The last word on “kip machines”. From coach Brian Bakalar:
We use ropes, and kip drills, and kip swings, and have even created different “bungi†spotters and bouncers to help put the gymnast through the kip motion. In the end, there simply is no substitute for the coach. While spotting may be tiresome for the coach, and in fact, back breaking at times, it remains the best proven method for teaching the skill. The coach’s responsibility as a spotter is to adjust the level of help inversely with the gymnast’s ability to perform the skill.
One day, I’m sure, coaches will use a “kip machine” that can progressively reduce assistance, eliminating the need for spotting.
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Gymnastics Coaching.com 