Parent Archives - Scott Johnson's Gym Experience

Athletes, Mobility, Parent, Preparation, Skill Development, Transition

Should Your Student or Child be Promoted?

April 3, 2019June 12, 2019 scottjohnsonsgymexperience

In every youth sports program, there comes a time when the coaches need to make the decision of when to move a child up to the next level. This can be a very sensitive issue in many cases and a decision which can make or break a students’ confidence and morale. Not only does this decision effect the student, it has an important effect on the parent as well. There are many factors to consider when deciding to move a child to the next level.

Many programs have strict requirements which need to be met in order to qualify for mobility. This may be a scoring requirement or a skill requirement. In these cases, it is clearly identified when a student can qualify for mobility and no argument can be made. However, in other cases, mobility is a grey area and many programs use only discretion when considering to move a student up. In this scenario, it could cause conflict.

For many competitive team programs, mobility can only happen at the end or beginning of a season. Once an athlete is placed on a team, their position may require them to fulfill the entire season for the success of the team. In some sports that are considered more individualized, an athlete may be moved up if they meet the programs requirements.

The dynamics are similar in recreational programs as well, but the decision to move a student to the next level has a varied effect on the total program. Since there is not a competitive edge to this environment, the decision to move a child up is based primarily on availability and skill requirement.

Parents and students need to understand that it is to their benefit to excel at their current level before any mobility occurs. Coaches do not want to place a student in an environment where they will struggle and possibly be intimidated. There is a risk factor as well since the skills become more advanced. This is usually not a positive environment when a student is placed in a group where the students are much more advanced. It is always good to challenge an athlete but not to extremes where intimidation occurs.

However, It can be very frustrating for a student and parent when they are “held back” for reasons that only benefit the program. It is a common practice for some programs to hold back students for the benefit of creating a successful team environment. Although holding back students who have clearly met the skill requirements to move up, will certainly make the team stronger and more competitive.

So, is this a bad thing? Much depends on the program itself and how the dynamics work within the program. Some programs have such a large team program that there may be no spots available for new students to join. Mobility may not occur as quickly in these circumstances. In some cases, however, a student is held back for the sole purpose of a program wanting to win.

In these cases, the student will not be able to fulfill their own goals and ultimate potential. When a student is held back and not permitted to experience higher levels of sport, they are not able to exercise their growth in development. One result of this scenario may be the student becoming bored with their training environment and losing all motivation. https://scottjohnsonsgymexperience.com/2018/04/17/the-motivating-factor/ This may result in the student quitting the sport altogether or moving to another gym in hopes of getting placed in a higher level.

It can be a difficult situation for the coaching staff when discussing mobility to higher levels to the parents. Especially for those students who see teammates move up when they cannot follow. Parents need to understand that coaches are experienced and will make decisions that best benefit the student and the program. I have always believed that a student should be promoted if their skill level meets the requirements of the next level. Serious athletes want to progress, so let’s help them.

I am in the process of publishing my first training manual: “Beginner Tumbling Training” . This will be a useful tool in training for all and any needing to learn proper technique and safety. Great for gymnastics, cheerleading, dance, martial arts, and more. I will keep you posted on that progress.

In addition, if you would like a personal training session or consultation with me, we can Skype a lesson. Private message me or email me at: scottjohnsongymnastics@gmail.com

Athletes, Communication, Parent, Sports, Stress, Success

Parent and Coach Influence on an Athlete's Success: To Push or Not Push

November 23, 2018November 30, 2018 scottjohnsonsgymexperience

It is always great to see parents involved with their children’s activities. Not only do the children (younger children) love it when their parents watch and support their activities, many depend on it. However, there may come a time in an athlete’s development when the parent should take a step back and allow their child to develop more freely.

One challenge the parent may have in the development of their child’s sports activity, is not understanding the true emotional desires or feelings of the child. There are many cases where the child may not have the desire to participate in the activity. It is important that parents attempt to introduce several different activities, throughout the early years, to allow the child to determine what they like best.

As an athlete becomes more serious and involved with their sport, training will become more consistent and serious. They will learn many things that are important and pertinent to that sport which will allow them to grow both physically and emotionally. They will learn the specifics of every aspect of the sport – things that the parent may not be aware of or have knowledge of since they are not actively involved with the day to day training atmosphere.

