by site editor Rick McCharles
At Gymnastics Ontario Coaching Congress 2016 I did a presentation on the Art and Science of Fun.
See my presentation notes online.
via RecGymnastics.com
Category: recreation
Building a Rec Boys Gymnastics Program
by site editor Rick McCharles
Many excellent girls Gymnastics clubs underserve boys in their market. Brothers are sitting in the parents seating area – restless – waiting on sisters. That’s a waste.
The best boys Gymnastics clubs have as high a ratio as 1 boy for every 3 girls. That kind of ratio is possible.
First priority for boys coaches is increasing the base. Increasing the numbers of boys trying Gymnastics and other acrobatic sports.
Once in the Gym many will find they like the sport. It’s FUN. Keep it FUN.
Boys love Games, Contests and Challenges. Most boys love height and flight. Excitement.
Once hooked on the sport, next priority is improvement of Physical (Endurance, Stringy, Power, Flexibility, etc.) and Motor (Agility, Balance, Coordination, Spatial awareness, etc.) fitness.
Skills are lower priority than for girls the same age.
Role models are important for boys. It’s important coaches and the eldest and most advanced boys in the club be leaders.
Clubs who do want to increase the size and quality of the boys Recreation program have two major problems:
- hiring competent, experienced men’s coaches
- getting boys into the gym to give it a go
There are far fewer boys coaches available than girls coaches. Some serious effort may be required to recruit and train boys Rec coaches.
In 2016 Parkour / Ninja classes are very popular with boys. Boys parents are very keen to keep their sons doing Parkour safe.
Once in the Gym some of those Ninja boys will get interested in the Artistic competitive apparatus.
I like “bring-a-friend” day, as well. Check the insurance implications of bringing in a friend to your Gym.
related – Gymnastics Ontario Congress 2016 – BUILDING A RECREATIONAL BOYS PROGRAM – presentation notes PDF
(via Rec Gymnastics)
coach at Huntingdon Gymnastics
Huntingdon Gymnastics is one of the top programs in the U.K.
They’ve had many international competitors, both WAG & MAG.
Right now they are looking for a full time Girls Artistic Elite Coach and Head Girl’s Recreational Coach.
Check the details online.
Gymnastics – head balances
Here’s a sample of my 180 Recreation Fitness Games & Activities videos posted online free by Tumbl Trak.
The ability to balance on the TOP of your head is an important skill. Here’s one series of progressions from beginner to advanced.
Do NOT allow any child to balance on their forehead. The neck is vulnerable in that position.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
See ALL the Games posted so far on the Tumbl Trak Fitness Games YouTube channel.
Gymnastics NINJA obstacle course
Cutting Edge Gymnastics in Michigan has greatly expanded their boys programs with parkour training. Motor and Physical fitness is the goal, not necessarily specific skills.
Click the IMAGE to play or watch it on Google+.
That video was produced by Doug Davis at Heart Tech Plus. The goal is to monitor heart rate and other variables while kids “play“.
(via Rec Gymnastics)
only 7000 gymnasts in China
Canadian coach Liang Cheng is taking western style Gymnastics back to China. He set up his first club in 2012. And Inspire Sports is expanding.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. English language instruction.
Some in China feel mass participation clubs are needed.
Wang Tongjie, director of gymnastics at China’s General Administration of Sport:
… There are only 7,000 registered Chinese gymnasts, Wang said. The United States — with a population only one-fourth of China’s — has nearly 150,000 competing gymnasts at all levels. …
Team China is covered for now.
The future is not so certain.
“What we have is about to become broken, but the new system is yet to be established,” Ye said. He points to a former powerhouse that failed to qualify for Rio as a team this year as a tale of caution. “If we don’t change, we will be like Romania.” …
(via Nancy Armour)
Gymnastics Ontario Congress, Aug 26-27
G.O. has 24 speakers lined up this year, including myself. I’ll be presenting in both REC and MAG streams.
NICK BLANTON, PAULA JOHNSON, ANNE JOSEPHSON, DENIS VACHON and CRAIG SMITH are a few of the other names you may know.
If interested, check the 2-day schedule.
benefits of preschool Gymnastics
An insanely great video posted by Jason J Orkowski of GYmfinity Children’s Activity Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
(via Rec Gymnastics and Alex Bard)
Gymnastics and the vestibular system
I find that most coaches don’t know much about the vestibular system even though it’s critical to success in acrobatics sports.
Here’s the second video in Tumbl Trak’s special needs series on training the vestibular system.
… vestibular system … the sensory system that provides the leading contribution about the sense of balance and spatial orientation for the purpose of coordinating movement with balance. …
The brain uses information from the vestibular system in the head and from proprioception throughout the body to understand the body’s dynamics and kinematics (including its position and acceleration) from moment to moment. …
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
(via Rec Gymnastics)
mimic games & activities
The latest batch of my Rec Games have been posted.
Click PLAY or watch an introduction on YouTube.
… students use creativity and self-expression while engaging in physical challenges …
There are 91 games videos LIVE (so far) on the Tumbl Trak Fitness Games & Activities playlist.
(via Rec Gymnastics)
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