Gymnastics Team Parent Responsibilities – Darien YMCA

PARENT RESPONSIBILITES & ETIQUETTE

We expect and require all parents to support and respect all gym policies. These policies serve to guide not only the parent but the gymnast as well. Remember, you serve as a role model and example both in and out of the gym. Any lack of support, lack of adherence towards policies or disrespect displayed towards the coaching staff, will be detrimental to your child and the program at large.

General

Our coaching staff are trained professionals with upwards of 40 years of experience. Please respect all decisions made both in the gym and the competition arena.
The coaching staff works extremely hard to develop and keep your daughter’s respect. We need you to support all decisions made by our coaching staff. Do not openly take your daughter’s side, as this sets a poor example. If you have concerns, please, contact our staff for a further and more detailed explanation.
If you do not understand your daughter’s score or unhappy with something at a meet, we ask you to please give the 24hour rule before reaching out. Please understand the coaches are usually at meet all weekend and will not check their email. It is also good to take a breath before reaching out.
Do not contact host gyms directly. If you have a question, it must go through the Gymnastics Director. Your child is under the Darien YMCA Gymnastics team and not an individual competitor.
As a parent of an athlete, we ask that you set the example of appropriate behavior. At competitions, that means, your POSITIVE support and encouragement, regardless of results and scores, is necessary. At and after workouts, it means that your positive support and encouragement, regardless of the day’s specifics, is necessary. We must find successes in every situation.
Parental support of your gymnast is essential. Only words of encouragement and positive remarks will help reinforce your child’s self-esteem and confidence. Do not pressure your child to perform better or comparing your child’s progress to other athletes. Each child progresses at her own pace, and this must be recognized, appreciated and respected by parents.
Do not worry about other gymnast’s scores, nor teach your child to. Often, they are too distracted about what someone else is doing, they are missing out on their own progression.
Please observe quietly at practice. You should not lean over the mezzanine railing and talk to your child about how to perform their skills. This is the responsibility of the coach.
Please understand the coaches and director have a life outside of the gym and their downtime is very limited. They too have to grocery shop, go to the doctor’s office, or run other errands. They will try to answer your emails in a timely manner. If you have their cell phones, please limit using them only for emergencies. We appreciate you respecting their family-time.
Please do not photograph or video anyone else’s child, unless you have permission from them. No matter how beautiful their routines may be!

Attendance/ Make-ups

Absences must be reported in advance to coaches. Please email your respective coach if your child is unable to attend practice.
determine whether-or-not your child participates in a competition. The coach will determine if he/she feels it will be safe for child to compete, if lack of practice is an issue.
No longer will Early and Late Practice substitution be allowed. This cannot become a habit, but you may contact the coaches if there is a special circumstance that week.
Your child’s attendance and punctuality are essential to her success and safety.

Gymnast Level Mobility

Understand that the specific mission of the Darien Y is to develop happy, healthy, and confident young people. One way in which we can help meet this demanding goal is to place the gymnasts at the level where they can be happy, comfortable, safe and confident.
Mobility through the levels can only be achieved when a high level of proficiency has been demonstrated at the current level and the potential for a high level of proficiency in the next level is apparent.
This means that a gymnast is never declared having moved to the next level until ALL the requirements for that level have been achieved. Additionally, a score of 36 must be achieved at levels 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
A score of 34 must be achieved at levels 8, 9, and 10, for advancement. The Head coach has the final decision.

Nutrition and Safety

As in any competitive sport, nutrition is a major contributor to a gymnast’s performance. Eating healthy will affect greatly and athlete’s mental and physical well-being, not only in the competitive arena but in the arena of life. As a parent, please help us instill these valuable principles.
Please be familiar with your child’s activities outside of the gym. It is common for them to want to show-off their skills in front of their friends. This is where accidents happen! We highly recommend that gymnastics skills are performed in the safety of our own gym.

Gymnastics Parent Associates Obligation/Events

Be courteous and promptly return RSVPs and Emails sent by the volunteers from our Parent Organization (GPA). Otherwise, multiple follow up emails or invitations will be sent. Remember, these volunteers are contributing their free time efforts for us!
Every family is required to donate 1 hour of their time during our home meet. If mom or dad can’t volunteer, ask a grandparent! It’s 1 hour out of the year…
Each family is asked to donate 1 item for our home meet or kick-off, year-end party.
Please be familiar with upcoming events concerning the Y Gymnastics Program, even if those events do not directly include your child. Your support is needed to keep this team strong.

Meet Etiquette and Parent Responsibilities

Never approach a judge at a competition. In rare situations, the team coach may approach a judge and ask for a further explanation.
Always stay to the end of awards. This shows good sportsmanship and respect for all competing athletes.
Do not contact a host gym directly. You must rely on the Gymnastics Director to be your representative.
Go over the meet etiquette, especially before the awards. Keep your chin up if you had a rough day. Be happy but don’t put down others if you had a great day. Be respectful on the podium! A smile and a solute are all you need!
Help your athlete prepare for her meet. Their sports bag should contain essential items such as a water bottle, grips, tape, and a small snack (not a messy one).
The girls should wear their hair in such a way that it does not get in their eyes during competition. This means, wearing “pig tails”, of a tight “pony-tail”, gel, and lots of clips.
Verify the meet location and directions before you start your travels.
On meet day, make sure you contact your level mom if you are delayed or an emergency comes up. This way the coaches can be informed. The coaching staff is restricted from carrying cell phones on the competition floor.
Appreciate all successes, small or large. Scores are not the only measure of success. Overcoming fear, working through mental blocks, showing courage, are all examples of successes.
Don’t compare your daughter’s scores with other gymnast scores.
YMCA scoring is generally more generous than the USAG scoring. So, keep this in mind when your daughter’s scores differ from meet to meet. Additionally, you are not a trained judge and although your daughter’s routine may have looked the same in two different meets, the scores may be quite dissimilar.
No Flash Photography is allowed during competitions.
Many of life’s lessons are learned while participating in the sport of gymnastics. One lesson in particular: life is not always fair (Maybe your daughter fell off the beam multiple times). Help us encourage the girls to overcome disappointment by promoting positive behavior.
Please display superior sportsmanship in the stands. You represent the Darien YMCA and set an example for your children. Outward displays of disappointment or disagreement will not be tolerated and will ultimately be detrimental to your child.
As a parent of an athlete, we ask that you set the example of appropriate behavior. At competitions, that means, your POSITIVE support and encouragement, regardless of results and scores, is necessary.
Arrive at all meets in a timely manner – We ask that you arrive 10 minutes prior to “Open Stretch”.
Be responsible and prepare ahead of time. Make copies of your Meet Sign-up sheet, Nationals access pass order forms and other paperwork that you may need to review at a later date.

Financial Obligation and Responsibilities

You are required to keep your account in good standing for your daughter to participate. Monthly tuition must be paid using a debit or credit card.
If for some reason, you notice your account is not being charged or is being charged incorrectly, please notify Tanya Stack via email: tstack@darien-ymca.org
Financial hardship is nothing to be ashamed about. We will do everything possible to assist you. Scholarship opportunities are available if you qualify. Please contact Vanessa Ortega: vortega@darien-ymca.org for further information.
Account Balances must be paid in full for your child to participate in practice. If you are 2 or more months behind and have not made payment arrangements, your child may be in danger of being suspended until arrangements/payments can be made.

*Please bookmark this page as a friendly reminder of your responsibilities