Developmental Twisting Part 1
This will be the first in a series of articles and videos on Twisting Technique. I get a feeling I will be revisiting this page and updating it often.
If you cannot explain it simply, you do not understand it well enough. – Albert Einstein
I really try to keep it simple. Use one basic technique for front and back twisting that will also transfer to other events.
A couple of rules that I follow.
– Twist the SAME direction front and Back
– Teach a straight arm twist
– There is no substitute for a good layout shape.
– Teach a LATE twist.
WARNING- 2 conflicting statements below!
A LEFT round off is a RIGHT twist. As you do a LEFT round off your RIGHT shoulder drops back. If you are doing a Back Layout and twist RIGHT your Right shoulder drops back.
In general I like to teach a left twist to a left roundoff and a right twist for a right roundoff. This allows the gymnast to more easily do a step out – out of a twist into a roundoff or front handspring. (This does NOT work all the time. It is just a place to start).
Here is my first step in teaching twisting. Teaching the gymnasts straight arm drop and 1/4 turns.
The second drill is seat drop side roll over. This simulates front twisting.
