Hi! My daughter is a solid level 8 on the vault and floor. She's a powerful tumbler, but still struggles with her back handspring on the beam and kip cast to handstand on bars (so barely level 7). She's super passionate about this sport - always has been. She works super hard and has never given up, although lately I feel that is starting to change. She's just getting really frustrated about her lack of progress in these two areas. It's a frustration that has a different tone than before when she's struggled "more positively and confidently" if that makes sense.
Long story short....she is 14 years old and does not have a petite "gymnastics body." She's strong, but taller and bigger boned than any one else at her gym. As a result (at least in my opinion) she's never been taken very seriously and has always been in the "lower squad" with the least experienced coaches.
Anyway - looking towards the future, I wonder if anyone has any advice for her? Is her size simply preventing her from achieving these skills? Or do these skills just take years to achieve? Is it something that a different, more experienced coach / or private lessons might be able to guide her through?
Her current coach (who came from MAG) just says "she needs more reps" but I wonder if it's something else. is she just always going to be stronger in some events than others? And if so, where does that leave her in the grand scheme of the sports? Is there even a future for her if she can't get these two very significant skills?
Ok - that was a lot there, but I guess it's making me sad to see her recently becoming more and more down and frustrated.....about a sport she has always been so passionate about. I appreciate any advice about how I might support and/or advocate for her through this time.
Thanks.
Long story short....she is 14 years old and does not have a petite "gymnastics body." She's strong, but taller and bigger boned than any one else at her gym. As a result (at least in my opinion) she's never been taken very seriously and has always been in the "lower squad" with the least experienced coaches.
Anyway - looking towards the future, I wonder if anyone has any advice for her? Is her size simply preventing her from achieving these skills? Or do these skills just take years to achieve? Is it something that a different, more experienced coach / or private lessons might be able to guide her through?
Her current coach (who came from MAG) just says "she needs more reps" but I wonder if it's something else. is she just always going to be stronger in some events than others? And if so, where does that leave her in the grand scheme of the sports? Is there even a future for her if she can't get these two very significant skills?
Ok - that was a lot there, but I guess it's making me sad to see her recently becoming more and more down and frustrated.....about a sport she has always been so passionate about. I appreciate any advice about how I might support and/or advocate for her through this time.
Thanks.