There are many aspects of development in an athlete’s pursuit to succeed. The physical aspect is only one part of development. The emotional aspect is another part of development and can be considered the most important and sensitive. As an athlete grows in their sport and begins to participate in competitions, the emotional aspect intensifies. For many athletes, the competitive arena can be a scary one and it may take time for the athlete to understand how to deal with and control the stress in those environments.

I have many conversations with parents regarding their child’s development. One of the most common question and concern is the issue of ” to push or not to push”. This issue is different for every athlete but most common for athletes in early development. The parent should be able to recognize if their child is serious about the sport or activity and this will help guide whether to push the athlete for greater achievement.

I truly believe that a person will only be successful at something they love and desire. This comes from the heart, which is internal motivation The Motivation Factor. Athletes that have this type of attitude will usually have the motivation to push themselves without much outside influence. Throughout an athlete’s career, there will be ups and downs – there will be success and failure. There will be injuries and burn-out. All of which are factors that can influence an athletes drive to succeed. Patience is important to allow the athlete to work through all challenges. Achievement is a process that takes time, experience, and consistency.

When an athlete is pushed hard to train for success, it may result in the athlete having a negative attitude. Especially if there has been a series of failures. This could result in continued failure and eventually and end to a career. As an athlete grows in their sport and reaches higher levels of competition, pushing the athlete can be beneficial. All great athletes need a good push periodically. It is the younger, more inexperienced athlete that may be more sensitive to being “pushed” to succeed.

However, not pushing your athlete may result in a lack of motivation or cause a lack of interest. Younger students do not understand the process of commitment and sacrifice, so they must be guided through the process. It can be a sensitive issue and one that must be properly determined by the parent.

I believe that athletes should be pushed and encouraged in their pursuit of success. But how hard to push and when to push is the issue. Every child is different and what may be beneficial to one may not work for another. The parents and coaches need to recognize this in their children and students in order to positively affect the pursuit of their goals. We want the best for all children. Some will become Champions, and many will not, but every one of them are Stars!!

I am in the process of developing manuals and videos on tumbling skill development that will be useful in training. I will keep you posted on that progress. In addition, if you would like a personal training session or consultation with me, we can Skype a lesson. Private message me or email me at: scottjohnsongymnastics@gmail.com

Athletes, Coaching, Communication, Competition, Evaluation, Parent, Skill Development, Training

A Parents Guide for Youth Sports : To Compete or Not Compete

October 23, 2018October 23, 2018 scottjohnsonsgymexperience

When a young student begins an activity, it is usually because they have a desire to do so. They may have friends that are doing the activity or seen it on television that sparks their interest. Whatever the reason, participation starts out at the beginning stages and the athlete will quickly decide if it is something they enjoy and want to pursue to higher levels.

Many sports are automatically competitive and is a major focus even for beginning students. Sports such as football, baseball, basketball, and soccer all have competitive games that are part of the participation. When a child participates in one of these types of sports, they become a competitor.

Some athletes thrive in this environment and love the competition. However, there are others who like the activity but not the competition. So, the question to consider is: “to compete or not compete?” This question is usually answered by the parent. Parents who enroll their child in a competitive sport should be aware of how the child reacts to this environment. Of course, competition is scary at first for a young athlete, so encouragement and patience may be necessary. Many parents will wait for a season to end before determining if that sport was the right decision.

There are other sports that have a recreational only side of the sport where the students are not trained to compete. These include sports like gymnastics, dance, and golf to name only a few. Many children who participate in these types of sports do so for fun and enjoyment. The time commitment is typically less than in a competitive sport and there is little stress involved in participation.

It is typically the passion and desires of those athletes who choose to pursue the competitive side of sports. These athletes may have a natural competitive attitude. This drives them to stay motivated, train hard, and want to win. They are excited about spending as much time as they can practicing their sport. As with most competitive athletes, the objective is to train to win. There are many factors at play with competitive sports. These include learning great sportsmanship, learning how to lose gracefully, and more importantly, how to remain humble when success is achieved (Win or Lose: Sports Learning Curve).

