the moment they are only there 90 minutes and it's hard to get anything accomplished in that time frame (plus DS takes a 60 minute tot class one of the days - so I am stuck there)...
Thanks!
DD has learned a tremendous amount from her coach. Our problem is the YELLING. When her coach gets frustrated, she tends to let the girls know it, and it can get a bit ugly. At first I thought that DD was perhaps a bit "over" sensitive (wasn't paying that close attention myself), but I have now seen other girls break down into tears during practice. These are little 5 and 6 year olds. Breaks my heart. Some parents have now mentioned to me (spontaneously) that they may pull their kids because they just aren't having fun anymore.
DD has most recently been yelled at for bending her arms while doing a BHC. DD manages to hold it together in practice - she does not cry while there - but does cry at home. She says she loves gymnastics, but not her coach. DD's exact words were "I am just not good - I can't get anything right", followed by "I want to get a different coach".
I'd be lying if I didn't say that I am worried a bit about her self-confidence. This same coach runs the Level 4 team, so it is something we'll put up with for awhile. We've entertained the idea of looking elsewhere, but don't want to teach DD to run when the going gets tough, either. So, we're at a bit of a fork in the road there. Is this just a common thing among coaches? Even with the little ones? I told DD that I thought we should at least stick out the Level 3 year since we committed to it, then we could discuss leaving. She then said that she does NOT want to do Level 4 if we stay at our gym (naturally, this could change over the course of the year!).
I do try to focus on the positive with DD. For example, just this week she landed her first handstand on beam and it looked BEAUTIFUL. To the point where I saw it out of the corner of my eye and had to watch - without first noticing it was her. She got a huge smile out of her coach and a high-five (she then took two steps forward on the beam and fell while just walking - lol! She said she was "a little dizzy!"). I try to tell her to remember what that accomplishment feels like when her coach gets a little tough.
Any other tips or helpful hints on how to help her cope with this? It's been a culture shock for her - and me! Oh, and why do team coaches run when they see a parent? I just wanted to ask a quick question about summer camp, and can't catch her. She pretty much refuses to speak to parents, unless to yell at us to redo their hair. Is this common?
Oh and one more question. Is it common for coaches to NOT spot the little ones on the rope? My greatest fear has always been DD falling off it - and one of the 5 year olds actually fell off of it last week. Coach was 15 feet away helping the other girls with handstand-pushups. The girl was banged up but ok... (Her foot had been taped which is likely why she fell). Just makes me nervous! Now they have "enter at your own risk" signs up, but still no spotting. Other girls just hold the bottom of the rope while their teammate climbs.
And yes, when training hours pick up I've planned to not watch - but for the moment they are only there 90 minutes and it's hard to get anything accomplished in that time frame (plus DS takes a 60 minute tot class one of the days - so I am stuck there)...
Thanks!
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