Gym Momentum Monday April 2nd
April started here in the North East of the USA with a bit on a windy Easter followed by some snow today.
I am really ready for spring!
We are less than 2 weeks out for Level 9 and 10 Regional Championships in the USA. This time of year I get the most nervous. It is PMS (pre-meet-stress!). We hide it from the athletes as best we can but it leaks into your life. You family and friends may notice it. Your gymnasts most certainly notice it. Make sure you are taking care of your self. You cannot afford to get sick this time of year!
One of the biggest stressors in the gym is trying to keep the gymnasts healthy. It is NOT the time to try to add something to their routines. Every year I see a gymnast in someone’s gym try to upgrade their difficulty this time of year and then they get hurt. Missing being able to compete at Regionals and their chance at Easterns/ Westerns or Nationals. They may not even get hurt on the NEW skill. Training is cumulative. It is the stress, impact and repetitions of the entire season. Every gymnast is going to reach their breaking point physically and emotionally. You want to see them get to the end of the season with a little bit of gas in the tank.
I had an opportunity to speak to one of my former gymnasts on Saturday. A women who I had had when I first opened up my gym 20 + years ago. We joked and laughed but all I could think about was HOW MUCH SHE TAUGHT ME and HOW MUCH I HAVE LEARNED IN THE LAST 20 YEARS. If I had coached every subsequent generation of athletes the way I coached them I would probably be out of business and had a bunch of injured athletes around. Of course I thought I had all the answers. I trained hard and with a purpose but with out the experience. I made mistakes and learned from them. I went to training camps and spent time in other peoples gyms learning from their success and mistakes.
When I put together the staff for Gym Momentum Camp I find coaches with the knowledge, passion and experience. We want visiting coaches and gymnasts to learn from our successes and failures. It really is the only way to improve yourself. This day and age, anyone with an iPhone and a youtube account can record something and call themselves an expert. There is a lot of junk out their right now. Like the lessons that I have learned – just because I taught it once – that doesn’t make me an expert and that doesn’t mean everyone will learn it the same way.
Other News:
Last week on “ASK GYM MOMENTUM” I was asked a question on Conditioning for uneven bars. Here is the link to the answer.
I was able to meet up with Nick Ruddock for breakfast. We had a great time talking technique and philosophy. We will be collaborating on some projects in the future. We are trying to do a Podcast in May when we will both be in Germany.
USAG had it’s first Board of Directors meeting last Wednesday. Some of you e-mail me your concerns and thoughts. I sent these on to members of the BoD. At this point I have not heard the outcome of the meeting. I will send out an e-mail as soon as I hear.
Train safe, Train Smart
Tony
Gym Momentum Training Camp Brochure to distribute to parents and athletes
GYM MOMENTUM TRAINING CAMP IMPORTANT FORMS
GYM MOMENTUM TRAINING CAMP ENTRY 2018
gym-momentum-t-shirt-size-form (Every gymnast and coach gets a T-shirt)
Ask Gym Momentum- Conditioning Exercises For Bars
Uneven Bars is possibly the most challenging event. It is different that the other events for girls. A Cartwheel learned on Floor Ex transitions to a Round off and aerial. The can be used at Floor, Vault and Beam. Bars is just different and takes, obviously, a great deal of upper body strength.
My general rules for conditioning:
- Tell the girls what they are conditioning for so that they understand the connection.
- Strength the Shape
- Move through the Shape
- Add Speed as they move through
- Teach them the skill that the shape is for.
- ALWAYS monitor conditioning.
- Have strength related goals
- Have Strength related prerequisites (for example- 8 pull ups before they can giant.)
The Core Strength you are doing for other events is probably sufficient for bars.
Bars takes grips strength and endurance. Rope climb is pretty great at this. Think, 12- 15 skills in an optional bar routine. They should be able to do 12-15 pulls with each arm on the rope. Strengthen the handstand, the handstand shape as well as moving IN and OUT of a handstands. The strength from 1/2 leg lifts will give them the strength needed to hold feet up after skills on low bar.
