Category: safety

Nanci Moore is back in the Gym

Nanci Moore, a gymnastics coach at Bay Valley Academy in Michigan, was suspended for allegations of mistreatment, being forced to compete through injuries, and not following concussion protocols.

Initially, she was suspended by SafeSport. But that 2 year suspension has been lifted. Nanci can coach under supervision.

It’s critical to take every accusation of misconduct seriously. And just as critical to welcome back those coaches found not guilty.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

talking to your young athletes about SPOTTING

Amanda Loudin:

“Talk to your kids about good touch and bad touch and make sure they feel comfortable coming to you if something doesn’t feel right,” she said. “Regularly check in with your kids: Ask them what was good and what was bad about practice and if anything made them feel uncomfortable.” …

… “The highest risk areas are those that allow for one-on-one adult-child interaction, often at the elite level. Those activities that involve body positioning, such as swimming or gymnastics, exacerbate the risk because touching is a part of the training.” …

espnW

A word I like to use with kids is creepy. If anything feels creepy to them, it could be a red flag.

The less spotting in your program, the better.

And be cautious HOW you spot skills. For example, spotting on the sides of the body is safer than a sandwich spot front and back.

Gymnastics sleepovers?

When I was a kid, we had Gym sleepovers at my club. Other clubs. And frequently billeted with the families of other gymnasts when away at training camps.

Not to mention the frequent sleepovers I hosted with my own friends.

But in 2023 there are not many unsupervised sleepovers. Good policy.

 In recent online and media debates about sleepovers, parents have cited big concerns about letting their children sleep at a friend’s house:

  • How much adult supervision will they have?
  • Are there guns in the home?
  • Is the family COVID vaccinated?
  • Are alcohol and drugs sufficiently secure?
  • Will other parents take my child’s allergies/health condition seriously?
  • Will the kids have access to the internet?
  • What other siblings, friends, and adults will be in the home, and do I know them?
  • How do I know my child will be safe from abuse?
  • Who even are these people?

… There are alternatives to the traditional sleepover where young kids can get some of the freedom and novelty without as much risk:

  • Allowing sleepovers with trusted family members or family friends.
  • A “sleep-under” (or half-over or late-over): Allowing your child to play late at a friend’s house but come home for bedtime.
  • Let them go on daytime outings with friends and their families where you can be present and get to know everyone better.
  • Go camping with other families, which gives the kids a sleepover experience but all parents are present for supervision.

source – Lifehacker – Are Sleepovers Finally Over?

treating Gymnasts with Sever’s disease

Sever’s disease is inflammation of the growth plate of the heel. Very common in growing children.

Dave Tilley posted the most comprehensive information for gymnasts I’ve seen. Here’s a summary:

  1. Addressing problems early and head on, with great communication
  2. Properly resting from impact and allowing bone healing to relieve pain
  3. Progressing local ankle and global leg strength
  4. Progressing general plyometrics first before gymnastics-specific impacts
  5. Progressing from soft to medium, to hard surfaces gradually over two to four weeks when returning

Click through to see the entire post:

HELPING GYMNASTS WITH SEVERS

Division I NCAA benefits 2024

The Division I Board of Directors on Wednesday unanimously adopted new rules for all Division I schools that will require increased support for college athletes. …

All Division I members who do not do so already will be required to:

  • Provide medical coverage for athletically related injuries for at least two years after graduation.
  • Cover out-of-pocket medical expenses (copayments, deductibles, etc.) during a student-athlete’s playing career.
  • Attest that they provide mental health services and support consistent with the NCAA’s mental health best practices.
  • Attest that they follow concussion management protocols in line with the NCAA Concussion Safety Protocol Checklist.
  • Offer degree completion funds for up to 10 years after a college athlete’s eligibility concludes, if that college athlete was previously on full scholarship or received financial aid in a head count sport.
  • Provide the same scholarship protections already required of autonomy conferences.
  • Attest that they provide academic support services in line with NCAA rules.
  • Attest that they provide career counseling for current and former college athletes and life skills development across a range of topics, including at minimum:
    • Mental health.
    • Strength and conditioning.
    • Nutrition.
    • Name, image and likeness opportunities.
    • Financial literacy.
    • Career preparation.
    • Transfer requirements.
    • Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
    • Sexual violence prevention. …

Read the full press release.

social media harming mental health

Sensitive content.

This film features real stories about body appearance that may be upsetting to some viewers. New research by the Dove Self-Esteem Project found that social media is harming the mental health of 3 in 5 kids. Join us, along with Common Sense Media and Parents Together Action, in supporting legislative change to make social media safer. Sign the petition to pass the Kids Online Safety Act …

It’s hard to watch.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

CAN Sports Minister confirms “Investigation”

Finally.

I’m amazed it’s taken so long to get this confirmation of an investigation, if not an Inquiry.

Elite sport is the best place to start. No doubt resulting regulations will be applied to all competitive sport.

1/1 twisting Dive Roll

These excellent skills have disappeared from Men’s Gymnastics.

Too bad.

The Storror Parkour group from the U.K. use them a lot in their videos.

(I never mastered the thing, myself.)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Bars – Porcupine Pad

Andrew Vetter really likes the NEW Porcupine Bar Pad from Tumbl Trak.

It gives gives feedback to gymnasts, helping them learn where how close to the Bar they actually are. It was developed by Brett Wargo.

I’d need 2 or 3 so it could be used for Straddle Giants, as well.

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

Kim Bui autobiography

The legend — Kim Bui — represented Germany from 2004 until the 2022 European Championships in Munich. Three Olympics. Six World Championships. Always a fan favourite.

Though reluctant at first to write a career retrospective, she decided to go ahead hoping that sharing her story will help others.

“The hardest chapter to write was the one on eating disorders,” she said. “I had never talked about it until then. …”

Kim Bui on her battle with bulimia: “I want to say that you… are not alone”