Gymnastics Coaching.com

Perhaps the best article I’ve yet read on Cirque du Soleil.

Pulled from a scouting database of about 20,000 acts from around the globe, the bulk of Cirque’s 900 “artists” arrive as acrobats and gymnasts, including many former Olympians from the Russian and Ukrainian teams. The recruits spend their first months learning everything from how to apply their own makeup to the fine art of clowning on stage. Those who make the final cut are then paraded through Cirque’s vast costume, shoemaking, hat-making, and props workshops, where each is sized up and outfitted from head to toe in exotic garb cut from more than 10 miles of fabric used each year, much of it dyed and printed on the premises. …

USNews.com: Behind the Scenes at Today’s Hottest Live Entertainment Act

Finally saw the critically acclaimed film Lords of Dogtown documenting the beginnings of vertical skating.

The movie reminded me of Almost Famous. It is very well done. I loved the soundtrack. I am the same age as writer / skater Stacy Peralta.

Lords of Dogtown is a 2005 film directed by Catherine Hardwicke … based on the story of “The Z-Boys”, an influential group of skateboarders who revolutionized the sport. …

Tagline : “They came from nothing to change everything.”

In the 1970’s, a group of teen surfers from a rough neighborhood known as “Dogtown” in Venice, California, created a cultural revolution by transforming skateboarding from a recreational activity into an extreme sport. …

Known as the Zephyr Skateboard Team, the boys transferred their surf skills to drain pipes and empty swimming pools with stunning results. Their acrobatic manoeuvres inspired generations of teens and catapulted them to fame and fortune.

Lords of Dogtown – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Now I need download Dogtown and Z-boys, the documentary narrated by Sean Penn and directed by Stacy Peralta.

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Wow!

This is awesome.

With a membership of over 500 adults, Chelsea Piers boasts the largest adult gymnastics program in the world. Classes are offered for all levels from first-timers to seasoned pros. Our experienced staff is specially trained in adult gymnastics coaching, safety, and spotting techniques. Our 25,000 square foot gymnasium is equipped with state-of-the-art gymnastics equipment including all Olympic men’s and women’s events, in ground trampolines and foamed filled safety pits. Beginner to elite level classes are offered year round.

Adult Gymnastics – The Field House at Chelsea Piers – New York City – NYC

Some cute special effects on a video of regular training at Premier Gymnastics Club in Toronto, Canada.

Kids will like this one.

Click PLAY or watch the clip on YouTube.

When I was a kid we did dozens of displays every year. Football games, shopping malls, anywhere that would let us set up equipment.

I loved them. Especially the tramp and mini-tramp shows.

Later, as a coach, I began to tire of transporting the equipment. Bemoan the wear and tear on the equipment. Finally — I decided to exit the world of gymnastics displays.

We still sent club kids to demo. But usually the precompetitive “cute” kids with young coaches and simple, safe equipment.

In 2006 I feel that gymnastics displays are not the best way to build membership. “Bring a Friend Day” works better.

But if you do choose to do displays, at least do something original.

Setting up a Tumbl Trak makes for a brilliant show. Safety straps on a horizontal bar even better.

former World Championships competitor Rhett Stinson

Taiso Gymnastics in Saskatoon, Canada even set up rings in a public park.

Somebody has to fix the sign atop the ring tower.

More photos of this 2002 gymnastics display – Warren Long

After months of consideration, the fitness club at Altadore Gymnastics has custom ordered a Powertrack from Dave Ross at Rebound Products in Toronto.

I was personally convinced after testing a Powertrack at Cirque du Soleil in Montreal.

This is by far the most expensive tumbling trampoline we could find — C$15,000 including shipping for 40ft — but I’m convinced it is worth the big bucks.

Dave Ross is the leader in trampoline design these days, recognized around the world.

Though Rebound Products is expanding their production facilities, we don’t expect to receive our Powertrack until January. Build-to-order equipment takes time.

I was cheering Beth Tweddle at Worlds.

She is a HUGE star in the UK, nominated for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year … in a meagre year. Good luck!

Here’s an excellent interview where Beth talks boyfriends, Uni, travel, training 36-hrs-a week and her history of ankle injury.

Tweddle reveals the scars that made her a world beater – Guardian

BethTweddle.com

Another baby step towards quality gymnastics TV.

Unfortunately BGtv has a lot of problems!

Internet TV company Narrowstep has launched a broadband channel for the British Gymnastics Association, called British Gymnastics TV.

http://www.bgtv.biz will provide live coverage of major gymnastic events starting with the Men’s British Masters this week, with further live broadcasts planned on November 11 and 25.

Alan Sommerville, chief executive officer of the British Gymnastics Association, said: “British Gymnastics is extremely excited with this new initiative, where BGtv is to become the central plank of our corporate communications policy, to deliver information, news, reviews, interviews and cover domestic and international events wherever we can secure rights.”

Narrowstep already runs a number of specialist sports channels including Sail TV, Martial Arts TV, Cycling TV, and Field Hockey TV, in addition to non-sports channels ITV Local and London TV. To launch the channel, Narrowstep worked with Sportsgate, which helps with and provides technology services to sporting bodies to help them harness new technologies.

Digital Spy – Broadcasting – Narrowstep launches ‘Gymnastics Channel’

Sounds good. …

Unfortunately the interface is ugly. The TV monitor is a pop-up window, blocked by most modern browsers. And video won’t stream on my modern computer with high speed connection.

BGtv posts a Viewing Problems page.

Give Bgtv a try. But it seems to me they need to completely redesign the website.

UPDATE: Marie commented that the streaming works well for her. Perhaps it is a problem with my own computer.

Yet another excellent article by Christopher Sommer on the DragonDoor website.

Click thumbnail photo for larger image.

This post details the correct stages of development of leg raises, also called hanging leg lifts.

For gymnastics coaches, this strength development is essential, especially helpful for beginners learning “kip”.

I’ve had good success spotting hanging L-sit, hanging V-sit, as well as leg raises. (Ensure the knees stay straight throughout.) Progress can come astonishingly quickly for some kids.

… see Chris’ full article with excellent photo illustrations

Christopher Sommer is the men’s head coach at the Dessert Devil Gymnastics National Team Training Center in Mesa, Arizona and has one of the premiere men’s gymnastics programs in the United States. He’s also been training female gymnasts, Navy SEALS, Air Force Para Rescue, undercover DEA, Hostage Rescue and FBI among others.

I thought I’d seen everything there was to be done on and off a trampoline.

Here Adam Menzies from BC, Canada shows some variations I’d never seen.

Click PLAY or watch the video on YouTube.

outdated Bio

Gymnastics: Menzies to join legendary Cirque du Soleil – Advance News

What’s Adam doing right now? The GetOudoors blog says: Adam Menzies Should Have Been A Snowboarder