ESSENTIAL for MAG.
And important for WAG – Cast Handstand.
Introduce it in conditioning from a young age.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. This is coach Alex McInnis who trained at Island Gymnastics Academy in PEI.
We Love Faith Torrez
What a career!
Faith Torrez was a member of the United States national team from 2020–2021 and competed for the Oklahoma Sooners from 2023–2026.
The 2026 NCAA all-around champion, 5-time NCAA champion, 11-time NCAA medalist.
Jason Mortimer catches gymnast on Tap Swing
Yep. Coach was ready. You never know.
Tap swings (and backward uprise) are surprisingly dangerous, especially for kids who are really trying to get as high as they can.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Kazuki Minami – AMAZING landings
Check out some of Kazuki Minami’s landings in training and competition at the 2025 Cottbus World Cup.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Feeding the Young Athlete
How Hikers can FALL More Safely
Based on how we teach children to fall, I put together a video for those hiking while carrying a heavy backpack.
Right now I’m off hiking a section of the Pacific Crest Trail in California. Trying not to fall. 😀
Absorb IMPACT FORCES over time and surface area.
BEST strategy is to pull in your arms (dropping poles). Take the first impact landing on your backpack.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
improving your Handstand
active hip / trunk flexibility
Artistic Preparation expert Julia Spivak recommends this drill.
Encouraging the gymnast to press forward with the hips rather than simply ARCH.
Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.
introducing backward hip circle
Training back hip circles with an emphasis on getting into the tap swing in the level 5 routine.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
In addition to the cast to ‘hollow’ position, I like to have beginners do some from cast to ‘archy’ position. (The timing of the late drop is easier.)
Simultaneous with these drills, it would be ideal that the gymnast is learning backward uprise to backward hip circle on straps bar.
If you’re not confident to spot the ‘airplane propeller’, the alternative is to do backward hip circle series without spot until the gymnast can do 2 or 3 in series with speed and tight body. That will take longer, however.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 