I've tried really hard not to start this thread so soon after making my profile but I just can't wait any longer! lol!
I've been lurking for a long time now but there's been an issue that I just need advice, from other gym parents, on and I really just need to vent about.
Some background:
My daughter did rec classes while she was 3 and 4 yrs old but started competing for the first time last season when she was 6. She started the season late so, to make it easy on her, they started her on level one. Well, she did really well and got blues on every event! Yeah!! (for pre-team they are scored with flags then given a correlating ribbon for each event: white = needs work, red = good had some assistance, blue = excellent) After that first meet they moved her up to level 2 where she got blue ribbons on every event throughout the rest of the season. They felt it would be too much to move her up again to level 3 during that season. And I agree completely.
Well, this summer they worked on different skills she needed to move up and moved her up. She got her robhs, her handstand and dismount on beam and they moved her to level 4 and skipped level 3, entirely. She was so happy her big eyes lit up when she told me. I am proud of her because I know she gives her all.
Since she skipped level 3 she has had a hard time on bars and vault.
For the bars she is having to learn a stride circle and a front hip circle. Both of which can be really hard skills to pick up. They were for me anyway.
For the vault she's having a hard time doing it without dive-rolling. She's not driving her heels or getting any spring off the board. Therefore, she's not hitting her handstand.
These skills probably would have been picked up had she competed level three. Except the front hip circle.
I know it's just the beginning of the season and the skills will come with time. I don't expect perfection. That is so not an issue with me. In fact, I don't expect anything from her except for her to just have fun! And she is!!
For that I am so happy
Here's the problem:
Her bars coach from last season got promoted to coaching some of the higher levels so they brought in another coach that is now coaching beam, moving the old beam coach over to coach bars and vault. The two areas that suffered a bit due to skipping level 3.
The girl that is now coaching bars and vault just stands there when the girls vault. Half the time she is not even watching. She never gives them constructive guidance. I hear the girls ask her all the time "was that better?" just to get a response from her. She stands by the vaulting board and just yells "go!". Then doesn't tell them anything when they are finished! Often she is fiddling with her nails and misses the vault completely. I understand that she is young, she's 20. So, she may not have figured out how to be an effective coach, yet. But how hard is it to tell the girls "that was close! keep your arms straight next time." or "oh, you almost had it! I bet if you drive your heels you'd get it."? Just show interest in the girls! By ignoring them she is reinforcing bad habits.
My DDs floor coach (whom she adores) coached vault today and after 5 rotations my daughter got her vault!! She explained to her how to drive her heels and put a mat wall up for them to jump over and that was all it took.
So, now does my daughter have to go through a whole season of no instruction, on the bars, just hoping she figures these skills out on her own?? Should I get a discount on tuition since she isn't getting bars instruction? lol!
I'm kidding but I am frustrated.
How should this be handled? I so don't wan't to be one of those moms who complains and I certainly wouldn't want my daughter being treated in an unfair manner because I chose to say something. I keep thinking another parent will say something because they are always complaining about this coach. I just think the girls should get their money's worth in coaching.
Am I wrong for feeling this way? Sometimes I feel like I am. But when I see those girls try so hard just to be ignored....my blood boils!
I'm done! hahaha!!
Sorry, didn't mean to be so long winded