Artistic Preparation expert Julia Spivak recommends this drill.
Encouraging the gymnast to press forward with the hips rather than simply ARCH.
Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.
Artistic Preparation expert Julia Spivak recommends this drill.
Encouraging the gymnast to press forward with the hips rather than simply ARCH.
Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.
Training back hip circles with an emphasis on getting into the tap swing in the level 5 routine.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
In addition to the cast to ‘hollow’ position, I like to have beginners do some from cast to ‘archy’ position. (The timing of the late drop is easier.)
Simultaneous with these drills, it would be ideal that the gymnast is learning backward uprise to backward hip circle on straps bar.
If you’re not confident to spot the ‘airplane propeller’, the alternative is to do backward hip circle series without spot until the gymnast can do 2 or 3 in series with speed and tight body. That will take longer, however.
Bruce Craven is an owner of Craven Sports Services.
Currently Bruce assisted male gymnasts at Taiso Gymnastics Saskatoon. As always he’s focused on training the correct muscles for each element. And contracting those muscles in the best sequence.
Click PLAY or watch L-sit training on YouTube. (Flexibility and specific strength.)
This is one of the best Handspring forward salto half vaults I’ve ever seen
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Not the most common technique, Haleigh uses what my mentor Boris called “Flyspring” technique. First contact on the table with hips piked. She OPENS her hips while in contact to increase reaction force.
This technique works best for very fast, very powerful gymnasts. They tend to take off closer to the back of the Board and contact the front of the Table. GOAL = get the hands on the table as quickly as possible.

I’d concur that the very BEST drill for landing facing forward is jumping down from a height to punch forward salto. It’s also my favourite drill for take-offs facing forward.
For strong gymnasts I’d include 10 drops to punch front — OR 5 sticks, whichever comes first. 😀
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BIGGEST chance for injury is hitting the face on the knees. I always emphasize keeping the knees wide apart:
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A long and comprehensive video. Of course many are appropriate, as well, for Backward Walkover and combining the two.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.