How To Coach Gymnastics

©copyright ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2012

Coaching is the fine art of fearlessly handing over all of your infinite wisdom. Whether your teaching children, teens or adults, the decorum is nearly the same with a few exchangable and basic ideas.

Everything I know I learned on the job. I can still spit out definitions verbatim and with all honesty, I cannot recall having used any of those prestigious and expensive commentaries. What I used the most was experience, feeling and memory. I would think that this could carry over into many arenas if you adapt it slightly. Our team won numerous state, regional, western and national titles on these philosophies. There are a lot of beautiful memories over the years and so many amazing kids that left an indelible mark on my life.

1. The most important rule in coaching is that the best coaches should be training the weakest or youngest athletes. A very talented and inspirational coach used to tell me that "It doesn't take a brilliant coach to train an athlete with olympic potential, all you have to do is open the gym and they will train themselves." Once an athlete has the foundation they need, the rest is shaping. There will be learning along the way but the profound education should happen in the earliest stages.
2. Never be so pretentious that you cannot ask for help. A second set of eyes is often one of the best tools in coaching. As a coach, you have a definite preference for the way you want things done which means you've trained your eyes to see, and perhaps miss things. Ask other people to watch. Ask them what they think is wrong. It doesn't make you weak, it makes you cover all your bases.
3. Watch your team as a whole and ask yourself, "What is the TEAM doing wrong?" In other words, is everyone making a common mistake? Are you weak in one area that is similar with each individual?
4. If you see someone doing something that you believe will benefit your team, by all means, do it. No one has exclusive rights to any type of training, drills, athletic acts or exercises.
5. Hold your athletes to a higher standard. If you strive for mediocrity, that's exactly what you will get. Don't misread me, you should not be building robots. You have to remember they are humans and need human contact. They require your attention, laughter and fun.
6. You can teach anything you want to teach by building it from the ground up. Break down the skill. Break it into the smallest part you have to in order to teach it correctly. If your athlete is performing it wrong, you've either taught it incorrectly or too soon. Go back, start over and re-teach.
7. It takes about three years to build a team as long as the players and the coach are consistent.
8. Don't coach from the sidelines, get into the action. If you are asleep at the wheel you won't be taken seriously.
9. If you are bored with the activity, your team will be bored. Passion is contagious.
10. On the days when you come home in first place, you still have things you can learn. Arrogance will stifle your growth and development.
11. Remember what worked and what was a misfire. Keep a notebook if you can't remember. Buy a book if you don't know where to start.
12. Never stop learning.
13. Advocate for your athlete. If your athlete competes better under certain circumstances then you should attempt to workout the best situation you can however, recognize limitations, what is acceptable and what is legal within the boundaries you are working. You don't want a spoiled child on your hands.
14. Your competition is improving as we speak, are you?
15. Your team is only going to be as perfect as you make them practice being. It's inevitable that mistakes will happen but perfect practice is what gives you the edge.

GOOD LUCK!

I've added the other videos to display the talent and discipline of other sports and arts. They are truly as beautiful and amazing as gymnastics.