Category: biomechanics

a new dive – 513XD

Is a dive with 1.5 somersaults and 5 twists possible?

Some sport scientists believe it is but that a different arm action would be required. The body would tilt to the point of being near horizontal at one point before untilting for entry into the water.

diving-turns

Read the study by WILLIAM TONG AND HOLGER R. DULLIN – A NEW TWISTING SOMERSAULT – 513XD (PDF)

related – Fred Yeaden – LEARNING HOW TO TWIST FAST (PDF)

(via Lukewiwa)

which drops faster: bowling ball or feather?

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

(via Steve Bonham)

Biles on Floor

Watch how little she needs to move her arm in order to “tilt” a half twist.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/vqBvbXxN2Pk?t=10s

Shaposh / Tkachev drill

Working with a gymnast new to Shaposh recently, I was wishing we had a Quick Flex Bar. This is by far the best way for kids to get started on all counter rotating releases.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The hands are the only point of force application. Of course that hip action is needed to put more weight on the rail. The equal, opposite and simultaneous reaction force is what generates the counter rotation.

NOBODY can beat Simone

Another excellent NY Times video.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

Thanks Kate.

NY Times Interactive – Simone Biles

Now this is cool. Scroll down to see all kinds of graphics on our World Champion.

Simone Biles Gymnastics

Simone

(via Chalk Bucket)

centre of mass over base of support

Otherwise you fall.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

Original VIDEO.

“pulling in” on Flyaway

I’m at a coaching course right now. As always we spent disproportionate time on this skill

Dr. Bill Sands posted an article on the Biomechanics of Flyaway dismount on Bars. A good read for every coach.

I want to do EVERYTHING I can to prevent my gymnasts from hitting their feet on the rail. Or – worse – their head. 😦

Most dangerous, in my opinion, are tucked and double tucked flyaways. While changing position from the stretched long swing to the tucked position, there’s a chance the gymnast will “pull in” to the Bar. That is to say, redirect the path of the Centre of Mass towards the Bar.

That’s in addition to the normal problem – releasing too late.

What we WANT is a “pitch out” of the Centre of Mass. A redirection out and away just before release.

Dr. Bill Sands
Dr. Bill Sands

For me layout and double layout flyaways are safest. Then piked.

See it on The Advanced Study of Gymnastics – How Does a Flyaway Work? (link is now correct)

Gymnastics – 3D laser sensors?

This looks interesting.

2016 The Japan Gymnastics Association, Fujitsu Limited, and Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. today announced an agreement to conduct joint research on scoring support technology for gymnastics competitions. This research will combine Fujitsu Laboratories’ 3D laser sensors and 3D data processing technology–to discern athlete’s joint position and technique–with the Japan Gymnastics Association’s expertise in recognizing proper gymnastics techniques. …

Fujitsu

Fujitsu

(via GymCastic)