Gymnastics Coaching.com

Little video clips that actually PLAY in most computers are the best thing to come to the internet in a long time.

We have YouTube.com to thank.

Of course their site is DOWN right now. But I want to cut YouTube some slack — what they do and what they have brought to acrobatics coaches is fantastic.

Mismo Gymnastics purchased a bar attachment for their Tumblng Trampoline.

Personally I have never been a huge fan of tramp bars — but many coaches swear by them.

Click PLAY on the video below or watch the clip on YouTube.com

TumblTrak has a video clip showing more uses for the bar attachment.

UPDATE: Robinson won the new BMX Big Air event with a backflip tuck no-hander to no-handed flair. If you have no idea what this means, check the video clip on EXPN.com

Crazy, crazy.

A new cycling event closed X Games 12, Sunday Aug. 6th, in Los Angeles.

Riders’ goal: Big Air — New event added to BMX competition

Only a few world class riders were willing to roll-in from 60-80ft to jump a 60+ft gap.

American-Gymnast.com posted 3 excellent conditioning articles: Upper-body Circuit, Leg Circuit and Mid-Section Circuit.

International gymnasts Jay Thornton & Stephen McCain put it together.

To see the artices you need to join American-Gymnast.com (free membership for now) and click on the TRAINING TIPS link.

I question why Dominique wants to compete at USA Championships 2006.

In any case, she has been disallowed.

Moceanu denied entry into nationals

The reaction from Dominique-Moceanu.com, her official website:

For those that are confused about me being blocked from the U.S. Nationals and my appeal being rejected by USAG, the bottom line is that I simply wanted to be given a chance to compete.

Never did the Women’s Athlete Selection Committee convey to me or my coach, Michael Canales, that the scores at the US Classic competition had any bearing on qualifying to the Nationals. My coach and I had been notified that two specific criteria needed to be achieved to enable me to compete at Nationals.

1. Attend a National Team Training Camp at my own expense. (ACCOMPLISHED)

2. Compete at the U.S. Classic on at least one event (competed on two events). (ACCOMPLISHED)

I completed both of these criteria.

I was not seeking any special favors — I just requested what I believe I rightfully earned — a chance to compete fairly at Nationals.

I’m in California right now. This pic inspires me to do some gymnastics on the beach.

Rick McCharles

I love gymnastics games. In fact, I have an unpublished book of gymnastics games based on the work of Keith Russell and Gene Schembri. One day I hope to do a video website resource database of great games.

Here’s one led by Dave Adlard.

Click PLAY on the video below or watch the clip on YouTube.com

Funtastics Gymnastics in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Shaping Skills with Drills

For lack of a better term, I’ll call it “environmental coaching” — ssetting up the equipment so the gymnast is required to do the drill in a specific way.

For example, have contests to see if kids can do drills with a foam sponge between their feet or knees.

Christchurch School of Gymnastics

Other popular examples include tumbling beside vertical mats for alignment. (e.g. Cartwheel facing the mat.) Or through a tunnel of mats.

I love to set up vault contests where kids need to land up on to a “table” of mats. Or over a stack of mats. Instantly the run improves and you are a great sprint coach.

Congratulations on Kevin Robinson’s Double Flair in BMX Big Trick (double back with 1/2 twist out) at X Games 12.

CLICK PLAY on the video below or watch it on YouTube.

KRob was almost beat by his buddy Chad Kagy’s Flat Tail Whip. Kagy left happy though — he won the BMX Vert competition as 9 time defending champion Dave Mirra was out with an injury.

More press is going to Travis Pastrana for his double back on a motorcycle:

Pastrana Gives It the Once Over, Twice

His Mom cried all afternoon knowing her son might attempt it. And she was right. It’s a mistake to allow acrobatics to be done on motor vehicles. It’s simple too dangerous. Pastrana could just as easily been killed.

I blame the X Games for scheduling moto X best-trick. It should be cancelled.

I love everything about this photo.