It seems like every day there is a new discussion on this site about an unsafe, but common, coaching practice. Some examples:
- Working on bridges/kickovers with very young kids
- Not standing between the bars during tap swings
- Having kids do dive rolls over obstacles
- Using ankle weights
- Not bothering to adjust equipment
The necessity of learning proper form from the very beginning is also frequently mentioned here. But how is a parent with limited gymnastics experience supposed to be able to recognize good and safe coaching, especially when the parent has little or no direct interaction with the child's coaches? Are there any telltale signs of either a good program or a bad one that parents can rely on? And how should parents decide when to speak up about an unsafe practice, and when to just find another gym?
- Working on bridges/kickovers with very young kids
- Not standing between the bars during tap swings
- Having kids do dive rolls over obstacles
- Using ankle weights
- Not bothering to adjust equipment
The necessity of learning proper form from the very beginning is also frequently mentioned here. But how is a parent with limited gymnastics experience supposed to be able to recognize good and safe coaching, especially when the parent has little or no direct interaction with the child's coaches? Are there any telltale signs of either a good program or a bad one that parents can rely on? And how should parents decide when to speak up about an unsafe practice, and when to just find another gym?