Freshman Gymnastics:

HIT FORM WIN

by Myles Laffey

Hinsdale Central

Don’t underestimate the power you have to positively influence kids

---------------

Don’t overplay your role in the process of skill acquisition;

Let the gymnast own what he earned

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.

--Socrates

Seek advice from coaches you trust

Coaching Influences

Al Bekkedal DGN

Coaching Influences

Tony Canino HC“…worth doing well.”

Neil Krupicka HC“…pat on the back.”

Harrison Bull HC“Do your best.”

Coaching Influences

Eric Liva Team Dist. 86

Tim Hamman HC, Fremd

Tnation.t-nation.com

Stayfit.com

Coaching Influences

“Iron” Mark Wanner HC

“Attention to details”

“Fall in love with the training”-Lance Armstrong

Other IHSGCA coaches (and judges)particularly:

DGN

GW

LT

York

PRACTICES

For skills, drills, stations, routines, etc. see Coach

Levin’s presentation referencing HC Coach Canino

PRACTICES

Day 1: Learn all gymnasts’ names; no excuses

Be on time, be on task, always do your best

“Let’s build something together”

PRACTICES

2-3 events per day

Condition as a team (within a team)

Saturdays: condition with varsity

What you do in practice, you will do in a meet

Skill Acquisition

Luck, Coincidence, Skill

“I didn’t see you; do it again”

Celebrate rites of passage(kip on bars, uprise on rings)

Give freshman an audience, spotlight

Capitalize on “horses on the trail” moments

•Draw a crowd quickly; keep it lively

•Spontaneous contests

•Focus on repetition of specific skill

ROUTINES

KISS--“Keep it simple, Sparky”

10 “hittable” skills with form

HB example

Teach them to breathe

VISUALIZE or find what works

Skills as “carrots” for Spring Break

Ex. giants, higher level skills, team tournaments, pool workouts, club visit &

lunch

Incentive to stay for break practices

After frosh year spring break required

MEETS

•“Business dress” – job to do•Stick together•Watch each other compete•Talk to opposing friends after meet•Handshakes: consider “gymnastics brotherhood”•Didn’t hit? Can’t complain.•Hitting is contagious, and fun!

HOME MEETS

•All levels help out (set up, take down)•Team meeting after take down•Win vs. loss speech•Highlights, future focus•Red Devil award

Freshman Education: Traditions

•“Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat”•bus ride• special treats• trivia night at coach’s house•naming exercises after creators•Uniforms (Star Trek tops)

Freshman year as start of journey

Success takes time

Laffey’s 18 years of freshman teams(win some, lose some)

14 years of senior teams at State(7 trophies)

HIT

FORM

WIN

What does it mean?

Doing your best vs. being the best

Scores and medals; gymnastics as metaphor for life

Building a future with your team

A Gymnastics A Gymnastics PerspectivePerspective

By:By:Jeff LevinJeff Levin

Glenbard WestGlenbard West

MY GOALS-MY GOALS- State a PHILOSOPHY- What does it all State a PHILOSOPHY- What does it all

mean?mean?

Taste of the “HILLTOPPER APPROACH”Taste of the “HILLTOPPER APPROACH”

ALSO- CREATE sort of a ROADMAPALSO- CREATE sort of a ROADMAP TO SUCCESS!TO SUCCESS!

InfluencesInfluences

Tony Canino: HCTony Canino: HC Tom Sokalski: NETom Sokalski: NE Ed Gagnier: Iowa StateEd Gagnier: Iowa State Blaise Blasko: GWBlaise Blasko: GW Steve Kafka: GWSteve Kafka: GW

EventsEventsJudgingJudging

RationaleRationale

TIME and FOCUSTIME and FOCUS Soph season- Soph season- 66 days66 days Approximately- 12 meetsApproximately- 12 meets Only 54 days to coachOnly 54 days to coach My first meet is two and a half weeksMy first meet is two and a half weeks into the season (almost 25 %)into the season (almost 25 %)

HENCEHENCE Work on EVENT REQUIREMENTS right away!Work on EVENT REQUIREMENTS right away! Develop PATTERNS, STATIONS, and HABITS!Develop PATTERNS, STATIONS, and HABITS! TALK TO THE TEAM- FORMULATE TEAM GOALS!TALK TO THE TEAM- FORMULATE TEAM GOALS! CREATE INDIVIDUAL GOALSCREATE INDIVIDUAL GOALS HOLD YOUR GYMNASTS TO THEIR GOALS!HOLD YOUR GYMNASTS TO THEIR GOALS!

