For the last several years I've been coaching compulsory team. Recently I started to a group of new-to-optionals kids.
I put a compulsory level specific chart on the wall (one for level 2, one for 3, one for 4, etc) with all of the compulsory skills for their level, some flexibility, conditioning, and skills in next level up. When a kid becomes proficient at any certain skill, I give them a star to mark off that skill on the chart.
Generally, my "reward" to the kids is the star itself. They work hard, they get their skill, they get the star. When they get all of their stars for skills, the reward has generally been that they get to compete that level.
I'll also do contests with them during class like "biggest split jump" or longest handstand on beam, or most dynamic vault...usually I'll reward the winner with 5 minutes of event specific free time while everyone else works on the contest's skill...
Every once in awhile I'll bring in some gymnast gear from Justice (the little girls store) like gymnast bracelets, pens, headbands, water bottles...things that I get cheap - I'm not spending out the wazoo
- and I'll give those to first time kippers or the first time they score over a 36 AA or their first 9.5...
Anyway, I'm looking for new ways to get my kids to work hard and try their best. I want to keep doing what I'm doing, but I want to change it up a little. I still need to do the star chart so that they (and parents) can see what they need to move up, and I want to keep offering free time and "conditioning skips" and those types of things...but I'm just looking for something more.
Suggestions? What works or has worked for you?
I put a compulsory level specific chart on the wall (one for level 2, one for 3, one for 4, etc) with all of the compulsory skills for their level, some flexibility, conditioning, and skills in next level up. When a kid becomes proficient at any certain skill, I give them a star to mark off that skill on the chart.
Generally, my "reward" to the kids is the star itself. They work hard, they get their skill, they get the star. When they get all of their stars for skills, the reward has generally been that they get to compete that level.
I'll also do contests with them during class like "biggest split jump" or longest handstand on beam, or most dynamic vault...usually I'll reward the winner with 5 minutes of event specific free time while everyone else works on the contest's skill...
Every once in awhile I'll bring in some gymnast gear from Justice (the little girls store) like gymnast bracelets, pens, headbands, water bottles...things that I get cheap - I'm not spending out the wazoo
- and I'll give those to first time kippers or the first time they score over a 36 AA or their first 9.5...Anyway, I'm looking for new ways to get my kids to work hard and try their best. I want to keep doing what I'm doing, but I want to change it up a little. I still need to do the star chart so that they (and parents) can see what they need to move up, and I want to keep offering free time and "conditioning skips" and those types of things...but I'm just looking for something more.
Suggestions? What works or has worked for you?
