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 Our goal is to keep this section as informative and engaging as possible for coaches. Inside you will find helpful and detailed articles and links about coaching and coaching issues on training, sports motivation, and products.
Because of our goal to keep this section useful to those of us out there actively coaching, we encourage you to submit via email information on training, business, running meets, and safety. Or feel free to just offer suggestions about what kind of information we can research to keep this website helpful to you and your gym.
We also hope that those of you involved with judging will feel free to offer feedback on scoring, routines, etiquette, recommendations, etc. Coaches and gymnasts can never know enough about what judges are looking for in their routines to help gymnasts achieve their greatest potential.
For product reviews, we have editorial on various products in the industry and welcome submitted reviews both negative and positive from the people out in the field using any gymnastic product.
Thanks for all your past involvement at FlyingHighEnterprises.com, keep your great ideas coming, and enjoy the site!
 At Flying High Enterprises we feel that the Female Athlete Triad is one of the most serious issues facing women athletes today. The triad can affect women in any sport, not just gymnastics. We encourage all coaches, parents, and athletes to educate themselves and others about the Female Athlete Triad and take proactive steps to help anyone who may be exhibiting any of the signs or symptoms of the triad.
At Flying High Enterprises we feel that the Female Athlete Triad is one of the most serious issues facing women athletes today. The triad can affect women in any sport, not just gymnastics. We encourage all coaches, parents, and athletes to educate themselves and others about the Female Athlete Triad and take proactive steps to help anyone who may be exhibiting any of the signs or symptoms of the triad.
Click Here for an article from the American Academy of Family Physicians found on the website www.familydoctor.org. This article gives a detailed description of the Female Athlete Triad and describes what to watch for, who is at risk, and what to do if you suspect someone has one, two, or all three parts of the triad.
If you would like further information on the Female Athlete Triad please check out the links listed below. Or go to http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/ and go to the website search and type in female athlete triad for information specific to gymnasts.
http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/publications/usa-gymnastics/1998/1/body-balance.html
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=320&topcategory=Sports
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1997/03mar/joy.htm
http://www.iasm.com/femathlete.html – This site has a list of organizations to contact for help regarding eating disorders
Check out these tumbling tips for technical pointers on some of the moves challenging beginners, moderate gymnasts, and advanced athletes.
The following excerpt was taken from an article in the USAG – Technique magazine. It gives good examples of the technical things to watch for when working on front tumbling.
 FORWARD TUMBLING
Technical pointers for a front handspring:
1. From a hurdle step, arms and hands should be quickly brought down to the floor without creating a shoulder angle.
2. The front leg should be in a lunge position to ensure an explosive push off from the leg. Be sure to bend the front leg enough for a strong push-off.
3. The hands should be firmly on the ground prior to the completion of the front leg extension.
4. The hands should remain on the ground until the feet almost touch the ground, so the body will not float in the air for long and lose important rotational power.
5. The most important body position is the end of the handspring which leads to the take-off position for the next skill. During the turn over phase, the entire body should be fully extended in an arched position. As the feet reach the ground, the point of arch must quickly shift to the upper chest so that the gymnast can be standing up on her toes with the lower back straight except in the upper chest. The arms should be brought directly upward from the floor at shoulder width and end up straight over head. This position will ensure a proper take-off position for any type of front salto following the front handspring.
Technical pointers for a front layout:
1. At the start of the layout front (which is the end of the front handspring), the body should be in an arched position only in the upper chest. The arms should be well over the head at shoulder width. It is also important to stay up on the toes at the take off point.
2. At the take off, the arms should be thrust forward and upward. It is important to establish forward momentum by thrusting the arms forward in a hollow chest position first, before the body arch.
3. Once the initial forward arm thrust is done, the arms should be spread to the side to should height. Then, the arching of the body (mainly from the upper chest) should occur immediately.
4. As the arch progresses and the chest is opened further, the head should be brought back into a proper arch position.
5. As the feet approach the ground, the arms should be brought back to the over head position and the head should be brought back slightly forward, in between the shoulders, but still kept up. This subtle movement of the head is very crucial, especially in a series of fronts. If the head moves forward in the air during the arched position, it will cause the entire body to straighten (or assume a piked position) prematurely. Then, the finishing body position will be too piked for the take-off of the next front.
