I have been reading lots of the 'negative coaching' threads, and instead of replying to all of them with the same answer, I just thought to put it all in one place.
Sometimes people mistake helping a gymnast for negative coaching. I know you are all thinking that isn't true, and that good coaches create a very positive environment without critisizing the gymnast. I, honestly (now please don't lash out on me) that, while, this can make gymnastics fun, that coaching competitive gymnastics will always be diffrent. It is hard for parents and gymnasts to understand that often times when a coach critisizes a gymnast, they are doing it out of love, and they always want to see their gymnast succeed (hey, they are representing the coaches when they compete). I would think that you would be the most concerned when a coach doesn't critisize, as that implys that the coach has given up on the child, and doesn't think that he/she can do any better anymore. Now, if you find the coach saying that the gymnast isn't trying, or that they expect better results, well that is simply just trying to find out how high to raise the bar for that athlete, and trying to get them to constantly work harder. I can garentee you that even if a gymnast scores a perfect 10 on all four events a caring coach will say "That was amazing, but I know you can do better" just so that the gymnast will continue to work harder, and know that there is always room for imprvement, but they will still have coaches and parents proud of them. Thank-you for listening to my rant..Please keep it in mind.
Sometimes people mistake helping a gymnast for negative coaching. I know you are all thinking that isn't true, and that good coaches create a very positive environment without critisizing the gymnast. I, honestly (now please don't lash out on me) that, while, this can make gymnastics fun, that coaching competitive gymnastics will always be diffrent. It is hard for parents and gymnasts to understand that often times when a coach critisizes a gymnast, they are doing it out of love, and they always want to see their gymnast succeed (hey, they are representing the coaches when they compete). I would think that you would be the most concerned when a coach doesn't critisize, as that implys that the coach has given up on the child, and doesn't think that he/she can do any better anymore. Now, if you find the coach saying that the gymnast isn't trying, or that they expect better results, well that is simply just trying to find out how high to raise the bar for that athlete, and trying to get them to constantly work harder. I can garentee you that even if a gymnast scores a perfect 10 on all four events a caring coach will say "That was amazing, but I know you can do better" just so that the gymnast will continue to work harder, and know that there is always room for imprvement, but they will still have coaches and parents proud of them. Thank-you for listening to my rant..Please keep it in mind.