Engaging children in sports is beneficial for their physical and mental well-being.  Gymnastics is a unique form, encompassing flexibility, strength, power, balance, coordination, and air awareness.   

Yet how do you know your child is working with the right person, the right coach, particularly if you as a parent are new to gymnastics?

Attend the gym that employs the coach.  Watch the instructors and coaches teaching. Are they enthusiastic and teaching the safety aspects of a certain skill?  A great coach makes all the difference in your child’s gymnastics experience. There are certain qualities to seek out in a gymnastics coach.  

• Exhibit energy and vitality

That said, instructors at Excalibur have a high level of energy and smile at children from the moment they first make eye contact with your child until your child is they are out the door.  

If you are visiting a gym, look to see if children are excited to see their instructor.  Are they smiling and laughing with the instructor? Or are they simply going about the motions? This speaks volumes about their relationship.  

• Supervision and controlling the class:

Let’s face it — the happiest coach in the world will be ineffective if they don’t have any control over the students in their class.  This is critical because if they don’t have control of their class, they run the risk of one of the student’s injuring themselves. Our coaches do not let children run amok. The children are taught discipline and structure while having fun and learning valuable life skills.  The children also need to be taught to wait in line and take turns.

• Be involved & engaged.  

Involvement and engagement are key.   Because gymnastics requires so much body awareness, it may be difficult to verbally explain how to do a bridge to a 5-year-old. If you can physically help them by gently leaning them backward over a mat or mailbox (as we call it) while spotting them, you can teach them how to do a bridge by being “hands-on”.

Our job is to teach gymnastics. In order to do that, we have to get down on our hands and knees, pull, push, run, jump, and sometimes catch – it’s exhausting but it’s worth it.

• Communicate effectively and use positive reinforcement.  

Positive reinforcement is key.  Does the coach communicate feedback in a way the child understands it? If the child doesn’t understand, does the coach reframe the instructions in another way? Most quality coaches know a simple way to success is to break skills down to their smallest pieces and teach them as parts.

If your child is interested in exploring gymnastics you’ve come to the right place!

Excalibur Gymnastics  prides itself on being the best gymnastics school in Virginia Beach with the largest and best equipped National Training Center. Call us: (757) 499-8258!

Sources:

https://work.chron.com/characteristics-effective-gymnastic-coach-11216.html
https://howtheyplay.com/individual-sports/10-Best-Qualities-of-a-Great-Gymnastics-Teacher
http://allgymnasts.com/find-right-gymnastics-gymclub

Countless children across the country enjoy the physical aspects of gymnastics, as they tumble and perform stunts on various pieces of equipment. Whether it is a student’s goal to enter local competitions or to simply participate for fun, gymnastics provides more than physical activity and enjoyment. It provides important benefits to children in physical, social and cognitive ways that affect them throughout life.

Excalibur Gymnastics has been proud to bring world-class gymnastics to Virginia Beach, and we look forward to continuing that tradition for many years to come. We are firm believers that gymnastics is something that can be enjoyed by children of all ages. And with our highly educated and motivated staff, as well as our world-class, 16,000 square foot facility, Excalibur Gymnastics makes it easy to fall in love with this incredible sport.

Here are just a few of the ways you and your children can enjoy world-class gymnastics at Excalibur Gymnastics:

Pre-School

These 60 minutes class allow your young ones to work in their strength and flexibility and use modified equipment to get introduced to the basics of the sport.

Level 1

This 60 minutes class, focusing on children ages 5-13, introduces the athlete to the basic skills and the specific techniques for each competitive event: vault, bars, beam, floor. Gymnasts begin to learn gymnastics skills as rolls, handstands, and cartwheels.

Boys, Girls & Advanced Recreational Classes

We offer both recreational and team gymnastics one or two hours a week.  Our recreational program is designed to develop coordination, strength, flexibility and agility through motor activities and progressive gymnastic skills.

High School Gymnastics

This two-hour class is specifically designed for high school students and includes physical preparation and a robust workout in the vault, bars, beam, and floor.

Tumbling

Calling all cheerleading fans! This 60-minute class, recommended for ages 7-17, is designed for those interested in building strength and power for cartwheels, rolls, round offs, and backbends. Students will also master their kick overs to become back handsprings.

Children who get involved in a sport like gymnastics learn about fitness from a practical aspect and strengthen their bodies in a way that will prove advantageous throughout their life. Gymnastics provides the necessary physical activity to promote balance, coordination, and flexibility. Attaining success at gymnastics teaches the student self-confidence and boosts self-esteem while simultaneously boosting cognitive function. Isn’t it incredible to think that one sport can be this beneficial while also being equally as enjoyable?

Excalibur Gymnastics prides itself on providing exemplary customer services, we take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all you and your children’s gymnastics services and will do whatever it takes to earn your business and remain life-long clients. Excalibur Gymnastics has a rich history of serving the Virginia Beach area and is large enough to provide professionalism and reliability, yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs please visit our website today or call us at 757-499-8258 today. Like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on current events, tips, and specials.