Technical pointers for the layout front series:
1. Always start from a good technical handspring. Close attention should be paid to the ending body position for the front handspring and the start of the layout front. The positions which should be emphasized are:
a. Arms over head at shoulder width
b. Head up
c. Arch in the upper chest, not in lower back
d. Stay up on the toes
2. It is important to establish good forward momentum from the start. Lifting too high in the first front layout will not help to establish good rotational momentum. Rather, the first layout front should be directed forward to establish a good body rotation.
3. The precise arm action during the layout front will be helpful to keep the same rhythm during the series.
a. The arms should start from the over head position to forward thrust
b. Then they should spread quickly to the side to establish the axis of rotation
c. The crucial part of the arm movement in the series is bringing the arms back up to over head prior to the take-off for the following layout front
4. The body needs to be in an arched position from the upper chest. The most common mistake is to arch too much from the lower back area which will make it impossible to take-off strong for the next front.
5. Just prior to the landing, the heels must be pulled back in order for the feet to land slightly behind the center of mass. Obviously, this action is to keep the forward momentum for the series. During this action, it is important to tighten the lower body (particularly legs and buttocks) and land on the toes.
If you are a coach and have tips to share, please email us.
Need training and conditioning ideas for your Indo Board? You’ve come to the right place. Check out these effective exercises for strength, balance, and flexibility training.
Unlike stationary, off-board exercise, Indo mimics real life sport requirements – training users to build core strength, balance, and flexibility. By varying the configuration of the board on the roller and block, users can increase the difficulty and work different muscle groups.
Below are some detailed descriptions of different exercises to build upper and lower body strength, increase balance, and improve flexibility. Have fun with your Indo Board and create your own challenging exercise variations.
Upper Body
 Push Up –
Primary muscles: Chest and Triceps
Stabilizers: Forearms, Shoulders, and Core
Block: In for easier / Out for difficult
Position board perpendicular to the roller. Kneel on the ground
facing the board. Place your hands on the board, jut feet out behind
you in a three-point push-up stance – feet together behind you with
your hands equally at two points below shoulders. Make sure shoulders are over hands and use wrists to help balance body. Hands can be wide on the board for a wider armed push up. Hold, press chest to board, push back up.
 Close Arm Push Up –
Primary muscles: Triceps and Forearms
Stabilizers: Forearms, Core, and Back
Block: In for easier / Out for difficult
Position board perpendicular to the roller. Kneel on the ground facing
the board. Place your hands on the center of the board making a
triangle in the center of the board with your index fingers and thumbs.
Jut your feet out behind you in a push up position. Take your chest (not your nose) down to hand triangle and then push back up.
 Planche Push –
Primary muscles: Shoulders
Stabilizers: Forearms and Core
Block: In for easier / Out for difficult
Position board parallel on the roller. Kneel on the ground facing
the board. Place hands shoulder width apart on board with heel
of palm in the middle of the board. Place yourself in a push up
position; push forward on toes so that shoulders are in front of
your hands in the planche position. Hold and then rest.
 Tricep Hold –
 Primary muscles: Shoulders and Triceps
Stabilizers: Core and Chest
Block: In for easier / Out for difficult
Position board perpendicular to the roller. Sit on the board and
place hands out as far as they go on board, keeping the shoulders
over the hands, extend body flat pushing hips up to the ceiling
and pointing toes. Hold this position to work the shoulders.
Bend arms and hold to work triceps. Keep body as tight, steady,
and straight as possible.
 Decline Push Up –
Primary muscles: Upper chest, Front Shoulders
Stabilizers: Core
Block: In for easier / Out for difficult
Position board perpendicular to the roller. Kneel with back to the
board. Place feet so they are slightly wider than shoulder width
on the board. Jut out into push up position. Place arms either
under shoulders or wide. Try and keep the board flat on the roller as you do a push up with feet balanced on the board.
Lower Body
 Standing –
Primary muscles: Quads and Calves
Stabilizers: Knees and Core
Block: In for difficult / Out for easier
Position board perpendicular to the roller. Stand on board with feet
toward outside edge slightly wider than shoulder width. Feet
should face forward and knees should be slightly bent. Keep arms
low; palms facing down by your waist, chest and head up. Take out
block to make balancing (as opposed to strength) harder.
