Author: Rick Mc

It’s PIT DAY on Gymnastics Coaching. I’ve been researching best, cheapest and most durable designs — both in ground and above ground.

Gymnova invented the “suspended” pit, so far as I know. The knock against the “suspended pit” design is that the foam top can be easily split by bigger athletes. I’ve heard that there is a more expensive kind of foam fill that is unsplitable, but it’s about twice the cost.

My gut feeling is that their built-in pit is more durable.

In ground or raised, it’s still nice to have loose foam for NEW skills.

Loose foam is messy. But cubes can be ordered with fire retardant covers.

Those images all come from the current Gymnova catalogue. (PDF)

Do you have a favourite pit design? Leave a comment, if so.

… After much consideration, I’m still leaning towards the Jim Walker design as best of the best.

What’s the best channel pit you’ve ever seen?

source

And what’s the least expensive you’ve ever seen?

Please leave a comment.

American Gymnastics in the comments likes the safety of semi-circle trench pits like this by GYMNOVA.

Tom Trapp, Diving coach, wonders whether there’s potential to use an extreme sports air bag for gymnastics?

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

That one is the Acrobag.

Leave a comment if you have an opinion on whether it could be used by circus acrobats, divers or gymnasts.

Woodward Copper Mountain should be the place to test one.

Apr 19-21st, 2012 Men – Norman, Oklahoma
2013 Men – University Park, Pennsylvania

Apr 20-22nd, 2012 Women – Duluth, Georgia (not Athens)
Apr 19-21st, 2013 Women – UCLA

I’ll be attending the women’s competition this year, hosted by Georgia Tech.

details

My courses upcoming for Artistic NCCP Canada:

• L3 Practical – SUN, May 27th, Regina (after Nationals)
• L3 Practical – FRI, June 22nd, Red Deer, AB
• L3 Technical – June 22-28th, Red Deer, AB

All 3 are MAG and WAG. Ken Soehn will be expert guest coach at L3 Tech Red Deer presenting Trampoline for Gymnasts.

A really, REALLY bad idea.

I can’t embed this wipe-out. Click through to YouTube, if you dare.

Thanks George. I think.

“Winning Balance: What I’ve Learned So Far about Love, Faith, and Living Your Dreams”

… The writer is Nancy French, who co-authored Bristol Palin’s book, “Not Afraid of Life: My Journey So Far.” …

Amazon

Scheduled June 5, 2012 in the build up to her attempt to qualify for a second Olympics. On the same day, Dominique Moceanu’s Off Balance: A Memoir will be released.

via @ShawnJohnson

From an interview with Elena Rotaru in Observatorul de Covasna:

Was your decision (to make a comeback) based on this year´s London Games and on your desire to end your career on a high note?

– It was 100% based on these Olympics. No matter what will happen, nothing will keep me from getting to my second Games. And why not, with God´s help, maybe even win a medal, even if it´s silver or bronze.

Then Catalina laughed and asked me: “Who said I would retire after the Olympics?”

…

What is next for Catalina Ponor, beyond the Olympics?

– There is nothing planned for now. I honestly see myself in the gym in the next 7-8 months.

translated by Romanian Gymnastics Fans on Facebook

Is Catalina Ponor cool, or what!

Chris Castner posted this pic of Mitsuo Tsukahara:

… We were working out at Muscle Beach when a bus dropped off members of the touring Japanese Mens’ and Womens’ Olympic Gymnastics Teams…to see this world-famous location.

… No warm up…he didn’t even unbutton his coat or loosen his tie! (Note the Olympics logo on his jacket). At the time, the Japanese Men were the best gymnasts in the world…

See the original on Facebook.

Tsukahara was recently back in California, training at Byers with the Japanese girls.

Ron Bell (coaching out of the Stanford Gym) recognized Tsukahara and shared the photo. Thanks.

There are a number of athletes who qualified for Olympics you might question. (See the full list.) But not Daniel Corral — this guy’s the real deal. Loaded with potential. The best gymnast representing Mexico since the great Tony Pineda.

Click PLAY or watch his P Bars from Mexican Open 2011 on YouTube.

He won P Bars at the London Test Meet.

Read the Examiner profile – Daniel Corral: “I just can’t describe the feeling” of Olympic qualification