Bar clinic today. We’ll be talking, as always, about tangent of release:
… the body’s mass center exits from any external swing at a 90° angle to its radius of rotation (tangent to the swing) …
Just as the archer’s bow establishes the flight direction of the arrow, so too does the tangent release establish the flight direction of the gymnast. …
double back tucked
Information excerpted from Championship Gymnastics: Biomechanical Techniques for Shaping Winners, by Gerald S. George, Ph.D.
That graphic would generate a discussion regarding whether or not she might “pull-in” to the bar by shortening the body before release. … She might.
I’ll use this layout flyaway graphic, instead, to introduce the concept of “tanget” to the point of release of swing.
Of course the path of flight is a “parabola” after release. (Unless the gymnast goes straight up, straight down.)
The problem with biomechanics is the risk of generating more heat than light.
14 comments ↓
visual “spot” solves the problem of when to release/how to ensure not ‘pulling in’
…..gymnast finds fixed point (wall, overhead pipe, et.al.), when knees (tuck) or toes (layout) intersect point, just let go….
the second graphic is bad…. closing of arm pit…what?
David: the armpits can close if the gymnast releases slightly earlier — in fact, my understanding is that this produces better rotation for higher-level dismounts.
Now, I wouldn’t actually TELL a gymnast to do this, at least not right off the bat, but it is not inherently incorrect in higher-level dismounts.
The phrase “don’t pull in” is my biggest pet-peeve in flyaways. If the gymnast is “pulling in,” the problem is almost never in the shoulder angle on release — rather, it’s always in either the timing of the release or the tap swing coming in. “Pulling in” isn’t the cause of the problem, it’s the effect — trying to change it without addressing the underlying cause is a complete waste of time.
where did you get the second sketch from?
(if you don’t mind me asking
Good question. From memory I think it’s from a very old text by Gluck.
On second thought, it’s more likely from one of the Canadian coaching manuals. Perhaps the Level 2.
Are these manuals accessible for the public?
Yep.
… But when I just went to check, the “store” is down:
https://www.gymcanboutique.com/boutique.html
They are expensive, about $100 with shipping.
thanks geoffrey, i aggree. cause, im constantly trying to see it. the whole cause and effect thing is a state of coaching/life im trying to understand.
learning need to do more.
great coaches fix the cause so there is no inefficent effect.
sorry about the spelling.
o.0 100$? each? nevermind
I think I’ll stick with Championship Gymnastics anywise
I would like to invite all of you to attend the Ontario Gymnastics Congress to be held Oct. 1 -2, 2010 in Toronto. Promise you won’t regret it….
Does anyone else see this “clinic” as an oversimplification of the laws of physics? To say a ninety degree flight path will be established tangent to the radius of the swing established by the release or exit point, does not take into account the most important variable involved- the bio-mechanics of the particular swing. Watch a properly executed straddle back instead of a cartoon drawing of a fly away before you try to refute this fact! Thanks. And keep searching for knowledge.
[...] McCharles – introducing the “flyaway” • Geddert – flyaway drills • Bar – tangent of release • Carney – “Wall of Death” – flyaway video Print [...]
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