TUMBLING TUMBLING REQUIREMENTSREQUIREMENTS

BACK PASS- .4BACK PASS- .4 FRONT PASS.4FRONT PASS.4 A TWIST.4A TWIST.4

MY PHILOSOPHY-BEG. MY PHILOSOPHY-BEG. YEARYEAR

GET YOUR REQUIREMENTS FIRSTGET YOUR REQUIREMENTS FIRST CONSTANT LEG DRILLS- FOR CONSTANT LEG DRILLS- FOR

BOUNDERS.BOUNDERS. CONDITIONING PAYS DIVIDENDSCONDITIONING PAYS DIVIDENDS REMEMBER- THERE IS NO REMEMBER- THERE IS NO

REPITITION!- WHAT DOES THAT REPITITION!- WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?MEAN TO YOU?

FIRST MEET- GENERIC FIRST MEET- GENERIC GYMNASTGYMNAST

Most likely- two front passes. WHY?Most likely- two front passes. WHY? Work front (barani) into the pit or crash Work front (barani) into the pit or crash

pad.pad. A nice ro-ff- back is fine at the beg. OfA nice ro-ff- back is fine at the beg. Ofthe year. (spot in practice- no pt. to dothe year. (spot in practice- no pt. to doIt in the meet.It in the meet. Also, front boundersAlso, front bounders

SCORE?SCORE? Diff. 1.6Diff. 1.6 Combination- 1.2Combination- 1.2 Sub-total 2.8Sub-total 2.8 Form = 5.4Form = 5.4 Form in reality= 3.2-3.7Form in reality= 3.2-3.7 Gymnast’s score= 6.0-6.5Gymnast’s score= 6.0-6.5

Final routine- top guy(s)Final routine- top guy(s) Front-front-front + for. Roll- WHY?Front-front-front + for. Roll- WHY? Ro-ff- back- back- back extensionRo-ff- back- back- back extension For. Full – for. Roll- front. For. Full – for. Roll- front. Why did I add the back extensionWhy did I add the back extension On pass two?On pass two?

SCORE WITH FORMSCORE WITH FORM YOU HAVE FOUR C’S- ONEYOU HAVE FOUR C’S- ONE OF THEM WILL BE BROKEN DOWN OF THEM WILL BE BROKEN DOWN

INTO TWO B’S.INTO TWO B’S.DIFFICULTY 2.8DIFFICULTY 2.8COMBINATION- 1.2COMBINATION- 1.2BONUS. 2 (C+C CONNECTION)BONUS. 2 (C+C CONNECTION)FORM= 4.2-4.8FORM= 4.2-4.8SCORE= 8.4- 9.0SCORE= 8.4- 9.0

POMMEL HORSE- DON’T POMMEL HORSE- DON’T COMPROMISE THE ISSUE!COMPROMISE THE ISSUE!

INCEPTION- THE MUSHROOM THAT INCEPTION- THE MUSHROOM THAT BEGAN THE PROCESS TO 10.0!BEGAN THE PROCESS TO 10.0!

NUMBERS! NUMBERS! NUMBERS!NUMBERS! NUMBERS! NUMBERS! BASIC TECHNIQUE- THE QUARTER BASIC TECHNIQUE- THE QUARTER

AND THREE QUARTER POINTS.AND THREE QUARTER POINTS. DON’T SACRIFICE FORM FOR MORE DON’T SACRIFICE FORM FOR MORE

NUMBERS!NUMBERS!

FIRST MEETFIRST MEET TWO CIRCLES- DOES THE WORD TWO CIRCLES- DOES THE WORD

“TASK MASTER” COME TO MIND?“TASK MASTER” COME TO MIND? TWO SCISSOR HOPS- REMEMBER- TWO SCISSOR HOPS- REMEMBER-

SPACE BETWEEN THEIR CROTCH SPACE BETWEEN THEIR CROTCH AND THE HORSE- NO STOP!- ONE AND THE HORSE- NO STOP!- ONE LEG NEEDS TO KEEP MOVING!LEG NEEDS TO KEEP MOVING!

JUST A REGULAR LOOP.JUST A REGULAR LOOP.

