tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
I’ve always spent more time conditioning “form” (feet together, feet stretched, knees tight, legs tight) than most other coaches I’ve worked with. (I learned some great drills from Andre Vallerand.)
My thinking is that I can more easily improve execution score than up difficulty. It’s a strategy.
One example is this kind of conditioning is a drill demonstrated by Mizo
Click PLAY or watch it on Tom’s GymSmart Community blog.
Don Eckert noted that Cammi Muhr had a new skill named after her in the USA J.O. code.
Click PLAY or watch the “Muhr” on YouTube.
Smart.
What’s the difficulty value?
She’s from KidzPlex in western Colorado.
related article – Muhr’s moment: KidzPlex gymnast hoping to have dismount named the ‘Muhr’
An interesting interview on The Couch Gymnast magazine with Matt Esler, editor of the currently inactive worldgymrank.com.
Matt did a lot of statistical analysis of international gymnastics results concluding:
… To be blunt, I don’t think the FIG can ever improve the current Code of Points without drastic changes, or even admitting that big swaths of it were a huge mistake.
After the judging fiascos at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and instead of resigning as the President of the FIG (which would have been the right thing to do), Bruno Grandi implemented the new scoring system to cover his butt. As a serious observer of the sport, one could almost see the panic and rush to put out a new system written right into the Code of Points. …
In general, I’d agree.
Before the catastrophy that was MAG judging in Athens, some of the worst scandals in the history of our sport, I don’t recall Grandi having much interest in the “Fink Code” proposal. (The open ended draft code originally proposed by Hardy Fink.)
http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js
On the other hand, each year I’m getting less strident in my criticism of losing the “perfect 10”.
MAG gymnasts worldwide seem to be handling the challenge relatively well. And numbers of competitors in international WAG competition seem to be going up.
To their credit, the FIG International Press Review – May 8 – 12, 2010 linked to this interview. Kudos.
Brittani McCullough won Floor at NCAA Championships. … Or did she?
… Gymnasts are required to demonstrate two distinct shapes during their leap pass on floor. While one of McCullough’s shapes is a split leap, things get tricky with her second position. Under the rules, stag leaps are considered a split leap shape. …
Click over to Aunt Joyce for video and the details. Be sure to read the comments.
I don’t know the rules well enough to comment myself. The list of errors taken as deductions in actual College competition is very, very short. Is Brittani’s composition ever deducted? Are other girls deducted?
Shawn Johnson will be there as a celebrity. And skateboard legend Tony Hawk.
China is making a big move towards improving their Action Sports.
Woodward Beijing is a Woodward partner facility located in Beijing, China. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2010, Woodward Beijing is Woodward’s first international facility. This camp will offer Skateboarding, BMX, Inline, dry land Snowboarding and Free Ski, Urban Dance, Digital Arts (Digital Photography / Video Production and Graphic Design), Music, Chinese and English language programs. …
official press release
I’ve seen reports online that Artistic gymnastics would be part of the program. Not true. But there will be Cheer.
Camp costs aren’t posted yet. But they likely will be far lower than rates in the USA. A bargain, perhaps, for athletes who may be traveling to Beijing for other reasons.
This camp is intended to operate full-time, year round, different than the North American Woodward camps which are mostly seasonal.
The Chinese government paid the $4 million or so construction costs.
Watch a VIDEO of facility construction.
Early bird registration ends May 15th.
August 12 -14, 2010
Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CTHeld in conjunction with 2010 VISA Championships
Same old, same old?
Or will USAG be offering something new this year at Congress?
Three days of education with over 150 sessions. Lectures given by recognized top people in the field. Sessions are provided on coaching, judging, business, preschool, recreational, sports science, fitness, and cheerleading. The opportunity to learn from leading experts from all six disciplines, Women’s, Men’s, Rhythmic, Acrobatics, Group Gymnastics and Trampoline and Tumbling.
Along with the sessions, the Trade Show exhibit hall will feature 200 booths of products and information from over 90 different Industry Member vendors. Special events, such as the USGSA Mega Raffle take place in the exhibit hall daily.
Leave a comment if you know of a twitter hash tag for this event or for VISA Championships.
Mas Watanabe.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Note that this is a “Kaz”, not a Tsuk 1/1.
It’s 1/4-on, 3/4-off in the opposite direction.
A montage showing reaction between coaches and gymnasts.
WARNING – some bad falls.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
This was linked by several friends on Facebook.
A similar video – Have a Little Faith – 2008 Olympic Team – by ronigal92 via Gymtage. (new name for Quitter’s Try)
2010 Canadian Gymnastics Championships
MAY 24 – MAY 30, 2010
Kamloops, B.C.
Can you help?
Sign up on GBC website and let us know when you can lend a hand!
There are jobs for everyone. If you have a child – 10 years and up- who wants to work sign them up to be a marshal (check the minor official box and put their age on the form) and to help with awards. It’s a great chance for them to see the action close up! …
Remember – no experience is necessary – we’ll tell you everything you need to know to do your job with confidence!
Thanks for all you can do – we appreciate it!
A public University in California, UCLA is under threat of funding cuts by the Governator. The California State budget is a disaster.
NCAA Floor Champion Brittani McCullough – Why she owes UCLA.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
(via ioucla.org)
One bit of good news: Cal State Fullerton Gymnastics survives for another season.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 