Simone’s first week at the Ranch

It was 2011, when Simone was 13.

Aimee Boorman: When Simone became a Level 10 [the highest level before elite], we started talking about her becoming an elite. But when we first submitted videos to get her into [USA Gymnastics] developmental camp, the national team staff declined our request. We were told, no, she’s not ready, even though she had all of these skills, because her uneven bars skills were too weak. So when we did get an invitation to camp, we were very excited and we tried to showcase what Simone was good at.

Nellie Biles: I thought attending this first camp was the turning point for Simone in her career, so I was very excited.

Boorman: Simone was praised by the [national team] coaches about what a great job she had done. Then Martha just railed at her, said she wasn’t working hard enough and that she wasn’t good enough. Simone was devastated …

Boorman: The next camp was only three weeks away, so I talked to Simone and her parents. I never made any decisions without involving her and her parents. I think if she had the same experience at that next developmental camp with Martha, it would have broken her. It may not have taken her love out of gymnastics, but it would’ve made her not want to go back to the Ranch. We decided to decline the next camp. When we did, we weren’t invited back [by Martha] for more than a year. …

How Simone Biles found her voice and changed gymnastics culture

“kicking out” the landing at vertical

Trampoline deductions.

opening-pike-down-001If the gymnast bends at the waist or knees after opening, before completing 3/4 of the rotation, deductions will be made.

This movement is called Pike-down or Tuck-down depending on whether the gymnast keeps his/her knees straight.

In this animation the gymnast does a pike down before getting to the 120° mark (“2 o’clock”), and would receive a deduction of 0.2 points.

To see more like this click over to doublemini.net

physical preparation for Gymnastics

Dozens of Men’s drills compiled from a European training camp 2014.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

3.5 (E) + front 2.5 (E)

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using Gainer to teach 1/1-out

Tony Retrosi.

The Gainer simulates the second salto.

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NEW podcast on the Karolyis

A podcast series on the Karolyis dropped July 14th.

How to listen to and download the 30 for 30 podcast ‘Heavy Medals’ on the Karolyi gymnastics empire.

Read a preview of the audio series on ESPN.

It includes interviews with Aimee Boorman, Nellie Biles, Maggie Nichols, Scott Reid, Jordyn Wieber, Missy Marlowe, Jessica O’Beirne and many more.

How Simone Biles found her voice and changed gymnastics culture

Aliya’s whips to double Arabian

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

conditioning – TRX Suspension Training

Suspension training is ideal for home conditioning. Body weight training.

One review:

… Bodyweight exercises that are challenging for conditioned trainers yet simple for beginners to learn and execute.

Range of motion and dynamics of the system allow you to perform unique, multi–planar exercises with varying resistance, something you can’t do on any other exercise machine.

Small size and light weight of the TRX allows for easy transport and storage – it’s a great option for people who travel and those who have limited workout space in their home.

The TRX weighs less than two pounds and can easily be brought on a business trip or put in a drawer while not in use. You can use the gym almost anywhere: attach it to a door in your house, hang it from a weight rack, mount it to a beam in the garage or take it outside and use it at the local playground or park. …

official web page – TRX® Suspension Training

Independent Review  of British Gymnastics

More British gymnasts have come forward with stories of past abuse including the Downie sisters and Rio 2016 medallist Amy Tinkler.

On Wednesday, Olympic medallist Beth Tweddle said “there is no place for bullying or abuse in the sport that I love”, and urged all gymnasts to share their feelings.

At a Board meeting on Tuesday night British Gymnastics made the decision to step aside to allow UK Sport and Sport England to co-commission the Independent Review it first established following concerns raised by British gymnasts about mistreatment.

British Gymnastics originally announced the commissioning of a QC led Independent Review last week. However, to remove any doubt of the Review’s integrity or independence, British Gymnastics has asked that UK Sport and Sport England now co-commission it. …

British Gymnastics step aside to remove doubts about review