Answer 2

EQ: What is the most important skill a gymnastics coach can have

Answer 2
Being able to establish a relationship with a gymnast based on trust, enabling a coach to successfully, and safely spot a gymnast on more advanced skills

Evidence 
One of the many things that makes gymnastics difficult is the fear element. Gymnastics can be scary, there's no getting around it. Fear can be attributed to more accidents and mistakes than lack of skill. One of the ways a gymnast gets over the fear of practicing a skill is with a spot. The spot not only serves as a correction for any mistakes a gymnast may make, but there's also a psychological aspect to it. Just knowing that, in case of a mistake, there's someone there to catch you takes the edge of the fear, enabling the gymnast to better practice the skill.

Spotting prevents injuries. One of the biggest issues with gymnastics is injuries. Gymnasts by definition are more prone to injuries because of what they do. But injuries are also avoidable, especially with a proper spot. Spotting helps prevent injuries, especially in the early stages of learning. You can run before you can walk, just like you cant pull giants to a double back dismount with out spotting first. Having a spot first helps you get the proper body motion down so later on you're competent enough to do it yourself

Spotting helps you learn. You can't try something with the intent to be amazing at it the first go. You're body doesn't quite know how to move yet, and the first couple of times its almost guaranteed you'll mess up. Learning with a proper spot first ensures that you know what you're doing. Not only does a proper spotter keep you from killing your self, but should also try to correct mistakes. Once you know how to do it the right way, your body remembers so that way you wont pick up any bad habits.

Sources 


My service learning. The coach who I assist has me practice spotting constantly, and continuously stresses the importance of a proper spot.

My old coach (who teaches my independent component) who takes me aside to show popper spotting techniques to students in my class during independent component.

Teaching children's gymnastics by Ilona E Gerling