In 2008, gymnasts rarely get deducted by judges in competition for crossed legs. I could cite plenty of examples from FIG and NCAA.
But here’s the most famous …
Nastia Liukin – Pacific Rim 2008 – GymnasticsMedia.com – larger image
The few that can keep their legs together — NCAA Floor Champion Courtney McCool, for example — do not get enough credit from the B-panel judges. (Courtney did not win because of good leg form, by the way, she won because of music, choreography and good landings.)
I hate to pick on Nastia, who I LOVE because of her artistry and amplitude, but she more than anyone else will be in the media spotlight leading up to the Olympics. Over and over and over again even the non-gymnastics savvy are going to see those crossed feet.
As a coach, I think we need spend more time on trampoline drills with young kids emphasizing feet together.
… For example, have contests to see if kids can do drills with a foam sponge between their feet or knees.
Related post: gymnastics – “form foamâ€
This is what we want to see.
Alicia Sacramone – 2005 World Championships – original – Raisport, Italy
Leave a comment if you have links or other tips for keeping the feet together. Whatever we coaches are doing right now in the gym — it’s not working.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 