Gymnastics Coaching.com

So says Balance Beam Situation:

… I would be willing to bet that our eventual champion will be one of the top two seeds.

Given everything we’ve seen this season, Florida has to be considered the favorite. Even when they weren’t performing that well at mid-season, the Gators were still the top-ranked team in the country, and they have the fewest potential weaknesses and uncertain routines of all the teams at Championships.

… If you’re looking for a strong backup choice, head over UCLA‘s direction. While the Bruins cannot be considered nearly as safe as Florida, the ceiling for this team is higher than any of the other contenders, which makes them most likely to challenge. …

The Nationals Scene: The Favorites

Manual on Handstands has an interesting post ranking the 12 National Qualifiers by apparatus based solely on their scores at Regionals:

VAULT:
1. Florida (49.550)
2. UCLA (49.450)
3. Alabama (49.325)

BARS:
1. Stanford (49.400)
2. Alabama (49.350)
3. Florida/Georgia/Oregon State (49.300)

BEAM:
1. Oklahoma (49.325)
2. Stanford (49.250)
3. Alabama/UCLA (49.225)

FLOOR:
1. UCLA (49.475)
2. Oklahoma (49.450)
3. Georgia (49.400)

… Even though Florida has been impressive on beam this season with their scores and their confidence, I have two concerns.

… Florida has used the same beam lineup all year in the same order, and hasn’t counted a fall. It seems equally impressive and nerve-wracking when I think about whether it’s possible to make it through the whole season with an identical beam lineup and never count a fall. …

Event Rankings from Regionals (and other thoughts)

I was wondering how Steve could have won Floor in China. He’s an amazing tumbler, but poor landings normally drop him down the leader board. (Legendre never seems to get deducted for lack of artistry.)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

There.

I’ve broken the rules of sponsor branding for that … that big thing happening this summer. You know. With gymnastics.

… Using one of those words with London, medals, sponsors, summer, gold, silver or bronze is another likely breach. The two-word rule is not fixed, however: an event called the “Great Exhibition 2012” was threatened with legal action last year …

Guardian – Olympics 2012: branding ‘police’ to protect sponsors’ exclusive rights

The IOC branding “police” will be busy, busy this year.

JGC mocks the restrictions:

… My blog is in no way associated with the Londinium … Demonstrations of World Class Athletic Ability. But if you do wish to talk about them, may I suggest the official name Londinium MMXII and hash tag #mmxii. And here’s an alternative logo representing the five interlocking benzene rings of benzopyrene:

Here’s a summary of legal ways of using the brand.

Happily the IOC seem to have given up trying to police social media. It’s impossible.

The mash-up is a goof on the chick flick Mean Girls (2004). Thanks georgert.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Created by HuangQiushuangFan.

(via Gymtruthteller)

The cutest breakfast cereal commercial you’ll ever see.

Watch how Team Kellogg’s gymnast and 2012 U.S. Olympic Hopeful, Jordyn Wieber, started achieving great things.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I’ve been subscribed to TumblingDrills.com.

That’s the project of Danish coach Peter Wraae Marino.

This site is created to help coaches, gymnasts and parents to better understand what drills and skills gymnasts should work on and how to progress …

Peter’s steadily been adding new drills and shapes, now totaling over 100.

Here’s a sample.

All content is now available to browse for free. Registration no longer required.

Check it out – tumblingdrills.com

If you wanted to use any of Peter’s illustrations, contact him first via the site. He’s looking for suggestions / corrections on each drill too.

The Youth America Grand Prix.

First Position recently had its World Premiere at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival and was named the audience choice’s first runner up for Best Documentary.

Click PLAY or watch a Trailer on YouTube.

First Position is in theatres May 4th, 2012.

Lloyd:

… Remember the 2000 Olympic vault final? I do. A Huge amount of tension surrounded the apparatus following the height mishap in the All Around competition, adding extra excitement to wat was already a great showcase of talent.

The lineup was starstudded: lots of top all around competitors were present along with some wildcards like Laura Martinez, whose DTY had been super consistent during her stay in Sydney. There was a nice variety of vaults, high levels of execution, and the general feeling that the vault title was as prestigious and important as any other gold medal in the sport. …

read more – The E Panel – Crack open the vault

Click PLAY or watch Zamo win the 2000 Games on YouTube.

What’s happening in 2012?

Well over 90% of Vaults are Yurchenkos. Statistically they are over-valued compared with the other families.

Many of the best vaulters don’t try for finals. They don’t have time. Superseding priorities are Team and All-around.

That video was linked by Full Twist in a new feature — Gymnastics History: Olympic Champions – WAG Vault — nostalgic recollections.

I was so happy and surprised when Henrietta Onodi (HUN) shared the Gold in 1992.

Will changes in the 2013-2016 Code help?

I’m not yet convinced.

Ron Noe made the trip to Reno for Region 1 Men’s Gymnastics Championships 2012:

… The first day featured the Level 10 competition, followed by the next day’s Level 9 meet. Region 1 is unique in that they also stage an event finals competition among the top finishers in the optional ranks (levels 8-10). As it is at JO Nationals, it’s quite an achievement to earn a spot in event finals, where the competitors are announced right before they begin their routines. …

Ron is posting routines using TwitVid. This is the first time I’ve ever embedded one. Refresh your page if it doesn’t come to life first time.

http://www.twitvid.com/embed.php?guid=SLRE7&autoplay=0

Yet another terrific young American Pommel man. Sooner or later that apparatus is going to be strong for USA.

Personal shout out for my man Emyre Cole (Go For It) who won Level 10 (14-15) – 82.35

For more videos and results, go to Stick It Media – Region 1 Men’s Gymnastics Championships

Canadian Jessica Savona signed with Louisiana State University starting September. She’ll be as big a star for the Tigers as one of my former gymnasts, Jennifer Woods.

Savona was recruited by famed Head Coach, D-D Breaux:

… already the most-tenured coach in LSU sports history, will complete her 35th season as the Tigers’ coach at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships beginning Friday in Duluth, Ga.

Yet Breaux, the mother of two and grandmother of two, has no plans of slowing down.

“I still enjoy what I’m doing,” Breaux said. “I still come to work every day with an intensity and burning desire to make things better, and continue to push my team for excellence. …

“The most important part of that drive is I still enjoy the recruiting process,” she said. “When a coach stops enjoying it and no longer participates in the recruiting process, things go downhill.” …

Breaux not ready to slow down for LSU gymnastics

NCAA College recruiters will be warmly welcomed in Regina, at the 2012 Canadian Championships. We’ve never had so many strong female gymnasts.