Why Coach Gymnastics?

- Rick McCharles, 2002

After over 25 years as a career coach, I still ask that question. There are jobs that pay much better. A lot of volunteer time is expected.

So why coach?

Gymnastics is the most beneficial physical activity. Gymnasts are the most fit athletes. Gymnastics is never boring. I love being part of the best sport.

We must also ask why kids do gymnastics? Surveys of gymnasts & parents result in lists like this:

1. Have FUN
2. Improve Skills
3. Make Friends
4. Be GOOD at something
5. For EXCITEMENT
6. For FITNESS
7. To be part of the CLUB
8. For CHALLENGE
9. To LEARN new skills
10. To WIN

How can we best provide an experience to fulfill those goals? My philosophy I appropriated from Keith Russell, a principle author of the Canadian coaching manuals:

1. Fun
2. Fitness
3. Fundamentals

This is the checklist by which I plan practices; Is it fun? Will fitness improve? Are basic skills reinforced?

Fun is a great goal as it is one that EVERYONE in the gym can achieve.

So what is fun in the gym?

• contests
• games
• variety in skills and drills
• activities where the kids work together (e.g. relays) depending on one another
• etc.

How do we improve fitness? It is easy. No other activity improves fitness as quickly and effortlessly as gymnastics. We only run in to problems if the strength drills are too easy (no training effect) or too repetitive (the body adapts after 3-4 weeks and improvement slows).

The main principle for coaches is the overload principle. Training plans must progressively and insistently require more and more of the athlete, physically and technically.

If the kids are having fun in the gym, they (normally) wil be more motivated for conditioning. If they are motivated for conditioning, the skills come more easily. If the basics are sound, competitive performance will improve.

Any additions to, or questions on, my philosophy?
I would appreciate feedback. email Rick.

By the way, my philosophy is the same for recreational once-a-week gymnasts as it is for high performance athletes. I observe, however, additional positive qualities of competitive gymnasts, including:

• high social status
• middle or high level socio-economic class
  
• organized in their life- style
  
• more socially adjusted
• superior leadership qualities
  
• emotionally controlled
• self-confident yet humble
• courageous
• normal or slightly above normal academic achievement
• tough-minded

coaching 5-year-old Darius makes it all worthwhile

Other articles by coach Rick McCharles Gymnastics: Shaping Skills with Drills   introducing the “flyaway”   introducing “cast to handstand” Gymnastics: Understand > Teach Model revisited , Injury prevention: Gymnastics Rips on the Hands Trampoline: preventing “barani confusion“ Psychology: Why coach gymnastics? Recreation: Up Down All Around school lesson plans Coaching: Team Building ... for Coaches Planning: Gymnastics in Australia 1993