Bretschneider getting consistent

Andres caught his double twisting Kovacs in both routines at DTB Pokal.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Execution needs some work.

(via Gymnast #391)

Vanessa Atler – Let the River Flow

A children’s Gymnastics book.

River Flow

“Just remember this: Let the river flow.
Sometimes a river will be rough and bumpy.
Other times it will be calm and smooth – just like gymnastics.
All you can control is your attitude and effort. So put a smile on your face and enjoy the ride.”

Click PLAY or watch an interview with the author on YouTube.

lettheriverflow.net

myths about Gymnastics judges

I’ve been a judge most of my life. Much about this article by Jag Gym rings true. 🙂

I have a job for you: gymnastics judge!

Sports officials in general probably have one of the most difficult and least appreciated roles in youth sports. And those in gymnastics are no exception.

I have been on all sides of that folding table. As a gymnast knowing that I am going to make myself vulnerable by trying to do something very difficult and am inviting someone to judge me.

As a judge passing out scores that I hope are accurate and fair.

As the parent of a gymnast trying not to vomit from the anxiety of putting my child out half naked to have someone assign a number to her efforts.

And, as a coach who from time to time believed that my athlete was genuinely given a score that did not match her performance. I know that none of this is easy or straightforward.

Now, as a gymnastics club owner, I have yet another role: trying to explain to upset children, distraught, even angry parents and discouraged coaches that contrary to what they might think, the judges are not out to get them!

Are judges perfect?

Of course, not.

But they certainly are misunderstood. So here it goes, my myth-busting list about judges and judging gymnastics:

8 MYTHS ABOUT GYMNASTICS JUDGES BUSTED

making a MOCKery of Finals
making a MOCKery of Finals
Shewfelt Gym Fest

Angelina Melnikova wins Top Gym

1 Angelina Melnikova – Russia 56.950
2 Sydney Laird – Canada 52.750
3 Ioana Crisan – Romania 52.700
4 Juliette Bossu – France 52.300
5T Sydney Soloski – Canada 52.050
5T Marine Boyer – France 52.050

Lauren:

Angelina Melnikova, the Russian who became this year’s junior all-around and beam champion at European Championships, won gold in the all-around at Top Gym, a competition in Charleroi, Belgium known for showcasing juniors who become top senior talent in later years. …

Gymternet

Click through for full results and video links.

Click PLAY or watch Angelina’s 14.50 Bars on YouTube.

Oklahoma #1 in NCAA coaches poll

The College Gymnastics Association (CGA) released their official Pre-season Coaches Poll for the 2015 season on Nov 30, 2014. The poll is the result of a survey of Head Coaches from all NCAA varsity teams as well as college club teams listed with the association.

Topping out the top five were Oklahoma (326 points), Michigan (318 points), Ohio State (292 points), Stanford (291 points), and Illinois (269 points).

See the full rankings on the NEW official home page of Men’s College Gymnastics – CGA.RoadToNationals.com

They’ve partnered with the excellent RoadToNationals.com on that. I’ll be linking to NCAA results via that link on the top of the home page throughout the 2015 season.

OK

Yurchenko drill

From Mary Lee Tracy.

Before kids are ready to flip, they should be skilled at this fun drill.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

This way they are working on the most dangerous phase – landing – long before they have to worry about rotation.

Don’t stay on this drill too long, however, as it teaches them NOT to flip. It’s useful only for a very short phase of the skill development.

Another thing I like about the drill is that it starts new Yurchenko kids off thinking about doing the twist late. 🙂