Gymnastics Coaching.com

Watching the Tkachev montage by MunchTheSilivasFan I was struck by how many different ways gymnasts can pull off a Reverse Hecht.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

You can do a terrible giant, let go, scrape your butt across the bar … and still hang on. The judge will give you credit and possibly not much deduction.

Or you can launch a monster release like Anna Li or Jordan Moore. And likely not get much more credit.

There are two kinds of Tkachevs I admire:

1) Super HIGH … perhaps with not much counter rotation
2) Super counter rotated … with potential to swing a giant or another release in sequence

The best I’ve ever seen at the second kind was Rustam Sharipov. In demos he connected many, many in series.

The highest Jaeger and Tkachev I’ve ever seen were from 1988 Olympian Charles Lakes, coached by Dan Connelly. (Yes, I know release moves are easier on the Men’s bar.)

Click PLAY or watch Charles on YouTube.

In this particular routine he hits the Jaeger perfectly. But his Tkachev I’ve seen much higher. (Unfortunately I cannot find a better one online.)

Leave a comment if you’ve a “best Tkachev” to name.

Gymnastike has a great page for coaches, parents and gymnasts considering future opportunities in the NCAA:

College Gymnastics Recruiting – What are they looking for?

That page links to interviews with Suzanne Yoculan, Miss Val and many other Head Coaches.

A good starting point is a series of videos presented by Tim O’Connel from Central Michigan University. “This is footage of a lecture he gave to parents at Azarian’s Gymnastics in California.” Begin here: Gymnastics Recruiting Info Session, Part 1

In this next clip Greg Marsden bemoans the reality that recruiting is happening at a younger and younger age.

Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/assets/portal/add_ons/mediaplayer-4.2/player.swf

Once an athlete is committed to making application, I recommend they contact Victory Collegiate Consulting for advice on how to put together your video and paperwork. This investment is even more critical if you live outside the U.S.A.

Questions? Suggestions?

Leave a comment.

Gymnastike’s Amy Kleefisch is lovin’ this season.

At University Of Oklahoma, her Sooners are ranked #1 in the NCAA, the the first time in the program’s 30-year history.

And Chris Brooks from Oklahoma just won the Men’s Winter Cup.

Gymnastics is rockin’ in Norman!

Click PLAY or watch Kristin Smith’s Floor on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/assets/portal/add_ons/mediaplayer-4.2/player.swf

This week’s episode was the lamest, yet, IMHO. A “dramarama“.

The only redeeming moment was seeing a Ponds twist belt used in a tumbling harness. Nostalgia. The last time I saw that set-up was in the 1970s.

Sasha looks terrified of spotting. He needs the belt. Or to let the gymnasts coach each other on new tricks.

If you’re hooked like me, Episode 16, Save the Last Dance, is online free if you live in the USA at ABCfamily.com. And online here if you live outside the States.

Rama margarine ad in Romania. Posted by Nadia on TwitPic.

My friend Karl Balisch, formerly of Gymnastics Canada, just emailed a great full-time opportunity at Vanda’s gym.

Tumblers Gymnastics Centre is a not-for-profit organization based in Orleans and is one of the largest programs in the province with over 2000 members annually. The Centre is presently seeking a Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Coach / Program Coordinator to oversee the competitive and pre-competitive programs. We are looking for a dynamic individual with proven communication skills to provide vision, planning, mentorship and coaching within the program. Our WAG competitive program has 80 developmental, pre-competitive and competitive athletes in various competitive levels both Provincial and Invitational.

This individual will have the following qualifications or equivalents:

• Minimum N.C.C.P. Level 2 certification (theory and technical – Women’s and Trampoline);
• Choreography experience an asset;
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) in English; French an asset;
• Current GO Risk Management and First Aid Certification.

Non-Canadians should check with Karl regarding equivalency.

kbalisch AT tumblers.on.ca

A 10yr-old street dancer and Glasgow ballet group impressed on a British reality TV dance contest.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

via @icclevix

Danell Leyva, the young American World Championships Horizontal Bar finalist, recently added Liukin (Layout Tkachev 1/1 twist) into his long, difficult routine.

I hadn’t realized that Stanford’s Alexander Buscaglia caught Liukin Day 1 of Winter Cup. (Leyva missed it Day 1.)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Wasef Burbar (age 16-18) is competing it too. You can see video of Wasef doing it in training on YouTube.

Thanks Jeremiah for sending us the links.

==== melanie ponders whether we’ll ever see a female gymnast do this trick. I think we will, but not for many years yet. We need layout Tkachev first.

by site editor Rick McCharles

Jim and Hannah Holt, the co-coaches of the Bellevue High School gymnastics team, have fashioned careers as freelance international gymnastics coaches. They have coached in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Egypt, Bolivia and Chile, to name a few countries.

Steve Kelley in the Seattle Times posted a glowing article on gymnastics coaches Jim and Hannah Holt. Great buzz for our sport: Changing the world, one gymnast at a time

I’ve posted about Jim, a friend of mine, in conjunction with the release of his gymnastics book, Chasing Impossible Dreams.

When I think of Jim, I often recall the competition when we first met. He was a gymnast competing all-around with only one leg. (Jim was born missing a tibia, fibula and patella.) One of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen!

Try dismounting Rings on to one leg. Never mind Vault!

On Pommels, a judge who shall go nameless (Francis Tally) deducted Jim for NO SCISSORS. Yes, we were outraged for him that day many years ago. And I’m still irked today.

Judging is about good judgment. Not every special case can be included in any set of regulations.