New Gymnastics Coaching book by Hisayoshi TakahashiΒ 

Hisayoshi TakahashiΒ has been coaching in Canada for decades.


This one is inspired by books written by Professor Emeritus Kaneko Akitomo of the University of Tsukuba, who passed away on December 24, 2024.

While he was a professor at Tsukuba University, Kaneko had coached Endo Yukio, the Olympic individual all-around champion in gymnastics, and Kato Sawao, a two-time consecutive Olympic individual all-around champion.

Coach Hisayoshi TakahashiΒ has many more books on Amazon.

This one is text only.

It’s a dense read recommended for keen Gymnastics coaches, mainly Men’s Gymnastics.

There are a number of spelling mistakes, most notably on Gymnastics skill names. Perhaps some spell checker changed some into English words.

The focus is on kinaesthesia and proprioception β€” what the gymnast feels and sees when learning and performing skills.

My first Japanese coach, Shiro Tanaka, did the same. It’s part of the Japanese coaching tradition.

I would say this kind of skill-based, very individual, approach is not a system.

Personally, I prefer the movement pattern approach based on biomechanics popularized by Professor Keith Russell. That’s a system. One approach for every gymnast, later personalizing technique based on body size, physical abilities, psychology, etc.

Takahashi has coached in Canada for decades and names Keith Russell and Hardy Fink as two of his influences, I should say.

That distinction made, there are certainly observations and tips that any Gymnastics coach would appreciate. Jot those down as you go.

Available only in digital format.

How to Become a Top-Class Athlete in Competitive Sports (2025)

Fujitsu software in health care

…Β International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), … Fujitsu Limited, and Acer Medical Inc., which provides AI-powered medical image processing and preventive medicine, today announced a collaboration

FIG, Fujitsu, Acer Medical collaborate to develop health-promoting insurance concept to support preventative care in aging societies

… smartphone app …

I attended the press conference and LIVE, real-time demonstration of the medical package.

Smart phone video βž™ wirelessly sent to a laptop βž™ analysis βž™ wirelessly sent to a monitor.

The DEMO we watched was analysis of gait. Preventive medicine. They want to analyze elderly patients standing, sitting, and walkingβ€”turning that into valuable clinical insights for the doctor.

I was impressed.

It seemed quick enough to be used in the Gym by a coach doing analysis. By the time the gymnast gets to the monitor, the data would be ready for display.

In Japan, Fujitsu has their software working for Golf Swing, Archery, Baseball, and other sports. Gymnastics is more complicated, of course.

Watanabe was asked WHEN we might see the Fujitsu software used in FIG competition regularly. He wouldn’t commit.

Personally, I need it more IN THE GYM for coaching analysis.

The software wouldn’t need to be anywhere near as perfected for that use. I’d want to compare my gymnast performance of Tkachev in training against Kate McDonald, for example. πŸ˜€

Demonstration – Fujitsu Gymnastics Judging Support System

Very cool.

IF this works in real time, we are not far off having video analysis checking D-score of judges. They should be flagged instantly if Fujitsu disagrees.

I’m sure E-score is much further off. But is possible with A.I.

Steve Butcher uses Layout Tkachev as an example.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

illustrating “set” in Gymnastics

I do love the graphics in this software.

HERE we can show gymnasts examples of leaving the floor or apparatus fully stretched.

YES, you only need to show that stretch until leaving the floor / apparatus β€” but a little bit of exaggeration could help the gymnast understand more quickly.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

twisting with arms WIDE

Hayami Yumita.

Of course, keeping your arms wide makes twisting more difficult and slower β€” but it certainly is stylish. πŸ˜€

twisting in both directions on 1 skill

Cirque du Soleil Artist Shaun Gregory

Coach Matthew Sparks sent us this link.

TILT to twist one direction. UNTILT. … TILT in the opposite direction.Β 

It ain’t easy.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related VIDEO – see it on skis

twisting in both directions on 1 skill

More and more trampolinists are trying this β€”Β for FUN.

TILT to twist one direction. UNTILT. TILT in the opposite direction.

It ain’t easy.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

ESPN 4D Replay – #NCAAWGym Championships

Awesome technology.

robot Gymnastics

These TERMINATORS are improving quickly.

Boston Dynamics βž™ Atlas.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.