REMEMBER:REMEMBER: YOUR GYMNASTS WILL BECOME YOUR GYMNASTS WILL BECOME

ABOUT AS GOOD OR WORK ABOUT ABOUT AS GOOD OR WORK ABOUT AS HARD AS YOU MAKE THEM WORKAS HARD AS YOU MAKE THEM WORK

THERE IS A DIRECT CORRELATION THERE IS A DIRECT CORRELATION TO BECOMING GOOD AND THE TO BECOMING GOOD AND THE NUMBERS THAT YOU HOLD THEM TONUMBERS THAT YOU HOLD THEM TO

MAKE SURE YOU ADD LOOP DRILLS MAKE SURE YOU ADD LOOP DRILLS AND SCISSOR DRILLS.AND SCISSOR DRILLS.

FIRST MEETFIRST MEET TWO CIRCLES (PROBABLY MOUNT)TWO CIRCLES (PROBABLY MOUNT) TWO SCISSORS INTO A “B’ SCISSOR HOP!TWO SCISSORS INTO A “B’ SCISSOR HOP! ANOTHER SCISSOR HOP (REMEMBER- IF ANOTHER SCISSOR HOP (REMEMBER- IF

THEY STOP OR DON’T KEEP MOVING- THEY STOP OR DON’T KEEP MOVING- THERE IS ZERO BENEFIT!)THERE IS ZERO BENEFIT!)

DON’T FORGET- 10 LEGITIMATE PARTS!DON’T FORGET- 10 LEGITIMATE PARTS!

SCORESCORE DIFFICULTY= .4DIFFICULTY= .4 COMBINATION= .8 (IF GIVEN CREDIT COMBINATION= .8 (IF GIVEN CREDIT

FOR CIRCLES- DON’T BANG THE FOR CIRCLES- DON’T BANG THE HORSE!)HORSE!)

FORM= 2.0- 3.2FORM= 2.0- 3.2 TOTAL= 3.2-4.4TOTAL= 3.2-4.4 REMEMBER- JUDGES CAN AND WILL REMEMBER- JUDGES CAN AND WILL

BE TIGHT ON EXECUTION!BE TIGHT ON EXECUTION!

END OF YEAREND OF YEAR START WORKING ON TRAVEL START WORKING ON TRAVEL

DOWNSDOWNS CIRCLE LOOPSCIRCLE LOOPS TRAVEL LOOP OFF OR TRAVEL TRAVEL LOOP OFF OR TRAVEL

DOWN- BREAK CIRCLE LOOP OFFDOWN- BREAK CIRCLE LOOP OFF ““B” PART EITHER WAYB” PART EITHER WAY

SCORE BREAKDOWNSCORE BREAKDOWN

DIFFICULTY- 4 B’S AND THE RESTDIFFICULTY- 4 B’S AND THE REST A’S= 1.6A’S= 1.6 * COMBINATION- 1.2* COMBINATION- 1.2 EXECUTION ( KEEP THE BUTT OFF THE EXECUTION ( KEEP THE BUTT OFF THE

HORSE AND KEEP IT MOVING- ONLYHORSE AND KEEP IT MOVING- ONLY STANDARD BREAKSSTANDARD BREAKS FORM APPROX.= 3.5- 4.4FORM APPROX.= 3.5- 4.4 FINAL SCORE= 6.3- 7.2 (NOT BAD!)FINAL SCORE= 6.3- 7.2 (NOT BAD!)

INTERLUDEINTERLUDE MAKE IT FUN-GAMES- CHINAMAKE IT FUN-GAMES- CHINA VS. THE UNITED STATES.VS. THE UNITED STATES.• KEEP GYMNASTS ON-TASKKEEP GYMNASTS ON-TASK• LOTS OF COMMUNICATION-LOTS OF COMMUNICATION-

CONSTANT REMINDERS ABOUT CONSTANT REMINDERS ABOUT ACHIEVING GOALS!ACHIEVING GOALS!

