LIBERTY GYMNASTICS
2015 Meet Season Survival Tips
SCHEDULE
- 1/31 - 2/1 Metroplex Chlallenge (Ft. Worth Conv. Ctr) TAAF/XCEL
- 2/7-2/8 Kurt Thomas Invitational (Frisco) XCEL only
- 2/14-2/15 Achiever's Gymnastics (TWU) TAAF only
- 3/14-3/15 Corinth Gymnastics (Corinth) TAAF only
- 3/14-3/15 Rose City Invitational (Tyler) Xcel only
- 4/11-4/12 GymTricks (Hillsboro) TAAF only
- 4/18-4/19 Classic Gymnastics Xcel only
- 4/25-4/26 Lev. 1-3 TAAF State Meet (Richardson) TAAF only
- 5/9-5/10 Xcel State Championships (HEB Area) Xcel only
Day of the Meet....
- Arrive 10 minutes prior to your sessions Warm Up/General Stretch time posted
- Come dressed in leo, warm ups and competition hair done. Ready to compete.
- Once the kids are with the coaches on the competition for: they are ours. No communication with kiddos while during the competition.
- We will dismiss the girls after awards
- Please, be respectful to all host gym volunteers, coaches and competition officials.
- DO NOT make disparaging comments about anyone's children, coaches or judges. If you would not want to hear it about your child, do not say it. You never know who is sitting near you.
- We love clapping and cheering! But please, cheer for all girls on our team...not just your little one!
- Take pictures and videos all you want. But NO FLASHES ALLOWED. This is for the safety of the gymnasts.
- No parents on the competition floor at anytime. In the event of an injury, your coaches will come get you if needed. (This has NEVER happened in all of my years in coaching).
- And as always, No coaching. Let the coaches do the coaching. You guys sit back, enjoy and support your kiddos!
27 Things Parents of Gymnasts Should Avoid
I know all you absolutely adore your children. It's with that love that we sometimes fall into the trap of that "helicopter" parent or getting "too" involved in our children's sport. Here are some common missteps to try and avoid. Coming into our competition season, this is a good time for a reminder!
- Don’t compare your gymnast’s progress with that of other gymnasts.
- Don’t become overly ego-involved with your gymnast’s success or lack of it.
- Don’t take judge’s scores too seriously, especially at the lower levels.
- Don’t forget the need for fun in gymnastics.
- Don’t stand for unacceptable behavior from your gymnast during practice or competitions.
- Don’t participate in gossip about anyone in the gymnastics community.
- Don’t interfere with coaches and their coaching duties during practice or competitions.
- Don’t pressure your gymnast regarding skills or competition.
- Don’t set unrealistic goals for your gymnast.
- Don’t predicate your love or attention on your gymnast’s competitive success
- Don’t base your own ego or self-esteem on the success of your gymnast’s progress or competitive success.
- Don’t lose your long-term perspective about the importance of your gymnast’s participation in the sport.
- Don’t let yourself care too deeply about your gymnast’s competition results.
- Don’t undercut your gymnast’s confidence in their coaches or coaching.
- Don’t show any negative emotions while watching your gymnast practice or compete.
- Don’t try to make your gymnast talk with you immediately after a gymnastics meet, especially if they performed poorly.
- Don’t do or say anything to make your child feel guilty for the time and money you are spending on their gymnastics or any sacrifices you feel are making for them to participate in the sport.
- Don’t badmouth your gymnast’s coaches, your gym or other gymnasts in front of your gymnast.
- Don’t attempt to coach your gymnast yourself.
- Don’t alienate your gymnast’s coaches.
- Don’t predicate your support for your gymnast’s participation in the sport on any expectation of a monetary return like receiving a college scholarship.
- Don’t try to recreate your own career or live out your own sports dreams through your gymnast.
- Don’t do anything to make enemies with other gymnast’s parents.
- Don’t expect anything more from your gymnast except their best effort.
- Don’t ever do or say anything that will cause your gymnast to think less of you.
- Don’t use sarcasm, threaten or use fear to try to motivate your gymnast.
- Don’t expect anything more from gymnastics than physical fitness, life skills and fun for your gymnast.