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LEVELS of Knowledge

This document discusses different levels of coaching knowledge in gymnastics, analogous to levels of baking ability. It describes coaches starting as "beginners" teaching basic skills to recreational classes, learning from more experienced coaches and through clinics. Coaches become "intermediate" by gaining independence overseeing competitive teams, with guidance from head coaches. The most advanced "master" coaches create their own programs and educate other coaches, continuing the cycle of learning. The document advocates for ongoing coaches' education to improve gymnastics programs at all levels.

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46 views

LEVELS of Knowledge

This document discusses different levels of coaching knowledge in gymnastics, analogous to levels of baking ability. It describes coaches starting as "beginners" teaching basic skills to recreational classes, learning from more experienced coaches and through clinics. Coaches become "intermediate" by gaining independence overseeing competitive teams, with guidance from head coaches. The most advanced "master" coaches create their own programs and educate other coaches, continuing the cycle of learning. The document advocates for ongoing coaches' education to improve gymnastics programs at all levels.

Uploaded by

Beeboy CroSel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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USA Gymnastics Online: Technique: Levels of Knowledge Page 1 of 3

LEVELS of Knowledge: By John Wojtczuk, Multnomah Athletic Club

(The seed of this "Levels of Knowledge" outlook was actually


a discussion on "value" in one of the late Robert Heinlein's
AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW OF books. He used the "cook vs. pastry chef" idea first, and his
analogy has great insight for our sport. - JW)
COACHES DEVELOPMENT

How do we learn to do If you or I went to bake an apple pie, we would


simply follow the directions in a cookbook, and with a
things? Where do we go to little luck, would get it right. If we followed this
learn something that isn't procedure enough times, we would know the recipe
really taught in detail at a by heart and not need the cookbook. We may even
decide to try to "spice it up" a little - add some raisins
school? How do we to it, maybe a little more cinnamon. We may also
improve our knowledge of start reading other cookbooks for ideas, or different
ways of doing it ("How do you make that cross-hatch
something?
pie? Does it make the pie taste better or bake
differently?"). We get pretty good at baking - maybe
we try other things as well. Now we get into being a
pastry chef - an "elite" baker. (They train people for
that) We can create our own specialties.

Using this example, we can see a standard pattern that occurs in any process of learning. This does
not mean there is a "cookbook" to be a 4-star pastry chef. It is a knowledge and ability that is
acquired over time, with discipline* and patience. (Note: This is also the point expounded by the
"Malcolm" character in Michael Crichton's "Jurassic Park." See pp. 306. - JW.) This leads to another
observation that may seem a bit off the wall, but I think has some points to be considered. To my
knowledge, there are few, if any, college or university programs where you can go to learn to
COACH gymnastics—Physical Education, yes, but few specifically for gymnastics. Gymnastics as it
presently exists, at least in the U.S., is effectively a guild system.
* (From Webster's: discipline—from the Latin disciplina,
meaning teaching, learning.)

Let's look at some background. Historically, the sport had always been the domain of big multi-sport
organizations like the AAU, "Y" programs, some multi-sport private clubs, and of small, local "mom
and pop" clubs. These local clubs started out renting a high school gym for three to five days a
week, setting up and breaking down equipment every day. These were individuals who loved the
sport; it was a "hobby." However, they were also highly competitive, and after a while realized that
they needed better training situations for their teams. Throughout the late 70's into the present,
they expanded into their own little gyms in warehouses where they could leave equipment up, set
up the gym in a way to fit in more equipment, etc. Now they had overhead, and needed to run
more class students through to pay the bills. Physical Education teachers were available, but you
likely would have to teach them the sport. Where do you find instructors on short notice? From your
own "ranks." Ex-gymnasts know the skills of the sport, and probably more than a few still had the
"bug" and would work for lower pay than the professional Physical Education instructor might (with
some notable exceptions).

Since these are ex-gymnasts, they have some solid knowledge of


the sport. So, often they start teaching recreational classes, and
occasionally work with the beginner level teams, building a greater
foundation of basic knowledge of the sport. This aspect of our sport
is very common. It fits the economics and "reality" of the common
club situation.
USA Gymnastics Online: Technique: Levels of Knowledge Page 2 of 3

This is a critical point in the "apprenticeship" of the beginner


coaches, and critical for a successful program. If we are to avoid correcting errors and "bad habits"
from recreational and "pre-team" groups, the instructors at those levels need to be educated by our
best and most knowledgeable staff. Ideally, we would like beginners to be taught by the best
coaches in the gym. This is not always feasible for a number of reasons, chief among them is the
level of difficulty of the higher level gymnasts - they need that expertise even more. So the job of
developing the beginners usually falls on the "junior staff."

