Well, today was the day. This was the first day of true gymnastics practice. I had some of "my" girls. It's funny. I've never been the best gymnastics coach. That's not to say I wasn't good at what I did, but I was certainly never the best. My biggest asset to the kids I coached (I think) was that I loved them. Yes, I have a gymnastics background, albeit a poor one. I have years and years of dance. I have a passion for this sport and I love kids.
Being in the gym today was a bit of an eye opener for me. High school is definitely different than club. Then again, most clubs are completely different from the last one I was in. I knew there would be adjustments for me, but I actually felt out of place today.
I've been out for so long. It doesn't seem like it's been that long. In fact, there are days that it feels like I just left. The reality is though, it's been a while. I have to basically re-learn how to coach. I have to remember everything that I learned while coaching and I have to figure out how to relay what I want to these girls. It's different coaching high school girls in a high school gym atmosphere. These girls, while dedicated to their high school sport, are entirely different than the girls I have coached in the past.
I have to learn how to speak to them. I cannot bark at them like I did the girls in the gym. I have to make sure they are comfortable enough with me that it is ok for me to touch them. As a gymnastics coach, there's a lot of touching going on. I do not want the girls to be uncomfortable with me putting their bodies in the appropriate shape. I have to learn how to function with far less equipment than what I am used to and I have to figure out how to teach them the skills they need without treating them like babies.
Yep, definitely an adjustment period. I actually questioned my abilities today. There are only two other times that I felt so unqualified for this. The first time was the first day I ever coached at Great Lakes and the second time was the first time I coached my own class at Twistars. I know that it will get better and I know that I will find my niche again, it's just hard to not be the coach I was at Twistars but still offer the girls the same level of instruction.
Being in the gym today was a bit of an eye opener for me. High school is definitely different than club. Then again, most clubs are completely different from the last one I was in. I knew there would be adjustments for me, but I actually felt out of place today.
I've been out for so long. It doesn't seem like it's been that long. In fact, there are days that it feels like I just left. The reality is though, it's been a while. I have to basically re-learn how to coach. I have to remember everything that I learned while coaching and I have to figure out how to relay what I want to these girls. It's different coaching high school girls in a high school gym atmosphere. These girls, while dedicated to their high school sport, are entirely different than the girls I have coached in the past.
I have to learn how to speak to them. I cannot bark at them like I did the girls in the gym. I have to make sure they are comfortable enough with me that it is ok for me to touch them. As a gymnastics coach, there's a lot of touching going on. I do not want the girls to be uncomfortable with me putting their bodies in the appropriate shape. I have to learn how to function with far less equipment than what I am used to and I have to figure out how to teach them the skills they need without treating them like babies.
Yep, definitely an adjustment period. I actually questioned my abilities today. There are only two other times that I felt so unqualified for this. The first time was the first day I ever coached at Great Lakes and the second time was the first time I coached my own class at Twistars. I know that it will get better and I know that I will find my niche again, it's just hard to not be the coach I was at Twistars but still offer the girls the same level of instruction.
You will find a way and they will love you.
ReplyDeleteall of what u r feeling probably makes u a fantastic coach in my book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, both of you =) Love you!
ReplyDeleteI think you are a good coach - The fact that you are looking internally and trying to make yourself better is what makes you a good coach..Good luck
ReplyDelete