Author: Rick Mc

GymCastic episode 23 included a discussion on backward handspring technique.

They recommended longer back handspring for power.

I advocate beginners do backward handsprings as long as possible. Straight arms. Correct hand position. Accelerating.

Manjak, famously, requires 10 sets of 5 backward handsprings a day on Tumbl Trak or Rod Floor.

But you’ll see technique change as gymnasts improve.

Longer is not necessarily stronger.

For example, here are two 2004 Olympic Floor finalists. Both superb tumblers.

Kate Richardson – distance hands-to-feet on backward handspring

Kyle Shewfelt – distance hands-to-feet on backward handspring

It was Iarov who pointed out the obvious to us at one clinic.

Kate used a classic LONG backward handspring. Kyle’s is about as short as they get. Yet both work.

Iarov prefered the short back spring for a number of reasons: less risk of Achilles injury, less risk of out of bounds, greater chance of connecting acrobatic elements. And Kyle can leave the floor more vertically. Less rotation needed to complete the skill.

To have a backspring that short, however, you need be incredibly fast and fast twitch. It’s not for everyone.

Biomechanically, I like long first half of backward handspring, short second half.

Those principles you could call simpletonisms. For triple twist you’ll use a longer second half backward handspring than for double layout.

… If you want to discuss this issue in detail, talk to a Power Tumbling coach. You’ll need a lot of time (and beer money) to talk all the nuances of backward handspring distance.

It’s complicated.

It’s safe to predict we’re going to see some BIG performances from the Canadian Jr girls at Gymnix this weekend.

One of the highlights will be Heaven Latimer’s Beam.

Click PLAY or watch that HUGE layout 1/1 on YouTube.

Romania, Russia, Japan, France and Belgium are at Gymnix with teams. American gymnasts will be competing with club.

Heaven’s age-14, coached by Iudita and Michael Brumaru at Brantford Gymnastic Academy.

Favourite gymnast: Aly Raisman

Read a Couch Gymnast interview by Kristin Bruno – Introducing Heaven Latimer

Chellsie was a celebrity Olympian at the Great West Gym Fest. Her story inspires.

Chellsie Memmel in Tumbl Talk:

… Throughout my career as a gymnast, people have always called me the “Comeback Kid.” I always felt that I was just “me,” doing what I loved more than anything- gymnastics- and nothing was going to stop me from following my dreams and reaching my goals. Looking back, I guess I kind of am the “Comeback Kid” though. I always fought hard to make a comeback no matter what obstacles were thrown my way.

It’s no secret that I’ve had to deal with some pretty big injuries, often at the most inconvenient and inopportune times …

To be successful at anything in life takes true determination, dedication, discipline and persistence. Anyone who knows me knows that I am very determined to accomplish whatever I set out to do. My parents taught me to follow my dreams, whatever they are, and I did. …

read more – The Comeback Kid

If you didn’t know Simone before the American Cup, you do now.

Good chance for Worlds 2013.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

It’s amazing how little we know about arguably the greatest gymnast in the history of the sport.

Here’s easily the best documentary I’ve seen vis-a-vis getting some insight into the mind of Kohei Uchimura.

Features his final competition as a University gymnast, in the months after the Tokyo World Championships.

The meet where he competed triple twisting Yurchenko.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (25min)

Of course that’s a quad twisting double, not a Miller.

One of his teammates calls him “shy”. That’s not it.

But he’s very introspective. Calm. Focused. Self-motivated. Big on mental imagery.

Sorry Mom. Koehi doesn’t like vegetables. 🙂

Brett linked to a related article – How Can I Help My Child Develop Mental Toughness?

James E. Loehr believes that there are a constellation of mental skills, all of which are learned, that are characteristic of mentally tough competitors. They are:

Self-motivation and self-direction
Positive but realistic
Being in control of emotions
Calm and relaxed under fire
Highly energetic and ready for action
Determined
Mentally alert and focused
Self-confident
Fully responsible

Sounds like Uchimura, to me.

(via The Gym Press on Facebook)

Arabian Punch Front Montage Monday:

Chris Saccullo/@CSaccullo made this montage of Victoria Moors after the American Cup.

… highlighting Tori’s gymnastics (aka stuck double double) but it’s also hilarious since there are clips of Boston Moors, Tori’s beloved cat …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

University of Washington’s David McCreary:

Lauren Rogers continues to play the Supergirl role for the 2013 GymDawgs! Senior Power!

Click PLAY or watch her career high AA on YouTube.

Plenty of handstand. Sweet Vault.

Ten of the UK’s top high performance coaches have been chosen to be part of the inaugural intake of UK Sport’s World Class Coaching: Elite Programme, and proudly amongst them is Great Britain’s men’s artistic national coach Eddie Van Hoof. …

British Gymnastics

Of course the success of the British men in 2012 must be credited to many, many. John Atkinson, of course, 30yrs men’s Head Coach. Paul Hall, more recently, coach of Daniel Keatings and Louis Smith.

It’s a massive accomplishment. There’s plenty of credit to be awarded.

#1 ranked Baylor Basketball women defeated West Virginia University this past weekend. But the WVU gymnasts were at the Game cheering their team with a dance. 🙂

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via angiliereva on College Gymnastics Board)