The first and most important topic in gymnastics instruction is how to stay safe!

The following is a list of some of the things you can do to help ensure your safety and the safety of others.

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Be Prepared

Make sure you get enough sleep the night before your classes or practices. Make sure your body has enough energy from nutrition to last through your class or practice.



Follow and Master Skill Progressions

It is extremely important to learn gymnastics skills in the proper order. Gymnasts should not attempt difficult skills without learning all the lead-up skills and doing appropriate lead-up drills. Gymnastics instruction and learning is a series of habits built upon other habits. Moving along too quickly without mastering skills can ultimately interfere with learning higher level gymnastics skills.



Don’t Do Gymnastics By Yourself

Just like swimming and other physical activities where there is even the remotest chance of injury, gymnasts should only work out when there is at least one other person around. 



Don’t Spot Other Gymnasts

Spotting is an art and requires the knowledge, strength and experience of a gymnastics instruction professional. 



Only Let Professional Coaches Spot You

By the same token, you should only let qualified gymnastics professionals spot you on skills you cannot do and need help with. You risk potentially serious injury by being spotted or coached by someone who is not qualified, knowledgeable, experienced or strong enough.



Pay Attention

You need to be aware of what is going on around you in the gym if there are other gymnasts, especially bigger ones, around. You also need to pay careful attention to your coach so you understand exactly what they expect of you to learn efficiently and keep yourself safe.



Stop, Look And Listen

Just like crossing a street, when you approach an equipment area, the floor exercise mat, tumbling strips or other mats and pieces of equipment, you need to stop and look both ways before you cross or enter to make sure you are not in the way or going to get landed on.



Being Able to See

Keep your hair out of your face and tie back long hair during all gymnastics instruction. Hair can obstruct your vision or you can pull it on skills like back rolls.



What Not to Wear

Don’t wear hair ties with hard objects, like plastic balls, on them.

 

Fashion Safety

Don’t wear dangling earrings, necklaces or other jewelry. They can get caught on your leotard or gym clothes, equipment or mats or carpet.

 

Follow all the rules for a safe and fun gymnastics experience!