Stop Chasing Skills: Why Building the Athlete Comes First
One of the easiest traps to fall into as a gymnastics coach is chasing skills. We see the skill an athlete needs, we know what they need to compete or move up a level, and naturally, we want to spend as much time as possible working on it. More reps, more drills, more attempts.
But sometimes the fastest way to get the skill isn't to spend more time doing the skill. Sometimes, we need to take a step back and build the athlete first.
Skills Are the Result, Not the Starting Point
Gymnastics skills don't exist in isolation. Every skill requires some combination of strength, mobility, body awareness, coordination, shapes, timing, and confidence. If an athlete doesn't have the physical abilities required for a skill, repeating it over and over isn't necessarily going to solve the problem.
If a gymnast is struggling with a handstand, for example, the answer may not be more handstands. They may need more shoulder strength, better body positioning, improved core control, or simply a better understanding of what a strong shape feels like.
Instead of Asking "Why Can't She Do It?" Ask "What's Missing?"
This small change in how we look at athletes can completely change the way we coach.
When an athlete is struggling with a skill, it's easy to think, "She just needs more practice." But what if she actually needs more strength? What if she doesn't understand the shape? What if she doesn't have the mobility to get into the correct position? What if she physically can do the skill but doesn't trust herself yet?
The better we understand the athlete, the better we can brainstorm solutions to the problem.
That's where intentional strength and physical preparation become so important. Strength gives them the physical tools to perform gymnastics with more control and efficiency. A stronger gymnast can hold positions, create and maintain shapes, generate power, absorb force, and control their movements.
Don't Underestimate the Basics
As coaches, we sometimes want to move on because the basics don't feel exciting. But the basics are what create the foundation athletes continue to rely on as they progress.
Another hollow hold. Another handstand. Another shaping drill.. These things may not feel like the most exciting part of practice, but they are building the physical abilities that make more advanced gymnastics possible.
Build the Athlete You Want to See in the Future
When we focus only on the skills an athlete needs right now, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Instead, we should be asking ourselves: What kind of gymnast are we trying to develop?
I want athletes who are strong, adaptable, confident, aware of their bodies, and capable of learning new skills throughout their careers. That means sometimes we have to slow down to move forward. We have to spend time on strength, reinforce shapes, build mobility, work on the basics, and allow athletes to develop confidence and ownership of their gymnastics.
Because ultimately, we're not just trying to get an athlete through the next skill. We're building the athlete who will be ready for the skills that come after it.
Coach the Athlete, Not Just the Skill
The best gymnastics coaching isn't always about finding the perfect drill or getting one more repetition. It's about understanding the athlete in front of you. What can they do? What can't they do yet? What is holding them back? And what do they need from you to move forward?
When we start looking at gymnastics through that lens, our coaching becomes much more intentional. We stop chasing skills and start building athletes.
And when we build better athletes, the skills have a much stronger foundation to stand on.
Ready to build the athlete, not just the skill?
Explore Raise the Bar strength programs designed to help gymnastics coaches intentionally develop the strength, control, and physical abilities athletes need to progress.
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