Category: falling & landing

STICK like Uchimura

Dvora Meyers put together a deep dive into the history of competition Gymnastics landings. She digs into the evolution of landing mats, as well.

The most dangerous part of most routines.

If gymnasts are allowed a controlled lunge on Floor, use that technique. It’s much safer — absorbing force over more time and distance.

Personally, my strategy as a coach is to train competition landings with the goal of a 0.1 deduction small hop. If the gymnasts happens to STICK for no deduction once-in-a-while, I consider it a 0.1 bonus over the plan.

Read the article on Defector:

The Case Against Sticking The Landing

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

“It’s the Hard Knock Life”

Nobody knows better than gymnasts how to fall safely. And get back up. 

It’s not the falls that stop girls from training sport.

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on SAFER Landings

Click through for the longer post.

Emily Bischoff:

… Teaching our athletes to land correctly is one thing coaches can control in terms of injury prevention, whether it be to lessen the load on tendons and ligaments to prevent overuse injuries, or to minimize the risk of fluke injuries …

… the force upon landing be dissipated throughout as much of the body as much as possible …

… feet around shoulder width apart, which widens the base of support over which force is exerted. Knees should be in flexion (bent), tracking over the toes …

Promoting Safety in Gymnastics: Landings

Jason Mortimer catches gymnast on Tap Swing

Yep. Coach was ready. You never know.

Tap swings (and backward uprise) are surprisingly dangerous, especially for kids who are really trying to get as high as they can.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Kazuki Minami – AMAZING landings

Check out some of Kazuki Minami’s landings in training and competition at the 2025 Cottbus World Cup.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

How Hikers can FALL More Safely

Based on how we teach children to fall, I put together a video for those hiking while carrying a heavy backpack.

Right now I’m off hiking a section of the Pacific Crest Trail in California. Trying not to fall. 😀

Absorb IMPACT FORCES over time and surface area. 

BEST strategy is to pull in your arms (dropping poles). Take the first impact landing on your backpack.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. 

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.

Dave Tilley’s LANDING training

I’d concur that the very BEST drill for landing facing forward is jumping down from a height to punch forward salto. It’s also my favourite drill for take-offs facing forward.

For strong gymnasts I’d include 10 drops to punch front — OR 5 sticks, whichever comes first. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

$1000+ for BEST Dismounts in Men’s Gymnastics

Stoi Gymnastics is a Canadian men’s gymnastics clothing company.

Check out their products.

Follow them on Instagram. (80K followers.)

Subscribe on YouTube. (311K subscribers.)

There most recent online contest was for BEST Dismounts in Men’s Gymnastics.

Fun to watch. Gymnasts around the world from age 10 to senior.

Misha Koudinov the deserving winner this time. He’s now age-34 and seems to be eternal.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

CAMARAH WILLIAMS – Floor

Those landings.