The biggest difference between the athlete who enjoys the recreational side vs the competitive side of sport is the effort and dedication factors. Athletes who participate as a recreational activity will usually spend much less time at the activity. Training these athletes is also much different. Although, the students should still learn the skills correctly, effectively, and safely, there is no pressure to perform at any level. In this environment, training may not be focused on skill development detail as training with a competitive athlete.

The programs I operate are strictly recreational and the focus of our curriculum is centered mostly on tumbling elements – which is the foundation of all gymnastics. In addition, tumbling is an important part of cheerleading, dance, and martial arts. Thus, our programs draw in athletes from several different sports disciplines (Programs for the Rec Student).
Since our programs are strictly recreational and incorporates athletes from different disciplines, we have scenario’s where the students grow out of our program to pursue higher levels of sport. This is the dynamic of not offering a competitive program, however, we pride ourselves in developing students to the point where they can be accepted and take the sport to higher levels.

Coaches conference — Parents Need to be Educated

When a student is ready for this transition or the parent is interested in taking their child to the next level, it is important to explain the differences in the style of programs. Especially if the recreational program is not located in a gym that also has competitive program running simultaneously. When an experienced student makes the transition from a recreational program to pursue a competitive program, the training commitment and schedule will usually become much more demanding. In addition, there may also be a difference in skill development.

There are students who leave the recreational program to join a competitive program where they have thrived and become successful competitors. However, there are others who return or quit altogether because it wasn’t what they expected. There are several factors to consider when making this adjustment. Age is a big factor when considering this transition. Many students may be just too young to handle the structure and demand required in a competitive program. Another factor may be the sacrifice in the time commitment.

I always discuss with the parent when they ask about this transition the factors to consider (Coaching the Parents). Most importantly, if a student wants to give competition a try, I think they should experience the atmosphere. Most gyms will allow a trial period before a commitment is made. They will never know unless they try!!

I hope this article is helpful for those seeking information for youth sports development. I will soon be releasing a series of manuals and video’s that will be beneficial for many. These will include skill development, safety and spotting, program development, training atmospheres, and many more subjects to enhance the development of coaches and athletes.

If you have concerns or need assistance with your training program, do not hesitate to contact me. If you would like an on-line training session via Skype, please contact me for scheduling.

Email: scottjohnsongymnastics@gmail.com

Athletes, Coaching, Mentor, Parent, Program Development

Someone Needs to be in Charge: Coaching Sports: Who is in Charge?

July 27, 2018July 28, 2018 scottjohnsonsgymexperience

All athletes who participate in sports, whether it be for recreational or competitive purposes need to have the guidance and support of a coach. Many sports have multiple coaches that participate and specialize in particular elements of the sport. For example, in the sport of Golf, the athlete may have a swing coach, a putting coach, and exercise coach. Even recreational youth sports programs may have multiple coaches. Basketball, football, soccer, gymnastics, etc. will have several coaches on the field or in the gym. There should always be a head coach that is responsible for the entire program and assistant coaches that specialize in particular fields. This process can get cloudy, however. Throw in the parents and it becomes a nightmare. In this discussion, I will share my thoughts on the role of the coach and how it relates to the athlete.

In sports that have multiple coaches, there needs to be a definitive hierarchy of responsiblity. If this is not defined, the training atmosphere is sure to be chaotic with ongoing conflict. We have heard of the term “to many chef’s in the kitchen ” and it is no different in the sports industry. When this occurs, who suffers? the athletes!!

Not only is it an objective of the coaches to train the athletes so they can improve their skill level, they should create a positive and exciting environment for the students to train. This type of environment will certainly help to motivate the students to put forth a strong effort for success (The Motivation Factor). If there is conflict between the coaching staff, it will affect the atmosphere and focus of the athletes which may result in a lack of progress.

The coach has a huge impact over the development of their students both physically and emotionally. Young athletes look up to their coach and seek direction from them. In many cases, the coach has a stronger impact over the student than their parents, as many athletes spend more time training in their sport than they spend at home. The coach has such a strong influence over the student that he or she will be the person who is responsible for the success or failure of the student. This is a huge responsibility and one that every coach should recognize.

