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I often assign “wheelies” or “roll-outs” to athletes in a general conditioning program. (Advanced only. These drills can be hard on the lower back.)

Ross Enamait explains in detail the making of his custom ab-wheels:

Why Bother?

Before constructing this tool, you are likely wondering why bother with such a project. Why not simply purchase a two handed, store bought model? I have my reasons…

In addition to its unilateral benefits, the single handed model allows for several additional movements (demonstrated within the video …). Many of these exercises would not be possible with a traditional wheel.

The single handed wheel also offers a smoother, more controlled roll when compared to many of the poorly constructed (plastic) models. The lawnmower tires that I use are also built to last …

Furthermore, traditional wheels have become slightly more difficult to locate in recent years. After the ab wheel craze that came several years ago, many of the wheel manufacturers have either gone belly up or simply abandoned the product. Five or six years ago, I can remember purchasing cheap wheels at Wal-mart for just a few dollars. Wal-mart no longer carries the wheels however. You’ll likely need to spend more money for a product that is still poorly constructed, sitting atop plastic wheels that lack stability. As you can see, the homemade wheels may not be such a crazy idea after all. …

RossTraining – Articles

Click PLAY or watch Ross demonstrate how to use them on YouTube.

(via Straight to the Bar)

I believe that IOC (International Olympic Committee) and FIG (International Gymnastics Federation) are quite undemocratic.

Worse, they are very unaccountable.

A group of coaches asked me recently how to send input to the Men’s Technical Committee of FIG.

From what I could find, there is no specific mechanism set out by FIG. You could try emailing the committee members. (If you can find those email addresses.)

Men’s Technical Committee President
Adrian Stoica (ROM)

Men’s Technical Committee
Istvan Karacsony (HUN), Julio Felipe Marcos (ESP), Huang Liping (CHN), Sawao Kato (JPN), Enrique Salanitro (ARG)

Women’s Technical Committee President
Nellie Kim (BLR)

Women’s Technical Committee
Yan Ninan (CHN), Lyubov Burda-Andrianova (RUS), Kim Dowdell (AUS), Donatella Sacchi (ITA), Anca Grigoras (ROM), Yashie Harinishi (JPN)

Perhaps contact Men’s chairman Adrian Stoica directly at his office at the Romanian Gymnastics Federation. (He’s President. Conflict of interest?) I’m sure Adrian will be happy to hear from you.

Or, you could try the general contact form on the FIG website. (Don’t hold your breath.)

Leave a comment below if you know of a better way to send FIG feedback on the regulations that affect the lives of athletes.

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Certainly FIG is not all bad. One bit of bright news to me was learning that many of the FIG documents are available as free downloads in PDF format.

The Men’s Code of Points, for example:

See what else is there: FIG – Downloads section – International Gymnastics Federation

Rick McCharles

I’ll be visiting the high flying Stanford Men’s team Jan. 29th, ranked #1 in the preseason poll.

31 October 2007: Alexander Buscaglia during practice at the Ford Center in Stanford, CA.

high res photo available for sale – Stanford Photo : Buscaglia103107_15.jpg – Credit David Gonzales

You get the feeling the Cardinal is destined to win Championships at home April 17-19th. Certainly they are the team to beat. I say this despite their upset loss this weekend to cross town rivals Berkeley. (Stanford was missing Sender and Nakamori who were training at the Olympic Training Center.)

Stanford Men’s Gymnastics

And I’m really looking forward to visiting the exciting Stanford Women’s Team on Jan. 28th.

larger photo

Many are predicting BIG things. GymGemz ranked them #2 in their preseason poll. Gymblog feels Stanford has the talent to contend for a Championship.

Stanford Women’s Gymnastics

A short snippet of the training videos from coach Edouard Iarov in France in the 1990s. These kids were way ahead of their time.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Iarov, former coach of Valeri Liukin, is currently National Coach of Canada.

Related posts:

Liukin and Iarov – back together again

spotting “Stutz” on P Bars

giant swings – Parallel Bars

Interview with Coach Rhonda Faehn following Florida’s narrow loss to Georgia on Jan. 18, 2008. (No sign of the baby.)

http://www.brightcove.tv/playerswf
(Video by Tricia Coyne/The Gainesville Sun)

Looks like Florida just might be my favourite team again this season. They are going BIG difficulty. A risky strategy — but great for the fans.

