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You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Gymnastics > Gymnastics > Son Wants to Quit Gymnastics
Gymnastics - Son Wants to Quit Gymnastics
Expert: Dean Dryer - 11/4/2009
Question
My son is 8 (almost 9) and has been practicing level 6 routines since the regional meet in April. He has competed levels 4 and 5 (one year each), and done very well (often 1st place all around in meets, was 2nd place all around in our state meet at level 5). He is a talented gymnast, and was VERY excited to start practicing the level 6 routines in April.
His first meet is coming up on Saturday. Over the last month, he has been complaining that he doesn't want to go to gymnastics. His motivation level has plummeted and he now says that he doesn't like gymnastics. I've been trying to get to the REAL issue with him, but I don't quite know what to do. My gut feeling is that level 6 is quite difficult and he is very used to being the best. He is not performing up to HIS standards, and I think this is why he wants to quit. I spoke to his coach (he's an awesome coach!) tonight at length about this, and he thinks my son needs to learn patience, slow down and take his time perfecting level 6. This is right on advice and I'm very happy that his coach recognizes this.
My problem is getting my son motivated to try. He has only one more practice before the meet. When I mention going to this practice, he cries. This makes me feel HORRIBLE. I do not want to force my son to do something he doesn't want to do, especially something that requires 12 hours of his time each week. I really want him to compete in this first meet and do his best, but I'm afraid he will be even more discouraged if he doesn't perform well. I know he loves gymnastics and suspect he has a pretty serious fear of failure, not a hatred of gymnastics.
Any suggestions for dealing with this?
Answer
Mary,
Unfortunately, this level is the place where many boys quit the sport. There is a very large skill level jump between level 5 and 6 (as I'm sure you have seen) and competing well at level 5 is no guarantee of success with level 6. You may notice at most meets there are about half as many level 6 gymnasts as 5's.
I think the approach you should take with your son is to tell him to look at the first meet like a trip to the doctor. The doctor might give you some bad news, but along with it will be the prescription for getting better. Suggest to his coach that he go around to the judges with your son after the meet and get suggestions for how to make his routines better for the next meet. Most mens' judges are pretty accessible and usually more than happy to help. That way you can turn an anticipated failure into a positive learning experience and come out of it with concrete goals to take back to the gym for training.
Hope that helps,
Dean Dryer
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