I feel Press Handstands are very necessary to be a good bar worker. A gymnast needs to be able to lift their body upside down to a handstand on every circling skill.
Spot MILLIONS of cast handstands. There is no way around this. Sorry.
This is only a small list. I hope it helps!
Have a Question?
ASK GYM MOMENTUM. tony@gymmomentum.com
Meeting of the Minds. Nick Ruddock
Yesterday I had the honor and opportunity to have breakfast with Nick Ruddock while he was in Boston for about 36 hours. He and I travel and coach in the same circles internationally but this was the FIRST TIME we have actually been in the same place!
We shared philosophy, information and stories. We will be getting together next month when we will both be in Germany. We are trying to set up time to record a podcast. STAY TUNED
USAG Board of Directors Meeting Today
This is a copy of an e-mail sent to Advisory Counsel Representatives to Board of Directors as well as to some members of the USAG Board of Directors. (The e-mail wasn’t to a “select few” on the BoD but to anyone whose e-mail address I had). I know they have many things they have to deal with but I do not mind being a squeaky wheel representing the elite coaches as well as members of the professional coaches community.
To Members of the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors;
As the Chairman of the USECA I have sent out an e-mail asking for concerns that people wanted brought to the attention of the Board.
The NUMBER ONE thing from the USECA membership as well as my consulting contacts is that professional members want some form of protection from untrue accusations brought by parents, athletes or former athletes. We are not asking to take away anything from Safesport or Mr. Busby.
We want the sport to be “Clean” . There is no room for abusive coaches.
Yet we are all afraid of being unfairly persecuted and thrown out of the sport because of accusations brought by a disgruntled client.
Right now every coach is presumed guilty. Even if investigations clear professionals of any wrong doing the damage done to our careers can be fatal. The damage done to our businesses could ruin us financially.
As I understand the current Safesport rules we have no recourse. Any recourse would be viewed as retaliation.
Possibly the creation of a Committee to Investigate the Credibility of a Complaint. This would allow Mr. Busby to spend his time concentrating on more credible complaints.
The damage done by false or unwarranted accusations can not be understated or ignored.
As professional members of USAG we feel there should some sort protection given to us.
A few quotes from e-mails I have received.
Protection for coaches from the witch hunt.. There needs to be some sort of way to prevent just any unhappy person to call SafeSport and make a false statement. Coaches get put through the ringer and the accuser walks away freely
Thank you Tony… in North Carolina alone I know of 2 current false claims to Safe Sport that the gyms have had to contact USA Gymnastics and even get Cease and Desist orders against the accuser and open a lawsuit.
Right now it is very open without much accountability
The next thing that USECA members asked about was the make up of the BoD going forward. Make up of the NEW Board (USOC, an agency in trouble itself, has asked USAG to reduce the number of members from 21 to no more than 15 on the BoD. 20% must be Athlete Directors, A majority of the Directors must be independent. ). That will significantly reduce the VOICE of many disciplines on the board.
Please address the court briefs regarding the USA Gymnastics lawyers claiming they have no responsibility with regrades to Larry and others.
Please review existing USAG staff as to their involvement in these matters
Dear Fellow Advisory Council Members:
I understand that the Interim USA Gymnastics Board of Directors is meeting tomorrow morning, and I sincerely hope that our representatives take this opportunity to reinstate Kevin White as our duly elected representative as per our vote on Feb. 10. We as a group elected Bobbie, Evelyn and Kevin as our BOD representatives and with the recent communications and confusion on whether or not Kevin could serve on the board, it is clear to many of us that Kevin did not resign, nor should he resign his position.
Having said that, I believe that Kevin should serve to represent us on the BOD, as he was elected to do.
Again, this is in no way a reflection on Cindy, and her capabilities to serve as a representative — it is just the legal and right thing to do understanding the circumstances that have transpired over the last couple of months.
I hope that all of you, and most importantly, the Board representatives, support me on this. Thank you for listening.