There are many methods and styles of coaching and it can be a challenge for the coach to find what works best for each individual athlete. Every athlete is different and what may work great to motivate one student may not work well with another student. The challenge becomes greater when the coach is working with a group of students at one time. It would not be possible to communicate to each individual in detail during a training session. The instruction is directed to the entire group and all students must react and perform as directed. In this situation, all students need to accept the style of coaching presented to them.

So what style of communication should the coach use when working with students? There are many styles and each will have a different effect on each individual student. Some communicate in a stern and demanding manner, some use threats and negative consequences, while there are others who communicate with positive and constructive criticism (Coaching: The Communication Factor). I believe this last example should be the norm.

When an athlete is in an environment where there are several coaches training at once, there can often be confusion and conflict. The problem arises when different coaches are telling students different things on the same issue. For example, one coach may tell a student to run 10 laps while another tells that student to run 15 laps. This puts the student in a difficult situation. Which coach has priority in this case? It is this type of scenario that can cause a breakdown in productivity and positive environments.

Each coach participating in a program needs to have a specific set of objectives and be responsible for specific parts of training. Once defined, the coaches should not interfere in an area controlled by another coach. In the sport of gymnastics for example, there may be a coach responsible for training students on the Bars and Vault and a different coach responsible for the Floor and Balance Beam. Each will have their own set of objectives and training format for their students. This same concept applies to all sports that have multiple positions or events.

A common problem in many sports, especially youth sports, are the parents. Of course, not only is the parent paying for their child to participate in the program, but they want their child to succeed. The problem arises when the parent takes it upon themselves to assist in the coaching of their child. There is nothing more frustrating for the coach then to have a parent try to coach their child from the sidelines (Coaching the Parents). This creates a huge disruption in the objectives the coaches are trying to achieve. It also distracts the student from focusing on what their coach is instructing. In this scenario, the student may be more concerned with what their parent is saying or thinking and ignoring what the coaches are saying.

It is also common that a parent may approach the coach and attempt to dictate how their child should be coached. Are you kidding me?? Even if the parent has had experience in the sport, they have no business telling the coaches how to do their job. If the parent is not satisfied with how their child is being developed, it may be a good idea to terminate the participation and enroll in another program.

There are parents who may think the “grass is greener” at some other location or program and constantly moving their child. In gymnastics, we call this “gym hopping”. This only hurts the athlete and will usually slow down progress. It takes time for an athlete to thrive in an environment and gain confidence in their coaches. When students hop from program to program, this confidence is rarely accomplished.

It is the coaches job to train and guide the athletes along their path to succeed. The “head coach” needs to make sure all aspects of the training environment are organized. They need to perform as a team and insure the athletes are getting the best training possible. When there is a strong positive relationship among the coaching staff, the athletes will be in an environment that should produce positive results.

I would love to hear your comments on this subject. Also, if there are any subjects you would like me to cover, let me know and I will do my best to post my thoughts. Please Like and Share to all you believe will benefit from the information.

Communication, Parent, Program Development

Coaching the Parents

May 10, 2018June 26, 2018 scottjohnsonsgymexperience

The three highest priorities in any youth sports program should be the student, the gym and staff, and the parent, in that order. The objective of the coach is to train the athlete and provide an environment that will produce positive results. This is a challenge in itself and takes much planning, development, and effort on part of the program directors and the entire coaching staff. What is seldom discussed and in some programs even avoided is how to coach the Parents. This can be a trying endeavor, and one that should have its own set of rules and objectives in every program. In this discussion, I will reflect some insight and thoughts on this important topic and its effect on the operations of youth sports programs.