 Wide Leg Squats –
Primary muscles: Quads, Hamstrings, and Inner Thighs
Stabilizers: Core
Block: In for easier / Out for difficult
Position board perpendicular to the roller. Stand on board with feet
wider than shoulder width. Keep chest up. Squat down to 90
degrees, hold, and come back up at controlled pace. Face a wall to
aid balance if needed. Add weights for more strength training. Hold
free weights at shoulders or by hips.
 Close Leg Squats –
Primary muscles: Quads and Glutes
Stabilizers: Core
Block: In for easier / Out for difficult
Position board perpendicular to the roller. Stand on board with
feet shoulder width apart. Keep chest up. Squat down to 90
degrees, hold, and come back up at controlled pace. Face a wall
to aid balance if needed. Add weights for more strength
training. Hold free weights at shoulders or by hips.
Flexibility and Rehab
Ankle Stretch –
Primary Stretch: Ankle stretch
Block: In only
Position board parallel on the roller. Place feet close together in
the middle of the board. Hold onto wall with one hand. Rock
back and forth pointing toes. Try to achieve a full range of
motion. Can also do one leg at a time.
 Hamstring Stretch –
Primary Stretch: Hamstring
Block: In only
Position board perpendicular to the roller with one edge of
board on the floor and rest the board so that the board rests on
the roller at approx. a 35-degree angle. Place your heel on
bottom of the board. Bend down grabbing top of the board
with hands and straightening knees. Walk hands down the
board toward your feet to further stretch your hamstrings.
Wrist Stretch –
Primary Stretch: Wrist
Block: In only
Position board parallel on the roller. Kneel facing the board.
Place hands shoulder width apart and push fingers to the floor.
Balance
Standing Balance –
 Block: In for easy / Out for difficult
Position board perpendicular to the roller. Stand on the board
with your feet facing front to back (as if walking) instead of
sideways for a new balance challenge.
 Crouching Balance –
Block: In for easy / Out for difficult
Position board perpendicular to the roller. Kneel on the board
with toes on one end, palms on the other end. Come up off of
knees onto all-fours, keep knees bent at about 90 degrees and
balance. Remove a hand and/or a leg to increase difficulty.
Disclaimer
Exercise is not without risk and this or any other exercise program could result in injury. The information included in this pamphlet, by Flying High Enterprises, is for your general knowledge and is not intended as a substitute for the advice or care of medical professionals. Please consult your physician or other healthcare professionals for all personal health problems and before starting any new physical fitness program.
Success starts with a positive attitude. Here’s how to stop holding yourself back and get the life you want.
When coaching kids there are two different aspects about sports that must be mastered for the athlete to experience the best performance. The first is the physical – the athlete must possess the physical skills necessary to complete the challenges required to win in any sport. The other is mental – the athlete must possess the mental skills necessary to drive their body to complete the physical challenges and overcome any fears or mental blocks that would hinder their performance. For many athletes the mental aspect of their sport is the most difficult part of their training. One of the best tools for the mental aspect of the training is a positive attitude, which is necessary for an athlete to be successful. This article by Kristyn Kusek, which appeared in the magazine Fitness (September 2004), discusses many of the basic negative thoughts that keep people from being successful. Not all of the examples have to do with athletics or gymnastics; however, the “change-your-thinking tricks” can be used to combat most of the negative thoughts that are heard in the gym regularly.
Flip Your Inner Critic – By Kristyn Kusek – Fitness (September 2004)
Success starts with a positive attitude. Here’s how to stop holding yourself back and get the life you want.
“My butt’s too big… My Hair is a disaster… I’ll never get promoted.” If this sounds like the voice in your head, you’re not alone – women are notorious for beating themselves up. Unfortunately, self-criticism doesn’t just put you in a bad mood; it can also prevent you from living up to your fabulous potential. “The biggest difference between people who are successful and people who aren’t isn’t education, background or talent,” says Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D., author of Who Are You Really and What Do You Want? ( Park Avenue Press, 2003). “It’s attitude. Our brain doesn’t know the difference between true and untrue statements. By repeating negative messages, you begin to believe and act on them. To move forward, change you outlook by learning new, positive self-talk.” We’ve identified the most effective ways to transform common destructive thoughts into ultra-motivating ones. See which assumptions are holding you back and then reshape them to create the no-fail attitude of a champion.
