Gymnastics Coaching.com

McKayla visualizing Vault

… “the closest thing to flying”. 🙂

Thanks Chris.

highest Olympic D-scores

Albert’s updated his ranking list for both score and D-score.

Of Olympians competing, Iordache, Larisa (ROU) 6,8 has the highest Beam start. Tweddle, Elizabeth (GBR) 7,0 is the highest Bars, unless He Kexin competes. Peña, Yamilet (DOM) 7,1 5,8 = 12,9 with the double front has a .3 higher start than Maroney. Raisman, Alexandra (USA) 6,5 is tops on FX.

WAG Best Scores: 9 July

UPDATE: Check the comments. Some are questioning these numbers, mentioning additional routines. Some done in training. Some in minor meets. I’ll add one myself — He Kexin was rumoured to have done a 7.4 Bars somewhere, sometime in 2012.

Woodward West 2012

I still feel deprived that I’d never got to one of the big American Camps like Woodward West as a gymnast. I was in my 40s before I first saw the gym in Stallion Springs, California.

It’s MAGIC.

Superb facilities in an idyllic location & climate.

Back in my first weeks as a coach at Woodward West, Director “Hollywood” Mike asked staff to try to provide the BEST WEEK ever in the sporting life of kids.

If the only thing that matters is gymnastics, take your kids to the closest gym more elite than your own. But if you want your kids to have a unique life experience, send them to Woodward.

It’s inspiring to be coached by 2000 Olympic Floor Champ Igor Vihrovs and Bars legend Elise Ray.

Girls at camp are mostly registered in Artistic & Cheer. Boys mostly Action Sports: BMX, skateboard, etc.

The two cultures couldn’t be more opposite. (Action kids are those who think training in tight jeans in a hot climate is a good idea. 🙂 Fashion more important than function.)

Here’s one of the Action Sports pits. They flip boards and bikes into this one.

Tony Eusini was in charge of Artistic Gymnastics when I visited week #5. Loud and in charge.

Kids can sign out Go Pro helmet cams FREE. And later edit their POV video.

I like the visual feedback available for kids getting their “distance” tumbling into the pit.

New skills bell.

Cheer is BIG in 2012. Here’s the full size Cheer Floor with tumbling into the pit.

more photos

Click PLAY or get a glimpse of week #5 on YouTube.

The biggest downside to Woodward is the cost. It’s around $800 for a week. But you can cut back that cost with a parent volunteering as Camp Councillor, as Andrew Stess has done the past 3 years. If you’re driving your child to camp anyway, why not stay the week?

And chaperone 14 kids in a cabin? 🙂

My re-visit was sponsored by Tumbl Trak.

woodwardwest.com

Thanks Linnea! Long live Woodward West.

playmobil – gymnastics figures

One sample toy – Gymnast on Rings $3.49 plus shipping.

Choking hazard. 🙂

see more figures

is Romania looking strong?

Many are questioning the seriously high scores at the “friendly” this past weekend in Bucharest.

Blythe even called it a bit of a “publicity stunt” for Romania.

It worked.

People are impressed.

1. ROMANIA, 180.2

VT: 15.00, 15.10, 15.05, ~~14.75~~ = 45.15
UB: 14.10, 13.95, 14.55, ~~13.85~~ = 42.60
BB: 15.40, 15.70, ~~15.00~~, 15.95 = 47.05
FX: ~~14.50~~, 15.00, 15.10, 15.30 = 45.40

2. ITALY, 169.45

VT: ~~13.60~~, 14.60, 13.70, 14.00 = 42.30
UB: 13.70, 13.70, 13.45, ~~13.10~~ = 40.85
BB: 14.40, 14.75, ~~12.85~~, 14.00 = 43.15
FX: ~~13.40~~, 15.10, 13.60, 14.45 = 43.15

3. GERMANY, 167.30

VT: ~~12.40~~, 13.90, 14.85, 14.45 = 43.20
UB: ~~13.45~~, 14.10, 14.65, 13.90 = 42.65
BB: 13.20, 13.35, ~~13.10~~, 13.80 = 40.35
FX: 13.40, ~~13.00~~, 14.30, 13.40 = 41.10

1. Larisa Iordache (ROM) – 60.85
2. Sandra Izbasa (ROM) – 59.15

3. Vanessa Ferrari (ITA) – 57.80
4. Elisabeth Seitz (GER) – 56.90

Romania is truly looking brilliant compared with Worlds Tokyo.

But even if Romania hits 12 for 12, they’ll have trouble challenging USA and Russia in Team.

Read the Couch Gymnast commentary – Romanian International Friendly: Team and AA Results, Video AND the comments section.

Click PLAY or watch Sandra Izbasa’s new Floor on YouTube. Good call for London.

I was even keener to see her BARS. 🙂 Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

… Held on podium with Gymnova equipment, the event served as a final competitive warm-up just 20 days before the Olympic Games officially begin in London.

“I’m satisfied overall,” Romanian coach Mariana Bitang said. “It could be better, but it was not bad …

IG – Romanians Rule in Bucharest Quad Meet

Not bad?

I’d say Romania is looking strong. USA and Russia had better not miss.