How do you choose?
If your gym has a successful recreational program, it will not be hard to pinpoint which little ones possess the qualities for competitive gymnastics. Here are some things to consider..
*What to look for
1. Is the child coachable?
-How easily do they grasp the concept of new skills? Do they actively try to apply correction to skills, even if they continue to make mistakes?
2. How does the child interact with his or her coach, and other classmates?
-Are they generally happy to interact with coaches and other students? Are they encouraging to themselves and others?
3. Does the child maintain a good attendance record?
-This can be tricky with recreational students because they do not have routines to perfect and are usually involved with other activities outside of school.
*What to avoid
1. A child who is uneager to learn.
-Perhaps they are forced to come by a parent, or only come to accompany a friend. Generally every child is happy to participate and learn so this is not always a problem. However, it's noticeable when a child has no interest in furthering the development of skill level.
2. A child who demonstrates disrespectful behavior to his or her coach, classmates, (and in some cases) parent(s).
-Coaching and reversing the 'sour apple' is possible.
It's not fun or easy............but it's possible.
3. A child who is unable to cope with constructive criticism
Corrections should be scaled down to criticism appropriate for 5, 6, and 7 year old children. However, if you have an enthusiastic, patient coach teaching recreational gymnastics, you should have no problem detecting children who do not like to be corrected.
After you have selected an appropriate number of children to graduate to a compulsory program, there are still a few things that need to be considered.
*Your conditioning program
As coaches, we are no strangers to a solid conditioning program, and understanding the importance of physical fitness in the world of gymnastics. However, it can be tricky convincing a new team member how necessary it is to maintain an appropriate conditioning regime. Keep in mind, this needs to be communicated with the parents as well. I would recommend holding a parent meeting as soon as possible to explain everything that will occur during practices.
It can be tricky designing a new conditioning program that will build strength, endurance, and promote a hard working ethic, while compensating for lack of stamina in new little gymnast bodies.
Lastly, and most importantly..
Introduce the standards you have for team culture from day 1. When all else fails, and every element is working against a particular gymnast.. (injury, frustration, problems with mastering a new skill) team culture is sometimes the only strength they have left at the end of the day.
"The strength of the team is each individual member, the strength of each member is the team"
-Phil Jackson
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