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How a Sticker Chart Changed Our Beam Training for the Better!

Multiple gymnasts performing a lunge on balance beam

A few years ago, I was trying to figure out the best way to encourage athletes to keep pushing for progress on their beam training and skills. Have you ever noticed athletes getting stuck in one place with no forward movement toward the high beam?


What I always try to highlight with my athletes is the small wins. As coaches, we sometimes get too caught up in whether they "have it on high beam or not"—it's a black-and-white mindset. But I knew I needed a way to celebrate the in-between steps. Even something like moving from a low beam to a mid beam is worth recognizing. And once they do reach the high beam, we can track consistency, not just completion.


I’ve never been a huge fan of prizes or rewards for meeting expectations. But this wasn’t about handing out rewards—it was about teaching athletes to celebrate each step along the way. It’s about progress, not perfection. Many athletes expect immediate results, which just isn’t realistic, and that’s often hard for them to understand.


So, I created a simple sticker chart or progress tracker where we could celebrate growth—not just the end result. When the whole team gets on board, it becomes more than checking off a skill. It becomes about supporting each other, recognizing effort, and creating a culture where hard work and perseverance are valued more than natural talent.



 
 
 

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