flippingtogether
Proud Parent
Two years for DD to finally get her BHS on beam. For a while I wasn't sure she'd ever make it to optionals.....
First of all, it is absolutely NORMAL and REASONABLE for gymnasts to have fears. Gymnasts - and coaches and parents - must realize this and recognize this, and understand that it can take seemingly forever to get a skill. It is fine if it takes a long time. They shouldn't look at others around them - esp. those moving much quicker - it will kill the love of the sport any do awful damage to self confidence.
So what got DD through? Many things - from leaving the skill be for a bit, to PATIENT coaches, to everyone having a lot of patience and allowing time to do its thing. (Importantly - go to where the gymnast is comfortable doing the skill, whether on a line, beam with tons of mats, etc. - and work from there). Time, time, time, patience. No pressure from home (had to learn to not talk about it at all). No pressure from coaches.
Now, DD is on the 2 year track to get her giant actually compete-able. It is agonizing....but again, so much patience and time is part of the process for her, and she is SLOWLY getting there.
ALSO, we fount Alan Goldberg - who has great audio and workbook for gymnasts (tracks for parents and coaches too) - he is available for a chat to help you figure out what is right for your DD if you reach out to him. He has some good stuff that has really helped DD (and even me) mentally:
https://www.competitivedge.com/ (homepage of site)
https://www.competitivedge.com/catalog?field_catalog_tid[]=355 (gymnastics items, I believe)
Good luck. Anything is possible.
First of all, it is absolutely NORMAL and REASONABLE for gymnasts to have fears. Gymnasts - and coaches and parents - must realize this and recognize this, and understand that it can take seemingly forever to get a skill. It is fine if it takes a long time. They shouldn't look at others around them - esp. those moving much quicker - it will kill the love of the sport any do awful damage to self confidence.
So what got DD through? Many things - from leaving the skill be for a bit, to PATIENT coaches, to everyone having a lot of patience and allowing time to do its thing. (Importantly - go to where the gymnast is comfortable doing the skill, whether on a line, beam with tons of mats, etc. - and work from there). Time, time, time, patience. No pressure from home (had to learn to not talk about it at all). No pressure from coaches.
Now, DD is on the 2 year track to get her giant actually compete-able. It is agonizing....but again, so much patience and time is part of the process for her, and she is SLOWLY getting there.
ALSO, we fount Alan Goldberg - who has great audio and workbook for gymnasts (tracks for parents and coaches too) - he is available for a chat to help you figure out what is right for your DD if you reach out to him. He has some good stuff that has really helped DD (and even me) mentally:
https://www.competitivedge.com/ (homepage of site)
https://www.competitivedge.com/catalog?field_catalog_tid[]=355 (gymnastics items, I believe)
Good luck. Anything is possible.
