We see it EVERY competition …
Gymnasts competing skills on to hard mats that they’ve obviously rarely done on to competition mats.
It’s dangerous.
Coaches should do a better job of simulating the competition landing in training.
The best I’ve ever seen was T&T coach Tammy Stephenson. She trained landings on to very high, very soft surfaces for most of the year. Prior to a competition she alternated layers of matting stiffened with sheets of plywood.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 