In their off season, the elite and advanced level coaches need to take the time to teach all their
staff proper technique and progressions for the skills they are teaching. This investment in
education will save much time later, correcting errors in technique learned by less technically
knowledgeable instructors/coaches. Now you have an "apprentice" coach, working under the
direction and tutoring of a (hopefully) more experienced head coach. Now those individuals really
improve their coaching ability, and they start assisting the optional teams. They may even be in
charge of their own compulsory group as well.

Here is where the similarity with the "guild" system changes a bit. Traditionally, the apprentice
leaves his first "shop" and becomes a "journeyman." going out working at other shops, learning
from many different "masters" in his area. (The historical pre-cursor to "club-hopping!") However, in
our system, clinics and symposiums have replaced this to a great extent. It is possible for a coach to
learn from many other coaches without "hopping" around to other clubs. (While this happens, it
usually has little to do with advancing coaching knowledge.) Even now, the increase and
improvement of "professional" publications and programs (Athlete Wellness, PDP, Safety
Certification) are improving this educational situation for the "journeyman" part.

This is still an important point in the development of a "journeyman" coach in the gym as well. They
are increasing their knowledge and abilities through sessions with the head coaches, clinics and
symposiums. They are allowed freedom to develop their groups - write up the training schedules,
the competition schedule, strength and conditioning, etc. However, they still need to be guided at
certain points. They have to "stay on the same page" as the head coaches guidelines for the
program. Sometimes these "journeyman" coaches see this as restrictive. It may be, but it is of
necessity. The program must follow a set of "progressions" as much as the learning of a skill might.

Conversely, the head coach must also let the creativity and excitement of his junior staff have an
outlet. If there are some good ideas, he must let the junior staff try them. If there are some poor
ones, he must clearly explain why they are not to be tried or implemented in the program. This is a
fine line to walk - their enthusiasm versus sound judgement. The head coach must also continue
their staff's training into higher level skills as they are ready.

After a time, and with some luck, some of these coaches may go on to open their own gyms or,
become the head coaches in their "home" gym. They begin to develop their own programs,
becoming "masters," and in turn start training their own staff and starting the cycle again. From this
perspective, it is obvious that USA Gymnastics, as well as its' member associations, needs to
continue on its course of coaches education not only at the "grass roots" levels, but at the highest
levels of the "master" coaches as well, including them in the education process.

LEVEL: BEGINNER INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED


Teaching Command Guided Discovery Cooperative
Style
Reference: "Cookbook" Several cookbooks, as well as Doesn't need cookbook
Follow the directions being able to come up with a except as a reference, can
Compulsories and few "recipes" of his/her own. create many new
basic optional skills. Intermediate difficulty skills. "recipes" from "scratch."
USA Gymnastics Online: Technique: Levels of Knowledge Page 3 of 3

Advanced level skills.


Coach: Leans basics and Still learning, but can apply Still learning, but has a
discipline of training basics and training regimens to comprehensive and
regimens and how to more complicated situations. Has intuitive grasp of the
apply these to a fairly strong knowledge of intricacies of the sport.
beginner level basics, and is learning to apply Works with gymnasts to
gymnasts. Gives these to higher level skills. Gives prepare and execute
exact assignments for exact assignments but gives the assignments for training
the beginner gymnasts some freedom in now and competition.
gymnasts to follow. the assignments are completed.
Gymnast: Needs to learn the Reinforcing the basic discipline Should have a strong base
basic discipline to train successfully, has some of discipline for training,
necessary for more freedom as to how able to work with coaches
successful training, assignments are completed. Still to develop a more
but also needs to needs to be guided in her/his specific, personal training
have fun in doing so. choices and part of his/her program. Can make good
Needs a lot of training. judgements with regard
guidance. to individual needs with
little guidance.
Errors: Coach is either too Coach has not developed a Coach is still trying to
strict or too "loose" in strong base of understanding of control development of
training. Gymnasts technique or the discipline to gymnasts without their
are not developing apply it. Either too strict or too input, often because the
basics or not enjoying "loose" in practice. Gymnasts do gymnasts have not
it enough. not have discipline to train well. learned "how" to make
Or make good decisions good choices with regard
regarding their assignments. to their training.

Acknowledgements:

The need for staff education in our sport is certainly not a new one. Staff education is an important
part of all the successful programs, and a good portion of this article came in part from my own
experiences and discussions with many friends and coaches throughout the years. This is as much
their article as mine. - JW

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