International Gymnast

When Your Teammate Wins, You Win

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SOMETIMES there is one girl on a team who always wins. Perhaps you know exactly what I’m talking about. For the sake of this story, let’s call her “Jenny.” Regardless of how close you are to Jenny, her winning streak is getting old and you’re just plain sick of it. So is Taylor, the girl whose shaky legs caused her to tumble off the beam in every meet so far this season. But the coaches still rave about her perfect form. In fact, they often stop everyone and say, “Look at Taylor’s back leg on her leap. It never bends.” They sound like a broken record. “Watch Taylor … look at Taylor’s toe point!”

Ugh! Taylor, with all her ballet training, is wearing thin on you so much that you decide to ignore the praise she gets.

Wrong. Her fear issues are a constant reminder for Jenny to keep the negative thoughts out. All the bad words — I can’t, it’s too hard, I’m scared — truly do have consequences.

Hannah started gymnastics much later than the rest of her team, but she’s quickly improving every year. Hannah’s rapid progress is motivation for Jenny to never hold back. Who knows? Maybe next season Hannah might breeze past Jenny to the top of the podium.

Guess what? Jenny is watching, trying to improve and hoping to be the one to stand out next time. For that, she owes Taylor a piece of every medal she wins.

What about you? That’s right, you deserve
of piece of your teammates’ medals. Perhaps
you’ve been the one right behind Jenny all sea-
son. Or maybe Jenny is getting scores you’ve
only dreamt of getting, but I’ll bet there is
something you do
better than Jenny.
Maybe your dance is
better, or your flexi-
bility. And chances
are you’ve helped
her get to the top.
So next time
you’re driving home
from a meet, com-

Regardless of how close you
are to Jenny, her winning
streak is getting old and

And what about Katie?

you’re just plain sick of it.

She spends almost the entire workout either complaining or gossiping about whichever teammate isn’t in her direct ear shot. Seriously, her mouth never stops moving. Jenny wonders, What is Katie saying about me? Now she’s determined to prove Katie’s rumors wrong. It’s a fire Jenny wouldn’t have if her teammates were all sweet and sensitive.

Stephanie’s impeccable work ethic makes you groan in agony trying to keep up with her. If she would just slack a little maybe you wouldn’t have to work as hard. “If Stephanie can do five press handstands in a row, so can the rest of you!” your coach always says. Jenny wishes the same thing. But if Stephanie did slow down, Jenny wouldn’t be the winner she is right now.

plaining to Mom and Dad about “Jenny,” remember that just by being on her team, you’ve helped her win. It’s like being a coauthor, or getting an assist in basketball. And next time you’re fed up with “Gossiping Katie” or the “New Girl” who’s getting all the attention, figure out a way to use all your teammates to help you pave the way to the top of the podium, and most importantly, achieve your goals. You don’t even have to like your teammates to let them help you. If someone makes you mad, use it. If another teammate makes you laugh, use that.

Shy, timid Claire, who wasted 30 minutes of her bar workout standing on the low bar willing herself to go for that dismount and coming up short, has nothing to offer Jenny, right?

And when “Jenny” is standing in first place, yet again. it’s OK to smile and be proud that you helped her get there. It’s also OK to hope that next time it’s you who has to share your medal. —Julie Cross

Former gymnast Julie Cross is a coach in Champaign, Ill., and has two daughters in gymnastics.

COACHING
CORNER

Extennnnd Your Lines!

GYMNASTICS is definitely an art form, and your body is the medium. So it is really important to involve your entire body during skills such as the arabesque shown below.

Note how American Ivana Hong is using her arms to complement the positions of her legs. The position of her right arm and hand is completing the curve of her right leg, and her left arm is lifted high to balance the left leg. Also, her head is held up to follow the slight arch in her back.

There is no firm rule as to where you must place your arms. Ask your coach to help you find the best positions, or practice your poses in front of a mirror and judge for yourself. When you learn the proper way to extend your lines, don’t be surprised if you also raise your scores!