Keeping it FUN for girls age 5-9.
… This workout was filmed in mid-April as the young gymnasts prepare for their upcoming TOP testing and a chance to make the USA Gymnastics TOPs National Team.
Past CGA TOPs National Team members include their current elite gymnasts Amanda Jetter, Lexie Priessman, Amelia Hundley, and many more throughout the years. …
http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/NjE1NDkzNjEz?related=1
Watch more video of Workout Wednesday, Season 5 on gymnastike.org
Good stuff. I like the handstands balanced against the TumblTrak. … But a couple of cautions. Many coaches put little kids too high on the rope, too early. Just because it’s in TOPS testing, there’s no need to require climbing high immediately. There are many alternatives.
And be careful with little ones using free weights. They tend to drop them.
Personally, I don’t do forward / backward limbers with bad form. There are many better alternative drills. The first skill I’d eliminate in the American compulsories is front limber.
One more caution – Coach Howard lays out some of the problems associated with putting too much emphasis on physical ability assessment programs on Gymnastics Zone – TOPs and non TOPS.
… The only 2 female Olympic gymnasts from my region would have scored badly in TOPS. They were very strong, but not flexible.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 