Giant swings are one of the more difficult “basic” skills that every gymnast must have. It takes strength (with out them fighting the natural swing) as well as a good tap and extension. There is also the FEAR that many gymnast have. Through the years I have had many gymnasts of all shapes and sizes giant. Here is a collection of drills that I use in that teaching sequence and drills that I use every day.
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Crash of the week. How they prune trees in Australia
ZAC PARTRIDGE a good friend of contributor Andy from Australia shares a video. I originally thought this video was Andy’s. Matt and Jake desperately want to use their trampoline at their Tramp Coaches BBQ.
Problem- Not enough overhead space.
Solution- Prune the trees.
Failure, a prerequisite for success
SO YOU WANT TO BE A SUCCESSFUL COACH?
You better learn to Fail
Failure is NOT an option- Failure is a prerequisite
Failure- failure |ˈfālyər| noun
Failure (fail, phail or flop) in general refers to the state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective. It may be viewed as the opposite of success.
People Who Have Failed
Pete Carroll was laughed out of Foxboro (where he coached the NE Patriots) and the NFL before he became the most dominant coach in college football. Now he is back in the NFL in Seattle.
Terrin Humphry made the USA National Team for the first time 1 year before making an Olympic Team.
Most people achieved their greatest success one step beyond what looked like their greatest failure…..
In business there is a philosophy that he fastest way to succeed, is to double your failure rate. At my gym, we call it, “swinging at pitches.” You are not going to get a hit every time. But if you don’t swing, you will never get a hit.
As coaches we need to learn to tolerate failure. It is part of the learning process. If you make a correction you will probably mess something else up. THAT IS OK, I EXPECT IT. The best example I can think of is on Vault. If I ask an athlete to run faster, and they do, they will most likely mess up their steps. (and by the way- if they didn’t mess up their steps, they probably didn’t run faster!) IF I WANT THE GYMNAST TO RUN FASTER- I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO MESS UP THEIR STEPS. I will fix that next.
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Drills For Handspring Full on Vault
Keep the Momentum going! Share your favorite drill. CONTACT
Danell Leyva Pommel Horse S.V. 6.1
Submitted by the ever enthusiastic Yin Alvarez. Danell Leyva starts off the new year with a new Pommel Horse Routine.
Have a routine you want to share? Keep the momentum going HERE.
MTV-Italia. “Ginnaste” Becoming an elite gymnast in Italy
Part 1 of “Ginnaste” on MTV-Italia.Per la miei famiglia e visori italiani Parte 1 di una serie televisiva sul trasformarsi in un gymnast dell’elite in Italia.
There are numerous parts to this series. You can follow it on youtube.
MIKEY’S WAY
Contributor Eddie Umphrey sent me an e-mail last week bringing my attention to Ian Makowske, MIKEY’S WAY and TEAM MIKEY’S WAY. I immediately knew that I needed to get GYM MOMENTUM behind this. Keep the MOMENTUM going. Spread the word and get involved with MIKEY’S WAY.
Here is an excerpt from his e-mail
Tony,
I first met Ian several years ago when he came to the University of Michigan summer gymnastics camp. He was interested in joining the team and attended the summer camp to get a closer look at the university. Right off the bat, Ian stood out as one of the hardest workers in the camp, but what caught my attention most was his willingness to learn and how earnestly he sought to gain more knowledge. He was very genuine in his training. He told Michigan was at the top of his college list & there was no doubt in my mind that he would be a perfect fit at Michigan. By time Ian had began his time as a Wolverine I had already graduated, but had the pleasure of frequently speaking to Ian and following his progress while on campus. Last year I received a Facebook group invite from Ian to raise awareness of Mikey’s Foundation. It spread across Facebook quickly. In October, 2011 Ian created a way to raise even more support and funds for Mikey’s foundation while still training. Thus, Team Mikey’s Way has now introduced Mikey’s incredible story to the gymnastics world.
Eddie
Since then I have been in touch with Ian, discussing MIKEY’S WAY and finding ways for GYM MOMENTUM to help. Ian’s simple response sealed the deal.
Dear Tony,
My main goal in competing for Team Mikey’s Way is to spread Mikey’s story. Mikey was a great friend, an incredible person, and continues to be a huge inspiration in my life. He left an incredible legacy, tangibly in the Foundation that he created, but intangibly as well in the number of number of people he inspired and the optimism he spread. By telling Mikey’s story I hope to not increase the number of people who know about Mikey’s Way Foundation, but also to honor his memory.