STILL RINGS- DRILLSSTILL RINGS- DRILLS SWINGS- HANDS IN - BLOCK IN THE SWINGS- HANDS IN - BLOCK IN THE

FRONT- PALMS DOWN IN THE BACK!FRONT- PALMS DOWN IN THE BACK! HANDSTANDS- STEP ONTO A BLOCK, IF HANDSTANDS- STEP ONTO A BLOCK, IF

NECESSARY.NECESSARY. DISLOCATES ONTO CRASH PADS.DISLOCATES ONTO CRASH PADS. CROSSES OR FRONT LEVERS (EVERY CROSSES OR FRONT LEVERS (EVERY

OTHER DAY IS FINE)OTHER DAY IS FINE) LIFTED DISMOUNTS – GOOD BLOCK OUT LIFTED DISMOUNTS – GOOD BLOCK OUT

OF THE FRONT SWING.OF THE FRONT SWING.

RINGS- INTANGIBLESRINGS- INTANGIBLES STATIONS ARE A MUST- AND KEEPING ON STATIONS ARE A MUST- AND KEEPING ON

TASK IS A MUST.TASK IS A MUST. NOTE* WITH SOME GYMNASTS, JUST NOTE* WITH SOME GYMNASTS, JUST

GETTING THEM TO THE TOP OF THE GETTING THEM TO THE TOP OF THE RINGS IS A BIG PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST!RINGS IS A BIG PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST!

BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE AND STRESS BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE AND STRESS PATIENCE (FOR SOME THIS EVENT CAN PATIENCE (FOR SOME THIS EVENT CAN TAKE AWHILE BEFORE THEY REALLY TAKE AWHILE BEFORE THEY REALLY SENSE IMPROVEMENT!SENSE IMPROVEMENT!

BEGINNING OF THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASONSEASON

YOU’LL PROBABLY START WITH A YOU’LL PROBABLY START WITH A SHOULDER STAND-HOWEVER, IF SHOULDER STAND-HOWEVER, IF THEY’VE WORKED EXTREMELY THEY’VE WORKED EXTREMELY HARD, PUT IT IN THEIR SET. THEY HARD, PUT IT IN THEIR SET. THEY WILL LIKELY NOT GET CREDIT FOR IT.WILL LIKELY NOT GET CREDIT FOR IT.

STRENGTH- SAMESTRENGTH- SAME TOP TO TOP- SAMETOP TO TOP- SAME

OPENING ROUTINEOPENING ROUTINE THE OBJECT IS TO THROW THE CLEANEST THE OBJECT IS TO THROW THE CLEANEST

ROUTINE POSSIBLE, WHILE WORKING ROUTINE POSSIBLE, WHILE WORKING TOWARDS REQUIRENTS (STRENGTH, H.S. TOWARDS REQUIRENTS (STRENGTH, H.S. AND TOP TO TOP.AND TOP TO TOP.

DIFFICULTY .4DIFFICULTY .4 COMBINATION- GENERALLY .OCOMBINATION- GENERALLY .O FORM 2.5-3.2FORM 2.5-3.2 SCORE= 2.9- 3.6SCORE= 2.9- 3.6

DIRECTLY AFTER THE DIRECTLY AFTER THE TWO WEEKSTWO WEEKS

INCREASE ALL OF YOUR NUMBERS- INCREASE ALL OF YOUR NUMBERS- RELATED TO STRENGTH AND RELATED TO STRENGTH AND HANDSTANDS.HANDSTANDS.

WORK TOP TO TOP (LIKE CRAZY)-WORK TOP TO TOP (LIKE CRAZY)- GET IT IN!GET IT IN! IF YOU’RE WORKING ON A FRONT LEVER- IF YOU’RE WORKING ON A FRONT LEVER-

YOU MAY GET SOME SORT OF CREDIT BY YOU MAY GET SOME SORT OF CREDIT BY MID-YEAR.MID-YEAR.

THE HANDSTAND WILL STILL BE A WORK THE HANDSTAND WILL STILL BE A WORK IN PROGRESSIN PROGRESS

MID-YEAR ROUTINEMID-YEAR ROUTINE YOU PROBABLY HAVE A TOP TO TOP-YOU PROBABLY HAVE A TOP TO TOP-

PERHAPS, YOU CAN GET IT STRAIGHT PERHAPS, YOU CAN GET IT STRAIGHT ARM (PROBABLY NOT)ARM (PROBABLY NOT)

FORM AND “STURDINESS” SHOULD FORM AND “STURDINESS” SHOULD REALLY BE IMPROVING.REALLY BE IMPROVING.

HANDSTAND- SHOULD BE GETTING HANDSTAND- SHOULD BE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY BETTER.PROGRESSIVELY BETTER.

