Bars more ‘important’ than Beam?

When it comes to “technical” training, most WAG coaches train Bars and Beam every day.

In a 4hr practice, for example, it’s common practice to schedule 1hr of each. (Perhaps we should be conditioning with some of that time, instead.)

I often go back to the article Managing Training Time 2002 (PDF) by J. McNeal, Ph.D. and Bill Sands, Ph.D.

They use this as an example of how a coach might priorize:

Lately, however, I’ve spoken to a few coaches who feel we need spend more time on Bars than Beam. (For the average gymnast it may take more hours to achieve the equivalent level as on Beam.)

Do you agree? … Beam coaches, do you agree?

It might work if we spend more time on Floor and low beams.