Gymnastics Coaching.com

See the 2014 photo on Facebook.

Many talent ID programs test back bridge. To predict talent.

Yet many some of the best gymnasts in the world have a poor bridge. Especially the most powerful. I recall a Russian National Power Tumbling coach telling us that he did not allow bridges in his Gym. His 3 time world champion did not know HOW to do a bridge. (We tested her.)

The only two Olympians to come out of my region were the two contenders with the worst bridges.

Having a poor bridge makes a few skills more difficult. Some movements less aesthetic.

But having a poor bridge does NOT mean lack of talent for Artistic Gymnastics. This is one of several reasons I hate the handstand to limber kick over in the WAG J.O. Compulsories.

related – Wayne Goldsmith – Talent Identification in the Western World – Over funded and Over rated.

As always, Goldsmith overstates. But his main point is valid. Coaches should be suspicious of “talent ID” programs. I like them for monitoring progress in-gym, but there are plenty of risks in putting too much emphasis on results.

Normally even more exciting than the women’s meet, if you can get to Ohio State … get to Ohio State.

We NEED to support Men’s Collegiate Gymnastics in every way we can.

University of Minnesota Head Coach Mike Burns:

On the second day of the Men’s Competition at the 2015 P&G Championships, there were 39 gymnasts competing. Here’s a quick breakdown of those 39 gymnasts:

16 are alumni of an NCAA Program
15 are current members of an NCAA Program
4 are starting their NCAA careers this fall
3 are non-NCAA gymnasts
1 is a Junior in High School

89.7% of all the male gymnasts on Day 2 of P&G’s are current, former, or soon-to-be NCAA student-athletes. …

… With 16 programs still in existence we are teetering on the precipice of possible extinction. We have been teetering here for a while – close to 20 years now – and we are still here. …

Part of the solution right now is pretty simple – be part of the largest crowd to attend an NCAA Championships since the early 80’s when Nebraska had over 25,000 fans attend the Championships they hosted. I had the good fortune to compete in the 1980 NCAA Event Finals in front of a packed house at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Huge crowd, great experience!! We need that again and I believe we can do it with your help. …

Stick it Media: NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Update From Coach Mike Burns

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

Russian Yana Kudryavtseva (RUS) captured her third consecutive World All-around title. Russia wins an individual spot at the 2016 Olympics. They can send anyone they like in that spot. (They’ll send Yana. She’s magic. 🙂 )

Following the Individual All-around final of the 34th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships held Friday, September 11, 2015, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) herewith confirms the lists of qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the 2016 Olympic Test Event, and the 2017 World Games for individual Rhythmic gymnasts.

Nations that advance to the 2016 Olympic Test Event will have a second chance to secure an Olympic berth in individual Rhythmic Gymnastics at the competition, to be held April 22-24 in Rio.

FIG

related – A third time, with charm: Yana Kudryavtseva (RUS) takes third straight Rhythmic World All-around title

Gymnastics Nova Scotia (Canada) is inviting applications for the full-time position of TECHNICAL DIRECTOR. This position will involve work with other staff, volunteers and member clubs in the areas of Coaching, Athlete and Club Development.

details

This – the 10th edition – is called MIAC X.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The 2015 All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo kicked off to a bizarre start when the gymnasts realized the floor set up for the artistic competition was actually a rhythmic floor, leaving them unable to compete on that event. …

Beckett, who spent the last year overcoming injury, competed for the first time since the 2014 Commonwealth Games …

The South African team overall was one of their strongest in recent memory …

No Floor? No Problem! All-Africa Games Still a Great Show.

1 Kirsten Beckett South Africa 40.133
2 Nancy Mohamed Taman Egypt 39.833
3 Farah Boufadene Algeria 39.367
4 Claudia Cummins South Africa 38.566
5 Bianca Mann South Africa 38.100
6 Tylah Lotter South Africa 38.000
via Gymternet

I was pleasantly surprised to see NIGERIA send female gymnasts. It’s a start. They sent neither WAG nor MAG to the last African Championships.

Having toured the venues under construction in Congo last year, I congratulate the nation for pulling off this event at all.

On the other hand, it’s a major embarrassment for both the hosts AND those who ordered and supplied the apparatus. Did not one single person question the order of a Rhythmic Floor along with all that Artistic apparatus? 😦

Rumour was that Nigeria was trying to ship in an Artistic Floor last minute. But it didn’t work out.

Tazmania Crew – out of Philippines, not Australia – show some nutty tumbling on dirt, rubber and an old mattress.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Talk about throw-and-go. 😦

(via @kiwitumbles)

How did Men’s Gymnastics coach Fred Turoff feel about that?

Temple’s trustees decided back in December 2013 to cut men’s gymnastics, baseball, softball, men’s indoor and outdoor track. 😦

Amy put together this list:

Accepting
Benevolent
Caring
Dependable
Encouraging
Friendly
Gentle
Humble
Involved
Jubilant
Levelheaded
Modest
Non-judging
Objective
Polite
Quiet
Resilient
Secure
Tactful
Upbeat
Versatile
Well-mannered
X-emplifying
Youthful
Zany

Jag Gym – The ABCs of Parents of Gymnasts