Anon Sitting out a comp season for non-injury reasons?

[Anonymous (8f67)]

Without going into too much detail, my gymnast is experiencing an ongoing family situation that remains unresolved legally, so for now she can’t completely escape the source of that trauma.

She has a therapist. She has a safe and supportive gym, caring coaches, and gym friends who she loves and vice versa.

But the first few meets of her season have been way worse than we could have imagined, and she has many blocks and balks. There’s a lot of detail about the timing of the blocks that I can’t easily explain here, but basically for now we can’t avoid the situations that seem to coincide with blocks coming back.

I’m starting to see this as an emotional injury. If she had a broken ankle, I wouldn’t think twice about her having a missed season and it would frustrate her but it wouldn’t be a blow to her confidence the way this season is.

I’m wondering if I should treat this like an emotional injury and ask the coaches to consider letting her practice but not competing in any more meets for the season. She has her mobility score even though her skills have come and gone.

Has anyone ever sat out a season for non-injury reasons but kept practicing? Would this be a crazy thing to propose to a coach?

 

[Coach Kate]

I would hope that her coaches would want what is best for your athlete and your family. Severe emotional distress can lead to physical harm as well so I would definitely encourage you to have a conversation with them.

If this were my athlete, I would involve her in the team in any way she feels comfortable and welcome her on the gym. If she even just wanted to come when she didn't have practice and do homework or whatever, that would happen too. If she wants to come to meets and be a good teammate but not compete, we'd be happy to be have her.

I hope the legal matters resolve themselves quickly and you, your family, and your child find peace and healing.