"Montville To Hire New Gymnastics Teacher" - http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=43830d41-d3cf-4e15-b5c4-765138cde8b4 The commissioners for the gymnastics program in Montville Parks and Recreation cancelled coach Nick Checker's rule that parents can't come inside the building where their kids practice and watch. Surprisingly, some parents complained to the commissioners on the side of the coach, and also some kids. [quote]There were a few tears and emotional remarks made to commissioners from parents with children in the gymnastics program. Some parents, like Jack Morehouse, were instructed by Checker as a child and now have their own children in the program.

a coach that doesn't want the parents to watch and actually blocks the path with a mat...scary! not the gym for me! it could be innocent, but still, that is really unsafe. why can't the parents just not "distract" the kids - and what about at competition - they don't get distracted there?! what do they do at competitions? or if they don't compete yet, it would be a good practice to get used to and not get distracted by the audience.

A coach that doesn't want the parents to watch - that's a huge red flag!!

I agree with you guys. Here is something from a gymnastics camp, usgymnasticscamps.com - no watching/visiting and no cell phones: [quote]Can parents come to visit? No. We also prefer that a two-week camper does not leave camp during the Saturday before the second session. Visitations are a disruption to our program. "An important part of a camping is to have an independent experience." Does USGTC allow cell phones? NO! Our new policy is now in effect because of our past camp experience. The worst example was having children speaking to their friends and family at all hours of the night and day. Lack of sleep! Lack of control! We have phones in all dorms, and other camp buildings![/quote] US Gymnastics Training Camps at Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts And like the USA men and women elite training camps it is in a secluded private area. [quote]Our camp is located at Mount Holyoke College - considered by many to be the most beautiful private small college in the United States. It offers an immaculate private setting with bass lakes, waterfalls, wild ducks and geese. The rolling manicured hills and lawns complement our gymnastics program. [/quote] With Carly Patterson and Annia Hatch and other elite coaches.

this is so dumb its not even funny. i have known nick for 15 years ( hes my gymnastics coach) and my mom had him as a gym teacher, and the fact that you guys are saying this is sooooo dumb he would never. he lets parents watch on one day, its the last class before a new session and i help coach and i watch the kids when there parents are in the room or anyone else for that matter the kids are out of control and arnt focused, and in case you didnt know in this sport you have to be completly focused so you dont get hurt. this never was a problem before and the mother that started this should have left if she didnt like rules of the gym. not complained about it. if you dont like the rules of the gym then leave no one is making you stay and to be honest if you do leave you are to controling and its better for everyone (if you leave).

The story is from over 3 years ago. It's still an issue? I agree wiith letting parents watch. IMO it is not a good enough reason to say that the kids will get distracted - they should be taught not to get distracted and focus. They need the same skill during competition the most, especially when there isn't a coach ready to spot/catch any mistake right next to them.

Just some questions which have arisen. Note: This is not intended to defame, slander, or libel. But just a few questions. . . The Gym Chat Forum has a thread on this topic with links to the Nick Checker situation: A coach that doesn’t want parents to watch?! From the site, gymnasticscoaching.com: A coach Nick Checker (Nicholas) resigned his position after 21-years with his club to protest a management decision that opened his gym to spectators, including parents. Checker had argued that he covered the viewing window “so parents didn’t distract children and to reduce risk of injury.” Personally, I prefer children’s sports clubs to be open to spectators at all times, even at risk of distraction. But there is a great compromise, one with which almost every coach can agree. Spectators sit behind one-way mirrored glass. Parents can see in. But the gymnast sees a mirror. Why the controversy may seem to still exist is because of the resignation following the compromise—that is, this coach would leave employment after the proposed compromise of installing the two-way mirror. There was also talk recently concerning his alleged blocking the path of the parents by placing a mat in the path. And the aunt of a 27 year resident of Montville chose to withdraw her niece from her pursuit of registration in a neighboring town in which the aforementioned coach is said to be working, following a verbal dispute, in which the fifteen-year old was told she didn’t have the “right” hair or looks to be one of the women on the “team,” which followed the question by the niece whether or not the coach’s toupee was colored, and if he was indeed 49 years of age as he stated (and not 63 which was in fact his true age as of early 2013). Distressing, to say the least. Here is another interesting piece regarding “regular” abuse in general which might be of interest to those in the sport: From the Competetive Edge on what makes a coach abusive: THE ABUSIVE COACH FITS ANY NUMBER OF THE FOLLOWING: Regularly uses public embarrassment and humiliation on his/her athletes Is disinterested in the feelings and sensitivities of his/her players Rarely uses praise or positive feedback Is a yeller Demeans his/her players Plays “head games” with his/her athletes Is personally dishonest and untrustworthy Creates a team environment based on fear and devoid of safety Is never satisfied with what his/her athletes do. Is overly negative and a pro at catching athletes doing things wrong Is more interested in his/her needs then those of his/her players Over-emphasizes the importance of winning Tends to be rigid and over-controlling, defensive and angry Is not open to constructive feedback from players or other parents Uses excessive conditioning as punishment Can be physically abusive Ignores his/her athletes when angry or displeased Is a bully (and therefore a real coward) Coaches through fear and intimidation Is a “know-it-all” Is a poor communicator Only cares about his/her athletes as performers, not as individuals Consistently leaves his/her athletes feeling badly about themselves Kills his/her athletes’ joy and enthusiasm for the sport Is a bad role model Is emotionally unstable and insecure Earns contempt from players and parents Coaches through guilt Is a master of DENIAL!!!!!

[QUOTE=wowgym;36160]A coach that doesn't want the parents to watch - that's a huge red flag!![/QUOTE] Thank you for the validation. It makes a difference. :p

[QUOTE=paksalto;35973]a coach that doesn't want the parents to watch and actually blocks the path with a mat...scary! not the gym for me! it could be innocent, but still, that is really unsafe. why can't the parents just not "distract" the kids - and what about at competition - they don't get distracted there?! what do they do at competitions? or if they don't compete yet, it would be a good practice to get used to and not get distracted by the audience.[/QUOTE] Thank you for the validation. It makes a difference. :p

[QUOTE=fliptwist;133910]The story is from over 3 years ago. It's still an issue? I agree wiith letting parents watch. IMO it is not a good enough reason to say that the kids will get distracted - they should be taught not to get distracted and focus. They need the same skill during competition the most, especially when there isn't a coach ready to spot/catch any mistake right next to them.[/QUOTE] And blocks the parent's path with a mat! ;) Thank you for the validation. It makes a difference. :D