Coaches Confidence with RO BHS

[GymnastPotterhead]

I coach a gymnast who's basically doing her round off back handspring on her own on tumble track, but still won't go for it without a spot. I'm still kind of a beginner coach, and I'm not sure how to help her build confidence in herself. I think saying that I'm going to spot and taking my hand away (not spotting) kind of breaks the trust with the gymnast, and I'm looking for some ideas or advice on how I can help! She also "needs" a spot for a standing back handspring by the way if that changes things.

 

[Gymgirl84]

I agree with never telling them you're spotting and then not doing it.
What has worked with some of my gymnasts, is spotting but just following the movement with no support but keeping my hands there and slowly just not touching them if it is not necessary (well, sometimes I still touched when it was fine, but with time you usually end up not touching). As they get more confident, just stand there without following the whole movement, then slowly taking a small step back, then another,...
Very important to go back a couple of steps the next day they work on the skill again. Ie. they did it the last time with no-touching spot, then the next day, spot fully for a couple of turns, light spot another couple and then try again the no-touching.
I would work those steps first on the standing one. In those you can first start with your hand touching, then try to spot but start with your hand not touching the back of the gymnast,...