One step forward, two steps back...

[Sydsmom]

Not sure what to tell my DD but she seems to get a move, like ROBHS one minute, then all of a sudden for days she can't do it anymore. But it's more than just that...it's cartwheel on the beam, glide swing on the bars, heel drive on the vault.

Any thoughts on how to help her through this?

 

[Muddlethru]

I think if she is able to do it once, she'll be able to do it again. All it takes is practice. Once she does it a few times, her muscles will gradually start remembering the movement (muscle memory). Over time, the muscles will get familiar with the movement and then soon she'll be able to do the skill even without thinking. The only way for the muscles to become accustomed to these activities is for your DD to do these skills and then practice them with a great deal of trial and error. What your DD is going through, I think is normal when just learning a new skill and/or when you've been able to do a skill and then not doing that skill all the time.

 

[Danica76]

This also happens to my DD. She has her ROBHS looking beautiful one practice and the next she does a ROB"head"spring. I think 4TLOS is right, it is all about practice & building muscle memory. Just thought I would let you know that your DD is not alone

 

[Gymnasticgrandkids]

I don't have any advice for you but your thread heading reminded me.....isn't that a Paula Abdul song?????? lol

 

[Deleted member D3987]

more time.):

 

[MaryA]

As I've said before, everything I know about gymnastics I learned on Chalk Bucket, and if there's one thing that I've learned, this isn't "common"... It's a given! At every level the kids do this. It's frustrating as heck (to the gymnast AND to the parent) but it's the nature of the beast. Tell your DD that she's not alone, it happens to everyone, and she'll get through it. Next year she'll not be able to believe she had such trouble with these skills (though a level 8 gymnast was griping about the cartwheel on beam at practice last week... guess she hadn't done one in a while) but will be having the same problem with brand new skills.

 

[Muddlethru]

I don't have any advice for you but your thread heading reminded me.....isn't that a Paula Abdul song?????? lol

Funny, gymnasticgrandkids. But the words are two steps forward and two steps back. Opposites attract is the song. But something relevant are the words in the song "But when we get together, it just all works out!" So, sydsmom, have no fear, it will all work out. Just for the record, I am NOT a Paula Abdul fan. That is not to say, she is bad either. I just looked up this particular song out of curiosity.

 

[Deleted member 9865]

I have this problem all the time, it's like looking at a phone number, you know it, then 5secs later it's forgotten, it just takes the skill being drilled and drilled until the movement is natural.

 

[Sydsmom]

Thank you all so much for the encouraging words...I'll just keep reminding her that practice makes perfect and that it takes tiem. I know she is just very frustrated because there is one girl that gets move, what seems like, instantly....then rubs it in everyone's face that she can do it and they can't. I just tell her to stay away from her, and don't engage her in a conversation. It's hard on my dd because she is 12 (next month) and grew 7.5 inches in 6 months during the comp. season. So it's been a struggle for her, and I think will continue to be one for a little while. At least till she slows down in growing!!!