Gymnastics Coaching.com

In advance of a planning meeting this weekend, I’m doodling. Comparing the long established USA Jr Olympic / NCCA super program vs what we’re using right now in Saskatchewan, Canada.

I’d say the Canadian Elite stream process is pretty good. I particularly like the Aspire through Novice programs.

But the older Canadian Provincial Stream girls in Saskatchewan would be far happier if they were suddenly transported to the USA. They get dead-ended at P5 … or must make a BIG jump to (near) FIG rules in National Open.

What is the goal of National Open in the Canadian system? Why do those gymnasts need to compete FIG?

A 10 level program leading up near seamlessly to College NCAA rules is ideal for those girls who have no aspirations to try out for international gymnastics.

The Level 10 / NCAA rules seem realistic for those little girls who love the sport enough to continue after they’ve grown to womanhood.

Leave a comment if you’ve an opinion. Or if you find my doodle far too simplistic.

May 27th

VAULT
Dasha Joura 5.800 9.075 14.875
Emily Little 5.800 8.975 14.775
Zoe Lorenzin 5.800 8.550 14.350
… all 3 were DTYs

BARS
Olivia Vivian 5.600 8.900 14.500
M. Monckton 5.900 8.525 14.425
G.R. Brown 5.600 8.750 14.350

BEAM
Lauren Mitchell 6.4 9.00 15.400
Angela Donald 6.4 8.375 14.775
Ash. Brennan 5.7 8.975 14.675

FLOOR
Lauren Mitchell 6.1 9.00 15.00
Emily Little 5.3 8.925 14.225
Ash Brennan 5.6 8.575 14.075

… This brings the senior meet and the public part of Olympic Trials to a close. The rest of the team selection process will happen behind the closed doors of the camp. …

read more on Couch Gymnast – Australian Nationals: Event Finals

results via IG – Mitchell Takes Two Titles at Australian Nationals

related – Couch Gymnast – Olivia Vivian: “I learned how to celebrate gymnastics”:

… Vivian’s appearance at the Australian National Championships was quite a surprise for Aussie fans. More of a surprise was the fact that she easily took the National bars title on Sunday evening, surprising herself and those around her.

… According to Vivian, it was her college experience that convinced her she still had more gymnastics in her. …

… “I learned a much higher piked Jaeger, thanks to my coach John Carney!

College is a different atmosphere. College is like the dream for most girls there, so I learned how to celebrate gymnastics and use gymnastics as a reward for all the hard work you have done before and just you know, let it all out on the floor. …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

A side by side comparison of Aly Raisman’s FX at the 2011 World Championships and 2012 US Classics. There were seven months separating the two events.

During this time Aly’s D score bumped up from 6.1 to 6.5.

I used the audio track from Classics for both clips so the commentators were not stepping on one another. Also the slow-mo sequences were originally at different speeds and thus tricky to sync. Most significant was how much more improved is her LO punch front.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Thanks George. I’m not sure any gymnast has benefited as much from this Code as Raisman. Difficulty, durability and consistency are rewarded. Artistry and execution not much penalized.

She looks like a shoo-in for Olympic Team.

Valentin Uzunov linked to some great video tutorials featuring Evan Myers.

Click PLAY or watch Gymnastics strength progression video 1 – Pelicans on YouTube.

If you like that, check out video 2 – Iron cross (including “flaps”)

video 3 – Planche and more can be found in a YouTube playlist edited by Kanal von smearsmell:

Gymnastics skills, Balance and Strength Training

(via The Gym Press on Facebook)

Power Tumbler Kalon’s two passes from the Stars & Stripes Cup in Cleveland Ohio gives him the USA Record for highest degree of difficulty in two passes.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Congrats, too, to the new Canadian Tumbling Champ, Jon Schwaiger, who had an excellent competition this past weekend.

photo by Grace Chiu GraceClick on Facebook

Eleftherios KOSMIDIS (GRE) EF FX – EC Montpellier 2012
European Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2012

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Again.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I’m surprised. That should be a pretty easy set for her. After the Weiler series.

commentary on Stoi

Judge Grace Chiu:

The Olympic Selection Points process is well-documented (PDF) . It needs to be read and understood.

I was tasked to make a working spreadsheet based on this document for the selection committee, which I did on the plane to Regina. It was verified as correct after AA finals.

Thus, there is no Cone-of-Silence on this, and as of now, after Canadian Championships, the Top 12 candidates with points are:

1. Kristina Vaculik 46.40
2. Victoria Moors 30.80
3. Dominique Pegg 20.10
4. Ellie Black 17.60
5. Jessica Savona 11.80
6. Brittany Rogers 9.20
6. Madeline Gardiner 9.20
8. Mikaela Gerber 5.80
9. Christine Lee 4.00
10. Talia Chiarelli 3.00
11. Jessica Dowling 2.40
11. Stefanie Merkle 2.40

I believe it’s pretty cut & dry that those 12 will be invited to the Olympic selection camp in Gatineau. There is no “petitioning”. The points system is working.

The rest with points > 0:
13. Anysia Unick 2.00
13. Briannah Tsang 2.00
15. Laura-Ann Chong 1.20
16. Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto 1.00 — having ankle surgery Tuesday …

The only subjective assignment of points will be under Criteria 3A at the selection camp. It is a maximum of 5 points assessed for performance “on demand”. This is not going to be a deal-breaker for those who already have 5 points as of now, and see, they are in the Top 8.

Trust the points system…

GCG will announce the entire Olympic team for WAG, MAG, TG, and RG on June 29.

Let’s see if Grace’s confidence in the points system carries through Camp. It certainly worked badly last Olympics.
(Grace points out that it’s been changed since Beijing. No points for World Cup meets.)

My preference would be to select the top 2 or 3 team members on (hopefully) objective criteria. And have a National Coach — after consultation — select the last 2 or 3 who best “balance” the team.

Click PLAY or watch Tori’s DTY on YouTube.

USAG on Facebook:

.. Madison Desch’s winning balance beam routine from the 2012 Secret U.S. Classic – so here it is! Check out her new layout full …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

USAG cannot upload Sr routine videos due to their contractual agreement with the Broadcaster.

I’m looking for the perfect release form blanks for USA and Canada. Leave a comment if you’ve got one you like. Some models would be children, of course.