Gymnastics Coaching.com

I still have not seen the “ideal” Yurchenko (video) hand mat.

But this one is quite good:

Utah

At the same competition — Utah vs Arizona in the NCAA — this mat was used:

Arizona

Obviously both worked.

But I prefer the first which gives the gymnast more visual information. And which might, on average, keep them straighter on to the beat board. I like a narrow mat because it encourages the gymnast to do a traditional round-off rather than “over turn” the hands.

Leave a comment if you have used and like another type of hand mat.

The annual fund-raising competition in support of American Collegiate gymnastics is coming up in a month. Registering competitors in this meet helps support an important cause.

2008 MIGS Program
Men’s JO National Invitational
March 1 & 2, 2007

University of Minnesota
Sports Pavilion
Minneapolis, MN
Also, Sat. Evening: UM vs. Temple & Nebraska

In 1969, there were 230 men’s collegiate gymnastics teams in the United States. Today, there are 20 NCAA teams and approximately 15 college club teams. Simply put, this trend needs to be reversed. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the gymnastics community to effect a positive change. That includes parents of current gymnasts, alumni, clubs, vendors, etc.

The MIGS Program was founded in 2002 for the purposes of ensuring continuation of existing men’s collegiate gymnastics programs and bringing additional programs on line.

We are working to:

• Ensure we don’t lose any more programs.
• Re-establish some former programs.
• Establish some new programs.
• Create an endowment fund of $50 million to ensure the continuation of men’s intercollegiate gymnastics.

Since founding the MIGS Program, we have discovered that people all over the country feel this mission is important enough to make a financial contribution. During the first year of operation, we received donations ranging from $5 to $2,000. Contributions came in from individuals, clubs, State Coaches Associations, State Judges Associations and various businesses. A typical contribution from individuals was $120 while the typical donation from clubs was $300. The geographic origin of these contributions was widespread, from all corners of the country and many points in between.

In order to complete this mission, we need your support.

Details on how we can help.

Another MIGS option is the Pacific Coast Classic, Oakland, California Feb. 21-23, 2008.

Blythe on the Gymblog featured one of the NCAA Champion Georgia gymnasts. One often overlooked in the company of so many other fantastic teammates.

I’m embarrassed to say I also did not instantly know the name.

CLICK PLAY or watch Tiffany on beam at the 2008 UGA GymDogs Sneak Peak.

… Like Kupets, Tolnay has extremely clean lines and both seem to have the same measured, athletic way of moving that seems both fluid and staccato at the same time.

It seemed the only reason Tolnay, who was fourth in the beam final in 2006 didn’t get a comparable score to Kupets was because she went up first. Since then, she’s continued to put up high numbers for the Gym Dogs, finishing fourth in the all-around at the 2007 NCAA Championships, just as she did in 2006. …

Tiffany Tolnay, Gym Dog in the shadows

Thanks Blythe. I will be cheering for Tiffany from now on.

Got a last minute ticket for the big top touring show Kooza playing tonight in San Jose, California.

Whoo Hoo.

KOOZA tells the story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world.

KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil: It combines two circus traditions – acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.

Cirque du Soleil – photos, video, details

PS

Cast members from The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage in Las Vegas will perform live at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, February 10th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Someone having fun with Photoshop.

source – flickr – skywalk over the Grand Canyon

Canadian National Team Member (25th AA at the last Worlds) Casey Sandy was one of the main contributors to Penn State’s NCAA Championship win at home in 2007.

Gymnastics Canada

In 2008, Casey is off to a great start. He’s ranked 1st All-around in the NCAA as of Jan. 28th on GymInfo. (David Sender and Sho Nakamori of Stanford are right behind him.)

Penn State head men’s gymnastics coach Randy Jepson has high praise for one of his most unusual recruits.

Casey’s is a great and inspiring story. Read about it here: An All-Around Anchor

This weekend. One of the most important invitational competitions of the year.

WOGA Gymnastics (formerly World Olympic Gymnastics Academy) will be hosting the 11th Annual WOGA CLASSIC, a women’s international gymnastics meet, February 2-3. …

Over 800 athletes are entered including 38 elite athletes from the US, Australia, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Japan, Mexico and the Netherlands. Some of these elite athletes are in contention for places on their country’s Olympic Team for 2008. Gymnasts from seventeen states will be joining local and Texas gymnasts competing in all levels this year. …

… Carly and Nastia will be on hand Saturday from 4:00-5:30pm and Sunday 12:00-2:30pm to sign autographs immediately prior to the Elite Session. …

For WOGA CLASSIC meet information go to www.woga.net

Another good article from Tulsa World of Gymnastics. Here’s an excerpt:

… Are your feet stable on the beam, without an unneccessary turn-out? Are your hips square with the beam, and not twisting to one side? Are your shoulders straight and square with the beam? Are your arms directly above your head in alignment with the beam? If any one of these questions are answered, “No,” most likely you’ll be having trouble doing a straight back walkover.

The most common mistakes are in hip and shoulder alignment. Most gymnasts who start out with one foot in front tend to rotate their hips and/or shoulders to compensate. This does not work. It throws your alignment off, and it only makes it more difficult. Make sure you begin with your hips and shoulders square with the beam. …

See the rest of the article – Tulsa World of Gymnastics

More articles like this in their Gymnastics Tips for Gymnasts and Coaches section.

Are you already tired of hearing this question:

Can the Chinese athletes handle the media pressure?

Gymnast Yang Wei: a concerted effort to fight for Olympic gold

I think Yang Wei can. And that he will win the Olympics. And I hope he does.

His disastrous performance in 2004 (Athens) puts him in a good psychological situation, I predict. He will be motivated to HIT this time.

But if he misses …

Look for a German gymnast atop the podium. Not Paul Hamm. Not Tomita Hiroyuki.

Yang Wei – Wikipedia

No wonder Utah drew over 13,000 fans to each of the first two home meets.

This is a GREAT idea to bring in young gymnasts to watch the NCAA.

No. 2 Utah (3-0) hosts Minnesota (3-2) on Friday, Feb. 1 in the second-annual Short People Appreciation Night, starting at 7 p.m. in the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Life-sized cutouts of Utah’s shortest gymnast – 5-foot senior Katie Kivisto – will be placed outside each entrance. Anyone shorter than the cutout will receive a free general admission ticket.

Utah Utes

Utah’s Most Inspirational Gymnast in 2007 — Katie Kivisto — is a leader on this team.

One of the many things I like about Artistic gymnastics is that being short is an advantage, unlike the vast majority of team sports.

Another petite gymnast:

Small Matters – flickr