Sure genetics, physical ability, and technical / artistic preparation are important …
But, in the end, what makes or breaks a gymnast is in the psychological domain.
A “good motivator” coach is typically more successful than a “biomechanist coach”.
It’s relatively easy to coach a Yurchenko, for example, but difficult to convince a young girl that she wants to jump backwards over a big obstacle.
Mark Folger from Wichita, Kansas posted on this topic – Goal Setting and Motivation:
A sense of accomplishment increases motivation. Success and accomplishment are relative to past performance and current goals. Therefore, choosing appropriate goals plays a key role in consistent motivation. I use a simple flow-chart I call the Progressive Motivation Cycle to remind myself and my staff of the relationship between setting goals and motivation.
The Blue Cycle is the preffered cycle. When our athletes are rolling along in the blue cycle, life is great. …
The challenge for coaches is what to do when the gymnast does not achieve the goal. How best to handle the process of reevaluating and committing to new goals.
If you let a gymnast get to the red level on the chart, you might lose them from the sport.
I never miss reading Mark’s posts. Read the rest of this article – Folger’s Gymnastics – Goal Setting and Motivation
Gymnastics Coaching.com 