By competing in a Team Mikey’s Way uniform, I hope to raise brand recognition on a national level for Mikey’s Way Foundation. By competing with the Mikey’s Way “MW” on my chest I hope to gain exposure at meets and increase media coverage, spread Mikey’s story, and make Mikey’s Way Foundation a nationally recognized organization. My goal is to raise $10,000 worth of donations by Olympic Trials. Currently I have raised about $2,000 since September. People’s support has been truly overwhelming! Half of every generous donation goes directly to Mikey’s Way Foundation as they continue to provide pediatric cancer patients with electronics to help them cope with the stress, fear and boredom of treatments. The other half goes towards Team Mikey’s Way, uniforms, travel and training expenses for me. Ultimately, the coverage and exposure gained by traveling and competing in Team Mikey’s Way apparel will result in greater recognition for the Foundation and will aid pediatric cancer patients as well.
So far this season I have already competed for TEAM MIKEY’S WAY at the Windy City Invitational and the West Point Open. I travel to Vegas tomorrow and compete in the Winter Cup Challenge, and I am looking into the HGC meet at the beginning of March. From there, I will compete at Qualifier, and hopefully US Championships. Should my Irish citizenship go through, I hope to get several international assignments, possibly Northern European Championships.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you helping me get the word out. I don’t think people realize how much their support means. Whether it is cheering for me at a competition, wearing Mikey’s Way Blue, or even just sending in a dollar. Everything helps.
Ian
Here is a Video Eddie put together to tell MIKEY’S story and Ian’s quest. Keep the MOMENTUM going. Share it with everyone.
Find out about MIKEY’s WAY on NBC News
Sadly, Michael lost his battle with cancer in October of 2008. He is deeply missed and always loved. His vision for Mikey’s Way continues, and his legacy has only just begun.
ALWAYS BE UPLIFTING. Please share this with Everyone you know. Support Team Mikey’s Way: SUPPORT
Top TEN of 2011
TOP TEN of 2011
1. 2011 Hall of Fame Ceremony. Robert Miller- Spirit of the Flame Award. A 5 minute standing ovation at Visa Championships that evening.
USA WOMEN WIN GOLD AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPSUSA
3. MEN WIN BRONZE AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
4. JORDYN WEIBER- WORLD CHAMPION
5. DANELL LEYVA- P.BAR GOLD MEDAL, (TIE )JOHN OROZCO 5th AA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
6. MEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONS STAMFORD, WOMEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONS ALABAMA
7. “GRAND RE-OPENING” OF USA GYMNASTICS UNIVERSITY.
8. SUZY GOT HER KIP! Dedicated to everyone who got a new skill this year.
9. VISA CHAMPIONS Sr Men Danell Leyva, Sr Women Jordyn Weiber. Jr Men- Adrian de los Angeles, Jr Women Katelyn Ohashi
10. JO National Champions.
WOMEN
- JR A
- Alexandra McMurtry Richmond Olympiad, 38.575
- JR B
- 1T Elizabeth Gangale, Brown’s LV, 37.900
- 1T Bayle Pickel Twistars USA, 37.900
- JR C
- Katie Bailey High Point, 38.025
- JR D
- Charity Jones, Dynamo Gymnastics, 38.250
- SR A
- Asi Peko Brown’s LV, 38.400
- SR B
- Hollie Blanske Twin City Twisters, 38.450
- SR C
- Jessie DeZiel Twin City Twisters, 38.825
- SR D
- 1t Georgia Dabritz Ace, 38.300 (Utah)
- 1t Allison Flores IGI, 38.300
- MEN’S
- Level 10 16-18
- Adrian De Los Angeles (SCATS)
- Level 10 14-15
- Sean Melton (Orlando Metro)
- Level 9 (12-13 yr olds) All Around Top 10:
- Marty Strech (Azarian)
And Bonus
#11- THE START OF GYM MOMENTUM
Holiday Greeting
Hey- I know it is a busy time of year. You just had a meet and you have another coming up. Mean while you have to fit in 4 holiday celebrations in the next 2 1/2 days. Just remember that you need to take a little time for yourself and your family.
Have a great holiday. Have a drink (if you so desire) and try not to eat ALL the cookies your gymnasts gave you.
Speed Training For Vault
An innovative way to train running speed for VAULTING
Yes- this is a joke.
Keep the momentum going! Share your favor drill!