Category: Uncategorized

Dartfish is the Cadillac of video analysis software.

For a number of years we’ve used the system at Dave and Lisa Adlard’s High Performance Training Camp in Idaho.

Dr. Jeni McNeal, one of the top gymnastics sports scientists in the World, is the expert.

Dartfish does dozens of things. Once the video is “captured” and saved, coaches can spend many hours doing analysis. (See a SAMPLE video clip after analysis.)

There are 6 different software packages available.

The software is very expensive. Not many gymnastics coaches could afford to buy it for personal use.

And it has a fairly steep learning curve if you want to use advanced features.

Best use at camp in my opinion, however, was to compare side-by-side the same gymnast working the same skill trying different techniques. (You need to SAVE and NAME the attempts you wish to keep and compare.) Any coach is able to use simple features like this without attending a seminar.

We used Dartfish on every apparatus, but most valuable for the girls, I feel, is bars. Especially for release moves.

Dartfish – official website

The most interesting article I’ve seen yet on the comeback of controversial Paul Hamm:

…

“We’re going over to some pretty hostile environment in China, especially judging,” Hamm said. “I don’t think the U.S. is going to be getting any favors.”

WCSN.com: News

For the first time I’m starting to see the inclusion of one or both Hamms on the American Olympic team as a real possibility.

A positive review from Gym Score Depot’s Stu Cram who saw a TV promotion on this troop having just performed in Halifax, Canada.

You can see some photos on their website:

D’HOLMIKERS – SWITZERLAND’s MOST SPECTACULAR GYM TEAM

Leave a comment if you find a video preview anywhere on the net. I’d like to compare D’HOLMIKERS with the fantastic Hungarian PBar comedy acts of the past.

We are looking for an experience Head Coach to lead our 70+ girl’s team.

Last year we had 18 State Champs, 5 Regional qualifies, and 1 National qualifier.

Are you the coach that can keep this going? We will be moving into a new 20,000 square foot facility and are looking for the right coach to build the best program in the area around.

Pay based on experience. Benefits include health care, paid vacation, partial salary and more.

Send your resume to thomasgymnastics @ aol.com

CoachL pointed me to something new. TumblTrak sells an innovative product I have not yet tried:

ULTIMATE STRAPS

The Ultimate Straps securely attach a gymnast to a strap bar, without the need for several different sizes of straps. Includes two PVC tubes.

Ultimate Straps are fully adjustable for all sizes and the double buckles with the velcro system are very secure.

TumblTrak – Gymnastics Equipment Bars Ultimate Straps

I cannot coach without safety straps. The biggest headache with using them, however, is getting a good fit on different gymnasts.

This would solve my last problem.

More information on training with strap bars.

It’s been years since I last saw this set-up.

But this really should be standard equipment for recreational bars in gyms with a low ceiling. The chains are a danger. (Especially for me. I trip backwards over them all the time.)

The roof was reinforced at the base of the bar support.

Funtastics Gymnastics, Couer D’Alene, Idaho

My opinion is that female elite gymnasts eat a far more healthy diet than the rest of the population.

They are motivated.

Moreover, they suffer from far fewer eating disorders than their non-gymnast peers.

But it does happen.

For example, to Josie Hancock of the Arizona State Sun Devils.

If you are interested in this topic, read the full article:

The memories are still too fresh. But the 21-year-old is still enrolled at Arizona State. Feeling she’s conquered her disorders, Josie wants to work in nutrition to help women avoid similar experiences.

Journal Gazette | 06/24/2007 | Eating disorders help end career of gymnast at 21

bio – Josie Hancock

(via Gym Chat)

UPDATE. Seems the Journal Gazette reporter has overstated Josie’s health problems. From a comment on this post:

“Poorly written article about me… very disappointed.

This article was poorly written and largely inaccurate. Although I did have some trials, and do intend to reach out to other girls, the information was misrepresented and I am not happy with the reporter. Please contact me directly for any clarification. Thank you.

-Josie”

Coach Dave Adlard showed us highlights of an amazing fitness reality TV show out of Japan called Ninja Warrior.

Only two have ever completed the Men’s course. Those who have tried and failed include Paul Hamm and several other Olympians.

Makoto Nagano, a 34yr-old fisherman is one of the two finishers out of the first 500 contestants.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Funtastics High Performance Training Camp)

Many are following the recovery of Chinese gymnast Wang Yan.

She is making some encouraging progress.

Wang Yan raises her right arm in greeting on Wednesday at the Shanghai No. 6 People’s Hospital. The gymnast, who broke her neck and became paralyzed during the national titles in the city last month, has been moved out of intensive care into an ordinary ward but faces a long recovery. [Shanghai Daily]

Paralyzed teen gymnast off danger list

In a newspaper interview with Peng Peng Lee, up-and-coming Canadian gymnastics star, one thing caught my eye:

“We start practising at 7 a.m., and work out until 10:30,” said Peng Peng. “Then, from 10:30 to 4 p.m., we focus on studies. Following that, it’s back to the gym from 4 to 6 p.m.

“But we don’t train on weekends. That’s when I take golf and tennis lessons. Also, on Fridays, I take singing lessons.”

TorontoSun.com – Other Sports – Peng Peng

Peng Peng works out at Seneca, one of the most successful gyms in the world. They have spent a lot of time experimenting with the ideal training schedule for elite gymnasts.

In 2004 I coached a 5-day elite training week too. And liked it. Two days off in series provides much different recovery for both athlete and coach than 2-rest-days split over the week.

Peng Peng Lee bio – Gymnastics Canada

(via Gym Chat)

Leave a comment if you know of other FIG gymnasts who take 2-days-off in series during a normal training week.