“I’m not very athletic.”
*Why it holds you back: This is classic “I’ve never done it, so I’ll suck at it” thinking. Instead of trying something new, you let apprehension prevent you from finding out just how skilled you might be. “The strange truth is that it’s more comfortable to just stay terrified and lazy,” says Marjorie Brody, author of Life Without Limits (Career Skills Press, 2003). Although you may dream of running a marathon or attending culinary school, you create excuses – “I’m not the athletic type” or “I’m not talented enough to become a chef” – to avoid embarrassing yourself, struggling to succeed or failing.
*Change-your-thinking trick: “Create evidence that challenges your assumption,” says Laura Berman Fortgang, author of Living Your Best Life (Tarcher, 2004). The key is turning your desires into concrete targets so you have a road map of success. First, type out what you want: “One study found that only 3 percent of participants write down their goals,” says Helmstetter. “But when you list you objectives, you have a 60-80 percent chance of achieving them.” Once you’ve identified your intention, list the specific steps that will help you move forward. If you want to run a 10K, sign up for a race six months from now. Next, talk to a coach or join a running club to develop a training schedule. By taking small, manageable steps, you’ll achieve mini goals– “I ran two miles today! I am a runner!” –that create momentum, boost your confidence and prove that success is on the way.
“If I cut back to part-time at work, our debt will mount up and ruin us.”
*Why it holds you back: “These thoughts are called magnification,” says Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, Ph.D., author of Women Who Think Too Much (Henry Holt, 2003). “By focusing on the negatives of the situation, you invent a catastrophe where one doesn’t exist to justify not making a big move.” As in the example above, these beliefs are rooted in fear. You’re not a savvy budgeter or you’re afraid to make financial sacrifices, so you assume the worst to avoid doing something new.
When making a life change it’s common for women to ruminate and overanalyze. Too much back-and-forth fretting over different options can backfire. “You get stuck in cycles of thinking instead of moving forward,” says Nolen-Hoeksema. “This gives you more time to decide, which lowers your confidence and immobilizes you.”
*Change-your-thinking trick: First, think practically. Big decisions require legwork. Consider the real pros and cons – not the ones you’ve imagined. F you want to work part-time, list the advantages and disadvantages to help you see your situation realistically. You won’t be able to spend as much money on extras like movie rentals and pizza deliveries, for example, but you’ll be around to play board games and make pizza with your friends and loved ones. Assess each factor carefully and logically – you’ll most likely find that you were blowing the negatives out of proportion.
After making you decision, expect some hand-wringing; it’s normal. Keep fears from spiraling out of control by monitoring how you speak to yourself. “Talk with confidence and eliminate vagueness from you language,” says Kenneth W. Christian, Ph.D., an organizational consultant and author of Your Own Worst Enemy: Breaking the Habit of Adult Underachievement (Regan Books, 2002). Christian says to watch for wishy-washy phrases like “kind of” and “sort of.” If you’ve decided to try to get your paintings shown at a gallery, don’t tell yourself, “I’m not sure if anyone will like my work.” Be assertive with your words and focus on the positive: “Somebody will love my work.”
“The last time I approached a guy, he turned me down. Why would anything be different now?”
*Why it holds you back: Psychologists call this “over-generalizing,” taking your experience in a given situation and applying it to similar ones. It’s another defense mechanism. The last time you approached someone, you got brushed off, so to avoid feeling vulnerable again, you assume the same outcome and figure it’s not worth it. This can manifest itself in many different areas of your life – your job (why negotiate for a raise if you got turned down before?), your friendships (why ask for a favor if she wouldn’t do it last time?), or social situations (why join another book club when the first one was a bust?).
*Change-your-thinking trick: In the same way that focusing on the glass-half-empty brings you down, believing the best will happen engenders good result. Learn to be optimistic: Whenever you think something negative (“He’ll snub me if I go talk to him”), immediately turn it into a positive statement, which encourages you toward action (“I’ll be so charming and interesting, he’ll be thrilled I’m talking to him”). You live up to your labels. You’ll be surprised by the power of positive thoughts, even if you don’t entirely believe them at first.
“I should be married / a mother / promoted by now.”
