They aren’t a problem for MAG and haven’t been since the men’s Code devalued to same as regular Stalder / Endo. We no longer see them in MAG competition.

But there was fugly era when MANY male gymnasts competed them for difficulty. Very few men had the genetic limb length and physical ability to do them well. It was painful to watch.

I coached only one who trained them, Davide Bardana. He’s also the best I can recall.

Kyle Shewfelt, years later at the same club, competed them as cleanly as any male gymnast of the day.

Click PLAY or watch Kyle on YouTube. Pirouette angle deductions weren’t as important in that Code as they are today.

7 minute core training program

Many of the amateur videos being posted online during COVID-19 are poorly edited.

I like the simplicity of this one from Twisters in Sunnyvale, California.

No wasted seconds.

If you like it, check the rest of their Team home training assignments on their Facebook video page.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

Coaching clinic for COVID19 Food Banks

Free online. LIVE this Saturday, May 2nd streaming from SHIFT’s YouTube and Facebook Page.

Fund-raising by donation.

10:30am – 12:00pm ET – Dave Tilley – Intro, Fundraising Details, and Strength and Conditioning
12:00pm – 1:00pm – Dr. Josh Eldridge – Fueling For Performance: What Coaches and Gymnasts Need To Know About Nutrition
1:00pm – 2:00pm – Nick Ruddock – Essential Techniques for Yurchenko Vaulting
2:00pm – 3:00pm – Tom Meadows – Essential Techniques for Men’s High Bar Dismounts
3:00pm – 4:00pm – Dr. Ali Arnold – Come Back Stronger: Mental Toughness Techniques for Coaches and Gymnasts
4:00pm – 5:00pm – Jordyn Wieber, Chris Brooks – Developing Healthy and High Performing Cultures
5:00pm – 6:00pm – Jessica O’Beirne, Spencer Barnes, Kensley Behel – GymCastic Podcast Episode
6:00pm – 7:00pm – Colin Van Wicklen – Live Q&A Session
7:00pm – 8:00pm – Madison Kocian, Kyla Ross, Val Kondos Field – Live Q&A Session

After the event, you’ll be able to watch any of the presenters on the SHIFT Movement Science YouTube channel.

*Free Online Gymnastics Coaches Summit For COVID19 Hunger Relief*

SO excited to announce this!🙏@MadisonKocian @kyla_ross96 @OfficialMissVal @jordyn_wieber @cbrooks_wpr @ColinVanWicklen @GymCastic @OtotheBeirne @TheBBSituation @kensleyanne @NickRuddock https://t.co/NCBzG3i89A

— SHIFT MvmtScience (@SHIFT_MvmtSci) April 27, 2020

TIPS for opening Gyms during COVID-19

A round table hosted by John Min, USECA Video Chairman.

A NEW challenge for each Club. This is a brainstorming session.

The BIG recommendation is not to rush. Come back slowly and safely. We have a new, unexpected meso-cycle in our training year which precedes another Preparation Phase. Slow return to the Gym after weeks of lockout.

Steve Arkell:

Inviting back Competitive first, staggering training times
Check for temperature of athletes on arrival (this is not foolproof)
About 4 people / 1000 sq feet
Kids in each rotation group will stay as far apart as possible. Apparatus groups will switch at the same time, in order to keep distance.
Take this COVID-19 opportunity for super keen gymnasts to find a better life / gymnastics balance.
When skills are eventually introduced, use tumbling trampolines, pits, soft surfaces. Don’t rush.
Coaches will wear masks.
Coaches will be tested just before coming back to the Gym.
Coaches and gymnasts should be challenged to progress with LESS spotting, even on Bars. Slide mats rather than hand spot. (Spotting belts might make a return to popularity.)
Adding new RECORDS bulletin board for fitness tests. This will be the focus at first, not skills.

Craig Zappa:

Anything you did not like about your old program, should be banished now. This is a great opportunity to reinvent your program. A fresh start.
High priority is to STOP the keenest athletes from overdoing it on getting back to the Gym. Injury is a worry after weeks out.
Advise athletes that anticipated J.O. move ups are on hold, for now
This ‘forced rest’ is an opportunity to fully heal old injuries
Watch themselves on video (Mental Training)
Reassuring the parents will be a high priority.
His club uses a ‘fogging machine’ to disinfect. It takes 10 minutes. He’ll do it 2-3 times / day.
Might delay the calendar of competitions for the 2021 season. Don’t rush.
Assign one gymnast / Beam for all of each rotation
Craig would like to have clear masks for coaches.
Craig will allow very few parents into the Gym. Other clubs will simply ask parents not to enter the Gym.

Mary Wright:

Time to focus on cooperation. Coaches and athletes working together to get back to peak training form.
Be smart. Rebuild confidence progressively
Conditioning first after a few weeks away
General strength before specific
Flexibility improvement phase
Aerobic base
Work ‘shapes‘ before movements
Time at home is a chance for gymnasts to make Dream Boards and set goals / objectives
Training would progressively advance to BASICS without rush. Up to 2 hours / day to start.
If this limited training goes on for months, planned goals for 2021 will have to be modified.

Olivia Estes:

Has been working on personal development of athletes while at home. Generosity. Team supporting one another.
Has been using a combination of big group Zoom meetings. Smaller meetings in private Facebook groups.
To start … will likely only allow top 12 athletes to use the pit
Equipment will be cleaned ongoing during workout
Coaches only work with ONE group of kids. If anyone tests positive, those coaches and kids will be out of the Gym.
Plans on minimum spotting. Only the very top gymnasts will be spotted. And not for the first 8 weeks or so after return.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.