I was super impressed with the American discipline in Rotterdam. A class act. Especially compared with team Russia who often looked disorganized or downright goofy.
Even marching into and out of the hotel only Alica had the clout to crack wise with admiring bystanders.
Worlds is serious. The girls and coaches were very businesslike.
Click PLAY or watch some Worlds podium training on YouTube.
Exclamation Points:
With the exception of chalking up, none of the girls on the team ever drop their heads down. They look straight ahead, or up. Looking at the floor or dropping the head, while a sign of respect in some instances, does not apply in gymnastics. In particular watch Marta Karolyi, the coach, in the first shot of the girls marching in. She is behaving how she expects her athletes to behave — with confidence! …
Organization. The girls know which order they go, and to maximize warm up time they coordinate to make sure no one stays on the equipment longer than necessary. Chatting at the chalk bucket in competition should be avoided …
read more – United States Podium Training Highlights – Worlds 2010
Many pundits right now are a bit negative on the odds of the USA winning the 2012 Olympics. Some of the national team are injured. Or “on holiday” in Colorado. (Update: Alicia’s training today.) Many are making the savvy decision to take an NCAA scholarship rather than risk the long odds of making it to the Olympics.
In London the winning team is NOT going to count 3 falls. It may very well be that the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win between USA, RUS and CHN.
The culture of discipline inspired by Marta may well be the difference between Bronze and Gold. Of the 3 top teams I believe the strongest psychologically will be the Americans. That counts most under the greatest pressure.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 