Author: Rick Mc

Boys are always surprised when the girls in their gym tell them that forward giants are more difficult than backward. After all, most boys learn forward giants first.

Front giants should be less scary for the beginner. And technique is easier than backward giant.

On straps I always teach forward giant first, boys and girls. But on the rail I’ve only managed to get two or three girls to do forward giant first. A proud accomplishment, those times.

Coach Bart won’t have any problems. He introduces the long hang foward swing in under grip to very young kids. It’s like a game to them at this stage.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The girls soon learn that it’s easy to hang on in under grip.

See more on his site – Gymnastics-Skills.com – Front Giant

Tom Beach has added another superb coach to the GymSmarts roster of clinicians.

… Here 2 time USA Men’s Olympic and US Mens National Team Coordinator Coach Kevin Mazeika shows a drill to develop strength for the press and improve your overall core strength.

Click PLAY or watch it on Tom’s GymSmarts blog.

Support GymSmarts.

From photographer Grace Chiu of GraceClick.ca …

Featured on the poster:

Brittany Rogers, Dominique Pegg, Coralie Leblond-Chartrand, Jackson Payne, Sydney Sawa, Kristina Vaculik, Charlotte Mackie, Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto, Nansy Damianova, Nathan Gafuik

March 3-7th, 2010 about Gymnix

Like last year, a (poorly attended on the WAG side) FIG World Cup event will be held concurrently.

CONGRATS to 5 6 Oakville gmnasts chosen to represent Canada at the Jr Team meet: Bianca, Mikeala, Sabrina, Jordyn, Elise and Anni.

Watching the Tkachev montage by MunchTheSilivasFan I was struck by how many different ways gymnasts can pull off a Reverse Hecht.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

You can do a terrible giant, let go, scrape your butt across the bar … and still hang on. The judge will give you credit and possibly not much deduction.

Or you can launch a monster release like Anna Li or Jordan Moore. And likely not get much more credit.

There are two kinds of Tkachevs I admire:

1) Super HIGH … perhaps with not much counter rotation
2) Super counter rotated … with potential to swing a giant or another release in sequence

The best I’ve ever seen at the second kind was Rustam Sharipov. In demos he connected many, many in series.

The highest Jaeger and Tkachev I’ve ever seen were from 1988 Olympian Charles Lakes, coached by Dan Connelly. (Yes, I know release moves are easier on the Men’s bar.)

Click PLAY or watch Charles on YouTube.

In this particular routine he hits the Jaeger perfectly. But his Tkachev I’ve seen much higher. (Unfortunately I cannot find a better one online.)

Leave a comment if you’ve a “best Tkachev” to name.

Gymnastike has a great page for coaches, parents and gymnasts considering future opportunities in the NCAA:

College Gymnastics Recruiting – What are they looking for?

That page links to interviews with Suzanne Yoculan, Miss Val and many other Head Coaches.

A good starting point is a series of videos presented by Tim O’Connel from Central Michigan University. “This is footage of a lecture he gave to parents at Azarian’s Gymnastics in California.” Begin here: Gymnastics Recruiting Info Session, Part 1

In this next clip Greg Marsden bemoans the reality that recruiting is happening at a younger and younger age.

Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/assets/portal/add_ons/mediaplayer-4.2/player.swf

Once an athlete is committed to making application, I recommend they contact Victory Collegiate Consulting for advice on how to put together your video and paperwork. This investment is even more critical if you live outside the U.S.A.

Questions? Suggestions?

Leave a comment.

Gymnastike’s Amy Kleefisch is lovin’ this season.

At University Of Oklahoma, her Sooners are ranked #1 in the NCAA, the the first time in the program’s 30-year history.

And Chris Brooks from Oklahoma just won the Men’s Winter Cup.

Gymnastics is rockin’ in Norman!

Click PLAY or watch Kristin Smith’s Floor on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/assets/portal/add_ons/mediaplayer-4.2/player.swf

This week’s episode was the lamest, yet, IMHO. A “dramarama“.

The only redeeming moment was seeing a Ponds twist belt used in a tumbling harness. Nostalgia. The last time I saw that set-up was in the 1970s.

Sasha looks terrified of spotting. He needs the belt. Or to let the gymnasts coach each other on new tricks.

If you’re hooked like me, Episode 16, Save the Last Dance, is online free if you live in the USA at ABCfamily.com. And online here if you live outside the States.

Rama margarine ad in Romania. Posted by Nadia on TwitPic.

My friend Karl Balisch, formerly of Gymnastics Canada, just emailed a great full-time opportunity at Vanda’s gym.

Tumblers Gymnastics Centre is a not-for-profit organization based in Orleans and is one of the largest programs in the province with over 2000 members annually. The Centre is presently seeking a Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Coach / Program Coordinator to oversee the competitive and pre-competitive programs. We are looking for a dynamic individual with proven communication skills to provide vision, planning, mentorship and coaching within the program. Our WAG competitive program has 80 developmental, pre-competitive and competitive athletes in various competitive levels both Provincial and Invitational.

This individual will have the following qualifications or equivalents:

• Minimum N.C.C.P. Level 2 certification (theory and technical – Women’s and Trampoline);
• Choreography experience an asset;
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) in English; French an asset;
• Current GO Risk Management and First Aid Certification.

Non-Canadians should check with Karl regarding equivalency.

kbalisch AT tumblers.on.ca