Women How to talk to a coach about a frustration without offending her

[LuluGymnast]

Hi, I am frustrated because of my gym practice last night. I am getting ready to go to platinum and have almost all of my skills. Floor is my weak spot as I am not very good at tumbling because I have had frequent growth spurts that can really mess up my gymnastics, but I still try really hard. I had a round off back handspring back tuck on floor and “lost” it because of getting injured and can still do it pretty close to perfect on a tumble track. We hadn’t even started tumbling last night and my coach just said to me that I have to do a round off back tuck. I don’t understand because she usually says that you only do that if you can’t do a robhsbt and I technically can do it just makes no sense. I have over half a year to get all my skills and I am so frustrated because I feel like she doesn’t believe in me and I just feel like I am bad at gymnastics right now. It really upset me and I’m not really sure why. How do I talk to her about it without getting upset and crying? I would really really like tips because I’m just super frustrated. She tends to get kind of offended or stand-offish when I try to bring things up that I don’t like and I think that she thinks I am being rude when I really am not trying to.

 

[raenndrops]

First off, calm down.
She may not have explained it well, but a ROBT has fewer deduction opportunities (2 skills versus 3). There is no 3-skill pass requirement in Platinum, so a ROBT is perfectly acceptable. Also, just because she wanted you to do the ROBT doesn't mean you can NEVER do the ROBHSBT. Like you said, you have over half a year.
JUST BREATHE!
If you talk to her about it, approach it as "just out of curiosity" ... do you think I could work on my ROBHSBT in the near future because .....

 

[S_Flips]

I’ve been through that before, what I would do is breathe, do something else to distract yourself while you calm down, and then definitely talk to the coach. Explain what you think, but also be open to listening to what he/she says. Remember that there is nothing wrong with doing a Roundoff Backtuck instead of a Roundoff Backhand spring backtuck. This might be better for you in the long run, and you can still work both! Just be open to all ideas, it will turn out good in the end.

Finally, you are not bad a lot gymnastics. I’ve thought this way before, but if you think about it, you’re actually really good at gymnastics! You can do all this high level stuff, when most kids at your school can’t even do a cartwheel! How awesome is that? So when you are feeling down on yourself, remember how far you have come, and then try to think positive.

I hope this helps, good luck! (P.S. I didn’t proofread this so I hope you can understand!)

 

[#BGymnast]

Aww, don't worry, I believe in you.
I feel like so many of us have been in that situation. Sometimes I feel like I'm really bad and I'll never get a skill, but then, a few days later, I feel more confident and willing to try.
Make sure you do talk to your coach. They might not even be aware of what they have done. Just explain to her how you are feeling. And if you end up crying, you know what, it DOES NOT MATTER!
I am sure you will get to platinum, you can do it!

 

[rd7]

Coaches will always try to do what's best for the gymnast but may not be very good at explaining why. Lots of good advice above but give the round off back tuck a go, you might find your tumbling progresses quicker.

 

[LuluGymnast]

Thank you all so much, my coach has explained it to me and I am much happier with her explanation now. Thanks again!