| Coaching Girls' Gymnastics
There is a big difference in coaching boys in gymnastics and in coaching
girls gymnastics. The most noticeable difference is the level of
confidence that boys and girls have. Boys often have more confidence
than their talent should engender. The opposite is often true
for girls.
Girls Often Don’t Understand How Good they Are
Female athletes do not usually exhibit a high level of self-confidence.
Often they do not hve a realistic knowledge of just how talented they are
and it is not an easy task to get them to understand just where they fit
in the sport.
Coaches Must Constantly Work to Build Confidence
Coach must use a variety of strategies to build confidence in young
female gymnasts. Deviance from this strategy of confidence building
even for short periods can cause major confidence set-backs.
Praise is Primary
The primary tool must be the liberal use of praise, catching them doing
something right and pointing it out and building on it. A strong
strength and conditioning program has the added benefit of building self-confidence
in addition to the benefits to learning and performing in the sport.
Coaches Should Be Truly Confident In Their Abilities and Program
Coaches can set an example by demonstrating their own real level of
self-confidence (not the fake braggadocio confidence too many males attempt
to inflate themselves with). Combined with a solid successful training
program and the use of other positive psychology strategies and motivational
techniques can work to give female gymnasts the confidence they need to
be successful at the highest levels of gymnastics competition.
Coaches Need To Allow More for Individual Differences
Way far more than with male gymnasts, coaches need to be aware of the
individual differences in their female athletes. Knowing which gymnasts
to pat on the back and congratulate and which ones to challenge is vital
to the successful coaching of female gymnasts.
Continued Next Page
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