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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Category: safety
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
Rachael Denhollander – What Is a Girl Worth?
Available in hardcover, Kindle and audio.
Recommended children’s book – How Much Is a Little Girl Worth?
Click PLAY or watch Rachael on YouTube.
coaches should not require weigh-ins
The last time I saw a scale in a Gym was 2003. I asked that it be removed.
Unless there is some specific reason — scientific research in training, for example — there’s no need for weigh-ins at training. And there are some risks, as we’ve seen in the past.
I prefer gymnasts weigh in at home in private. Or under instructions from medical staff.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. This is the new policy of British Gymnastics.
Age Falsification in Chinese Gymnastics
Dr. Uncle Tim has taken a deep dive into age falsification in women’s gymnastics on his excellent site âž™ Gymnastics-History.com.
Age falsification was quite common back in the bad, old days. Especially in China and Romania.
In fact, we even had cases of falsification in lower levels of Gymnastics competition where I coached.
Check out the important post:
Who Bears the Responsibility for Age Falsification in Chinese Gymnastics?
H Bars do break – metal fatigue
I still recall the day in the 1990s when my boss Keith Russell insisted we recycle the horizontal bar at University of Saskatchewan. Pay for a new one.
He felt they had to be replaced every 10 years in a Gym with many adult male gymnasts.
monitoring Growth & Development
Dave Tilley:
… regularly tracking growth from a young age, as well as monitoring other aspects to athletes (resting heart rate / heart rate variability, perceived fatigue, sleep, movement screening, etc), is essential for coaches or healthcare providers involved in youth sports. …
HOW TO TRACK GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN YOUTH ATHLETES
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related – A quick and easy way to anticipate pubertal growth spurt is to ask kids if they’ve recently needed bigger shoes. Distal body parts grow first.
While not foolproof, it’s a useful first tool.
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.
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.
active hip / trunk flexibility
Artistic Preparation expert Julia Spivak recommends this drill.
Encouraging the gymnast to press forward with the hips rather than simply ARCH.
Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 