tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
Friends from Altadore Gymnastics in Calgary, Canada just sent me photos of their visit to the famous Tsukahara Gymnastics Center in Tokyo.
Here’s one. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version.
My fondest memory from my own visit to that club in the early 1990s was Mrs. Tsukahara. On arrival her first statement was, “Why aren’t you married? I can arrange a wonderful coach bride for you.”
related – interview with Mitsuo Tsukahara 2004 – FIG
Faye Roberts from Queensland, Australia has a professional website, a book and video.
I immediately took advantage of this offer:
Subscribe to my Trampoline Newsletter and Blog and you will receive my weekly newsletter via your email Inbox that includes new Tips, Skills and Routines to practice. Advanced Moves, Trampoline Safety Tips, Free Online Trampoline Videos and Much More!
As soon as you subscribe you will automatically receive my FREE “Basic Trampoline Moves” ebook.
While everything looks great at first glance …
… red flags went up for me when I watched the sample video.
The (too skilled) demonstrator is using a competitive tramp, not a backyard trampoline. There are no spotters. No adult in view.
The girl bounces facing sideways at one point, a big no-no.
I could go on.
In my opinion our coaching community should be discouraging the use of backyard trampolines at every opportunity. Products like this simply legitimize something that should be disallowed.
The demonstrator on the video is skilled because she trained at a club with an experience coach. That’s what we want for all children, everywhere.
I am negative about marketing this resource to parents just as I am about the book Backyard Trampolining: A Comprehensive Guide for the Trampolinist which was written by a good friend of mine.
Leave a comment if you think I am being too cautious.
Related posts:
Wingsuit flying is the closest man can come to having the control of a bird in the air.
Loïc Jean-Albert of Fly Your Body is one of the featured wingsuit flyers in this BASE jump video.
Click PLAY or watch it on LiveLeak. http://www.liveleak.com/player.swf
(Via Get Outdoors and Straight to the Bar)
I’m a big fan of the Straight to the Bar strength blog out of Australia.
But Jason Kirby posted some CRAZY weight room videos yesterday, including The Amazing Flying Squirrel:
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
See more like this — Fun with Barbells.
Of course you’ll likely get thrown out of the weight room if you start trying any of these.
🙂
Once again I’m linking to one of Mark’s posts on the Jump Club blog:
… those that have an interest in Kung Fu and photography, may want to pick up a copy of the British Journal of Photography (£2).
… photographer Justin Guariglia has had the rare and privileged opportunity to document within the walls of the 1500 yr old Chinese Buddhist sect, known commonly as the Shaolin Temple.
more details … Shaolin: Kung fu Photography « JumpClub
The classic front lever on rings. (This guy has potential, by the way.)
larger original – RingTraining.com
Often we spot athletes on front lever “pulls” to this position on either rings or a bar:
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Much better for most athletes, however, are what I call “front lever rocks” — chin-ups to front lever position done continuously:
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Most gymnasts do not need spot on the variation above, especially if they bend the knees and / or pike at the hips to reduce resistance.
Front lever drills are terrific strength training exercises for males and females. In fact, front lever rocks can even be done by non-gymnasts as a general fitness exercise:
… “Begin in a momentary tucked flexed arm hang, and then swing the knees forward while simultaneously straightening your arms. Within a few attempts, you’ll be able to do these in sequence. I call these rhythmic swings front lever rocks. There is no isometric hold at first. As you get stronger, you’ll be able to increase the range of motion and the number of lever rocks. Soon you’ll be able to stop in the tucked front lever position for a half second or longer. One day when you feel particularly strong, keep your legs straight.
read the entire article … Lord of the Rings – Input Fitness
Thanks to shagy13 for posting those videos and more.
One of the best paid coaches in gymnastics is stepping down.
ATHENS, Ga. — University of Georgia gymnastics coach Suzanne Yoculan, who has led the Gym Dogs to eight NCAA national championships, will retire from her head coaching position following the 2008-09 season according to an announcement Wednesday by UGA Director of Athletics Damon Evans. …
“Suzanne has done a remarkable job in her 25 years at UGA,†said Evans. “She has built the Georgia program into the most successful in the country. …
Long time UGA assistant coach Jay Clark will succeed Yoculan
Photo Credit: Brett Davis
I’m just working my way back through the posts of a cheeky new blog. Check the tag line:
It’s something of a gossip site. The blogger makes no claims to expertise. She’s just an opinionated fan of women’s Artistic Gymnastics.
I like it. Very entertaining. And where else would I be tipped off to video clips like this? — Alicia Sacramone punching out some dude. Awesome!
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Apparently the guy dared Sac to punch him, and she did. Only she didn’t think that it would actually hurt.
Also, … (hopeful) speculation that Courtney Kupets might make a run at Olympics 2008. Or 2012.
Blythe posted the same sentiments about Courtney on Gymblog. And I feel the same way too. Courtney Kupets is awesome.
But would you choose to compete against Shawn Johnson if you had the chance, instead, to lead Georgia to it’s fourth NCAA team title in a row?
Check out the new blog: difficulty plus execution.
Just remember those are opinion posts. Not hard news.
I don’t know enough about Brazilian superstar Jade Barbosa.
… In 2007 Jade participated in the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, winning a gold medal on the Vault, a silver in the Team Competition and a bronze in the Floor final.
At the 2007 World Championships, Jade won a bronze medal in the Women’s All Around. She also qualified to the Vault and Balance Beam finals.
… in 2007 she was the Senior All Around Champion, defeating 2006’s champion Daniele Hypolito.
Jade Barbosa – Wikipedia
I like this bittersweet montage on her trials and triumphs, so far:
Click PLAY or watch Jade on YouTube.
The editor has more videos featuring Jade on her YouTube channel called Ginastica Artistica (Brasil).
Brazil produces more than their share of the best gymnasts and acrobats in the World. Good luck to Jade preparing for the Olympics.
Sing Lo has a terrific collection of 2004 Olympic synchronized diving photos. A couple of low resolution samples:
Cassandra Cardinell and Sara Hildebrand USA – larger original
larger original
see all photos in this set – Olympic synchronized diving gallery – Pbase
Sing Lo is certainly one of the best sports photographers in the world. (We link to him from the right hand navigation under Gymnastics Photos.)
His home page is easy to remember … comaneci-salto.com
Gymnastics Coaching.com 