I am currently sitting in Legal Seafoods in Boston waiting for my flight to Houston. I will be coaching at the JO training camp this weekend and I am stressed trying to figure out how I will get it all done. I am a notorious list maker. The best intentions and most focused to-do list can be derailed by the slightest distraction. Productivity killers are everywhere. [Read more…]
Natalia Yurchenko Website and Blog
According to Rick McCharles blog, Natalia said:
I’m constantly being asked by gymnasts, coaches, parents and fans my thoughts about recent competitions (e.g. McKayla Maroney’s vault in the 2012 Summer Olympics), new routines, gymnastics news and coaching techniques. Now, I have a forum through which I can share news and my thoughts about a variety of gymnastics topics !
Take some time and check out her website and Blog.
Have some news or a Blog you have heard about and want to share? Keep the Momentum going!
If it is to be, it is up to WE
If it is to be it is to be, it’s up to WE.
Success is not about me, it is about we, it is about collaboration, working together with other people to achieve a shared goal. You can’t do it alone. You need a support team. [Read more…]
3 Traits that can make or break a Coach
It’s easy to feel confident when you have a Highlight-reel coaching resume’. But any self made coach will tell you that it’s not WHAT your done, but HOW you did it that matters most.
Many coaches may not have common personality traits, but they do share a small set of similar psychological characteristics. I believe there are 3 common characteristics shared by the successful coaches. (I am sure there are more than 3 but if I wrote them all now, there would be nothing for me to write about another day!). [Read more…]
Mentoring
Typically your level 4 team is your youngest competitive group in the gym. Over the course of the year, this group will spend about 400 hours in the gym on their gymnastics education. Your Level 10s may spend about 1300 hours in the gym on their gymnastics education.
How much time are you spending on YOUR gymnastics education? [Read more…]
MIAA decides to drop Men’s Gymnastics. BUT- you can help!
From my Friend Jourdan Marino
Hey Everyone,
Many already know, and many may not, but the MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) has decided to drop Men’s Gymnastics as a Varsity sport in Massachusetts despite the support of town administrators. Many have benefited either directly or indirectly from Gymnastics being at the high school level and it’s in jeopardy of being gone. The ramifications will also be felt at the Women’s high school level if this does not change. Although we have the support of town administrators which is great, I urge anyone that cares about this sport being available at all levels to write to the MIAA and politely ask them to reconsider this drastic decision. If you have a personal story, that is even better. Their information is below. If you have any questions or need any more information please contact me, Sean Monaco, or any other MA High School coach anytime. Also PLEASE pass this message along to anyone else that may not already know of this issue. The more letters the better!M.I.A.A.33 Forge ParkwayFranklin, MA 02038email: miaa@miaa.net
Article in BOSTON GLOBE [Read more…]
Marketing of Mens Gymnastics
This is a re-post from a 2011 but the subject is fresh in my mind. I have edited and added to it so even if you read it last year, it is worth reading again (imho).
This last weekend I went to see the Kellogg’s Tour of Champions in Boston. It was a great show and the athletes in all disciplines looked great. What started me thinking about this was a podcast by GYMCASTIC a week ago where they interviewed Paul Rugerri. Men’s gymnastics needs a better marketing plan. (or maybe it just needs a plan). On a recent trip to Italy I was surprised how the general public had a basic idea of their men’s olympic team. Yes, it was a “prime time” event on TV but also these men were on TV talk shows and reality shows. They were used in commercials. Let’s face it, Men in gymnastics have beautiful bodies. I am not advocating the sexualization of our sport but at least they are Men and not Boys.
Just my thoughts. 11/13/12
In the end- it all comes down to marketing.
There have been some great products which failed because of poor marketing. There have been some incredibly crappy products that made millions because of good marketing (and some luck).
In my opinion- such is the state of Men’s gymnastics in the USA. I have just returned from USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade show that was held with the VISA Championships. As a coach of women’s (girls) gymnastics, I don’t often get a chance to see a men’s competition. After watching the first day of competition I was so impressed. What a GREAT PRODUCT on the floor. The sad part was- there were very few spectators to see it. OK, it was a Wednesday night. Maybe the 2nd day, Friday night, would bring in more spectators. It was better, but still not good.
Face it- Gymnastics is the original X GAME. The original extreme sport.
You want to see people fly? We’ve got that.
You want to see people flip? We’ve got that.
You want to see guys risk their lives? Yea, we’ve got that too.
For girls gymnastics, we want to market the “All American Girl”. But that doesn’t work for guys. We don’t want the “All American” image. We want to Rebel, the bad ass. Look at the movies that are popular, look at the TV shows and even comic books. The Bad Boy image works.
Market that Image everywhere-
- On a cooking show
- On the Travel Channel
- On the Speednetwork
- On ESPN commercials during the X-games.
As a coach and former gymnast, I know (and believe) that gymnastics is the real base for all sports. Especially X-Game type stuff. THIS SHOULD BE OUR CALLING CARD.
Let’s see the men’s team roll up to workout on motor cycles. Go into the gym and show Shawn White how to do a triple-triple.
OK- time for me to breathe again
1 year at Gym Momentum
1 year ago I began Gym Momentum. Wow, a year already!
In the last 12 months I have posted a few hundred articles, blogs, videos, crashes and drills.
I have given probably 20 different clinics, spoken at many Congresses and Conferences throughout North America AND hosted the first annual GYM MOMENTUM TRAINING CAMP which was a HUGE success. (Photos from Gym Momentum Camp)
I want to thank everyone who has contributed articles and videos as well as thank everyone who has let me bounce ideas off them.
Thanks to Tumbl Trak, Mancino and DGS for supplying equipment and gifts for Gym Momentum Training Camp as well prizes for our contests.
