The Power of Being Coachable in Rhythmic Gymnastics:

Why Attitude Trumps Talent

In the elegant world of rhythmic gymnastics, where grace, flexibility, and precision reign supreme, it's easy to be dazzled by natural talent. The young gymnast who effortlessly contorts her body into impossible shapes, who makes the most complex apparatus routines look effortless, naturally draws the eye. So what do we mean by the power of being coachable in rhythmic gymnastics?

Pre Team at Cascade Rhythmic in Beaverton working diligently on their strength and flexibility

Trust the process

But in this demanding sport, talent alone is not enough. The real key to success lies in being coachable. Being coachable means having an open mind, a humble spirit, and a hunger for self-improvement. It means showing up to every practice with a positive attitude, ready to soak in the wisdom of coaches and to put in the hard work of mastering new skills. It means trusting the process, even when progress feels slow, and embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth. Only by consistently pouring their heart into each practice, trusting the coach's vision, and believing in the transformative power of the process can a young gymnast steadily work towards fulfilling their potential in this beautiful and demanding sport.

Vaganova class, developing a better understanding of muscle work involved in movement

Look for feedback

The coachable rhythmic gymnast is the one who listens intently to her coaches' feedback, who seeks clarification and puts in the extra repetitions to refine her technique. She's the one who is constantly pushing herself outside her comfort zone, tackling new challenges head-on. She might ask clarifying questions, and applies the advice with focus and diligence until the desired changes are ingrained in her muscle memory. After each practice, she reflects on the coach's input, visualizing the improvements and strategizing ways to further refine her skills. Her progress serves as the ultimate barometer of her ability to synthesize feedback - with each competition, her enhanced precision, artistry, and poise stand as testaments to her commitment to the coaching process. By displaying marked growth and an ever-evolving mastery of the sport's nuances, the young gymnast proves her exceptional capacity to translate feedback into tangible results.

Fun is an important part of the journey in rhythmic gymnastics

The plateau

In stark contrast, the rhythmic gymnast who leans exclusively on her natural flexibility or coordination, who resists feedback or goes through the motions half-heartedly, will eventually plateau. . She may excel initially, but without the foundation of a strong work ethic and a growth mindset, her talent will only carry her so far. As she faces increasingly more difficult competition, her deficiencies in technique, artistry, and mental fortitude will appear. If she dismisses or disregards her coach's feedback, neglecting to attack her weaknesses with focus and humility, her progress will grind to a halt.

In the end, she'll see other gymnasts who work harder than her do better. They'll get stronger and more skilled by always trying their best and looking for ways to improve. This gymnast's story warns others - in top-level sports, even the best natural talent will fade away if the athlete doesn't always want to get better and give their all to practice.

How can parents help?

As parents of aspiring rhythmic gymnasts, we play a crucial role in nurturing coachability. We can encourage our daughters to approach their sport with humility and curiosity, to embrace the journey of self-improvement rather than fixating on scores or rankings.

We can model a positive attitude towards coaches, reinforcing the message that feedback is a gift, not a personal attack. In the end, the lessons of coachability extend far beyond the rhythmic gymnastics carpet.

In a world that values quick fixes and instant gratification, the ability to be coachable - to learn, to grow, to persevere - is a rare and valuable asset. By instilling this quality in our young gymnasts, we're setting them up for success not just in their sport, but in all of life's arenas.