Basics should always get better in some way. If coaching time is not ideal in your program, choose to coach the basics and supervise the warm-ups and conditioning exercises very closely instead of choosing to see all of the routines. Believe Believe, because it is true. If the foundation for skills is mastered, or, at least adequate, the skills are learned successfully. Work hard to instill this belief in your athletes.
Courage Have the courage to commit to basics and proper preparation.
Sad Facts Good athletes, the best athletes, are the most harmed by coaching that ignores the importance of good, varied, and always-improving basics. And the improper development inevitably produces an unhappy and unfulfilled gymnast, rather than a happy and confident one. For many reasons, working on the basics should continue throughout the competition season. Certainly one good reason is the alleviation of stress. Basics settle down and lead gymnasts into good meet training workouts.