Gymnastics Coaching.com

Here’s Randy Couture, current heavyweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

A big tough guy like Randy trains on trampoline?

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Sky Zone has two locations: St. Louis, Missouri and Rocklin, California. (Looks like fun. But how do they get insurance for those facilities?)

Randy’s next fight back will be at UFC 91 on November 15, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada against Brock Lesnar.

Subscribe to more gymnastics training videos like this at GymnasticsOnDemand.com

http://gymnast.com/flashplayer/FlashPlayer.swf?v=http://www.gymnast.com/media/gymnast//upload/Videos/TTs/Flexibility/Stretch2.flv&eb=1&ap=1&av=sportnet.gy.videos&pv=video&szv=320×240&apv=doubleclick

I just taught my first “Gymnastics Foundations Introductory Course”. It’s the introduction for coaches age–15 16 and older who want to teach “gymnastics sports”.

I was to “mentor” to a new (younger) course conductor. No new course conductor was available, so two of us veterans taught the course ourselves. (With the change this year to the Foundations model, it’s a good time to move out the OLD course conductors like myself — and start a new generation of course presenters. “Learning Facilitators” in the new parlance.)

For one thing, the new structure is confusing to OLD TIMERS. Does this flow chart make sense to you:

One problem in Alberta, where I live, is that some of the subsequent courses are not yet available. My coaches may get stuck in limbo, waiting for those to be offered.

I’ve been teaching the OLD Canadian Introductory Gymnastics Coaching course for 30yrs. And love it.

On the other hand, I have to concede that the new manual is a big improvement.

I guess it’s to be expected that any transition has some bumps.

more information on the Foundations Program (PDF file)

Canadians, leave a comment if you have an opinion on Foundations.

When Thanh Smith started taking gymnastics, she could barely do a handstand and couldn’t do a cartwheel

But Smith figured that it wasn’t too late to learn — even though she is 67. When she heard about an adult gymnastics class at the Victory Family YMCA in York County, Va., she jumped right in.

“The first day, it was a disaster,” said the Yorktown, Va., woman, who teaches yoga and tai chi at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va. “I had the flexibility, but this was much more about speed and momentum. I fell all over, but then I got more confidence. I’ve had to get my brain moving at a faster speed.”

While most gymnastics classes are packed with little kids, the weekly adult class at the York County YMCA — one of a growing number of programs nationwide — draws a different crowd. In addition to Smith, participants include Sam Parrucci, 61, of Newport News, a former college gymnast who never learned the flips of floor routines, and Kathy Childs, 34, of Yorktown, a mother of three who regrets not taking gymnastics as a girl.

“I just never had the opportunity,” Childs said. “I guess I’m living out a childhood dream.” …

More adults of all ages are taking gymnastics classes

original – flickr – brookenovak

(Bela) Karolyi said Martha’s battery is fully charged, and she’s ready to lead the team at least through the 2012 Olympics. She’s 66. “Martha is amazing,” Karolyi said. “I don’t know where in the world she gets that energy and drive. She really amazes me. She’s very, very much into it, very much dedicated.”

… (Steve) Penny said the Karolyis are in USA Gymnastics’ long-term plan, and he expects Martha to run the women’s program at least through 2012. “The program is working, and people are happy about it,” he said. “People want to keep it going.”

larger version – flickr

Bela suggested Kim Zmeskal might be a good (eventual) successor to his wife.

As expected, Nastia plans to continue, as well:

… All-around Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin took some time off from touring in a post-Olympic gymnastics show to visit the American team at Karolyi’s first team training camp in the new Olympic cycle. Bela Karolyi said Liukin, who turned 19 last month, has made it clear she wants to keep competing, though she hasn’t committed to how long.

Karolyi still miffed about Chinese gymnasts probe – Sign On San Diego

(via The C Score)

related: Bela and Marta win “Houston International Executive of the Year” – The C Score

She’s decided to continue training, after all.

Nice.

Click PLAY or watch a TV interview on YouTube.

(via Triple Full)

Three of GymGemz.com’s Top 5 Elite College Prospects for the 2010-season just signed.

Tanella, Breazeal, Couch, Worley Sign With Gym Dogs – Georgia Dogs

Shayla Worley of the USA performs on the uneven bars during the 2008 Tyson American Cup on March 1, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

(Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America) – Zimbio

Randy Stageberg & Ashanee Dickerson to Join Florida Gymnastics Team for 2010 Season – Gator Zone

(via Gymblog)

===== UPDATE:

… for Jay Clark, Wednesday sure felt like Christmas.

By 3:30 p.m., when the last letter arrived, the Georgia associate head coach felt like he had unwrapped the best present in what he believes to be the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation in Shayla Worley, Christa Tanella, Kati Breazeal and Noel Couch. …

Online Athens

Thanks gymfan7.

I like this product.

Dim. : 150 x 100 cm. 1,5 cm thick.

Gymnova USA

Canada – GYMNOVA Canada
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Address :
GYMNOVA Canada
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Laval, Québec
Canada H7M ST3
Country : Canada
Telephone : +1 450 662 9901
Email : rmajeau@gymrep.com

FUNNY.

Slightly peculiar video about Yuri Kuklachev and his amazing troupe of Russian circus cats.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Feline Underground)

This would make a great Cirque act.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I saw it on Gym Chat.