Injuries are one of the toughest challenges for gymnasts—especially at the optional level. These athletes are used to long hours, steady progress, and chasing big goals. When an injury forces them to step back, it can feel frustrating and isolating. As coaches, we play a crucial role in helping injured gymnasts stay connected, productive, and positive throughout recovery. Here are six strategies to keep athletes engaged during practice, even when they can’t train at full capa

Parent communication can be tricky. There are usually only a handful of coaches, a lot of kids, and even more parent questions. One of the biggest things that has helped me is having systems in place to ensure clear communication and expectations—so everyone stays on the same page. A system I’ve used for years is what I call our Stoplight Sheets . One of the most common (and often controversial) topics every season is deciding which athletes are ready to move up a level and w