- Sep 11, 2013
- 2,184
- 2,283
Agree 100% w ascarter1.
If possible, I would observe, although it can be really hard to hear what is being said out on the floor at times.
Talk to your DD and let her know thatcorrections are the coaches way to help her.
I coach developmental team and L3 primarily, so lots of young girls. I am loud and strict/structured. I know I do not mesh with all kids and parenting styles. Most really appreciate my coaching style but I am not going to be the right fit for someone who wants nothing but warm and fuzzy... out on the floor crying doesn't work for me, unless you are hurt and then I will nurse you up. Whining isn't tolerated. Corrections are sometimes shouted to get heard (noisy gym!), and often short and to the point. I don't have the time and luxury to softly say "now little Suzie, would you please take a moment and point your toes" during drills, it will be a loud "point your toes!", just as an example. I do make sure the girls know that getting corrected is good and means I care about their gymnastics, and not that I am upset with them. It is my JOB to correct them and push them so that they can become better at gymnastics. I truly care about my gymnasts and want them to be happy, and cheer them on, joke around, give hugs and high fives for great turns etc, but I do not baby them out on the floor.
FWIW, I have had a couple of parents approach me through the years and let me know their DDs are sensitive and would like softer corrections etc. I don't take offense to that (being approached) but I am also honestly not changing what I am doing to accommodate that in any way. To be perfectly frank, you run the risk of having your kid labeled what I like to call a "snowflake" (which is almost never a problem with the kid, almost always the parents....) That may sound harsh BUT this is competitive gymnastics. If you want fun and soft spoken, always positive reinforcement, then rec is a better option (not YOU original poster, any "you"!). I already make sure to give all the girls kudos for things well done and I am never mean, derogatory or condescending to any of my girls.
Just giving you the other side of the coin, so to speak.
Now, as a parent.... throughout my DDs gymnastics, my favorite coaches of hers have always been the ones with similar attributes. I want my kid to learn, focus and progress. When she was younger, there were a few coaches that she felt were "mean" initially but they have always ended up being her favorite coaches. Now as a young teen and L8, she understands much better what coaching needs to be and she can differentiate "mean" from structured, hard on conditioning etc.
If her coach is truly mean and derogatory, then I wouldn't even talk to her/him. I would either bring it to the higher ups or simply move my DD. There ARE coaches who should not work with kids, period.
It doesn't sound like you think this coach is truly a problem but it is more how to help your kid process the feel of the corrections. Talk to your DD and explain all that has been said in this entire thread, much great advice has been given. 7 is absolutely not too young to understand this!!!
Best of luck!
If possible, I would observe, although it can be really hard to hear what is being said out on the floor at times.
Talk to your DD and let her know thatcorrections are the coaches way to help her.
I coach developmental team and L3 primarily, so lots of young girls. I am loud and strict/structured. I know I do not mesh with all kids and parenting styles. Most really appreciate my coaching style but I am not going to be the right fit for someone who wants nothing but warm and fuzzy... out on the floor crying doesn't work for me, unless you are hurt and then I will nurse you up. Whining isn't tolerated. Corrections are sometimes shouted to get heard (noisy gym!), and often short and to the point. I don't have the time and luxury to softly say "now little Suzie, would you please take a moment and point your toes" during drills, it will be a loud "point your toes!", just as an example. I do make sure the girls know that getting corrected is good and means I care about their gymnastics, and not that I am upset with them. It is my JOB to correct them and push them so that they can become better at gymnastics. I truly care about my gymnasts and want them to be happy, and cheer them on, joke around, give hugs and high fives for great turns etc, but I do not baby them out on the floor.
FWIW, I have had a couple of parents approach me through the years and let me know their DDs are sensitive and would like softer corrections etc. I don't take offense to that (being approached) but I am also honestly not changing what I am doing to accommodate that in any way. To be perfectly frank, you run the risk of having your kid labeled what I like to call a "snowflake" (which is almost never a problem with the kid, almost always the parents....) That may sound harsh BUT this is competitive gymnastics. If you want fun and soft spoken, always positive reinforcement, then rec is a better option (not YOU original poster, any "you"!). I already make sure to give all the girls kudos for things well done and I am never mean, derogatory or condescending to any of my girls.
Just giving you the other side of the coin, so to speak.
Now, as a parent.... throughout my DDs gymnastics, my favorite coaches of hers have always been the ones with similar attributes. I want my kid to learn, focus and progress. When she was younger, there were a few coaches that she felt were "mean" initially but they have always ended up being her favorite coaches. Now as a young teen and L8, she understands much better what coaching needs to be and she can differentiate "mean" from structured, hard on conditioning etc.
If her coach is truly mean and derogatory, then I wouldn't even talk to her/him. I would either bring it to the higher ups or simply move my DD. There ARE coaches who should not work with kids, period.
It doesn't sound like you think this coach is truly a problem but it is more how to help your kid process the feel of the corrections. Talk to your DD and explain all that has been said in this entire thread, much great advice has been given. 7 is absolutely not too young to understand this!!!
Best of luck!