How to Coach a Gymnastics Meet

Coaching a gymnastics meet requires a lot of responsibility and knowledge about the sport of gymnastics, as well as your gymnasts. Coaching can be emotionally rewarding--but only if you and your gymnasts are properly prepared to compete. As long as you and your gymnasts give 100 percent, you will walk away from the gymnastics meet satisfied and successful, regardless of the overall gymnastics standings.

Instructions

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      Obtain certifications from USA Gymnastics Coaching Programs which include: Safety/Risk Management Certification to increase safety and awareness; Certification Program--minimum certification requirements for the sport of gymnastics; First Aid Basics--deals with prevention of injury and common gymnastics specific injuries; and Professional Development Program--for all gymnastics disciplines.

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      Have a qualified gymnast or gymnastics team in a meet. Gymnasts and gymnastics teams usually qualify for gymnastics meets within a division or singularly with their scores/cumulative score.

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      Make sure your gymnasts are warming up properly for each apparatus. Your gymnasts will have warm up time for each apparatus on which they have qualified to compete. Make sure your gymnasts are in line for their chance to touch the apparatus and perform skills that may be problematic for them, so they can gain comfortability before competing.

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      Make sure to introduce yourself and shake the hands of all judges at the gymnastics meet. This will go a long way in gaining that extra tenth of a point when your gymnast may really need it.

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      Make sure your gymnasts are properly prepared for the meet, so they do not incur unnecessary deductions (proper leotard, hair pulled back, no large jewelry, no gum).

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      Make sure the judging table has the correct start value of your gymnasts' routines before your gymnasts begins to perform. Otherwise they will lose precious tenths that may be the difference in the final standings.

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      Make sure your gymnast is at the appropriate apparatus to perform. Your gymnast should be ready and waiting on the judges at the starting point of each apparatus. Judges should never have to wait for your gymnast.

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      Make sure your gymnast properly salutes the judges before beginning their routine. Your gymnast should be looking directly at the judges for their signal to begin. At that point, your gymnast should raise one or both arms in the proper gymnastics salute, with a smile to acknowledge the judges before beginning.

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      Make sure your gymnast properly salutes at the end of the routine. Even if they fall from an apparatus, gymnasts must salute the judges at the end of every routine.

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      Coach your gymnasts through their routine to ensure they are comfortable. It is your job to maximize positivity, strength and concentration in your gymnasts.

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      Observe and maintain your gymnast's good behavior. Gymnasts must always be 100% respectful of all other competitors. There is very minimal talking and movement while other gymnasts are performing.

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      Track your gymnast's scoring. If there is a severe deduction or any other questions about your gymnast's score, you can request to go the judges table for clarification. Always be extremely respectful when approaching the judges regarding your gymnast's score.

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      Make sure your gymnast exhibits sportsmanship. At the end of every meet, it is customary for gymnasts to hug each other, or shake hands in a congratulatory manner, regardless of whether they have medaled. It is respectful and shows sportsmanship

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