*Why it holds you back: You’re putting yourself on a timeline that has nothing to do with your unique life. Instead of concentrating on everything you’re doing well, you’re focusing on what’s not going a planned. Even if you’re dissatisfied with you status, judging your life against another person’s, an imaginary ideal or your own expectations won’t propel you forward. It’s an attempt to evaluate your life when you’re feeling insecure – you look at others’ lives to see how you measure up: “Am I earning enough money at my age?” “Are the clothes stylish enough?” “Should I be driving a more expensive car?” Ultimately, though, this hurts your confidence and self-esteem.
*Change-your-thinking trick: When a negative or self-defeating thought enters your mind, ask yourself, Does this statement get me where I want to go? Advises Fortgang. “If it offers direction or guidance, then follow up on the information,” she says. If it doesn’t, concentrate on the actionable steps that will get you to your goal. For example, lamenting the fact that you’re single isn’t going to put Mr. Right on your doorstep – it will only make you feel depressed and alone. Instead, outline what you could do to meet a potential husband, whether it’s asking friends to set you up, expanding your social circle or attending and getting involved in activities that you like. Write down everything you can do to improve the situation (like accepting more invitations or being more open with your body language). “It takes attitude and perseverance to create change,” says Brody. “Take one small step and keep an eye on what’s next.”
“I feel guilty about how a friendship ended.”
*Why it holds you back: Taking ownership of the lows in your life prevents you from leaving the past behind. Most women tend to feel inordinately guilty when a relationship doesn’t work out – you can’t figure out what happened, so you assume you’ve done something wrong. Maybe you and a childhood pal have simply grown apart and have too little in common to sustain the friendship. Instead of accepting that, you blame yourself for the demise of the relationship.
*Change-your-thinking trick: “When a friendship ends or changes think about your role, “ says Carol Kauffman, Ph.D., an instructor at Harvard Medical School and author of Pivot Points (Evans Press, 2005). “You may not be the creator of a problem, but ask yourself – and an objective observer, if necessary – if you’re a contributor.” Whether or not the blame lies on your shoulders, the key to sidestepping guilt (or eliminating it if it’s about a past relationship) is to find closure. Simply expressing your emotions – to the person or on a piece of paper that you toss immediately after you’ve jotted down your thoughts – may be all it takes to feel better and put the issue to rest. The bottom line: When you’ve done everything you can about a situation – whether it’s releasing a grudge or acknowledging that you haven’t made attempts to stay in touch with someone for good reason – move on.
“No matter what I do, I’m always late / messy / cranky.”
*Why it holds you back: “Sometimes we talk negatively about ourselves to avoid responsibility,” says Christian. For instance, maybe it looks like a hurricane hit your office, but instead of cleaning it, you whine, “I’ve always been so unorganized.” Or you allow yourself to stay discontented because “it’s just the ways I am” when, really, you don’t want to do the work it takes to change.
*Change-your-thinking trick: Beware of blanket statements that include the words always and forever, like “I’m always going to be miserable” or “I’ll be out of shape forever.” “You’re creating a self-fulfilling prophecy,” says Kauffman. To change your life, challenge your beliefs about your future: Will you really always be miserable? What can you do to not be that way? In what scenario can you picture yourself feeling differently? Cultivate the traits you want and downplay the ones you don’t. “If you’re not happy with your behavior, acknowledge and change it,” says Kauffman. Maybe you’re a procrastinator. Do you put off a big project when smaller things like errands, appointments, or phone calls overwhelm you? What can you do to change this? If you need to write a bi report next week, get you little to-do’s – picking up the dry cleaning, catching up on emails and shopping for groceries – done over the weekend so you don’t drag your feet on the assignment. Finally, focus on all of your favorable qualities. Maybe you have adopted your mother’s tendency to bicker or your father’s stubborn streak. Instead of concentrating on that, think of the enviable traits you inherited – compassion and an ability to deliver sharp one-liners at the drop of a hat. When you accentuate the positive, you start believing in – and creating more of – the fantastic possibilities in your own unique, fabulous life.
