Once the “basics” are “good” … (For Rick McCharles “good” means reasonable form and line. And that the gymnast can keep the feet together on backward handsprings and round-off.) … we can begin to connect skills.
More valuable than back tuck salto is “whip back”.
More valuable than front tuck salto is “whip front”.
Rick asks all first year optional gymnasts to compete at minimum whip front (rather than front tuck) and whip back with half twist (rather than back tuck, pike or layout).
The whip front is learned progressing from flyspring, to 1-arm-flyspring, to no-arm-flyspring.
All advanced tumbling sequences should be learned on soft mats atop the tumbling strip or on trampoline devices.
Click PLAY to see his PowerPoint presentation or watch it on YouTube.
More information on tumbling.
Many of the coaches were interested in the new inflatable tumbling mats available from the USA.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 