Effective communication is a must between you and your coach. If you cannot hear what your coach is telling you, especially when executing a skill that is being spotted . . . ask her again, and again if necessary, until you understand what she is asking you to do.

Focus on the skill you are executing and follow through.

Stopping in the middle of a skill or pass is not an option! Once you execute the approach and have begun the skill, you must complete the pass, even if you feel it is going to be an imperfect pass. An imperfect pass followed through to the end is safer than any pass aborted in the middle.

Observation by outsiders must be kept to a minimum.

Why is observation on a regular basis discouraged?   Distraction!

Parents are welcome to stop in and observe their child's progress occasionally.  They are also encouraged to stop in a few minutes prior to the end of class so students may show their new accomplishments from the class period. 

Observers present in the gym can be detrimental to the progress and safety of the class members.  Peripheral noise in the gym can be a distraction to the gymnast as well as to the coach. It also serves as an obstacle to communication between the coach and gymnast.  Miscommunication can kill.  An obvious example is when the gymnast is being spotted.

When observers are present, generally, conversation ensues. The more activity and commotion in the gym while gymnastics skills are being taught and executed, the greater the risk of an injury to the gymnast. The gymnast deserves the right to be able to concentrate on his or her skills at all times without distraction. The gymnast deserves the right to be able to hear valuable instructions given to her by her coach that will keep her safe.

For your general information, coaches must complete safety training and exams in order to reach safety-certified status granted by the United States Association of Gymnastics. As stated in the USAG Safety Manual, it is against USAG policy for spectators to be in the same area in which gymnastics is taking place. During workouts and performances, areas of gymnastics must be separated from areas of spectators by a designated physical barrier.  Any breach of USAG safety regulations could be considered negligence in a court of law.

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Note to Parents . . .
As stated above, it is imperative that when observers are present, they refrain from conversing with the coach or gymnasts during gymnastics instruction to prevent distraction. Distraction can result in the injury of your gymnast.

Parents are asked not to coach their children during class. It is confusing to the gymnast and takes his/her attention away from what the coach is telling her to do. You must trust your child's coach.  If you don't, please take her to a coach you do trust.  Help us to give your gymnast or dancer the best experience possible by supporting him/her and re-enforcing what the coach is teaching.

Any young children brought into the gym by observers must be restrained at all times.

Why Can’t I Have My Mom Spot Me?

It takes training to be able to spot correctly in spite of how it may appear. Spotting correctly is not just common sense but also requires months of practice. If a gymnast falls while a parent is spotting, not only does the gymnast get hurt, (and often the parent!) but the parent feels badly and responsible for hurting their child. The gymnast develops a fear of the skill and of being spotted and may then have more difficulty trusting trained spotters. A gymnast has enough skills and exercises to work on at home that are safe, and which do not require spotting.

“As a Parent, I Like to Coach My Child.   She will improve faster this way.”