START INTRODUCING THE POSSIBILITY OF START INTRODUCING THE POSSIBILITY OF A “FULL” DISMOUNT.A “FULL” DISMOUNT.

PROGRESSING TOWARDS PROGRESSING TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEARTHE END OF THE YEAR

HANDSTAND SHOULD BE GETTING HANDSTAND SHOULD BE GETTING CREDIT- ALL DRILLS SHOULD BE CREDIT- ALL DRILLS SHOULD BE TOWARDS GETTING CREDIT. MAKE SURE TOWARDS GETTING CREDIT. MAKE SURE YOUR GYMNASTS ARE STOPPING IN ONE YOUR GYMNASTS ARE STOPPING IN ONE POSITION, EVEN IF ITS NOT ALL THE WAY POSITION, EVEN IF ITS NOT ALL THE WAY UP.UP.

STRENGTH- SAME – START WORKING A STRENGTH- SAME – START WORKING A LITTLE BIT ON PULLING OUT OF FRONT LITTLE BIT ON PULLING OUT OF FRONT LEVERS AND CROSSES. (OBVIOUSLY, USE LEVERS AND CROSSES. (OBVIOUSLY, USE PULLEY SYSTEMS AND JUST PLAIN MAN-PULLEY SYSTEMS AND JUST PLAIN MAN-POWER (HELP FROM TEAM-MATEPOWER (HELP FROM TEAM-MATE

END OF YEAR ROUTINEEND OF YEAR ROUTINE HANDSTAND- CREDITHANDSTAND- CREDIT STRENGTH- CREDITSTRENGTH- CREDIT TOP TO TOP WITH STRAIGHT ARMS TOP TO TOP WITH STRAIGHT ARMS

THROUGH BACK UPRISE.THROUGH BACK UPRISE. PERHAPS, A BACK UPRISE TO PERHAPS, A BACK UPRISE TO

IMMEDIATE STRADDLE LIMMEDIATE STRADDLE L POSSIBLY EVEN A FULLPOSSIBLY EVEN A FULL

END OF SEASON (SR)- END OF SEASON (SR)- BEST CASE SCENARIOBEST CASE SCENARIO

DIFF. 3B’S- ONE CDIFF. 3B’S- ONE CDIFFICULTY= 1.9DIFFICULTY= 1.9COMB.= 1.2COMB.= 1.2SUB-TOTAL= 3.1SUB-TOTAL= 3.1FORM 3.5- 4.5FORM 3.5- 4.5FINAL SCORE-6.6- 7.6FINAL SCORE-6.6- 7.6

CORRELATION VLT- TU-CORRELATION VLT- TU-TRAMPTRAMP

YOU CAN ALMOST LUMP THESE IN YOU CAN ALMOST LUMP THESE IN TOGETHER.TOGETHER.

LEARN A FULL (FORWARD) ON LEARN A FULL (FORWARD) ON TRAMP-AND YOU CAN DO A HS FULLTRAMP-AND YOU CAN DO A HS FULL

PIKE BACK, LAYOUT BACK- PIKE PIKE BACK, LAYOUT BACK- PIKE TSUK, LAYOUT TSUK (ETC.)TSUK, LAYOUT TSUK (ETC.)

Vaulting- progressions, Vaulting- progressions, principlesprinciples

START LOW- VERY PROGRESSIVELY GO START LOW- VERY PROGRESSIVELY GO HIGHER (SAME THING FrOR HANDSPRINGS HIGHER (SAME THING FrOR HANDSPRINGS AND TSUKS.AND TSUKS.

REMEMBER TO KEEP THE IREMEMBER TO KEEP THE I INTEGRITY OF THE SKILL, REGARDLESS INTEGRITY OF THE SKILL, REGARDLESS

OF THE HEIGHTH! OF THE HEIGHTH! HANDSPRING- OPEN ANGLESHANDSPRING- OPEN ANGLES DON’T’S! DROP THE HEAD, PIKE AT HIPS,DON’T’S! DROP THE HEAD, PIKE AT HIPS,BEND ARMS OR LEGS-DECREASING ANGLES BEND ARMS OR LEGS-DECREASING ANGLES

WILL HURT THE VAULTER FOREVER!WILL HURT THE VAULTER FOREVER!

