One of the most common questions coaches hear from parents is “Is my gymnast really talented?”  For gymnasts on our team who have been tested, screened and chosen to join the team our answer is always positive.  This is not, as you might suspect, for financial reasons, but because it is simply impossible to predict which gymnasts are going to end up being the best on the team.

Anyone Can See Obvious Talent, but Not The Mind
 This is not to say that some gymnasts are so obviously talented that anyone can see their ability, whether parents or coaches.  What is not as obvious is whether that gymnast or any gymnast has all the other characteristics to progress successfully through all the years and levels of the sport.

Need Balance of Physical and Psychological
 Physical abilities are often fairly visible to parents and coaches, but it is the psychological factors which are invisible and often the most important for long-term success.

Late Bloomers not Uncommon
 Successful gymnasts come in many varieties.  Some are late-bloomers who just seem to be on cruise control or meander through the sport in their early years.  Some gymnasts hit their teens and all of a sudden get serious and make a huge jump in progress.

Early Rapid Progress Not Always a Great Sign
 Some gymnasts, often talented ones, make rapid easy progress early in their career and then stall when they hit the higher difficulty levels.  While talent alone let them zoom through the lower levels, talent alone is not enough in gymnastics.  No one is talented enough to just go out and do double backs on floor.

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