The following is a list of reasons that young people have given in answer to the question, “Why do you participate in sports?” Read each reason and place a mark under “I agree,” “I’m not sure,” or “I do not agree,” as it relates to your participation in sports.
| Statement |
I Agree |
I’m Not Sure |
I Do Not Agree |
| I can be active. |
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| I learn new skills. |
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| I can get better. |
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| It helps me be fit. |
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| It helps me be healthy. |
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| I make and have friends. |
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| It is exciting. |
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| My parents want me to play. |
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| I can win competitions. |
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| I’m good at it. |
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| It makes me feel special. |
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| I have fun. |
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| It helps me with life. |
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| I can be part of a team. |
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| It helps me look good. |
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| It gives me energy. |
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| I can compete against others. |
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| I learn about myself. |
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| It helps me get along with others. |
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| I learn self control. |
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| It will help me be a good athlete. |
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| My friends want me to play. |
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| I will earn money for sports in the future. |
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| I will be chosen for a better team. |
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| It makes me feel good. |
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| It gives me confidence. |
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| I like this sport. |
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| I like my coach . |
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Now look over the list and write down the three most important reasons that you play your sport.
You’re right!
Good work!
Well done.
You did a lot of work today.
It’s a pleasure to work with you.
Now you have it.
Fine job!
That’s right!
Neat!
Super!
Nice going.
That’s coming along nicely.
That’s great!
You did it that time!
Fantastic!
Terrific!
Good for you!
You did it yourself.
That’s better.
Excellent!
That’s good.
Good job (Name).
That’s your best work yet.
Good going.
That’s really nice.
Wow!
Keep up the good work.
Outstanding!
Much better.
Good for you!
You’re really talented.
Good thinking.
Exactly right!
You make it look easy.
I’ve never known anyone to do it better.
You’re doing much better today.
Way to go.
Superb!
You’re getting better every day.
You’re right on target.
I knew you could do it.
Wonderful!
You’re great!
Beautiful work!
You’ve worked hard.
That’s the way.
Keep trying.
That’s it.
Nothing can stop you now.
You’re very good at that. |
You’re learning fast.
You certainly did well today.
I’m happy to see you working like that.
Keep it up!
I’m proud of you.
That’s the way.
You’re learning a lot.
That’s better than ever.
Quite nice.
You’ve figured it all out.
Perfect!
Fine!
Your brain is in gear today.
You’ve got it.
You figured that out fast.
Very resourceful.
You are really improving.
Look at you go.
You’ve really got that down pat.
Tremendous!
I like that.
I could not do that better myself.
Now that is what I call a fine job.
You did that very well.
Impressive!
Sharp!
Right on!
That’s wonderful.
You’ve mastered that in no time.
How nice.
Congratulations!
That was first class work.
Sensational!
RIGHT!
You don’t miss a thing.
You make my job fun.
You must have been practicing.
I’m glad I assigned this to you.
You came through again.
DYNAMITE!
I knew I could count on you.
You deserve a raise.
How can I help you with this?
Go for it!
You bring sunshine into my life.
You have my complete support.
MARVELOUS!
Clever idea.
You are really on the ball.
I’m glad you’re on our team.
I love your work. |
If you are a coach and have Sports Motivation tips to share, please email us.
The following inspirational sayings, mottos, aphorisms, and maxims were compiled by gymnasts and coaches at Pinnacle Gymnastics in Medina, Ohio. Some of these ideas and concepts are gymnastics oriented but most transfer into everyday life. Pick out your favorites and use them to motivate yourself, your coaches, and your gymnasts. They also make great inspirational signs for the walls of your gym. If you have other motivational or inspirational sayings, that you feel would be beneficial to others, send them to us and we will add them to the list.
Inspirational sayings, mottos, aphorisms, and maxims:
Never think you’ve seen the last of anything.
“I was restless. I was doing ok, but I was restless. One day it occurred to me that I had been looking at life through the wrong end of the telescope. It was up to me to turn it around – to make it bigger, better, and more satisfying.”
Live life with no excuses!
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!
Never let yesterday use up too much of today!
Be gentle and patient with people everyone’s bruised.
Make your dreams come true.
You’ve never accomplished anything until you’ve done your best.
You can’t make footprints in the sands of time if you’re sitting on your butt. And who wants to make butt prints in the sands of time?
You always miss 100% of the tricks you don’t try!
None of us can do it alone. Support your team.
In a time of drastic change, it is the learner who will inherit the future.
Triumph is just a little “umph” added to try!
It is not the amount of time you devote, but what you devote to the time that counts.
Miracles happen to those who believe.
