MAG Keeping focused

[Deleted member 10727]

My kids are level 5, and they have been generally very focused up until a few months ago. I have noticed they are not really acquiring new skills and this is concerning to me. In fact, one of them seems to be losing some basic skills. They have their first competition in 1.5 months. Yikes!

We recently had a new coach join the gym - a young guy - to help out the main coach, and while he is very good, my kids' teammates have been taking advantage and acting crazy. All but one of them, who acts like a little adult and concentrates crazy well for a kid. My kids have been in the mid-range, as far as focus goes.

How do I get them more motivated to focus? I have been told by other parents that I should "let them fail" at competitions, and that will teach them. I'd rather it not get that far, since we are dumping a bunch of money into this sport for them. One of my kids has dreams of making 60+ AA at every competition this season, but I know he won't and because he is so young, he doesn't correlate his attention span and (saying this bluntly here, but not to him) false beliefs that he rocks everything at gymnastics.

I know the kid on the team who is hyper-focused IS learning new skills and while he doesn't have the natural talent in many areas of gymnastics, his persistence and dedication is going to lead him to do very well. Although I don't want my kids to act like mini-adults like this kid, I do wish they'd emulate his incredible work ethic. How do I help them see that it pays off? Should I just leave it alone?

 

[profmom]

Unfortunately, I think that the people who are saying "let them figure out that actions have consequences" are right. But as for the skills, my experience is that it is quite common for kids to get skills, then lose them, then get them back again, sometimes many times.

For your son who cares about his AA score, does he understand how the specified bonuses work? If not, you might explain that to him. Beyond that, I wouldn't suggest emphasizing scores in meets as a metric of success. You say he's young -- will he compete as a seven year old this year? Always keep in mind that it's a long road in MAG, and the most important thing is to keep gym fun for them so they stay and grow and develop. If it were my child, I would expect good behavior in gym, but let the rest of it work itself out.

We also have a young guy who subs in sometimes when one of the regular coaches is away. He is so enthusiastic and fun and cute that I just want to hug him. The boys all know they can get away with a lot more when he's working with them, but they also seem to catch his genuine love for the sport. I would guess that if he sticks with it, he will learn over time how to discipline them gently and inspire them to behave well, absorbing his corrections and applying them. With some time, he'll flower into a truly talented coach who can get the most out of his charges. Hopefully your young guy will follow the same path.

I would, however, also draw the line with things that have the potential to be dangerous. Giggling is fine (as long as they're paying attention to the coach). Running around near someone who's swinging high bar or mushroom is not. Are they paying attention to their surroundings, or are they running the risk of getting mowed down by some L10 who's about to fling a giant Yurchenko?

 

[Iwannabemargo]

Oh boy, BOYS !

I have two that, to quote P G Woodehouse, are "distracted by the roaring of the butterfly wings in the field opposite" They do have the attention span of gnats, and do need to be engaged at all times or they will goof off, such is life.

I try to explain consequences to my boys but I fear its cold experience that will be the teacher.

 

[gracyomalley]

I too have 2 level 5 boys - one who started quite late and splits his energy between gym and playing violin at an advanced level with an adult orchestra, etc, and one who does gym primarily because his brother and sister do and because he's a bouncy high energy kid. The 13 year old musician is set to be level 6 next year, getting strong, has most bonuses and works very hard (often with his age mates who are level 7-9 because he can safely uptrain and enjoys being with them). The barely 9 year old has become a loosy-goosey, wiggling mess playing with friends and not progressing much the last 6 months...he can tumble at a much higher level, etc but won't for the life of him point his toes, etc.

It sometimes kills me to watch. I have spoken with his coach to make it clear that if he is being disrespectful or interfering with the training of others I want him sent home. I have reminded him that he will be unhappy with his scores if he doesn't focus on form and work his conditioning. I have asked his brother to not get involved (everything he says comes out as teenage criticism...even if meant to be helpful). I know that boys are like this sometimes....and will keep setting expectations and allow natural consequences...including the end to gym if it lasts too long....but I suspect that things will change with the first meet!

 

[Deleted member 10727]

Oh. Hrmmmn.... Mine are ages 7 and 9. I think I'm expecting too much.

 

[Deleted member 10727]

Profmom, They are perfectly safe, and know not to run in front of the guys with the advanced moves. I think you all are right. They will just have to figure it all out on their own, in their own time.

 

[skschlag]

I think it is common in boys! I know D goes through phases. Coach will come out and just say...he was being D! And I know that means unfocused, not making good corrections, and some goofing around. If it gets too bad, coach will boot him from practice. So I tend to let the coach handle it! When he starts whining about skills, I calmly remind him that hard work gets skills, and focus is needed. But I usually don't say anything until he whines.

At 7 and 9, I really didn't worry about it too much, as thebiggest focus at that age is theboys having fun and sticking with it!!