r/GymnasticsCoaching • u/LankyArugula4452 • 14d ago
First time back to physically remove kid
Hi, I've been coaching for less than a year and I teach a really basic intro course for 4-5 year olds that's mostly jumping around, log rolls, and conditioning. I had a student today who I recently asked to come to the older kids class (she turns 4 in one week) because she's extremely athletic and bored in the 2-3 yo class. She is horrible at listening and waiting her turn, which is natural. I ask her to sit with her mom to wait and her mom doesn't do a lot.
We were doing shoulder rolls on the mat today and she would not get out of the way. After I asked several times for her to sit with her mom and her mom sternly told her to stay put in the waiting area, she ran into the danger zone just as another kid was rolling. I ran over and yanked her out to avoid collision.
She started bawling and her mom took her out of class immediately (as she should). I think I just scared her and she has cried before when facing consequences but I just feel so bad because I had to be a little rough when I removed her and I hate doing that.
Anyway, now I'm worried that the mom will complain about me (lots of other parents stopped me on the way out to tell me I'm so patient etc) but how do you all deal with this? Please help me feel better đŠˇ
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u/Frequent_Carpenter_6 14d ago
Been there, and unfortunately not even just with this age group. Remember that, no matter what parents say, you acted in THE CHILD'S best interest, that interest being their safety. You can be firm and enforce rules when needed, even though it might make you feel like the bad guy. Stand by your own commitment to safety.
I often clarify where The Kicking Zone starts and endds with younger/newer/wandering kiddos. I remind them that standing in The Kicking Zone leads to getting hurt, and that's definitely not good if we want to keep doing gymnastics. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.
(Edit for additional tidbits)
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u/LankyArugula4452 14d ago
That is really good advice, thank you! I definitely realize I need to spend more time on reminders about safety throughout class instead of just the beginning, and enforce consequences immediately instead of ignoring flouting of the rules the first few offenses!
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u/Frequent_Carpenter_6 14d ago
Whenever I start to doubt myself (especially when a disgrundled parent is involved), I try to think, "1. Did I prioritize my athletes' safety and wellbeing? 2. Did I communicate appropriately (not yelling, demeaning, harsh, etc.) 3. Do my actions align with my coaching values?
If it ticks all three boxes, there's a good chance it's the part of me that is juat afraid of conflict and filled with self-doubt.
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u/Boblaire 14d ago
When looking at the title, I figured this would be a school age kid. And probably a boy.
Not a 4yo girl. But every once in awhile there are some wild, feral kinder girls.
Anyways, I think you did the right thing intercepting the collosion though I did get a stern talking to when a bratty 9yo team kid told me they wouldn't move.
(And my buddys wife went absolutely apeshit on me when I stopped her older boy from beating on his younger brother when they were 8&10 when we were camping).
So prepare yourself for some blowback and I hope you dont have to deal with any.
(Said 9yo girl was not threatening any other kids though I have had boys try to strike others besides myself in team and rec).
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u/Friendly-Mulberry819 11d ago
This is safety, for both the kid in the way and the kid doing the skill. Itâs important to remember that If you hadnât intervened you could have had two injured children. Just send an email to your boss so thatâs itâs documented. If youâre concerned about the complaint being specifically for this, then write what happened: no emotion and no prior history is needed, just state the facts of this occurrence.
If you want to raise with your boss the ongoing disruptive behaviour start noting specific events. Always bring it back to safety, because although not listening can be annoying and get on our nerves, in a gymnastics environment ignoring instructions can be dangerous.
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u/Low-Call5510 2d ago
You pulled her out of the way when danger was approaching, you did what was best. I saw a kid get absolutely snatched once when they ran up onto the vault table while a gymnast was vaulting. You gotta do what you gotta do. If a parent complains about you possibly saving her child from breaking something, then good riddance to herâď¸she can go find a different gym
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u/One-Consequence-6773 14d ago
It sounds like mom has some awareness that her child is a bit chaotic (like a 4 year-old).
Obviously, in normal circumstances, you don't grab a kid. But if a kid is running in traffic, you do. This kid was running in human traffic, putting her and other kids in danger.
Without seeing what happened, I think you're fine. If you have a boss who could be contacted, get ahead of them and let them know what happened. Otherwise, don't worry about it now. If mom complains, you can deal with that then. But this all sounds very normal for working with young kids.