Gymnastics Coaching.com

Armine was a fantastic gymnast in the strongest era of Soviet gymnastics. Her life story is fascinating.

As co-Head Coach of GAGE Gymnastics, Armine has been one of the most successful Beam coaches in the world.

Al Fong:

My wife was asked to give a presentation during the 2014 World Championships in Nanning, China on how to train artistry for the balance beam.

“… is very possible to create an elegant, beautiful, pleasing routine with well timed accents, rhythm, and exclamation points!

I don’t use a cookie cutter system to design routines for my gymnasts. I have always had different girls with varying abilities and physical qualities that I must work with instead of trying to make every athlete look the same. It’s important that every routine be unique to the individual. …”

Armine Barutyan’s Presentation to the International Judges of the World!

That links to videos of Armine’s training program.

The Liukin:

Ri Se Gwang (PRK)
Danell Leyva (USA)
Denis Ablyazin (RUS)
Petro Pakhnyuk (AZE)
Jossimar Calvo (COL)
Zhang Chenglong (CHN)

For once a Chinese gymnast who’s exciting to watch on high bar! How many years has it been?

He won many points from me for finally being interesting, so I hope he keeps doing what he’s doing. In fact, I even felt sorry for him in the high bar final when his grip broke during his routine. A hit routine from him could’ve shaken up the medal standings and perhaps made Epke Zonderland a little nervous. I still haven’t figured out the messy handling of the time rule.

The Men of Nanning and Their Lasting Impressions: Part II

Despite confusion at the time, it sounds like the judges should not have let him continue the routine. It took more than 30sec to locate and put on a new grip.

Yang Hak Seon (KOR)
Krisztián Berki (HUN)
Sam Mikulak (USA)
Nikolai Kuksenkov (RUS)
Nile Wilson (GBR)
Manrique Larduet (CUB)

The Men of Nanning and their Lasting Impressions: Part III

Let’s face it. If you teach or coach long enough, inevitably you will have some students who you find irritating, abrasive or exasperating. …

… you owe it to the child, yourself as a professional and to the profession at large to find ways to rise above your feelings and find a way to positively work with these students.

Here are 20 actions that might help you make the transition from difficult to delightful student.

Ask yourself why you find this child difficult. …

Check to see if it is just the age you find difficult. …

Fake it until you make it. …

Use neutral language that describes the behavior, not the child. Watch the labeling and the backhanded name calling. A child is not a headcase, rather she is struggling with fear. She is not lazy, but she isn’t working to the level that you know she is capable.

…

Give the athlete some responsibly. …

Set clear rules and standards and reinforce them consistently. …

Refrain from arguing, lecturing or yelling. ….

Commit to keeping your cool. No matter what. …

If all else fails, own that you might not be the right fit and have the courage to let the child move on. …

Jag Gym – When You Want to Tear Your Hair Out: 20 Tips for Coaching Difficult Athletes

Click through to read the rest. I’m really enjoying Anne Josephson’s blog these days. 🙂

USAG:

GLENVILLE, W. Va. – Glenville State College … announced the addition of Acrobatics & Tumbling as the College’s 13th varsity sport. In addition, Amber King has been named the program’s first head coach …

Glenville State … is a member of the Mountain East Conference, an NCAA Division II-affiliated conference …

Intending to begin competition in 2016, Glenville State becomes the 12th member of the NCATA, further bolstering the presence of the sport in the Mountain State as the third member from the state of West Virginia, joining Alderson-Broaddus College in Phillipi, and Fairmont State University in Fairmont. …

Glenville State College Adds Acrobatics & Tumbling

related – what is “Acrobatics & Tumbling”?

Easy.

via GymFever2012

Bela:

“World champion is an understatement.”

Simone:

“I’ve never been to a party, like, ever. I don’t even know what they do there.”

The Next Olympic Star

related – Caroline Price posted a career retrospective (so far) on Simone Biles.

Bad news. 😦

Jason Burnett headed to rehab after knee surgery

High flying Canadian men’s trampoline champion Jason Burnett has been grounded after undergoing knee surgery on Thursday.

“I survived!! ACL reconstruction surgery complete!” said Jason on Twitter. “Now for the fun part… Rehab rehab rehab.”
Jason injured his knee while in training earlier this month and will miss the upcoming world championships in Daytona Beach, Florida.

In an earlier tweet prior to surgery Jason reported: “The damage is a complete ACL tear, second degree MCL tear, medial and lateral meniscus tear, and bone bruise with microfracture (right knee).

“This injury comes at a very frustrating time but I’ve been in this position before. I’ll be back!!

Gymnastics Canada

Since College judges do not much reward height, distance or body position, getting a good score is pretty much determined by the landing.

Click PLAY or watch Utah training landings on YouTube.

I’m astonished at the number of brilliant very young dancers getting notice on YouTube of late.

For example … super difficult dubstep comes easy to Adi.

… Adilyn — also known as “Audacious Adi” — says she loves dubstep and learned to dance from watching YouTube videos.

And to make her even more impressive, Adi’s only been dancing for about six months as she’s been busy with a different passion: “I am actually a motocross racer, but when I’m not on my bike, this is the next best thing!” she writes.

HuffPo

Click PLAY or watch Audacious Adi #2 on YouTube.

If you like that, check “Audacious Adi” #1 on YouTube.

Bea Gheorghisor:

We are over-flooded with news from Romania these days …

… Octavian Bellu was interviewed “Things get more complicated next year and I don’t want to think that the Romanian team will be for the first time in history in a position to not qualify for the Olympics. The objectives, beyond the excitement of the moment created by the Worlds, are very clear to me and they remain clear: Romania must not fall from the podium in the team competition …

A new head coach will be appointed … Lucian Sandu, Lacramioara Moldovan and Cristian Moldovan were the interim team for Nanning and are also among the front runners for the permanent position. …

Nicolae Forminte, former head coach of the Romanian Seniors, is now a coach at Deva, for the Junior team …

… Larisa Iordache was everywhere … doing TV, radio and newspaper interviews …

read more – Couch Gymnast – News, Interviews, Celebrations