If you think someone could us a friend, BE ONE!
Success doesn’t always go to the stronger or faster man, but sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.
All of our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.
Hold a true friend in both hands.
Sometimes thing must first go wrong, in order to go right.
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.
Winners train, losers complain!
The only place “success” comes before “work” is in the dictionary.
Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don’t bother just to be better than you contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.
You will not find time for anything. If you want time you must make it!
Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.
There are only so many tomorrows!
Those who are afraid to try are afraid to succeed!
Go For It!
Winners have simply formed the habit of doing things losers don’t like to do.
Each of us shines in a different way, but this doesn’t make our light less bright.
When you’re not practicing, remember, that someone somewhere is practicing and when you meet her she will win.
When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this – you haven’t!
Go for the moon. If you miss you’ll still be a star.
Talk less – say more!
Swallowing angry words before you say them is easier than having to eat them afterwards.
Doubt who you will but never yourself.
Awards are made of metal, but winners are made out of blood, sweat, and tears.
The body achieves what the mind believes.
You always pass “failure” on the way to “success.”
It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog!
Never settle for less than your best.
The roots of true achievement lie in the will to become the best that you can become.
Giving up is the ultimate tragedy!
The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.
A great deal of talent is lost to the world because of little courage.
You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little extra!
Perfect practice make perfect!
Practice is the best of all instructors.
Live today like it is the last.
Don’t give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
It’s not enough to do good, one must do it the right way.
Success is never the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.
Today is a gift that’s why it’s called the “present.”
Your true friends are the ones who walk in when the rest of the world walks out.
Knock the “t” off the can’t.
What is perceived is believed!
Many people spend half their time wishing for things they could have if they didn’t spend half their time wishing.
Whiners not allowed!
Don’t settle for being good when you dream of being great.
If you’re headed in the right direction each step, no matter how small, is getting you closer to your goal.
To be a champion you have to believe in yourself when no one else will.
When people say you can’t, smile, then prove them wrong!
If better is possible, then good is not enough!
The best vitamin for making friends is “B1.”
Success comes in cans, not can’ts.
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.
If you don’t lie down, nobody can walk on you.
The mind is the limit.
If you are a coach and have Sports Motivation tips to share, please email us.
Good records allow a gym to see trends, schedule efficiently, pay taxes on time, and stay on top of billing. Attendance records are an important part of the gym’s record keeping. There are many different ways to take attendance in the gym including attendance sheets for each class filled out by the instructors, or for smaller gyms the office manager or front desk worker can keep track of the kids as they come into the gym. However, as the gym grows it is always a challenge keeping good attendance records.
One of the ways to make this record keeping easier would be to automate the process either partially or fully. This would allow the gym to keep the records on a database and use the tracking information to maintain and increase attendance levels. One of the best ways to automate the process would be to use a similar system to those used at YMCA’s and health clubs. Both of these facilities track their members’ attendance. They use this information to determine when to run their membership drives and when to run sales or specials. This is the same type of information that can help the gymnastics facility determine class scheduling and membership (advertising) drives. The information gathered when the gymnast arrives can also be used to track financial information – i.e. when the gymnasts’ dues are due or overdue.
These facilities use a magnetic card reader to input data into a collection computer. Pre-printed magnetic-strip cards can be purchased for relatively little expense. This is an easy process for the older girls since they could attach the card to their gym bag. The parents of the younger kids might need to help them swipe their cards; however, this could work in the gym’s favor if the facility has a pro-shop – this would get the parents in front of the products.
The following sites are worth checking out: www.efitfinancial.com and www.asfinternational.com.
Good records are essential for business growth – your gym is really counting on your kids!
Check back for more gym ideas and email us if you’re a coach with something useful to share.
 We at Flying High know how hard it can be for parents of gymnasts. Balancing your life and full schedule with the packed schedule of one or more gymnast children can go from busy to challenging to downright harried.
We want to keep things easy by being the central resource for all your gymnastic questions. Whether you need to know how to fix rips or keep your daughter’s leotard colors from bleeding in the wash, we can help.
Stay up on the latest coaches information in our coach section, check out the common questions asked by Mom’s and gymnasts on our FAQ page, and get tips here in the Moms section on gymnast safety and keeping sports fun for all your kids.
Do you have a question for our coaches? Email us! We’d love to help.
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