BINGO! Goals

 The one to get you through the season.

Summer time is the best time to learn new skills and gymnasts need little external motivation. Then comes school time and the kids are so busy with this transition that it speeds through and here we are almost to November. This time brings half routines and many repetitions as we lean into season. For the most part, my upper levels get it and see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's time to put in the numbers now to gain consistency. For my younger gymnasts, this time of the season can become frustrating if something isn't going right and a bit mundane. They struggle to see past the immediate gratification that summer time brought.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to have the night-time optional group practice with our day-time girls and we prepped for an activity they do throughout the season called their BINGO goals sheet. I do this with all my levels every year. It's an external motivator but it also teaches them long term goals and delayed gratification; that the hard work they are putting in today comes with a reward in the future. I love it because it not only includes season and meet specific goals like scores but also upgraded skills they can work through the year. Nothing kills a future season like starting upgrades too late and some of the more timid gymnasts need the extra push with the BINGO sheet.

Lastly, I make sure the BINGO sheet has short term and long term goals so it doesn't feel impossible to them. If they feel like they can't cross anything off their list within a reasonable amount of time then you won't have their buy-in. I start by putting skills on there that are more difficult ones for the level they are preparing for this season but they are still within reach or they may have already achieved them. If they can already cross off one of the skills that first day, you've pulled them in! For my upper levels and Xcel I also leave some of the squares blank and it is up to them to fill them in with my approval.

SOOO what is included in my bingo sheet? Click here to find out! Go ahead and click "file" and "make a copy" for yourself! That way you can edit to meet your specific gym needs. Let me know what you think and if you'll be using this for season! The prize for each BINGO they achieve is up to you but I provided examples below!

Happy BINGO-ing!

Jaclyn