2024 Arthur Gander – Kaylia Bars

So. Consistent.

How Cheerleading Became So Acrobatic, Dangerous and Popular

AI summary of the NY Times article by David Gauvey Herbert.

Published Oct 22, 2024

… the rise of competitive cheerleading in the United States and the dominance of a single company, Varsity Spirit, in the industry.

It highlights the story of Nikki Jennings, a talented young cheerleader who suffered numerous injuries and abuse during her cheer career, including concussions, hamstring injuries, and emotional abuse from her coach.

The article also delves into the history of cheerleading, tracing its origins from military chants to the modern, acrobatic sport it has become.

It examines how Jeff Webb, the founder of Varsity Spirit, has shaped the sport through his innovations and desire for control, leading to allegations of monopolistic practices and negative impacts on participants and their families.

The article also touches on the recent $4.75 billion sale of Varsity Spirit to the private equity firm KKR, raising questions about the future of the sport and the company’s grip on it.

Read the original article (subscription required).

How Cheerleading Became So Acrobatic, Dangerous and Popular

AI generated image

Coaching for Performance in Life and in Sport

Coaching Association of Canada is circulating a “toolkit” for coaches who want to improve the success rate for their athletes.

It’s based on the dissertation of Erin Willson, PhD.

The full document is linked at the bottom of this post.

AI summary of the PDF:

The document provides a toolkit for coaches to create positive sport environments that foster both performance success and athlete well-being.

It outlines four key attributes of a positive sport environment: characteristics of the athlete, characteristics of the coach, characteristics of the coach-athlete relationship, and characteristics of the training environment.

The toolkit encourages coaches to expand their definition of success beyond just medal performance to include personal development, well-being, enjoyment, and a desire to stay in sport.

It provides guidance on assessing readiness for change, implementing positive coaching strategies like being empowering, healthy, and maintaining respectful coach-athlete relationships.

The toolkit also includes resources like checklists and planning guides to help coaches integrate these strategies.

quality-coaching-toolkitDownload

Kilian Krapp – BEAM !

Kilian Krapp is a MAG gymnast with TG Allgäu in Germany.

BUT he has more split on his Beam leaps than most WAG.

https://twitter.com/kmkeirns/status/1852807556697063669

Suni to Sports Illustrated

Our Olympic gold medalist will be one of the featured athletes in the upcoming Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition.

Go Behind the Scenes With Suni Lee for Her SI Swimsuit Photo Shoot

The 21-year-old Olympic gymnast will be making her SI Swimsuit debut.

Air Barrel or Octagon?

I’d use BOTH. 😀

For me the Octagon is a bit safer, therefore better for Recreation classes.

I’d not normally use either for teaching Backward Handspring. BUT both are useful for Walkovers and Forward Handsprings.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

when will ROBOTS do Gymnastics?

They have been doing back flips for a while.

The Unitree G1 is the most agile, so far.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.