Things People Say

(St. Charles, MO US) A young gymnast performs on the beam at a team competition  held at the Family  Arena.  Hundreds of girls participated in this multi-day event.

As I was traveling back from Chicago after photographing President Obama giving an address at Hyde Park Academy, I returned a phone call to a person who was trying to find someone to manage photography at a gymnastics competition that would have in excess of 1000 participants over 3 days.  I explained that I really hadn't shot any gymnastics events in years, but would see if we could arrange something if I felt comfortable with the format and my ability to capture the gymnasts.  I was told there was a competition being held this very weekend and I suggested that I shoot a bit there and get familiar with how they conduct things.

I arrive and go to the floor.  I look around and finally start to shoot.  The girl above is one of the first subjects and when her team was done, their coach sat them down and had a talk with them.

The coach told them that they were not to cheer each other on with terms like "good job" because the scores didn't reflect that they were doing good.  Considering that these girls are in grade school and less than 12 years old, I was shocked to hear a coach say such a thing.  If my daughter was ever coached by someone like that I'd not let her continue.

Sometimes you have to wonder about what people say.  Does the coach really realize how hurtful or non-motivational such words can be?  Motivation can be done in far better ways.

How many of us could do what this young girl is doing?