Year: 2010

Many, including myself, have been thinking a lot about Kathryn.

I’ve seen a few rumours, but nothing confirmed. So far.

This was posted, then removed:

Michigan State senior gymnast Kathryn Mahoney (Western Springs, Ill.) sustained a fracture of her C6 vertebra while vaulting in practice on Wednesday, Dec. 29. The Michigan State medical staff confirmed that she has successfully completed surgery to stabilize her C6 vertebra and are optimistically waiting to see how she recovers in the post-operative stage.

I’ve even saw one commenter on Aunt Joyce who said she had some movement in one foot.

I’ll be thinking positive. Ultra-fit gymnasts seem to do much better than average folks when it comes to these kind of traumas.

Yet another professional edit from the International Gymnastics Federation.

Their YouTube channel already has 78 videos.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

All the best in 2011.

by site editor Rick McCharles

On Gymnastics Coaching I try to link to the best of the best. The most interesting ideas, photos and videos online.

Here’s a year end shout out and thank-you very much.

Best sites:

Blythe Lawrence – Gymnastics Examiner | Facebook | @GymExaminer

Brigid McCarthy – The Couch Gymnast | Facebook | @TheCouchGymnast

Anne Phillips and team – Gymnastike | Facebook | @gymnastike

Albert Minguillón i Colomer, Nora Schuler & Elizabeth Long – THE ALL AROUND | Facebook | @THEALLAROUND

Andy Thornton – American Gymnast blog | Facebook | @americangymnast

Amanda Turner, John Crumlish & team – International Gymnast magazine | Facebook | @intlgymnast

Katie – Full Twist | Facebook | @full_twist

Those good folks post prolifically and creatively. Each is quite unique. Please subscribe, follow and like those as well as others online that don’t post quite so often. Subscribe to YouTube channels you like, as well.

There are a number of wonderful photographers around the world. I’d love to have a shoot off to decide who can capture the moment best in competition.

Yet many are over-protective of their pics. Nobody ever sees them.

I link most to Grace Chiu. She uses Facebook perfectly, posting a few of her best shots in order to get people to buy from her site GraceClick.ca.

You’ve seen Grace’s photos in Inside Gymnastics magazine. (A site that let me down yet again in 2010. Great potential but poor delivery.)

In 2010 the best 2 new text books in years arrived. Both are advertisers on this site. Thanks for your support. If we all have our clubs buy those books, more coaches will be motivated to produce texts of that quality in future.

   

There are a number of terrific coaches sharing their expertise.

Shout out to former U.S. Olympian Tom Beach who’s GymSmarts DVDs and Gymnastics Minute YouTube channel tutorials are known by every coach. Tom’s started DVD rentals via YouTube, by the way. (USA only)

In so far as equipment manufacturers go, there is only one company beloved by every coach. That’s TumblTrak.

Doug Davis‘ company has done more to make gymnastics training safer for kids than all the rest of the manufacturers worldwide, combined.

The best thing that ever happened for gymnastics coaches is YouTube. Thank God for Google buying that company and letting us share with the world for free.

I embed YouTube clips every day. But there’s one coach who’s done a better job than anyone else, I reckon. Yet he’s not well known nor appreciated.

He goes by the handle of JAO. Without question his 2 videos on how to teach kip are the definitive tutorial.

There are many creative montage editors. But one stands above the rest, and has for years. That’s MostepanovaFan. She’s a treasure. I only wish she and MunchTheSilivasFan would post more often. Would someone please hire them!

I’ve been posting gymnastics coaching content on the web since 2001. The Gymternet has improved each year.

In 2011 consider posting your own best ideas, at least on Facebook.

Email me at Rick_McCharles@hotmail.com and I’ll link to you, giving coaches worldwide a chance to see your work.

If you see something that obviously should be posted on Gymnastics Coaching, click the SUGGEST STORY link in the right hand navigation.

Did I not mention one of your favourite sites?

Perhaps you’re an Aunt Joyce devotee. … Leave a comment and I’ll post a follow-up of additional recommended links.

Mary Lee Tracy posted a good tip for Beam coaches last week.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Almost every gym has kids who have been diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or AD/HD or ADD).

Oroville Gymnastics created a class specifically for kids with ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing disorder and developmental delays.

Therapy Yoga Gymnastics Rocks provides occupational and physical therapy for children with challenges or special needs.

Some coaches seem to be able to handle these kids, on and off medication.

Some coaches can integrate challenged kids into a regular class. That’s best for the challenged child, in my experience.

There’s a good thread on this topic on Chalk Bucket right now. I particularly liked one link from 1999:

Ronald L. Kamm, M.D. – Tips For Coaching A Child With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

related post – for hyper kids prescribe gymnastics not drugs

The best video yet of his new vault.

Click PLAY or jump to just the Yurchenko Triple Twist from multiple angles.

Thanks Skyler Wang.

Bad news.

The first NCAA Gymnastics injury report of the season.

Michigan State gymnast Kathryn Mahoney is in serious condition at Sparrow Hospital after a spinal injury that happened during practice this week. MSU’s Assistant Athletic Communications Director, Jim Donatelli says it happened while she was vaulting in practice on Wednesday.

The Michigan State medical staff say her C6 vertebra was fractured. They have confirmed that she has successfully completed surgery to stabilize her C6 vertebra and are optimistically waiting to see how she recovers in the post-operative stage. …

WLNS

Georgia freshman Kaylan Earls tore her Achilles tendon tumbling in practice with the Gym Dogs Thursday, thinning an already thin team as it prepares for its season opener Jan. 8 at Denver.

… injury occurred as Earls was punching into an Arabian double front, the same skill former Georgia star Courtney Kupets tore her Achilles doing in 2008.

Gymnastics Examiner

Of a number of recent commentaries on super talent Anastasia Grishina, the best is on Stoi! – Grishina Grishina Grishina!
(more videos)

Click PLAY or watch her Bars on YouTube.

She’s the next Komova … if she can improve her vault.

related – IG – Russia’s Grishina Grabs High Marks in 2010

When people complain about Marta as U.S. National Team coordinator, it begs the question:

If not her, who?

When Marta retires after the London Olympics, she’s suggested Valeri Liukin should take over.

I’d be happy with that. But will he want to stop coaching his personal group after 2012? … Valeri is a young man, just turned age-44. (Nastia got him an iPhone 4.)

Fact is, the U.S.A. has been very successful under Marta. In Rotterdam, Team U.S.A. preparation looked masterful compared with Russia and China who both looked sloppy and disorganized, at times.

What do the National Coaches think of Marta Karolyi, the camps and National Team program?

Click PLAY or watch the Kelly Hill interview on Gymnastike.

http://videoplayer.flocasts.org/player.swf

Kelli Hill has been through the best and the worst. I respect her opinion.