Category: safety

Kerry Perry message

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

Read an expanded version online: Finances, Sponsors, Litigation, National Team Training Center.

If USAG is to be saved, I’d call this a small step forward. The words are good if not yet backed up with enough action.

There are doubters. John Nichols points out Perry attended only a portion of one day of victim statements.

related – Jessica O’Beirne from GymCastic was invited to LSU for Elite verification. She’s been the most vocal critic of USAG through the Nassar scandal. I see this as real evidence of transparency. An even bigger step forward.

 

how to warn kids about sexual predators

A good word to mention is creepy.

If something seems creepy to you, that’s a red flag. Tell your parents.

If a spotter makes you feel uncomfortable, tell them not to spot you. Do progressions and conditioning instead.

… “One of the biggest misconceptions is that these conversations are too advanced or harmful for children to hear about,” Ms. Palumbo said.

“In reality, the more information that we can give children from an early age about understanding your bodies and your boundaries and what types of touch are appropriate — not only does it give your child that information, it also lets them know that these are safe topics to talk to you about.”

NYT – The Nassar Case Presents Difficult Parenting Questions

BEFORE you teach flyaway

Visiting 40-50 gyms a year I see a common dynamic. Young girls doing tucked flyaway with spot off the low rail of Bars.

Fun. Easy. Seems, at the time, to work.

But that’s not the best way to teach flyaway. Instead use a wide range of drills that don’t require spotting. Here’s one set-up I like, appropriate for kids as young as age-5.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

If you don’t have Rings, I’d highly recommend you buy a set. Fitness Rings are very inexpensive. Hang those on a rail at just the right height for your kids.

 

ADHD medication and Gymnastics

Recall that Russian hackers first revealed that Simone had been on ADHD medication since childhood. Ritalin.

Read a discussion on Chalk Bucket:

Questions for parents of kids with ADHD

how much sleep does a gymnast need?

It’s not easy for gymnasts to get enough sleep.

Here are the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatricians and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine:

  • Children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health.
  • Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health.
  • Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health.

The key here is regular sleep to promote optimal health of your gymnast. Good sleep should be every night and not just on weekends. …

Dr. Joshua Eldridge

Brent Klaus on USA Gymnastics

Brent and his family run International Gymnastics Camp, a sponsor of this site.

At the 2017 USA Gymnastics Congress IGC set up this display.

Now in February 2018, Brent talks about the reaction their display got last August. Particularly comments from USAG staff and Board members.

USA Gymnastics Predicament

Thanks Amanda.

Aly Raisman nude for ‘SI’ swimsuit issue

… For the shoot, the women pose completely naked, with empowering messages written across their bodies. The idea of the shoot is to prove that women are free to speak about who they truly are and want to be. …

Aly Raisman Writes ‘Survivor’ Across Her Chest for In Her Own Words

More photos.

Aly is now in Australia, speaking on the issue of sexual abuse. She’s really been our most effective advocate.

Gymnastics Canada WAG Aspire program

I really like the Gymnastics Canada WAG Aspire program for talented young gymnasts.

The Aspire Camps are great too.

You can check out the 2017-2018 ASPIRE PROGRAM MANUAL online for free, if you like.

There is one error on page 15.

Of course the path of the Centre of Gravity starts tangent to the point of release. If you let go of the Bar when the C of G reaches horizontal you’d best be doing a Geinger.

If you release with hips above horizontal as required by that Aspire graphic there’s a very good chance you’ll land on the Bar.

The video linked from page 15 is correct, however.

The Centre of Mass must be below the Bar on release. Ideally with the hips below, the feet above as in this drawing.

The gymnast could apply a force to the Bar on release to either pitch-out or pull-in the Centre of Mass. Pulling-in can result in hitting the Bar.

related – G.S. George – Tangent-Release Principle 

 

Coach Kyle – making Gymnastics corrections

Kyle Thalman:

1. Keep it short
2. Use a positive frame of vocabulary
3. Use very descriptive language
4. Use neutral tone / body language
5. Critique technique, not the gymnast
6. Be encouraging about making the fix
7. If there’s no change, try a different correction

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (13min)

related – Kyle’s Safe Spotting tutorial video