Author: Rick Mc

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

USA Olympic favourites

The story of the year, so far, is just how dominant team USA looks in the days leading up to the London Olympics. They have difficulty, consistency and depth.

Gabby Douglas is definitely a threat to win the AA. Obviously Shawn Johnson was no fluke for Chow.

McKayla Maroney, Gabrielle Douglas, Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber – EARTHQUAKE

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

In team prelims London it’s going to be very difficult for Russia and China to stay close. 3-up, 3-count … anything can happen.

Everything must go right for Romania to hang on to 4th.

Video editor iLITTER has another montage from Pac Rim Podium training. (VIDEO)

Ellie Black – 2 1/2 twist to 2/1 twist

I’ve never seen a male gymnast tumble step out of 2 1/2 twist. That’s cool.

In fact Ellie’s entire Floor routine is interesting and entertaining.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

She’s got a cool Vault too. Handspring front pike 1/1. (5.9)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

She’s coached by Keiji Yamanaka in Nova Scotia. David Kikuchi helps. 🙂

That was linked by Examiner – Gymnix redux: Eight lessons learned:

The depth in Canada right now is unprecedented. Everybody — even those returning from injury, like Jessica Savona (torn ACL in July) and Dominique Pegg (broken hand in October) — looked fit and competitive at Gymnix. Roughly estimated, there are 15 gymnasts in Canada with a shot at making the Olympic team. What a shame that only five can go.

interview – Jake Martin

One of the best interviews I’ve read lately. The Ohio State recruit, Jake Martin, is thoughtful and articulate.

SiM: How did you get your start in gymnastics?

Jake: When I was younger I would run around the house and do flips. I excelled really fast and my cousins taught me how to do a round off and a backhand spring. My parents saw my progress and decided to sign me up for rec classes so that I would have a safe place to practice.

SiM: What triggered your relatively meteoric rise to the elite ranks of club gymnastics?

Jake: It’s hard for me to say the exact cause, because even now it blows my mind when I think about where I came from and where I am now. Before training with Casimiro (Suarez), I trained under Macey Watson. He taught me really good basics, so when Cas started training me, his technique and ability to coach helped me progress really fast. …

SiM: What is your favorite thing about walking into the gym every day?

Jake: My favorite thing is the fact that I’m living my dream. Not everyone has the chance to do this, so I’m going to take it and run.

read more – StickItMedia Exclusive Interview: Jake Martin

GYM MOMENTUM Camp

Director – Tony Retrosi, Owner Atlantic Gymnastics and GYM MOMENTUM

Huguenot, NY.
June 22-24, 2012

For girls moving into Level 7 up though 10 and Elite.

TOPS skills and Physical Abilities will be covered with appropriate groups.

details

Gabby Douglas ups the BAR

Looks like we’ll see a new routine at Pacific Rims.

Click PLAY or watch her Podium training in Seattle on YouTube.

Compare that with her American Cup routine.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Skyler asks ‘What’s the difficulty score of the new routine?’

overload training

Wayne Goldsmith‘s best ever coaching advice:

Make Training More Challenging and More Demanding than the Competition you are preparing for.

Confidence, real confidence, confidence that provides real resilience and the capacity to perform under pain, pressure and fatigue, comes from knowing that your preparation was more challenging and more demanding than the competition could ever be. …

read more on Sport Coaching Brain – One Tip to Rule Them All

Train Bars like Beth Tweddle.