Author: Rick Mc

The best reasons for kids to do gymnastics are difficult to put into words.

Some photos — like this one by EGCcoach — are worth a thousand words. 🙂

This is a follow-up to last weeks post title NIGHTMARE SPORTS PARENTS.

Rebecca and others linked to an article by an award winning teacher and author, Ron Clark:

… new teachers remain in our profession an average of just 4.5 years, and many of them list “issues with parents” as one of their reasons for throwing in the towel. Word is spreading, and the more negativity teachers receive from parents, the harder it becomes to recruit the best and the brightest out of colleges.

… Please quit with all the excuses

… if you really want to help your children be successful, stop making excuses for them. I was talking with a parent and her son about his summer reading assignments. He told me he hadn’t started, and I let him know I was extremely disappointed because school starts in two weeks.
His mother chimed in and told me that it had been a horrible summer for them because of family issues they’d been through in July. I said I was so sorry, but I couldn’t help but point out that the assignments were given in May. She quickly added that she was allowing her child some “fun time” during the summer before getting back to work in July and that it wasn’t his fault the work wasn’t complete. …

CNN – What teachers really want to tell parents

These are some key points of advice for parents included in the free Tumbl Trak email newsletter (Subscribe):

Success can be defined as:

Healthy and happy kids
Assertive and positive attitudes
Reaching “their” highest potential
Enjoying gymnastics long into college and beyond

Successful programs:

Parents were always openly supportive of the program
Parents openly communicated with coaches about concerns
Parents were very helpful at meets and other special events
Parents taught their kids Ethics, Morals and Character but left Gymnastics to the PROS …

DO encourage your child to attend every workout
DON’T force them to go when they are sick or visibly very tired

DO be supportive when they have a bad workout and come home depressed
DON’T ask your coach for a conference every time it happens

DO expect your child to try their very best at every practice and competition
DON’T base your approval of them on their gymnastics performance

DO come to watch your child train occasionally and ask questions
DON’T coach your child…..PERIOD

DO talk to your coach about their plans for the year and years to come
DON’T question their coach’s authority regarding your daughter’s gymnastics career

DO get involved in your club. Help out at big functions. Show your daughter you care
DON’T expect or demand special consideration because you helped out

DO come and watch your child compete as much as possible
DON’T scream and yell and distract your daughter’s attention during the meet

DO assume your coaches have prepared your child adequately for the meet
DON’T question their judgment when last minute changes are made, or when a coach spots during a meet

DO expect your child’s coach to train her to the best of their ability
DON’T expect perfection…the coaches (and your child) are human

DO encourage proper nutrition at home and when eating out
DON’T talk the talk but not walk the walk. Eat right too.

DO take an active interest in your child’s progress and performance
DON’T undermine her coach’s authority in matters regarding gymnastics

DO constantly remind your child that you love them unconditionally, regardless of their performance
DON’T compare their progress with others…PERIOD

DO give full support to your coach
DON’T hesitate to take your child somewhere else if they will get better training

DO remember why you and your child got involved in the sport
DON’T forget that they love gymnastics because it’s FUN….

… I’ve very rarely had a serious problem. Working with parents is a coaching skill. Rather than wasting time and energy complaining, work on improving your communication with parents.

MARCH 8-11, 2012

Grace Chiu GraceClick on Facebook:

The new poster for l’International Gymnix 2012 …, with my photos of Vivi Babalis from Canadian Championships.

official website – internationalgymnix.ca

Australia’s Lauren Mitchell is scheduled to compete Gymnix and Pacific Rim, but not AA. She’s staying off Bars, trying to completely heal an injured shoulder.

Yet another U.K. pommel superstar in the making.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

subscribe to w00ll5’s YouTube channel

That’s the good news.

Olympic champion gymnast Paul Hamm pleaded no contest on a reduced set of charges and was sentenced to probation Thursday in Ohio, where he was accused of kicking a cab driver while drunk, damaging a taxi window and not paying a $23 fare. …

A magistrate suspended a sentence of 90 days in custody on each count, provided that Hamm completes a year of probation. He also had to pay the cab fare, plus nearly $500 in court fees, and must sit with a counselor for an alcohol assessment. …

ESPN

… Can someone explain why Paul didn’t try to settle this out of court?

What did he pay attorney Bill Meeks, all totaled? … For the sage advice, I mean.

SENIORS:
Christopher Brooks
Jacob Dalton
Samuel Mikulak

JUNIORS:
Marvin Kimble
Sean Melton
Akash Modi

details on USAG

We might see Brooks earlier than that, at American Cup. He and Gabi Douglas have been named as USA alternates.

As part of the USA and Canada joint junior team camp, the USA and Canada competed in a friendly exchange at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The USA’s Red Team had the highest team score at 333.600, followed by the USA’s Blue Team at 325.500 and Canada at 312.45. Competition results reflect the International Gymnastics Federation’s (FIG) junior rules modifications.

Damian Cachia had the highest all-around for the Canadian team at 77.650. Zachary Clay had the team’s second highest score at 76.400.

The team competition has five men compete on each apparatus, with the top four scores counting toward the team total.

Sean Melton of Orlando, Fla./U.S. Olympic Training Center, who was on the USA’s Red Team, had the competition’s highest all-around score at 84.800. Competing on the USA’s Blue Team, Joey Peters of Orefield, Pa./Parkettes National Gymnastics Center, earned a 83.750 for the second highest score. Akash Modi of Morganville, N.J./Monmouth Gymnastics Academy, also on the USA Red Team, rounded out the top three all-around scores at 82.650.

The members of the three teams, as well as several additional athletes who also competed, are listed on the post at USAgym.org.

Dates: April 3 – 7, 2012
Airdrie, Alberta

See the top 120 athletes compete for National Team Selection in Trampoline and Tumbling. It’s in my backyard this year — Calgary airport. Airdrie has an amazing facility.

Can Karen Cockburn win a 4th Olympic medal in her 4th Olympics?

Gymnastics Canada page and Facebook page

Register via Alberta Gymnastics

Thanks Brett.

Looks pretty.

fig-gymnastics.com

This is the 4th update since launched May 5, 1999.

Leigh Hennessy Robson finds it friendlier, easier to search.

Meet Director David Adlard on Facebook:

… there’s obviously something wrong… not only did Great West Gym Fest setup get done in record time, I was in my room by 10:30 last night (!), in bed by 11:30 (!) and woke up without an alarm before 6, and actually got a beautiful run in along the lake this morning! I have obviously forgotten something… 🙂

home page – February 24-26, 2012

Kyle Shewfelt is special guest.