Emma's Gymnastics Story

Skilltastic!

It was like a game how you level up. Just in real life.

I was training for level two. We did front limbers. Back walkovers. I felt good for being able to know how to do these skills. I felt skilled!

"I'm proud of you guys! You're great gymnasts!" Coach Katie said. "But just remember to point your toes for every skill you do--like this."

She demonstrated that. Then she told us to all do a back walkover while pointing our toes.

"Good job!" she said. "Do you want to play a game?"

"Yes!" we all shouted.

"Duck duck goose!"

"No!" we shouted.

She laughed and said,"You guys are definitely not normal five year olds!"

We giggled and dove into the foam pit.

"Oh you want to swing on the rope again, don't you?" Katie said.

We all nodded and made a line. I was sixth in line. When it was my turn I waited for the rope to come to me and I jumped on it. Then I started swinging across the foam pit and fell off of it into the pit. I swam out. I'm used to it but it'll still always be so fun to me!

My favorite event had become the bars. It might've been hard, but it kind of feels as if you're flying! I just love it! But right now we were working on beam. We were working on split leaps. We also worked on a few other jumps. Then we worked on this twirl type thing. Its actually called a 1/2 pivot turn. It's so hard to do on the beam! I kind of perfected it on the floor but not exactly on beam yet. We also tried to a cartwheel. I was so scared to do it on beam--I can't even explain it! Obviously it was harder than the cartwheel to handstand dismount, but I didn't think it'd be that scary!

"Don't worry guys. I know you can do it!" Katie said. "with girl power!"

We made a circle and all put are hands on top of each other's.

"Girl power!" we all said, taking our hands up.

We all giggled.

"Do you think you can do a cartwheel on the beam now?" she asked.

We all said yeah. And when it was someone's turn we cheered. Believe it or not, there's actually scientific proof that cheering actually improves people's confidence, so they'll do better. When it was turn to attempt a cartwheel, I mounted the beam and calmed myself down. I was afraid because I might hurt myself. But when I put my hands down on the beam, I pushed my legs up and I got to the other side. I actually did a cartwheel without falling off the beam! Okay, I admit it. I was a step away from falling, but I still stuck it!

"Good job, Emma!" Katie said proud of me. "You did it perfect.

Everyone cheered and clapped for me. I was proud of myself, too.

Then it was time for bars! My favorite! I did a pullover, front, hip circle, and a kip! Then I did some other skills and gosh it was just so fun!