Though not updated for years, these are still the best English language coaching manuals. The Rings, Pommel and Parallel Bar chapters are particularly strong.
Planning, Biomechanics and Physical Preparation content is good, too.
Leave a comment if you’ve other MAG coaching manuals you still use.
Many coaches tell me that GAT is the best of the American gymnastics conventions.
Labor Day Weekend, September 3-5, 2010, 44th Annual Gymnastics Association of Texas Convention at the beautiful Renaissance Hotel in Austin, Texas.
Speakers include:
… Beach, Tom & Reiko, Biggs, Tammy, Jason Jarrett, Foster, Bill, Forster, Tom, Gardner, Beth, Gehman, Paula, Gehman, Tony, Jarret, Cheryl, Maloney, Connie, Metzger, Jeff, Sahlein, Frank … and more
Sat., Sept. 4: Ten Critical Factors for Vaulting Success
Sat., Sept. 4: 5 Basic Principles for Refining Gymnastics Movement
Sun., Sept. 5: Mechanics of Rotation and Twisting
Sun., Sept. 5: Mechanics of Swing
The International Gymnastics Federation and others have a commitment to grow Acrobatic Gymnastics.
How’s that going? …
The third FIG Academy for Acrobatic Gymnastics was hosted in Montreal (CAN) during the first week of August at the magnificent facilities of the Cirque du Soleil and the nearby National Circus School, which is located across the street.
This Academy was attended by 15 coaches from three federations: Brazil, USA and Canada – a somewhat disappointing number considering that this was a world-wide invitation. …
In the meantime, the Academy Programme continues with a Spanish language Academy for Rhythmic Gymnastics in Brazil and one for Aerobic Gymnastics in Finland in the coming two weeks and a French language Academy for Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics currently finishing in Senegal.
Shout out for Hardy Fink, the Director of FIG Education & Academy Programmes. I think he’s doing a great job of building out coach education for all disciplines worldwide.
GOLD MEDAL Floor Exercise, Olympics 2004, Athens
Competed 3 Olympic Games – Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008
World Cup Gold and Silver medalist Floor Exercise
World Championship Bronze medalist – Floor & Vault
Kyle is a premiere speaker in Canada and is actively involved in the Canadian Olympic program. He is a key clinician at Canadian coaching education events.
For more info, contact Dana Brass – danabrassgym {AT} yahoo.ca
Having done a few events with Kyle over the past few years, I can guarantee it’s going to be MOTIVATING.
G.S. George is author of Championship Gymnastics. Greg Marsden is the legendary women’s coach at Utah, oft credited as the most important builder of the successful NCAA Women’s Collegiate program.
Hardy Fink runs the F.I.G. Academy coach education program.
How did he convince this powerhouse line-up of some of the best coaches in the world ALL to go to Trinidad for the entry level course?
The course leader was Chris Evans of Great Britain who has served as an expert for theory lectures, as course leader and as Women’s Artistic Gymnastics expert at multiple Academies. At this Academy he taught all of the theory lectures. Paul Hall also of Great Britain and coach of that country’s best male gymnasts served as expert for the men’s apparatus. Kelly Manjak, former coach of Olympic Gold medalist Kyle Shewfelt and now one of Canada’s top women’s coaches served as the expert for the women’s apparatus. A special delight was to have the services of 1980 women’s All-around Olympic Champion, Jelena Davydova (RUS) present to teach artistic preparation, choreography and Balance Beam. …
But he’s got some very good points in an article on Sports Coaching Brain:
1. We base coach education programs on sports science.
2. We create athlete development pathways but then do not align the coach development pathway to them.
3. We believe that competency based training is the new messiah.
4. We run workshops and conferences that are largely based on sports science, gimmicks, fads and short cuts.
5. We give token attention to mentoring programs.
6. We teach all coaches the same outdated periodization processes.
7. We spend most of the alloted time teaching “what” to do and not focus on “how” and “why”
8. We create courses which do not reflect where the sport is going -i.e. we present course information which is based on what worked in the distant past.
9. We allow people to present the courses without insisting their teaching, education and communication skills are the best in the sport.
His best point, I feel, is the last:
10. We continue to present courses which are classroom based.
How many goals are scored in a classroom? How many world records are broken in a Board room? How many touchdowns are scored in a training room? Why do we insist on making coach education classroom based?
He’s right. From now on I’ll do every presentation possible inside the gym, alongside the apparatus we are discussing.
His best point, I feel, is the last:
