Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.
(via papaliukin)
Nikita Nagornyy – triple back
Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.
(via papaliukin)
Month: September 2016
Dutch artistry in Rio
Anastasia Grishina’s baby
on athletes protesting
Coming from Canada I’m always surprised how seriously angered some Americans get when they feel either flag or National Anthem are disrespected.
The issue of Gabby Douglas not putting hand over heart at the Olympics was blown way out of proportion, for example. Clearly she intended no disrespect.
A hot topic in American news is Colin Kaepernick’s protest against racial injustice. More sportsmen are supporting him each week.
For example, Garfield High School football players and coaching staff took a knee during the national anthem. The entire team. And plan to do so for the rest of the season.
A recent survey found Kaepernick was the most disliked player in the NFL – “disliked a lot” by 29% of those polled. I assume he’s also one of the most admired players today. His protest has been divisive in a divided nation.
Sport – normally – is one topic that tends to bring fans together.
On the one hand, I too admire Kaepernick’s guts. And feel he’s correct in calling out racial injustice. His protest is non-violent. Gandhi would approve.
On the other hand I wish there was some way to keep it off the field of play. It is a distraction from the Game.
Whether we like it or not, this protest is going to continue. Americans, too, deeply respect their First Amendment – freedom of speech.
Best case scenario this kind of protest brings real change. I’ll try to stay optimistic.
Mary Lee Tracy interview
Mary Lee Tracy, coach of standout gymnasts like Amelia Hundley, Alyssa Beckerman, Ashley Priess, and former Olympians Amanda Borden and Jaycie Phelps, started her gymnastics career over 26 years ago as a part time job. This eventually turned into a full time career when she purchased her gym in 1981.
She has grown her program, Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, through the years to the 20,000 square foot facility it is today. She currently has 900 athletes in her program that … includes 3 Elites. …
Gymnastics in India is a mess
Journalist Arunabh Saskia tries to explain the disaster that has been the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Inside the murky world of Indian gymnastics
Dipa Karmakar’s stellar show at the Olympics owed nothing to the sport’s governing body, which has done everything in its power to nip any development in the bud
Obviously there is tremendous talent in the subcontinent. It’s a shame the sports administration has been so dreadful. 😦
related – Dipa feels it’s dedication that’s lacking more than facilities.
via GymCastic
Standing Full on Floor
Coach Sahil M. posted progressions.
Click PLAY or watch more examples from saltocafe on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch Shawn Johnson on Beam.
Top Artistic gymnasts should easily stick layout 1/1s from Spring Board on to the competition floor. That’s a landing basic.
Cata Ponor back in training
At age-29, Cătălina Ponor‘s back in the Gym preparing for upcoming displays.
She plans to train at least through Europeans 2017 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Like this photo on Facebook.
via Gymternet Clan
Germany was GREAT in Rio
Lauren Hopkins:
The German Democratic Republic in the east was one of the dominating programs from its first Summer Games in 1968 straight up until its final appearance in 1988 while West Germany struggled to put the program on the map. …
… this year, it seemed like everything was working in their favor. Their top gymnasts — Elisabeth Seitz, Sophie Scheder, and Pauline Schäfer, known as the “three Hambüchens” — continued working toward peak difficulty and consistency, while plenty of up-and-comers began coming together in their own right, especially as Tabea Alt finally reached the senior ranks.
Germany killed it at the Olympic Test Event, qualifying to the Games second behind Brazil …
… in qualifications, there were zero concerns as they barreled from one event to the next with only minor missteps, none of which counted into their team totals. Finishing on bars, the strongest event for the women overall, they managed four hit sets, dropping Alt’s 14.666 to finish third-best in the world on the event with a 45.699. …
Things only heated up for team finals, where the Germans had twelve fully hit routines to earn a 173.672, their best finish in recent history, and less than three points shy of the podium. …
Click PLAY or watch a montage on YouTube.
gymnasts with poor handstands
Beginners trying handstands inevitably arch. After much training, most competitive gymnasts end up in positions something like this.
Dr. Dave Tilley looks at why most gymnasts don’t have great line in handstand – Assessing and Fixing The Dreaded “Pike Arch” Handstand: 6 Issues To Consider
The most complete coaching resource is the Handstand Homework Book. ($20)
Gymnastics Coaching.com 