what are we teaching our gymnasts?

Troy brings up a touchy subject:

When it comes to gymnastics competitions, What are We Teaching our Kids?

His recommendations:

1. All athletes should remain in the competition arena until the last competitor is done competing.

2. Athletes should put their things into their gym bags (all of their things), zip them up, and put them out of the way.

3. There should be no talking during the presenting of awards.

4. All athletes should stay until the last award is handed out.

5. Scores at a meet are the least important thing about the meet.

6. An athlete should definitely have goals, but the process is the absolute most important thing.

7. Athletes on the award stand should congratulate the athletes on each side of her.

8. A great athlete learns to keep reactions on a fairly even keel. This means that they should never get too high or too low about what is going on (especially in reaction to scores).

9. Support and cheer for the other teams in your rotation.

10. We can set an example for our athletes by helping each other out as coaches.

11. We control what we can control, and don’t worry about things we can’t control.

Those are the summary points of a long essay: Coaching Gymnastics in the New Millenium – What are We Teaching our Kids?

I’d agree with Troy if all meets were run as excellently as the Great West Gym Fest. But when a competition is run badly (as many are) I’m sympathetic for the bored gymnasts, especially during awards.

My own pet peeve is older male gymnasts improperly dressed, or completely missing, during awards ceremonies.

Comments?