Best Regards,
Tim
Respectfully submitted
Tony Retrosi, Chairman USECA
Ask Gym Momentum, What is the Meaning of Life
I had a question Asked to Gym Momentum.
Tony,
What is the meaning of life?
Dallas
I know he was kidding but it did make me think.
Meet Stephen David, Gym Momentum Tumbling and Trampoline Coach
I had the opportunity to work with Steve at a camp up in Calgary. I knew right away I wanted him to work at Gym Momentum Camp.
Stephen David has been involved in the wonderful sport of gymnastics in Canada for over 31 years. He has enthusiastically coached athletes of all ages, levels & abilities to their full potential in women’s and men’s artistic gymnastics as well as trampoline & tumbling. Stephen takes a holistic approach to coaching and is well known for his technical, tactical and psychological abilities.
Stephen works alongside his wife, Jacinda David, at their club, Just Bounce Trampoline Club, where they have guided athletes to numerous national championship titles, junior and senior national teams, as well as World Age Group medalists.
Stephen is presently the national coaching chairperson for Canada’s trampoline & tumbling program committee (TTPC) and is authoring the country’s elite athlete development model as well as a long term coaching development model.
Gym Momentum Monday 3/26
Now that the days are getting noticeably longer I am really looking forward to spring. I only had to plow snow ONE TIME last week!
I NEED YOUR INPUT (at least from those of you in the USA).
As chairman of the US Elite Coaches Association I represent the professional coaches community to the Advisory Counsel and to the USAG Board of Directors.
There is a Board of Directors meeting this week and I want to know what things you would like reported to or brought up to the Board of Directors. I have already sent out an personal e-mail to some people and here are a few of the response.
1- Some amount of protection of professional members. Right now anyone can make an accusation to Safesport against a coach and ruin their career.
2- Transparency of the Board of Directors.
3- Make up of the NEW Board (USOC, an agency in trouble itself, has asked USAG to reduce the number of members from 21 to no more than 15 on the BoD. 20% must be Athlete Directors, A majority of the Directors must be independent. ). That will significantly reduce the VOICE of many disciplines on the board.
4- address the court briefs regarding the USA Gymnastics lawyers claiming they have no responsibility with regrades to Larry and others.
5- existing staff as to their involvement in these matters
If you have any thoughts on these matters or you have something else you please let me know ASAP. All coaches who attend Gym Momentum Camp OR Future Gymnastics Academy will be able to become USECA members at a discounted rate. Gym Momentum will be paying your difference.
Gym Momentum Coaches are making their transportation arrangements for camp and YOU SHOULD TOO! Our Host Hotel is Best Western in Danvers There is a Special Rate for GYM MOMENTUM. The hotel has been newly renovated and is about a 7 minute drive from the gym. A few parents of registered gymnasts have e-mailed me wondering of the MUST stay at the host hotel. NO. I have just made arrangements at the closest nice hotel I could find.
We are in the process of planning our lectures that some of the staff will be doing.
Something to make sure you plan on is BRIAN PICKARD will be doing a lecture THURSDAY on SIDE STATIONS for Vault and Bars. This is a lecture he will be giving at National Congress.
SCHEDULE
Thursday July 12. Arrival and Orientation. Light Training with personal coaches. Brian Pickard– Side Stations for Vault and Bars.
July 13.
Training 9 AM – 5:30 PM. Lunch and a snack will be provided
Evening Lecture- TBD
July 14
Training 9 AM – 5:30 PM. Lunch and a snack will be provided
Evening Activity TBD
July 15
Training 9 – 12:30 Workout. Lunch will be provided
12:30 Departure.
Thursday July 12. Arrival and Orientation. Light Training with personal coaches. Brian Pickard– Side Stations for Vault and Bars.
July 13.
Training 9 AM – 5:30 PM. Lunch and a snack will be provided
Evening Lecture- TBD
July 14
Training 9 AM – 5:30 PM. Lunch and a snack will be provided
Evening Activity TBD
July 15
Training 9 – 12:30 Workout. Lunch will be provided
12:30 Departure.
