Women Cheating

[Vaibicy]

This could be more of an angry vent than anything else, but I kind of reached a point on the angriness meter where I need to pour out my frustrations... Anyways, I'm sick of other gymnasts cheating on conditioning, repetitions of skills.

I will be told to mind my own beeswax, but the thing is, my coach gets disappointed/angry/annoyed with me when she sees that I'm the last one finishing and that I'm not on my second round through the conditioning list. Everyone else seems to get things done uncannily fast so my coach keeps piling on more and more conditioning.

For example, when we had to do conditioning in partners of 2, my partner would be always "finished" WAY ahead of me even if say, she started after me and took two breaks in between. Then we had to hold a handstand for 90 seconds and we were to count on our own. Even though we started together, most girls came down at the 30 second mark. When you watch them, they do 10 reps instead of 25. I have trouble doing the number of exercises and sometimes I start crying because I feel short of breath. Then I get told off for crying because I'm too old, and everyone else is doing it fine so there's no reason for me to have trouble.

I'm not sure if my coach knows about the cheating and I'm sort of scared to tell her (Or rather, how to tell her). Any tips? Thanks

 

[gymgurl]

There are a few girls in our gym like that 1 in particular she gets on a bar waits for the coach to look pretends to struggle and comes down looking like she had just worked hard. We pointed this out to our coach and she counted everything of this girls and she ended up very very sore the next day when she was doing exactly what we have always been doing talk to your coach about it she might not even realise. Also, don't worry, you will end up on top, the stronger you are the better you will be at gymnastics. By cheating they are only cheating themselves. When they get to upper levels they will find skills much harder than you do.

 

[LizzieLac]

There are people like that is every aspect of life. They are only cheating themselves.

But I agree with you. My DD gets very annoyed when some just go through motions when it comes to conditioning and warmup. Especially in warmup, because it is the start of practice and all levels warmup together, the coaches really watch. When some are sloppy or don't turn in on their splits, the coaches have been known to make everyone go through the progression again. Once, they never even got to workout becuase the got taught the finer points of warmup for 3 hours - and it included everyone, even the ones doing it right!

 

[Amusibus]

I totally sympathize. I went through this kind of thing in academics in chiropractic school all the time! But guess what? I was the valedictorian and they barely squeaked through. I agree you should tell your coach, but also know that not only will you be stronger and do better, you also have the passion and drive to do well and so know you could never cheat. Good luck approaching the coach about it. It can be hard not to feel like a tattle tail. Just try to do it in a very detached way, not accusatory or angry or pointing fingers at any particular person.

 

[iwannacoach]

I sorta edited your post to get rid of any phases or wording your coach may notice and use to figure out who you are. I doubt you have to be that worried or secretive, but that's not the issue. What is important is you getting recognized for doing the work you're doing, and that your team mates get the conditioning they need to help them learn and stay injury free.

So here's the deal I'll make with you. If you can't work up the nerve to talk to her without getting all stressed out, I'll email the message to her for you....... because I can't stand cheaters, especially the ones that notice you're getting labeled the wrong way..... for doing the right thing. So send me her email address through the private message system here at chalkbucket, and I'll send her the above message through my personal email.

And...... Just so you know, I've been a pretty tough coach, but have never had a problem with a child asking me to look out for cheaters. Why? Because they were always right when I slowed down and watched what everyone was doing during conditioning.

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

Your coach needs to manage the situation, How long is your group got to finish the conditioning and how many activities do you have to do? As frustrating as it is for you, you just need to be patient and continue to complete the assigned work as well as you can, eventually it will make a difference and you will move ahead of others. If you feel like you can approach the coach, mention that you think some girls are cheating. Like you, I find cheating to be unacceptable, but as a coach I know it happens, I accept this and try and mold the kids into being honest.

Conditioning is difficult and I think most gymnasts have cheated on occasion. I have several tactics to discourage/catch cheating. We have regular physical tests, this encourages the girls to bust their butts every day because they want to win the physical test (winner is the most improved). If they find something challenging or too hard they must ask for a spot and complete the requirement to a high standard.

We watch the girls who always finish first closely and spot count without looking like we are watching, this also includes the quality of their work. I also watch kids who seem to struggle with skills/don't progress to see if their effort in the strength is what is letting them down. I never scold anyone for finishing last but I do if they are stopping between reps or wandering around and checking the list like Santa.

If I am spotting, I don't normally count for them as I am watching the others on the sly as well, this is where I catch the coach watchers Sometimes I will ask them at count 12 if they are up to 17, most are honest, the cheaters will say yes. This is my test, I never call them out on cheating right in front of me because I don't want them to figure out that it is a test. We will ask them directly when caught cheating 'how many chin ups are you supposed to do?' 'well why did you only do X? you need to start again, if you are finding it difficult ask for help, do you need me to help you now?'

I also test their little brains, what skill do you think this will help with? Many kids do not enjoy strength work (most of my group do) so getting them to link it up with the skills they are trying to achieve makes it relate and have a little more purpose than simply telling them they need to do it to be a better gymnast.

I have secretly videoed on occasion, and then cracked down on the cheaters (quality and quantity), they are aware that I do this and think twice about it. It sounds like I am constantly policing (and I do) but more so I have built a culture of struggling through is something to be proud of, being strong and working hard (to the point of tears) are brag worthy. I always try and link skill achievement with a girls effort in her conditioning work. I never praise a child for finishing early, but I do offer praise for kids who I can see working hard.

Some of the biggest cheaters have turned into the hardest workers and the one who still cheats is miles behind the rest of the group. She is started to get upset during training because 'I'm the worst one in the group' I have no sympathy for her because it is her own doing, and I have given her many warnings. The other children don't offer much condolences either because they hate the fact that they drive themselves to tears while someone else shoots through and finishes with little effort. My group has became rather snobby about effort level, it is cool to work hard and they only want to partner with kids who work the hardest, they know this and work harder so that others will want to work with them. I also know to watch the kid that no one wants to work with. I think you would fit in well with my group

 

[my4buffaloes]

I feel for you! Is there some way to bring it up without really accusing the other gymnasts of not doing the right amount? You could make comments like "I am just doing the number you required and making sure I do them with good form because I want to get stronger." or maybe something like "The reason I finish last is because I make sure I do all of the required conditioning list." Once that sinks in with the coach you won't have to call anyone else out or even bring up that there are cheaters. Good luck! I do think you should stand up for yourself, but without blaming others directly.

 

[wallinbl]

Take heart that you know one of the most important lessons in life - hard work pays off, and there's little substitute for it (very few are born with the mental or physical gifts to be amazing without hard work). It's one of the things that parents are most concerned about their kids learning. Be proud that you do not cheat and that you have the fortitude to buckle down and work hard.