Author: Rick Mc

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

en route to UCLA …

I’m driving down to Regional Championships at Pauley Pavilion. (The last meet I saw there was the pre-Olympics, 1983!)

Friday, Apr. 9:
2 pm – Practice Session I: Iowa State, Arizona State, UCLA
4 pm – Practice Session II: Arizona, BYU, Arkansas
(individual all-arounders and event specialists practice the same time as the teams with which they are rotating)

Saturday, Apr. 10:
6 pm – Regional Championships

UCLA Gymnasts Host NCAA Regionals Saturday With NCAA Berths At Stake

There’s some buzz about Anna Li and/or Vanessa Zamarripa contemplating competing Elite. No doubt the coaches are trying to stifle this distraction until after Championships.

With weak Bars on the U.S. National Team right now, it’s possible for a College specialist to get a shot. But think back on how many girls ever actually accomplished this goal in the past.

Very, very few.

And it’s more difficult now than ever before as the gap between F.I.G. rules and NCAA rules widens.

You should be able to watch live streaming of the competition.

Missouri, Utah and West Virginia will have simultaneous streaming, as well.

MunchTheSilivasFan Bars Montage

From MunchTheSilivasFan:

As requested by Mostepanovafan, some awesomness on the unevens. In doing this montage I learnt that I really love Jaegers o_O

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Slave to Love – Bryan Ferry

This includes many of the most interesting and unique Bar skills and combinations ever competed. Thanks!

future Olympian – Brandon Wynn

From Ohio State, Brandon Wynn may well be the Kevin Tan of the London Olympics. The big American score on Rings.

Stick It Media:

… Wynn is going to make it very difficult for the Olympic selection committee to keep him off the 2012 team. In addition to being the nation’s top athlete on rings, he’s also developing into a formidable all-arounder. He has one more year left of NCAA competition. …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. His is the first Ring routine of these three.

Here’s some training footage, spotted by Bilozerchev.

Emily Green – Floor

In College gymnastics the best Floor routine is the most entertaining routine. Without conspicuous errors.

Big tumbling is bonus.

Perhaps the routine I’ve enjoyed most this year is Emily Green from Kentucky.

Click PLAY or watch Emily’s Floor on YouTube.

Emily’s only ranked 40th on Floor on GymInfo. That’s how many great routines College gymnastics has to offer.

Emily made Gymnastike’s list of Best Floor 2009 last season.

Who will win NCAA Floor this year?

Not McCool. … Perhaps Brandi Personett.

teaching straddle cast handstand

Recall that JAO posted some superb kip coaching videos, the best online.

• The Kipping Process Part I
• The Kipping Process parts II and III

Here’s the newest of 7 JAO vids posted on Gymnastike.

Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.

All gymnasts can learn straddle cast handstand without deduction. Very, very few can learn straight body cast without deduction. Our priority should be on straddle-up.

You need talented and physically prepared girl to do those exercises. Before you get to this stage, beginners need start with orientation mini-tramp drills. (video)

Gymnastics World Cup in Paris

Gymnastics Issues:

This is the 10 – 11 April and it actually looks like there is going to be some competition …

click through for names of competitors.

This guy wasn’t invited …

another coaching job in Newfoundland

Recall we posted a job in St. John’s.

Now here’s one in Corner Brook.

Saltos Gymnastics Club is seeking an energetic and positive individual for the position of Head Coach.

Saltos Gymnastics Club is the largest gymnastics club on the West Coast of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. We have over 186 gymnasts ranging in age from 18 months – 16 years of age enrolled in our various programs. Our Club has approximately 30 competitive athletes, primarily female and primarily CPP Level I and II. In 2010, Saltos introduced our first Cheerleading Program!

The Head Coach is responsible for a range of duties including the delivery of strong competitive, pre-competitive programs for women. The Head Coach will also work in cooperation and collaboration with the Director of Recreation Programs to ensure strong linkages between recreation and competitive programs. The Head Coach will monitor and evaluate club programs and make recommendations for change. The Head Coach will supervise other club coaches, oversee coaching development and assist with the allocation of appropriate staffing resources.

NCCP Level II minimum combined with at least 5 + years of experience coaching competitive athletes. An equivalent combination of certification and experience will also be considered. Strong English language communication skills as well as good management skills are essential.

Qualified applicants are invited to submit their resume, covering letter and two work related references to Denise May at sd.may AT nl.rogers.com.