Have a great week,
Tony
Ask Gym Momentum- Answer. WRIST SHIFT ON CLEAR HIP/ FREE HIP CIRCLE
Stephene- Here are some drills that we do on a regular basis. We start off with working on the strength of shoulder and core. Then we progress to circling elements. Many different kinds! Just to help the gymnast get comfortable with the shift.
There is one drill that I didn’t have time to video. My apologies. It is 3-5 free hip circles in a row. SPOTTED. Each one getting a little bigger than the previous one.
If we were to do 3 in a row it would go:
- horizontal
- 3/4
- Handstand
I hope that helps!
Tony
Do you have a question you want answered on Video? Send your question to Tony@gymmomentum.com
4 Questions To Ask Your Gymnastics Educational Mentor
There is a lot of talk these days about FAKE NEWS. But how about FAKE EDUCATION. These days anyone with an iPhone can make a video of a drill, post it on youtube and declare themselves an expert. To become a better coach you need to find someone you trust to mentor you. Very few of us are blazing a new path in the gymnastics world. Someone has already done it before. You need to find that person who has achieved what you want to achieve and has overcome the challenges you are now facing. Learn from their successes and failures.
In the business world mentorships are commonplace and corporations big and small invest in them to help their employees grow. We need to do the same in GYMNASTICS. Right now the gymnastics world is missing true sports scientist and technical masters willing to share their knowledge. Maybe it is the current environment within USA Gymnastics where we seem to bounce from one crisis to another that is keeping some people sidelined.
Most of us work in gyms that don’t have a formal mentoring program or we work for ourselves. Don’t dismay- there are still many, MANY coaches out there with the EXPERIENCE and knowledge necessary to help you out. It may just take a little bit of work to find them and ask for help. .
At the same time, most of the coaches you WANT to work with are crazy busy, all of us are over-committed and must double down on efforts to block out the noise from frivolous requests that come our way.
To capture the attention of a potential mentor and hold it long enough for him/her to consider mentorship, your message must be highly targeted, clear, and answer these 4 questions.
1: Why Do I Want This Person To Mentor Me?
What specifically about this person attracts you to them? What have they accomplished? How do they live their life? How have they helped others? How well do you know them? Are you basing your attraction on what you see online, or have you engaged?
2: What Do I Specifically Want To Learn From Them?
If you are looking for business advice for your gym, reach out to someone who has been around a while in a similar market. If you are looking to increase the skill level and success of your Level 9/10 program, reach out to someone who has a program you can emulate.
I have seen some business owners in a small to medium market reach out to gym owners in big cities. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN.
3: How Will I Apply What I Learn?
Now you have found a coach to mentor you. To stand beside you and help you out. Someone who has been there before. You have written down exactly what you want to learn from them . How will you implement it? Your mentor should be able to help you with this too.
Assume if you are seeking mentorship from someone you admire. You can bet that others are also asking the same person for advice. How do you move to the top of the list? Show them that you will take what you have learned and use it. When people ask me how much a clinic at their gym costs, I give them 2 prices. One if they listen, learn and implement. The other if they don’t listen and I don’t think they will use the info I give.
4: Why Should Someone Mentor Me?
Why you? There are so many gymnastics professionals looking for help right now you need something that is going to make you stand out. Talk about your mission in the gym. Talk about how committed you are to learning and seeking mentorship. Talk about what you will do to ensure your mentor is not wasting their time.
What convinces me to take on someone who wants me to mentor them?
- I believe that they know where they want to be and are committed to the process
- I believe that they will listen, ask questions and implement the plan
- I feel that they will also use their own creativity and problem solve.
- They bake me cookies.
The idea for this article came while I was reading an article in INC magazine while I was talking on the phone with a colleague. We were both frustrated by the lack or REAL gymnastics education going on right now. I had some notes from the article “Chasing Down a Mentor to Help You Grow”.
