Category: biomechanics

A.I. will not replace Gymnastics Coaches

Tony Retrosi:

In my upcoming book, Coaches as Educators, I make the argument that gymnastics coaching is one of the relatively few professions that would be extremely difficult to replace with artificial intelligence.

At least the parts of coaching that really matter.

Think about it.

AI can tell you that a gymnast’s handstand was 12 degrees from vertical. It may even be able to tell you WHY. But can it look deeper and realize that we do not coach or teach skills. We coach and teach PEOPLE.

Maybe the gymnast lacks shoulder flexibility. Maybe their body alignment is wrong. Maybe they are afraid of going over the top. Maybe they are physically exhausted.

Or maybe their parents were arguing in the car on the way to practice and they haven’t been able to concentrate on anything since they walked into the gym. …

AI Can Judge a Handstand. But Can It Coach a Gymnast?

Worlds 2026 Rotterdam Fujitsu Judging Support System Webinar Summary

Well … I’m a supporter of the Fujitsu experiment. But it’s early days.

The software in 2026 is limited. It can’t analyze curved lines of the body, for example.

In Rotterdam we ASSuMEd the software resulted in more severe evaluation of layout and pike positions, downgrading some that had not been downgraded even weeks and months before Worlds. Unethical and unfair.

Here’s a summary of the 2 hour and 40 minute webinar. That link takes you to the video on YouTube.

JSS – Fujitsu Webinar SummaryDownload

Jake’s Yonekura Vault

Amazing.

Kasamatsu + 2 1/2 twist.

It was VERY consistent at Men’s Gymnastics World Championships 2026 Rotterdam.

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

Fujitsu devaluing Body Position

Gymnasts like Ellie Black and Carlos Yulo were EXPECTING credit for the normal performance of their vaults.

Does FIG World Gymnastics need to change the required percentage of flight?

You certainly need to bend your knees for landing.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

high Aerial Walkover

There are some gymnasts who can do this skill much higher than the rest.

Many keep nose as close to the Beam as possible to increase rotation.

Instead, Lily has more height — therefore more time — and the skill looks far, far more impressive.l

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Beam ➙ physics, what physics? 😀

To stay on you MUST keep your centre of gravity over the base of support.

Not Ellie Lazzari, of course. 😀

Flyaway to Flat Back

BEFORE we let kids flip, it’s essential that they understand well how to move the centre of gravity AWAY from the Bar at the point of release.

Some call it “pitching out” the centre of gravity.

Flyaway not Flyclose.

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 — but it certainly is stylish. 😀

safest Gymnastics LANDINGS

Dave Tilley presented to both WAG NCAA College coaches and judges before the 2022 season.

The goal is for judges to evaluate landings consistently — and promote the safest possible landings.

The biggest reason is due to the massive number of serious knee and ankle injuries that gymnasts deal with, particularly in the NCAA. When you look at research studies, leg injuries account for up to 54.1% – 70.2% of all injuries.

Based on a study looking at injuries in NCAA Women’s gymnastics from 2009-2014, leg injuries accounted for 50% of all injuries with the knee and ankle being the most common (19). In some studies, up to 52% of all gymnastics injuries occur during landings, with some researchers calling it the ‘riskiest exercise phase in gymnastics.” …

THE NEED TO CHANGE LANDING DEDUCTIONS IN NCAA GYMNASTICS FOR LESS KNEE AND ANKLE INJURIES

Click through for a deep dive into this very important topic.

Watch William Emard STICKING.

Good aerial awareness. Stong legs. Good technique. Fewer injuries on landings.

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

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 — but a little bit of exaggeration could help the gymnast understand more quickly.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.