Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.

push-ups to finger tips

Not finger tip pushups.

Click PLAY or watch Allan Bower on Instagram.

via Coach Sommer

Jordan McNair died practicing football

On May 29, 2018, University of Maryland lineman Jordan McNair ran the last sprint of his life. After a series of 110 yd runs, during which he became disoriented and had trouble standing, McNair collapsed and died of heat stroke. He had a body temperature of 106 degrees in the hospital. He was only 19.

What happened? Why did it happen? Should this have ever happened? Were any individuals negligent and responsible for this tragedy? These seem to be questions that should have been asked by the administration of Maryland, yet were they? Because it was not until an August 10 report by ESPN that the university started holding coaches and staff accountable. …

Changing the Game

Aside from very frequent brain trauma, American football has always had many deaths on the field of play.

One study counted at least 49 deaths related to football in 1931. It’s always been an extremely dangerous sport. 1965 had a similar number.

Bottom line – American football is still too dangerous. 

Thanks @GymCastic

cartwheel challenges

To improve consistency of cartwheel on Beam ask your gymnasts to show you 1-arm cartwheel near arm support. Then far arm support.

Then true cartwheel (without 1/4 turn in or 1/4 turn out).

Cartwheel series on low Beam. 

Wall drills will help, as well. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Canadian Elites that don’t go NCAA

I encourage just about every female Canadian gymnast with the skill level to consider College Gymnastics in the States.

It’s a wonderful opportunity.

I generally discourage Canadian male gymnasts as there are too few scholarships for MAG. They can get a better deal going to school and training in Canada.

Of course some Canadians don’t want to go to another country for University. (Some gymnasts from Quebec prefer doing University in French.)

Ellie Black, for example:

… “I chose to stay in Canada and go to school here and compete for Canada because I love where I live and the support that we have. …

Ellie was happy with her club environment, coaches and teammates. She wanted to train FIG 100% of the time.

She trains at Alta Gymnastics in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Feeding the Young Athlete

Coach Melissa Coombes recommends this book.

Feeding the Young Athlete – Sports Nutrition Made Easy for Players, Parents, and Coaches (2012)

Amazon

You can read the first 38 pages online for free.