I have recently been working with a group of level fours( welll training fours) They are all missing atleast one or two skills and will not be FOurs untill they get all their skills. Here is my problem they seem to not be making changes when told... we can work on one skil For example levering zaction into and out of handstands and they will do it for 20 minutes not making changes they will just stand around untill i tell them to get busy.. Its almost like they don't care and it's very frustarting to me.
They would all be competting three at any other gym but our gym owner wants me to just work with them to get the needed skills then they can move to level four team. I think they would get bored with not moving onto new skills untill they perfect their old ones...but they don't seem to. I am at my witts end with them any advice. I know they know what I am asking them to do they just are not making the changes
I know where you are coming from. Nothing is more frustrating than a group of kids who
say that they want to compete at a specific level, and then show no interest in
doing what it takes to compete that level, even if you tell them what they need to do over, and over, and over.
While it's frustrating, sometimes the best thing to do is reduce the difficulty level and raise the expectation. It sounds like you are trying that with the "levering action", but sometimes it has to go back even further to stretching before the lever, or pointing feet while seated. Sometimes treating an athlete with reduced expectations can snap them into the reality that they aren't working up to their level.
The other thing I use...which must be used very carefully...is that the expectation is set out there, and the ones who do it get positive reinforcement, and the ones who don't get encouraged, but don't move on. As long as the expectation is well within everyone's ability, there shouldn't be any complaints about "fairness." I would make the expectation the minimum for a Level 4 to start.
I also subscribe to "all or nothing" coaching at times...especially when the expectation is very reasonable. Things like walking across the floor in releve with arms side-middle. If ONE Level 4 doesn't do it...the whole group goes back and starts over...and I usually don't even have to point out who didn't follow directions...the kids know. As long as you are calm and patient, they will get the point. Obviously, the kid who messes up feels pressure from the other kids to make corrections. I have had parents complain that this is not "fair", but the truth is, that if these kids are going to compete as Level 4s, their teammates and all of the other kids at the meet will be pushing them to make corrections while competeing against them...or they don't get any medals, team or otherwise. It's the same concept, just in a more simple, direct form. It is called
competitive gymnastics, and they need to understand that there is a minimum expectation for a Level 4.
Just stick to your expectations, but be as patient and positive as you can be. Smile and say "start over" or "try again", and let them suffer the consequences (never move on/never compete) when they don't make corrections.
Good luck!