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Developmental Twisting for Gymnastics Part 8

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Developmental Twisting Part 8.

Wow- It has been a LONG series of posts to get to here. Certainly not a complete list of drills.

We like to teach all twisting on tramp in 1/4 increments. EXAMPLE: In order for a gymnast to know where a 1 1/2 is to punch front or step out of, they need to know where 1 1/4 is to prepare to punch.

This video shows a gymnast twisting up. Doing a layout 1/1 twist and then doing jump 1/4 turns. In the course of twisting I believe that it is important to also twist back down. This is another thing we do to help kids from getting “the twisties”

View Previous segments

 

Floor Twisting Part 1

Floor Twisting Part 2

 

Developmental Twisting for Gymnastics Part 7

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Developmental Twisting Part 7

Here is a pretty cool drill that we use for both Vault (Handspring full using a single arm drop) and tumbling where they drop both arms.

Smaller gymnasts can use a vaulting board in front to add spring. Adjust the angle of the mat so they are in control of the roll.

Make sure you see Past Twisting videos

Other Posts on Twisting

Floor Twisting Part 1

Floor Twisting Part 2

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Developmental Twisting for Gymnastics Part 6

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Developmental Twisting Part 6

Here the girls demonstrate Layout 3/4 to their stomach. Initially standing up and doing jump 1/4 turns.

As they get comfortable they stand up with a 1/4 turn (and continue with 1/2 turn jumps)

They will also do a 3/4 layout to stomach and roll 1/2 to back.

The next step (second video) is leading up to a CRUISE (stomach drop 1/2 stomach drop). Very important for multiple flips with twist.

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Developmental Twisting for Gymnastics Part 5

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Developmental Twisting Part 5

As the gymnasts progress and can “flip” they always add jump 1/4 turns out of flip. Initially I have them do these in both directions. As soon as they know if they are a “lefty” or a “righty” we stick with their dominant side.

You can see in the video that we do PIKE shaped flips.  The reason I have them do pikes is that it keeps them from twisting early.

We have all had gymnasts who have gotten the twisties. I always make sure we are doing Pikes at some point so that they understand that the flip happens first. When gymnasts get comfortable with twisting it begins getting earlier and earlier. Make sure you are not skipping any steps and go back to PIKE- kick open flips often.
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Developmental Twisting for Gymnastics Part 4

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Developmental Twisting Part 4

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

In part 4 we continue with developmental drills for twisting. As I stated previously I like to introduce front twisting first so that they have something to relate it to.

In Part 1 I stated that we need to understand that a Left Round off is a Right Twist.

It is for that reason I make sure that developmentally the gymnast can do the drill both Left and Right. JUST THE DRILL. NOT ACTUALLY TWISTING.

You can see that in this video the gymnast does the drill each way.

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Developmental Twisting for Gymnastics Part 2

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Developmental Twisting drills for gymnastics.

This is the second installment in the twisting drills that I do with compulsory gymnasts to prepare them for optional skills.

Make sure you at least READ Part 1.

Although I do most of these drills on trampoline they can easily be done on Tumble Trak or even on a mat on the floor.

Picking up where we left off we did “Dog rolls” and lead up  for swivel hips.
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New Years Resolutions

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This is a repost from Last Year (Jan 1 2013). Just doing a little self reflection to see how I did in 2013. How did you do? I find it odd that I was thinking about this as I spent a very early morning plowing and spreading salt after 2 days of rain and ice.

Tony 12/31/2013

 

I spent this morning plowing the parking lots of my gyms. While plowing I have a lot of time to reflect on gym, life, gym-life, and caribbean vacations.

My thoughts today were on ways to become a  better coach and how to inspire those around me to be a better coaches and teachers. Now that I am sitting on my couch, half watching a football game, I found a good article, “Top 12 Ways to Become a Better Coach”  on Gymnasticszone.com.  Summed up in a sentence:

for coaches to get success like they have never had before, coaches are required to do things they have never done before.

new-year-resolution-cartoon-11My New Years Resolutions for 2013

1. Get out of my own head and get out of my own way.

2. Try to see what I am doing through the eyes of my gymnasts. Look at the BIG PICTURE

3. Challenge my beliefs, ideas, methods and strategies about how coaching should work. I ‘ve been coaching a LONG time. I’ve had National Team members and I’ve had gymnasts who broke my heart because they had the talent but not the heart. I’ve had gymnasts who were amazing swinging bars and kids who struggled. The same is true for all events. This year I will keep in mind that every gymnast and every group is different. I need to coach outside the box and try to find some innovative solutions.

4. Look for the opportunities in every problem situation.

5. Identify the blocks that keep me from breaking a bad habit that affects my coaching. New year, New Good Habits.

6. Make a stronger effort to connect with my gymnasts and their parents. The more I know about them, the more I will appreciate them, and can provide excellent service.

7. Read and study information about coaching other sports, thinking all the while what lessons I can learn and new techniques I can apply to my own coaching in gymnastics.

8. Spend time every day watching gymnastics videos. The Internet has made this remarkably easy and virtually free. I will gain much insight into your coaching and sport by watching the latest and greatest being done around the world.

9. Find a gymnastics and/or life coaching mentor.

I posed this as a question to a few coaches who work for me, to some coaches who I know and respect and even a few gymnasts. Here are some of their responses:

1. To be more disciplined about the aspects of coaching I find tedious (i.e. correcting form on active flex, making gymnasts go back and repeat turns that exhibit low effort).   If I can be more disciplined in that manner the girls will develop more good habits.
2. To take the time to notice more kids – I am very familiar with the kids in my own groups through the level 4 team.  I don’t know the names of some of the excel girls or the sharks and I will take some more time to be in tune with what they are doing.  I also will continue to try to immerse myself in getting to know kids in classes – the response I get from them when I acknowledge them at their warmups or as they move from event to event shows how important it is for meshing our entire program.  They feel very important and valued when one of the team coaches acknowledges them.

3. Let the pizza cool before biting into it.

4. Receive less restraining orders (Yeah, I probably should NOT have e-mailed this guy)

5. Make someone smile every day

6. Teach each kid an individual skill

7. Contribute more to GYM MOMENTUM. This should be on everyones list! 

 

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