MORE SPECIFIC WITH MORE SPECIFIC WITH MATSMATS

YOU CAN BASICALLY START WITH HANDSPRINGS YOU CAN BASICALLY START WITH HANDSPRINGS ON THE FLOOR AND ROUND OFFS ON THE ON THE FLOOR AND ROUND OFFS ON THE FLOOR.FLOOR.

JUST KEEP ADDING SPOTTING BLOCKS AND JUST KEEP ADDING SPOTTING BLOCKS AND MATS TO DESIRED HEIGHT.MATS TO DESIRED HEIGHT.

WHY? YOU CERTAINLY WANT TO REMOVE FEAR WHY? YOU CERTAINLY WANT TO REMOVE FEAR FROM THE EQUATIONFROM THE EQUATION

OBVIOUSLY, PROPER PROGRESSIVE OBVIOUSLY, PROPER PROGRESSIVE GYMNASTICS IS WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE YOU GYMNASTICS IS WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE YOU SOPH TEAM BETTER-AND MORE IMPORTANTLY- SOPH TEAM BETTER-AND MORE IMPORTANTLY- YOUR VARSITY GYMNAST MUCH BETTER!YOUR VARSITY GYMNAST MUCH BETTER!

PARALLEL BARS-PARALLEL BARS-REQUIREMENTSREQUIREMENTS

HANDSTAND- SWINGS INTO A H.S.- (A HANDSTAND- SWINGS INTO A H.S.- (A FEW THOUSAND- MINIMALLY)FEW THOUSAND- MINIMALLY)

DON’TS- ARCH IN THE BACK, LET DON’TS- ARCH IN THE BACK, LET SHOULDERS GO BACK IN THE SHOULDERS GO BACK IN THE FRONT, PIKE IN THE FRONT OR TRY FRONT, PIKE IN THE FRONT OR TRY TO SWING TOO HIGH- TOO SOON!TO SWING TOO HIGH- TOO SOON!

FLIPPING DISMOUNT- (NEXT SLIDE)FLIPPING DISMOUNT- (NEXT SLIDE) UNDERBAR SKILL.UNDERBAR SKILL.

FLIPPING DISMOUNT-FLIPPING DISMOUNT-MOST CASES- BACK OFFMOST CASES- BACK OFF

WHY?- MOST GYMNASTS CAN’T DO A DECENT WHY?- MOST GYMNASTS CAN’T DO A DECENT FRONT UPRISE AT THE END OF THE SET. FRONT UPRISE AT THE END OF THE SET. HOWEVER, IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR SOME HOWEVER, IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR SOME

BOYS.BOYS. BUILD MATS UP TO CLOSE TO THE TOP OF THE BUILD MATS UP TO CLOSE TO THE TOP OF THE

BARS (LOWER BARS).BARS (LOWER BARS). (NO NEED TO SPOT)(NO NEED TO SPOT) KEEP REMOVING MATS-UNTIL YOUKEEP REMOVING MATS-UNTIL YOU HIT 8 INCHER.HIT 8 INCHER. THEN- RAISE BARS ONE NOTCH AT A TIMETHEN- RAISE BARS ONE NOTCH AT A TIME

STATIONS-ROTATIONS-STATIONS-ROTATIONS-BEGINNING OF THE YEARBEGINNING OF THE YEAR

GLIDE KIP STATION- I BEGIN WITH GLIDE KIP STATION- I BEGIN WITH JUST A GLIDE AND PROGRESS TO JUST A GLIDE AND PROGRESS TO THE KIP. ASAP- I TRY TO SPOT THEM THE KIP. ASAP- I TRY TO SPOT THEM INTO A “V” POSITION.INTO A “V” POSITION.

SWING AND HANDSTAND STATION- SWING AND HANDSTAND STATION- NOTE- THIS IS MY FAVORITE SPOT NOTE- THIS IS MY FAVORITE SPOT IN THE GYM- I CAN COACH ALL 6 IN THE GYM- I CAN COACH ALL 6 WHEN I’M UP THERE! (CONT.)WHEN I’M UP THERE! (CONT.)

MORE STATIONSMORE STATIONS V’S, STRADDLE L’S, HANDSTANDS,V’S, STRADDLE L’S, HANDSTANDS, PRESS HANDS. (IT’S AMAZING HOW MANY PRESS HANDS. (IT’S AMAZING HOW MANY

“B” PARTS YOU CAN TEACH ON THE “B” PARTS YOU CAN TEACH ON THE PARALLETS.)PARALLETS.)

