There are currently a variety of career paths for gymnastics coaches.  There are a number of factors that will affect progress through such a career path that we would like to inform all coaches and potential coaches about for their own information and planning.

Sell Yourself and Your Program
The primary quality for any employee is “salesmanship”.  In the context of the gym, this means the ability of the employee to successfully convince current and potential gymnasts and parents to begin or continue as members of a gymnastics program.  The ultimate success of the business depends, not on gymnastics and competitive success, per se, but upon selling the athlete and parent.

Where All Children are Stars
The first quality to be evaluated, therefore, is interpersonal relationship skills.  One of the best gym mottoes and mission statements we have ever seen - “Where All Children are Stars” indicates the positive attitude, which a good gym philosophy requires.  Children at all levels in the program are encouraged to become their best by encouraging them with constant and consistent positive reinforcement.  This means to “catch them doing something right” and reinforce or compliment them about it.

The Worst May Be Best and the Best May Be Gone
There is no indication that even scientific selection gives anything but a cursory indication of the future potential competitive success of an athlete.  There are too many complex psychological factors that go into champions, regardless of their physical attributes and early success or lack of it, to pick champions.  Again, for this reason, all children should be treated as if they are the best potential athlete in the gym.

Have to Sell Both the Parents and The Gymnasts
The hardest part of the job is not to convince the gymnasts to enjoy the program, but to convince their parents of the value of the gymnastics experience.  Parental motivations are not primarily for competitive gymnastics success.  Primarily, they are interested in the goals of coordination (46%), fun and enjoyment (36%), discipline (26%) and athletic accomplishment (10%).  Our program must reflect these goals.  This is again accomplished by visible implementation of our motto - making it apparent to all who watch program or only listen to their own child that the program is fairly administered, fun and that all the coaches and staff are interested in the well being of each and every individual member of the program.

Treat Them As Family
To implement this, we recommend that you view each athlete as a member of the gym “family” and treat them as you would a family member.  This means that you exhibit a long-term commitment to their well being and progress and a positive relationship in spite of any minor temporary differences.

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