5 girls walk into the gym and want to learn gymnastics. All are 8 years old.
Suzie has terrific flexibility but less-than-average strength.
Julie is as strong as an ox but lacks motivation.
Kim has terrific flexibility and strength but lacks confidence.
Paula has it all but doesn’t really like gymnastics, her parents are pushing her into it.
Maggie has most of what she needs but she has been pampered most of her life and doesn’t have a good work ethic.
Suzie doesn’t like Julie.
Kim moves slowly and Maggie is hyper all of the time.
Paula listens and follows directions and Suzie is in “la la land” a lot of the time.
And we, as coaches, are expected to turn these very different children into champions?
Every child comes to us with a set of strengths and weaknesses that we have to work with or change. The progress of each athlete is so much about being a special individual. Over the next several weeks we will see gymnasts competing at their state meets and we will crown the All-Around Champions. Give them a medal or trophy and take pictures. When, the person who learned the most, and progressed the most could be sitting and watching the awards because she moved from 30th to 15th. The child with the “best meet” could very well walk away with no awards.
The job of these sports coaches is so complicated. To deal with so many personalities, body types, attitudes, distractions and maybe even some misguided expectations is a major job.
At the end of your season, I hope that all of the adults involved look at the progress that was made by their athlete rather than the results of the last competition. I also hope that the athletes and the parents take time to appreciate everything their coaches went through and did for their families this season. It would be great if the athletes and the parents showed the coaches their appreciation.
Thankfully, all young athletes are not preprogrammed robots who all do the same thing. Very boring for a coach. Every child is unique. Your child is special. Your child should be allowed, and challenged, to be better with her unique set of qualities.
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Tom Burgdorf – Author
Email: Tom@gymnetsports.com Web Site: www.Gymnetsports.net Face Book: Tom Burgdorf