June 1, 2014
WYC 002 Gymnastics – Diane Renzi – Do what you can, with what you have, where you are
What does it take to be a winning youth coach? Listen in as Diane shares coaching stories and discusses her journey to becoming a successful youth coach.
Diane was an all Big-10 gymnast at The Ohio State University, and has coached 50+ level 10 gymnasts; in 2 years at Solon High School she took the team to state, where they have never been before or since. She is married to a fellow-Ohio State gymnast and has four children ages 17-22.
Twitter: CoachRenzi@kidpeach
Listen Now:
Listen in ITunes: Itunes link
Listen in Stitcher: Stitcher link
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Coaching/Leadership Quote
- ‘Do what you can, with what you have, where you are’ – Theodore Roosevelt
Coaching your own Kid
- 2 keys: Separate your home time from your gym time; Wait for your child to ask for advice vs. forcing your advice on them
My ‘Cringe’ Moment
- As an ex-athlete Diane expected all the kids to be wired like she was – she had to learn each person is motivated differently
Coaching AH-HA Moment
- No matter what effort the child brings to the gym – I, as the coach, will always bring 100% to each practice. I am here to support you.
Teaching Children & Keeping it Fun
- Understand the age of who you are coaching. Don’t hold kids to standards that are too high for their maturity.
- Educate your athletes – teach the standard, then have a fun competition to challenge them to perfect that skill.
Coaching Resources
- Diane’s best coach always made each kid feel like they were the favorite.
- Youtube videos:
o ‘The Gymnastics Minute’ by USAGymnastics
Discipline
- Breaking a known team rule – Have a predefined consequence where the punishment fits the crime.
- Kids not listening to the coach – You have to first find out the reason why – ‘Anyone can coach the kids who wants it – The coaching takes place when they don’t want it – how do we motivate them?’
Reward, Recognition, and Teambuilding
- Teach the kids and parents: To enjoy the successes of others doesn’t take away from my own joy
- Diane creates team competitive contests where she intentionally pairs athletes with different strengths
- With parents: ‘The best jury is an educated jury’ – Be open and honest with the parents
Inspiring Story
- Diane coached one girl who had a particularly bad temper – Diane pumped positivity into this girl and went on to see her turn around and succeed
- ‘I have my Rosella back’ – A dad thanked Diane for turning around his daughter’s attitude and bringing back her joy.
Winning
- Winning is the desire to do your best
- Michelle Kwan: ‘I didn’t lose the gold, I won the silver’
- As a parent – you should be the one congratulating the kid for winning the silver
- Diane encourages her athletes that win multiple medals to share some of the extra medals with their teammates that worked equally as hard
The One that Got Away
- Diane thought her daughter had given up on one of her routines – but she misunderstood the situation and didn’t ask questions first.
Coaching/Leadership Motivation
Parting Advice
- The most important thing you can do is build the confidence in your athlete
Interview Links
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