Rick Mc

Al Fong on Respect

… A long time ago my wife, Armine Barutyan and I decided to make some important changes in our gym. Mainly, to change the way everyone (coaches, gymnasts, staff, and parents) communicated with each other. We made it a point to greet everyone and say hello when we came to the gym and goodbye when we left. …

Respect Starts with “Hello”

This might surprise people. Al Fong insists on efficient training. He doesn’t like to waste a second. Yet takes time for this social nicety.

I agree with Al. We coach 3 domains:

• physical
• technical
• psychological

Of the 3, the psychology of your gym is the most important.

Al likes a tidy facility, too. He’s not comfortable unless all mats and equipment are parallel to the walls, and stacked in pyramid fashion.

Georgia’s Jay Clark resigns

University of Georgia gymnastics head coach Jay Clark has resigned his position, effective immediately, according to an announcement made by UGA Director of Athletics Greg McGarity.

… Clark took over the program three years ago and had varying levels of success during his tenure, with his teams finishing third at the SEC Championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Clark had served at the post for three years after serving 17 years as an assistant on the Gym Dogs’ staff. …

Red & Black

Buzz is that Jay was pushed out. It will be interesting to see who they try to bring in.

Aunt Joyce speculates: Bryan Raschilla, K.J. Kindler or even Suzanne Yoculan.

U.S. Olympic Trials

I’ll be attending as a spectator, but there’s no media credential for this blogger.

From Susan P. Shaw by email:

Thank you for your interest in the 2012 Visa Championships/U.S. Olympic Trials – Gymnastics, but unfortunately, we are unable to approve your media credential request.

Due to high demand and in order to maintain a professional work environment, it is necessary to limit available work space.

The USA Gymnastics Communications Staff

are Olympic gold medals equal?

The E Panel ponders why the Team gold is prioritized over AA and individual apparatus.

(I’m not sure Sports Canada cares whether one of their athletes wins Floor, or the Team gold.)

… Sadly, (Event Finals) may take a hit a little at this Olympics.

With tiny teams, specialists have a harder time and so we may see fewer athletes being brought for one routine for the team and one routine for EF. Some fields are looking depleted too: on vault, for instance, the probable lineup is really quite similar to Beijing.

Furthermore, unless Pena cleans up that double front and takes the gold (which I think is not only improbable but would be bad for the sport – sounds mean, but that vault is scary) it may be the first time in modern gymnastics history where the OG gold medallist on vault wins with the same or less difficult two vaults as the previous OG winner …

read more – Are all gold medals equal?

Tkachev tramp bar drills

I’ve got kids starting this skill next week.

Click PLAY or watch them on YouTube.

Ideally you want a Tumbl Trak Quick Flex bar for this.

The long swing into the Reverse Hecht is best taught on a straps bar.

Woodward Copper – Parkboard, Parkski

The latest technology for learning snow acrobatics.

Nate Wessel walks us through the design of the Pump track, foam pit and resi jumps.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

There are more videos like that on the WoodwardTahoe YouTube channel.

Barani-out quaffis

Trampoline basketball comedy troupe from Russia.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

flexible Romanian gymnasts

Couch Gymnast:

… So, we have all complained over time about the lack of natural grace to be found among the Romanians. They may be very polished and even regal, but they are rarely what we would called naturally balletic. …

Yet there are some.

Click PLAY or watch former Rhythmic gymnast Olivia Cimpian on YouTube.

Click through to see Andra Anghelescu.

Romania and the Mystery of the Freak Ballerinas