All-Star Coach Question

[BBinNCsMom]

For those gyms that have level placement tryouts, do you ever have kids that you place on a certain level, that come to you after tryouts and say that they don't think they are ready for that level and ask for a lower level? If so, how do you handle that? Do you grant their request or push the athlete to continue on?

Just curious. Thank you! :)


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[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

I'd tell them to stick it out at least through a few summer practices then re-evaluate, and if necessary, make the switch. Although, if you're truly not ready for a level, chances are good that I've already noticed it.

Sometimes their skills ARE ready but it's more a confidence or an "I don't think I can do it" issue. They just need time. But if it was obviously not working out, I'd probably make the switch.

 

[DaniV]

For those gyms that have level placement tryouts, do you ever have kids that you place on a certain level, that come to you after tryouts and say that they don't think they are ready for that level and ask for a lower level? If so, how do you handle that? Do you grant their request or push the athlete to continue on?

Just curious. Thank you! :)


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

We had a couple girls come up to us last year when we placed them on a youth 3 team expressing concern that they were put on the wrong team. We talked with them and told them that we saw them as leaders and even though they might not have the tumbling skills needed, we felt they would continue to progress over the course of the summer and they had the motivation and attitude to help us as coaches push the rest of their teammates. We asked them to try it out for the summer and if they still didn't feel comfortable at that level, we could potentially explore moving them to our junior 2 team.

 

[pinkcheerb0ws]

My cousin's gym does this form of tryouts. She made a Youth 3 team last year (she's seven) but she and her parents didn't think she was ready for level three. They set up a meeting with the gym owner, discussed their concerns, and came to the conclusion together that she should be on Mini 2. They were not the only family that came to the owner last year to express concerns, and the owners and families decided together on a case by case basis. In my cousin's case, it was probably good for her to be on Mini 2, she started on Mini 1 and she can now base more of the tougher stunts.