All parents tend to see their children through rose-colored glasses, and will at times assume both the talent and passion to achieve are inherent. Unfortunately, in some cases, a parent’s passion to achieve can be stronger than the child’s, and will frequently attempt to direct and control how their child is trained. This is a common recurrence in all youth sport programs. When this happens, the parent can create a difficult and stressful distraction for the child, and the program. This is not only a challenge to deal with but often results in conflict and an end to the child’s participation. I believe this issue can be controlled but it takes the effort of the entire coaching staff and administration. The parent needs to be educated and coached just as their child is in the program. This is certainly a sensitive issue as no program wants to lose a student, however, if the issue cannot be resolved amicably it will almost assuredly create a toxic environment. In this instance, it may be best to part ways with the parent for the sake of everyone involved

Each program should have an established set of rules and regulations in written form that every participating parent should read carefully. By signing they acknowledge they understand and agree to adhere to the terms in the document. It is also advisable for someone in the administrative staff to verbally go through the specifics of the document when the parent enrolls the child. This should help to address any questions regarding the document. And finally, I would suggest even posting the rules and regulations where it is visible to all that enter as a constant reminder. Although the administration staff introduces these policies to the parent, it is usually the coach’s responsibility to enforce the rules and if necessary speak with the child and parents in the event there is a violation of gym policy.

We often hear a parent requesting special or private instruction for their child, and in some cases even suggesting the child be placed in a specific class. These suggestions should always be considered, but not decided by the parent. When this occurs, the coach should have a conversation with the parent explaining the training process and how mobility works in the program. Details should be given about how the student is doing and what factors are taking place in their development. Many times, this communication is effective and the parent will have a better understanding of the training process.

Unfortunately, there will always be the parent that is adamant and not open to the coach’s reasoning. If this happens, it should be addressed immediately and the coach must stand fast to gyms policies for the benefit of all the students and the program. The longer this type of parent is permitted to stay involved with the program, the greater the possibility the parent will bad mouth the program to other parents creating negative drama within the system. It’s like a virus, it can spread and create havoc. It needs to be eliminated!!

There are also those parents who hop from gym to gym assuming the “grass is greener” at the other program. It is apparent that there is not a program that fits the desires of the parent in these situations. And who suffers most? the child!! It always takes time for a child to adjust to a new environment with new coaches and teammates. Even when the staff creates a positive inclusive environment, the student may still have a difficult time building trust and confidence. On the other hand, there may not be a large selection of gyms in a particular area so a parent may try several before finding the right fit for their child. I always suggest this to parents who are asking about competitive programs for their child. There may be several in the area to choose from, so I suggest visiting several to find the right fit. The student needs to feel comfortable with the environment if they are to progress.

I have also found that one way to help prevent parent issues is to not allow the parents to get involved with the operations of the program. Having a Booster Club program is an excellent way to support a program, but should not be involved in any way with the programs instructional operations. A common problem is a parent developing a close friendship with one of the coaches or owner. Favoritism will almost assuredly create a corrosive competitive environment between parents and students, and should be avoided at all costs. Every program should have a staff policy not allowing any fraternization with parents. In addition, the parent viewing area should be monitored as closely as possible. We all know that some serious drama can occur in these areas. Some gyms have even eliminated the viewing area for this specific reason. I personally believe the gym should have an area where the parent can view their child, especially in non-competitive environments. They are paying for a service as well as wanting to make sure their child is receiving the attention they expect (refer to Class Structure).

The financial success of any program is dependent on student enrollment. Since it is the parent who is paying for the instruction, we depend on their support and want to retain them as long as possible. If the program is managed well with an experienced and positive staff, the students will thrive and the parents will be happy and satisfied. This will ensure the success of the program. Just remember, all it takes is one disturbed parent to ruin the reputation of a gym. If you see a potential problem with a parent, it needs to be addressed immediately. As uncomfortable as it is, it’s far better to confront the problem head-on and take immediate and drastic action if necessary, rather than allow the problem to escalate and have an adverse affect on the reputation of the program.

I hope you enjoyed this post and hope it helps some in knowing this is a common issue in almost all gym programs. As always, I would love to hear your comments. Also, if there are any subjects you would like me to cover, let me know and I will do my best to post my thoughts. Please Like and Share to all you believe will benefit from the information.

For clinics, seminars, or special events, please contact me at: scottjohnsongymnastics@gmail.com

Category: Parent

Should Your Student or Child be Promoted?

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Parent and Coach Influence on an Athlete's Success: To Push or Not Push

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A Parents Guide for Youth Sports : To Compete or Not Compete

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Someone Needs to be in Charge: Coaching Sports: Who is in Charge?

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Coaching the Parents

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