Hardest Skills: McKayla Maroney

Such an excellent twister !

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Bars Shoot-over progression

Oddly called a “Bail” in the USA, one of the most over-spotted skills.

Do more progressions. Spot less. Teach gymnasts what to do when something goes wrong on regrasp. That should increase confidence.

Click PLAY or watch a good start on YouTube. This gymnast is not (yet) depending on a coach to show-up.

training strap Bars from mini-tramp

Ana Ocolisan

Don’t use any mini-tramp with a metal bar under the gymnast. There’s a risk they’ll land on metal, sooner or later.

Tkachev release drill

Drop the feet to generate counter rotation.

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

Bars – Back-in Double Full-out

Interesting. Very late initiation of twist.

Full – Full is easier IMHO.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

6.9 Bars difficulty

Swing Half drill on Straps Bar

One hand in a strap. The other with a Grip on the Bar.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Weiler progressions

I was coached by Heinz Weiler, brother of Willie Weiler for whom this skill is named.

It’s tricky.

I still recall trying to learn it as a forward free hip on straps bar.

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.