HOW do we make Gymnastics SAFER?

Keith Russell:

Educate, Educate, Educate, Legislate

At the Worlds 2017 Symposium in Montreal, Keith did two sessions on this topic. He’s the former head of the FIG Scientific Commission (recently merged with the FIG Sports Medicine Commission).

Keith noted that gymnasts were once considered the epitome of health and fitness. But that in recent years Artistic Gymnastic coaches are identified by the medical community as pariahs.  Too extreme.

Why are gymnasts so young?

Why do they train so many hours?

Why are they so short? (When FIG age went up, height stayed the same.)

More positive coaching, as well.

Asian Championships RESULTS

Katelyn Ohashi comeback

Biggest surprise of 2026, so far.

safe landings

One of the best things we do at Gymnastics class is teaching how to land and fall safely.

NOT like this.

swing flight

via RecGymnastics.com

introducing straddle press handstand

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Compare with GymTactics Straddle Press Handstand.

via Gymnastics Coaches Skills & Drills on Facebook (private group)

STICK like Uchimura

Dvora Meyers put together a deep dive into the history of competition Gymnastics landings. She digs into the evolution of landing mats, as well.

The most dangerous part of most routines.

If gymnasts are allowed a controlled lunge on Floor, use that technique. It’s much safer — absorbing force over more time and distance.

Personally, my strategy as a coach is to train competition landings with the goal of a 0.1 deduction small hop. If the gymnasts happens to STICK for no deduction once-in-a-while, I consider it a 0.1 bonus over the plan.

Read the article on Defector:

The Case Against Sticking The Landing

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

teaching kids about UNSAFE touching

Parents of recreation gymnast needed to be educated about “spotting“, of course.

Rick McCharles Gymnastics TIPS 😀

For Boys and Girls. 

This is a video I put together some years ago showing some of my favourite Gymnastics progressions.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (44min)