Can Cory Hartung challenge for the All-around at Championships?

With the wonderful NCAA College gymnastics schedule in full swing, a sad documentary about College hazing is being completed.

The trailer to the film is streamed on this page:

A documentary concerning the death of Chi Psi pledge Lynn Gordon Bailey, Jr. (Gordie) due to a hazing incident held near CU Boulder. A documentary about the crisis facing America: young people are dying in increasing numbers due to alcohol abuse. A documentary that takes a hard look at lifestyles of young people within America’s Universities, Sororities and Fraternities.

HAZE THE MOVIE

But I have never feared to send our gymnasts off to College in the NCAA.

University athletes away from home for the first time tend to be very focused on academics and their Team. I’ve always been impressed with how well they are taken care of by College coaches and support staff.

Canadian Junior National Coach Markos Baikas of Taiso Gymnastics likes his new Gaofei Parallel Blocks from China.

Many of the drills we do on P Bars can be done on padded boxes much more safely.

The biggest worry for coaches of young gymnasts is injury to the sternum and chest. These boxes go as narrow as you wish.

More photos from Taiso Gymnastics, Saskatoon, Canada.

The first set of PBar boxes I bought from another company, quickly deteriorated. This Gaofei version look much sturdier.

Don’t try this stupid human trick at home!

Go to circus school.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube

Thanks Alick Warburton (Facebook).

We’ve posted some video in the past:

via Jump Club

The CURIOSITY Show

Is he Canadian? British? Gay?

Damien’s definitely a superb tumbler. (22nd at Worlds in Quebec City 2007, I believe.) And his latest parkour / martial arts / gymnastics showreel is the best thing I’ve seen in weeks. Funny, original, well-edited:

Click PLAY or watch him on YouTube.

(via Straight to the Bar)

Seems Damien’s also won the Olympics. How about that?

The 2006 Olympics on Beam. Here’s the proof. (You may want to close your eyes when he gets to his signature skill, the “Walters”. It’s every girl’s worst nightmare.)

Click PLAY or watch the YouTube Men’s Olympic Champion on Beam.

I like the threat down at the end. Damien claims he plans to add the “free headstand” to his beam routine.

Damien. Clear up the mystery, bloke, eh?

Who are you?

The most detailed overview yet of the main candidates for the US Women’s Olympic Team. Well worth a read.

I don’t agree with many assumptions made about the selection process which will be used by Martha Karolyi and the committee. Trust me. Their motivation will be to put the team on the floor who can hit the highest A-start routines. Confidence and consistency will decide it.

But I completely agree with this bit:

Courtney Kupets and Ashley Postell

… Less we repeat the mistakes of 2004, Martha Karolyi should keep all doors open for Kupets and Postell to return to elite competition. Although she says she won’t try, Kupets is in fantastic shape and has upgraded bars, beam and floor. Prior to her announcement, Kupets was training routines with 7+ A-scores on bars and beam that were designed by Kelli Hill.

If NCAAs are successful, don’t be shocked if either makes a late bid. Kupets would only have to add her toe on+ tkatchev to her NCAA bar routine. Her bid is more likely than Postell’s because of her long history of good favor with USAG, her mental toughness, competitive consistency, leadership, and prowess on the Uneven Bars—USA’s weakest event.

Both girls are hesitant to try, which is likely due to wariness about their political standing with USAG. Sacramone was discouraged from competing in the NCAA and the national team staff is unlikely to name two team members who have forgone the traditional camp system. Kupets’ bid was curtailed after she was unable to secure an academic waiver for a lightened course load. In 2004, Kate Richardson benefited from UCLA’s quarter system, which allowed her to withdraw from her courses after the NCAA Championships.

Olympic Team Outlook- USA Women’s Gymnastics

NCAA trains confidence and consistency. Right?

The pressure of the Olympics is no greater than that at NCAA Championships.

Here’s Courtney on Bars in Athens 2004. Click PLAY or watch her on YouTube.

Kupets finished 2nd in a narrow win for her Dogs over Florida tonight.

Postell will be inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. In conjunction with Olympic Trials. (Or will she be competing?)