25 Questions to Ask a College Gymnastics Coach on a Visit

BEFORE YOU GO

Pick Your Questions, Then Write Down the Answers

You won't ask all 25, and you shouldn't. Pick the six to eight that matter most to you, and save the rest for teammates, phone calls, or a second visit.

The gymnast should ask most of them. Coaches are watching whether you can run your own recruiting, and a good question tells them you've thought about your future, not just your scores. Parents are a natural fit for the money and medical questions.

Write the answers down the same day. After three visits, every program starts to blur together, and your notes are what let you compare them honestly. Not sure how visits work, who pays, or when they open? Start with our guide to official vs. unofficial visits.

QUESTIONS 1–5

Coaching and Training

1. What's your coaching philosophy, and how would your current gymnasts describe it?
2. What does a typical training week look like, in season and out of season?
3. How do you decide lineups, and how often do they change during the season?
4. How do you handle a gymnast who's learning new skills or upgrades?
5. What would you want me to work on between now and the day I'd arrive?

The last question doubles as a read on how the coach sees you. A specific answer means they've watched your video closely.

QUESTIONS 6–9

Your Spot on the Team

6. Where do I fit on your list for my graduating class?
7. How many gymnasts are you recruiting in my class, and for which events?
8. How many gymnasts will be on the roster my freshman year, and how many of them are walk-ons?
9. How long has your staff been together, and where do you see the program in four years?

These are the questions families are most nervous to ask, and the ones coaches most respect. A straight answer to question 6 is worth more than a great campus tour.

QUESTIONS 10–13

Scholarships and Money

10. Are you able to offer me athletic aid, and if so, how much and for how many years?
11. What happens to my scholarship if I'm injured or don't make the lineup?
12. What costs aren't covered, like summer school, travel home, or gear?
13. Are you operating under the new roster limits, and does that change how you award scholarships?

Question 13 matters now more than it used to. Some schools opted into a new system in 2025–26 that replaced the old scholarship caps with roster limits, so two schools recruiting you may be working from different math. Our scholarships guide explains both.

QUESTIONS 14–16

Academics

14. What academic support do athletes get, like advisors, tutoring, or priority registration?
15. Can I major in [your major] with this training schedule? Do gymnasts in that major graduate on time?
16. What does a freshman's day look like, from first class to the end of practice?

If you can, ask to meet an academic advisor from your intended major. Many programs build that into an official visit.

QUESTIONS 17–20

Health, Safety and Support

17. What happens if I get injured, and who decides when I'm ready to compete again?
18. Who's on the sports medicine staff, and how often are trainers and physical therapists in the gym?
19. What mental health and nutrition support do your athletes have?
20. How does your program handle athlete safety and SafeSport, and how would a gymnast raise a concern?

A good program will answer question 20 easily and specifically. If it gets awkward, notice that.

QUESTIONS 21–25

Team Culture and Life

21. What would your gymnasts say is the best thing about this team, and the hardest?
22. Do freshmen live on campus, and do teammates usually live together?
23. How do you communicate with athletes during the season, and how involved are parents?
24. How does the team spend time together outside the gym?
25. Beyond scores, what are you looking for in the gymnasts you recruit?

The last question is the most useful one on this list. The answer tells you what the program values, and whether that sounds like you.

BONUS

Ask the Team, Not Just the Coach

On an official visit, a current gymnast usually hosts you. Coaches say recruits often feel more comfortable asking teammates the real questions, and that's the point. Three to save for your host:

What surprised you most after your first semester?
How does the coaching staff react when someone's having a bad day or a bad meet?
If you could pick again, would you still pick this team?

TAKE IT WITH YOU

The Full List, Ready to Print

Bring it on your phone or printed, check off the ones you want to ask, and write the answers in the margins. After the visit, set your notes side by side and compare the programs honestly.