When Progress Feels Slow: Understanding Plateaus in Cheer, Gymnastics, and Tumbling

What parents need to know when it feels like their athlete is “stuck.”

Every athlete, whether they’re flipping in tumbling, flying in cheer, or balancing on the beam, will hit a plateau at some point. One day, it seems like they’re adding new skills every week—and then, seemingly out of nowhere, progress slows or even stalls. For parents watching from the sidelines, this can feel frustrating or concerning. But here’s the truth: plateaus are not only normal, they’re an essential part of long-term growth.

Understanding why plateaus happen can make them much less stressful for both athletes and families. As athletes push into harder skills, their bodies and brains need time to adjust. While the body develops strength, flexibility, or coordination, the nervous system is also working to lock in new movement patterns and timing. Sometimes, this adjustment period can temporarily throw off old habits or make progress feel invisible. Even when an athlete isn’t visibly adding new skills, they may be refining technique or working through small corrections that are absolutely necessary for future success.

Mental factors play a big role, too. As athletes face more challenging skills, fear can sometimes creep in—especially in tumbling. What looks like hesitation to an outsider is often the athlete’s way of processing risk and building trust in their own ability. A plateau is rarely a sign of failure; more often, it’s a quiet stage of consolidation before the next breakthrough.

As a parent, your support during these moments can make a world of difference. Focusing on your child’s effort rather than just the outcome helps keep their motivation steady. Celebrating their commitment to showing up, practicing hard, and pushing through challenges reinforces their resilience, even when progress feels slow. It’s also helpful to resist the urge to compare their journey to others. Every athlete progresses at their own pace, and comparisons—to teammates, friends, or siblings—can quietly build pressure and frustration. Encouraging patience and reminding your child that even elite athletes spend long periods refining technique can help reframe the experience as part of the normal process.

It’s also important to trust the work coaches are doing behind the scenes. Coaches are often adjusting drills, progressions, and conditioning plans to help athletes break through plateaus safely. If you notice that your athlete is feeling unusually discouraged, experiencing a persistent mental block, or expressing frustration they don’t know how to handle, that’s a good time to loop in the coach. A quick conversation can offer clarity, reassurance, or a fresh training approach. Coaches genuinely want to help and appreciate parents who are willing to partner with them in supporting the athlete.

Ultimately, plateaus aren’t the end of progress—they are a critical piece of it. With time, patience, and consistent support, athletes come out of these phases stronger, more confident, and better prepared for the next stage of their journey. As a parent, the most powerful gift you can give during these moments is your steady belief in their potential, even when they can’t yet see the progress themselves.

Another important piece for parents to remember is that rest is often part of progress. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking more practice, more reps, or extra private lessons are the answer to every plateau. But sometimes, what an athlete really needs is space to recover—physically and mentally. Overtraining can lead to burnout, injury, or frustration, which only deepens the feeling of being stuck. Giving your child permission to rest, reset, and come back with fresh energy can sometimes be the exact thing that helps them push forward.

It’s also worth encouraging your athlete to reflect on their own growth beyond just skills. Ask them what they’re proud of in their effort, attitude, or teamwork. Help them notice the improvements that may not show up on a score sheet—like better focus, sharper technique, or stronger communication with teammates. This kind of reflection helps athletes stay motivated and reminds them that their value isn’t tied solely to the next big skill. Progress isn’t just about what they do—it’s about who they’re becoming through the process.