beamer
Proud Parent
DD (11) had her first L6 meet this past weekend. The meet started right on time and ended in good stead. The venue was open, warm and well-lit with plenty of seating that allowed for a clear view of all the apparatus. It was filled with talented, polite and friendly gymnasts, respectful and supportive parents, and quality coaching.
So what's the problem?
My poor kid. Accckkk.
In her first meet, DD got an 8.2 on vault, an 8 on floor, a 7.5 on beam and a 6.4 on bars! She missed the walkover on beam (both feet) and claimed to not know she was supposed to get up and try the skill again. So she was deducted more than for just the missed element. She fell apart on bars completely (her wonderful coach had her take a few breaths and re-start the routine after a kip-cast so big she lost all control of her core!), and then missed the squat-on on the second go-round. Usually bars and beam are her best events.
The real problem is not this first meet though. The real problem is that historically DD's form issues (delineated here one too many times!) are so big that she cannot afford to miss skills. When she does, her scores slip into the basement. So I and her coaches (all of whom have the patience of Job) can anticipate a whole season of this and probably a repeat of the level next year.
I then develop an overwhelmingly powerful urge to talk to her about bent knees, flexed feet, changes she could affect to make gymnastics more rewarding...for all of us (even though I know it just needs to be rewarding for her).
Does anyone have/work with a kid like this? What techniques have you used to keep your trap shut (short of a muzzle and/or large volumes of cheap wine) and leave the coaching to the coaches? Does it get better or worse in optional levels for the form-challenged gymnast?
Help!
p.s. Please no Xcel suggestions: I have suggested this to her too many times. She just wrinkles her brow, looks at me darkly and refuses all further discussion!
So what's the problem?
My poor kid. Accckkk.
In her first meet, DD got an 8.2 on vault, an 8 on floor, a 7.5 on beam and a 6.4 on bars! She missed the walkover on beam (both feet) and claimed to not know she was supposed to get up and try the skill again. So she was deducted more than for just the missed element. She fell apart on bars completely (her wonderful coach had her take a few breaths and re-start the routine after a kip-cast so big she lost all control of her core!), and then missed the squat-on on the second go-round. Usually bars and beam are her best events.
The real problem is not this first meet though. The real problem is that historically DD's form issues (delineated here one too many times!) are so big that she cannot afford to miss skills. When she does, her scores slip into the basement. So I and her coaches (all of whom have the patience of Job) can anticipate a whole season of this and probably a repeat of the level next year.
I then develop an overwhelmingly powerful urge to talk to her about bent knees, flexed feet, changes she could affect to make gymnastics more rewarding...for all of us (even though I know it just needs to be rewarding for her).
Does anyone have/work with a kid like this? What techniques have you used to keep your trap shut (short of a muzzle and/or large volumes of cheap wine) and leave the coaching to the coaches? Does it get better or worse in optional levels for the form-challenged gymnast?
Help!
p.s. Please no Xcel suggestions: I have suggested this to her too many times. She just wrinkles her brow, looks at me darkly and refuses all further discussion!