Someone asked me the other day how I come up with some of my ideas for articles and videos. Truthfully, sometimes it is a struggle. Often I will get a question from someone looking for a drill to help with a specific skill or group. As I am answering the question I realize that more people may have that same question and that is how an article is born.
I also follow quiet a few different Blogs and websites to try to stay current and see what questions others are answering.
In no particular order
I am sure there are a few more but these are the basics.
My biggest disappointment with Gym Momentum has been the lack of other coaches and gymnastics enthusiasts sharing their insight and knowledge. I really don’t ever want Gym Momentum to become just my soap box. I really want the involvement of others.
Take the time NOW and let me know:
1- what was your favorite post of the last 12 months.
2- what was your least favorite post?
3- Do you have a Blog that you follow that you think I should?
And remember, to keep the momentum going, YOU MUST SHARE.
What will the coming year bring?
Gym Momentum Training Camp June 21-23 in Huguenot, NY
More Clinics and Conferences! I am working very hard at updating my lecture topics and lecture videos/slides.
Items for sale in the “pro shop” section. DVDs, Books and lesson plans.
KEEP IN MIND- I TAKE REQUESTS!
A Great Pod Cast.
This morning while running on the treadmill (which at times seems a metaphor for my life) I was searching for a podcast to listen to during the rest of my workout.
I stumbled onto GymCastic Website and Pod cast. In their latest podcast they talk about changes in the vault code, gymnastics portrayal in the media and talk to Jonathan Horton about his scooter gang, triple doubles, body hair in men’s gymnastics and which of his teammates is the most unique person he has ever met!
It is a fun and entertaining show. Ended up listening to it while raking leaves and mowing the lawn!
Jessica O’Beirne‘s mission in life is to make gymnastics as popular as the NFL. No, seriously, she’s not kidding. She also works tirelessly to assure that gymnasts know they can continue to do the sport throughout their lifetime for health, fitness and fun over at masters-gymnastics.com. The site maintains a list of every adult gymnastics class, open gym in the country and a world wide masters meet calendar. Follow her on Twitter @OtotheBeirne or @AdultGymnastics , Facebook.
Blythe Lawrence of Gymnastics Examiner is a freelance journalist from Seattle. She writes for Universal Sports and you should follow her on Twitter @GymExaminer because she is at every gymnastics event you’ve ever wanted tickets to.
Spanny Tampson is one of the most beloved gymnastics-satirists in the game. Her montages are legen…wait for it…dary. Experience it all on her popular blog Spanny’s Big Fake Smile. Like her on Spanny Tampson Facebook, or follow her on Twitter @SpannyTampson where she hunts down #fouryearfans and punishes them.
Uncle Tim writes the blog that would be Spanny’s boyfriend… if it were straight. Uncle Tim Talks Men’s Gym and Twitter @uncletimmensgym. His official biography reads as follows:
Loves: Jordan Jovtchev’s shiny leotards, Philipp Boy’s face, Louis Smith’s hair, Jake Dalton’s toe point, and a good triple full.Obsessed with: Tim Daggett. Who isn’t?Hates: This is an abridged list… Double pikes off parallel bars, double-twisting double layouts off high bar, bent legs, flexed feet, sloppy handstands, bad round-offs, bad spelling, wedgies, and little kids who fart in your face while you’re spotting them.Hidden talents: I can do a standing back tuck on the high beam even though I’m a boy. Oh, and I’m great at making alcohol-infused desserts, and I speak a lot of languages, and I can eat a large pizza by myself in a single sitting.Craziest gymnastics moment: When I was in undergrad, I was a poor schmuck, but I studied abroad anyway. On my last day in Rome, I was running low on cash, so I did what any former gymnast would do: I went to the Coliseum, set a hat on the ground and started doing gymnastics. I made 40 euros that afternoon and I had myself a nice meal by the Spanish Steps. (FYI: this happened many years before Emily Kmetko needed train fare on Make It or Break It. She’s the copycat–not I.)Most private thing I’m willing to admit: I have a big gymternet crush on Spanny Tampson. Who doesn’t?
Enjoy! Keep the Momentum Going by sharing your favorite gymnastics Podcast or website!
Had to add a picture taken in Rome during my trip a few weeks ago
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
How To Deal With an UNSAFE co-worker
What do you do when you have an unsafe coach in your gym?
This is a more difficult question than it may seem on the surface. You obviously need to deal with the situation before someone gets hurt. Sometimes you are out in gym in the middle of your own group of gymnasts and can not get away. Deal with this as soon as you can.
Here are some basic rules
#1- The situation needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. No exemptions, no exceptions, no excuses.
#2- Bring this to the attention of your supervisor. Be specific. I have a rule in my gym, don’t come to me with a problem with out a potential solution. PROBLEM: A coach is being unsafe. POTENTIAL SOLUTION: Offer to show the coach better/safer ways to do it.
#3- Be nice. Explain why their situation is unsafe and how to correct it.
#4- Follow through. Next class or practice, see if this coach took your corrections. If they did, make sure you compliment them! If not- Go back to #1. Safety is everyones job.
WHAT MAKES A COACH “UNSAFE”?
There are eight basic duties that every coach must do.
1. Plan the activity
2. Supervise the activity
3. Provide proper instruction
4. Use proper apparatus and equipment
5. Provide appropriate emergency assistance
6. Know the gymnast!
7. Keep adequate records
8. Keep Informed and Educate yourself regularly
Every coach has an obligation to remove any hazard in the gym. Taken to the extreme- that hazard may be another coach.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF A COACH POINTS OUT A SAFETY ISSUE TO YOU ABOUT YOUR COACHING OR SET UP?
– BE A PROFESSIONAL. We all make mistakes and sometimes things slip through the cracks. Don’t take it person. Thank them, fix the situation, and move on.