A FEW WEEKS INTO THE SEASON- WORK A FEW WEEKS INTO THE SEASON- WORK PIROUETTES, STUTZES, REVERSE PIROUETTES, STUTZES, REVERSE STUTZES AND FRONT TOSSES. (THEY STUTZES AND FRONT TOSSES. (THEY CAN PICK THEIR SPECIALTY).CAN PICK THEIR SPECIALTY).

FOUNDATION SKILLS FOR FOUNDATION SKILLS FOR FIRST MEETFIRST MEET

GOOD GLIDE KIPGOOD GLIDE KIP GOOD MOYGOOD MOY BACK UPRISE AND FRONT UPRISEBACK UPRISE AND FRONT UPRISE HOPEFULLY, FRONT TOSSHOPEFULLY, FRONT TOSS HOPEFULLY, ONE STRADDLE “L”HOPEFULLY, ONE STRADDLE “L” HOPEFULLY A BACK OFFHOPEFULLY A BACK OFF

Routine- first meet Routine- first meet (approx)(approx)

1. glide kip- a part, req.1. glide kip- a part, req. 2. moy-a2. moy-a 3. b.u.-a3. b.u.-a 4. L-a.4. L-a. 5. front toss- B5. front toss- B 6-7. b.u.-a, “L”-a6-7. b.u.-a, “L”-a 8. straddle L (space between legs and bar)-B8. straddle L (space between legs and bar)-B 9. for. Roll-9. for. Roll- 10. b.u.- a10. b.u.- a 11. flank off (possibly back off)11. flank off (possibly back off)

SCORE- FIRST MEETSCORE- FIRST MEET DIFF- 1.0DIFF- 1.0 COMB. .4- POSSIBLY .8COMB. .4- POSSIBLY .8 FORM- 3.4-3.8FORM- 3.4-3.8 SCORE- 4.8- 5.2SCORE- 4.8- 5.2 YES, POSSIBLY A LITTLE OPTIMISTIC!YES, POSSIBLY A LITTLE OPTIMISTIC!

THE WAR- (COMING THE WAR- (COMING FROM AN OLD P-BAR FROM AN OLD P-BAR GUY)GUY)

THOUSANDS OF SWINGS AND THOUSANDS OF SWINGS AND HANDSTANDSHANDSTANDS

THOUSANDS OF GLIDE V’S THOUSANDS OF GLIDE V’S THOUSANDS OF V’S AND PRESSESTHOUSANDS OF V’S AND PRESSES TO HANDSTANDS.TO HANDSTANDS.MANY, MANY FRONT UPRISESMANY, MANY FRONT UPRISESCHOICE BETWEEN TWO MORE B’SCHOICE BETWEEN TWO MORE B’S(STUTZ OR R.S., PIROS, B.U. STRADDLES(STUTZ OR R.S., PIROS, B.U. STRADDLES

END OF YEAR- ROUTINEEND OF YEAR- ROUTINE 1. GLIDE V= C +REQ.1. GLIDE V= C +REQ. 2. S.S. PRESS= B2. S.S. PRESS= B 3. BAIL- B3. BAIL- B 4. MOY-A4. MOY-A 5. B.U.-A5. B.U.-A 6. V- B6. V- B 7. FRONT TOSS (u.)- B7. FRONT TOSS (u.)- B 8. B.U.- A8. B.U.- A 9. B. STRADDLE (CLEAR BARS)- B9. B. STRADDLE (CLEAR BARS)- B 10. SWING HANDSTAND- A AND REQ.10. SWING HANDSTAND- A AND REQ. 11. BACK OFF- B11. BACK OFF- B

END OF THE YEAR- SCOREEND OF THE YEAR- SCORE 1 C AND 6 B’S1 C AND 6 B’S DIFF. 2.6DIFF. 2.6 COMBINATION= 1.2COMBINATION= 1.2 SUB-TOTAL= 3.8SUB-TOTAL= 3.8 FORM= 3.5-4.4FORM= 3.5-4.4 SCORE= 7.3-8.2SCORE= 7.3-8.2

HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE TO HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS?ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS?

SOKALSKI- FUN AND CONCERN FOR EVERY SOKALSKI- FUN AND CONCERN FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL. INSPIRING CONFIDENCE!INDIVIDUAL. INSPIRING CONFIDENCE!

CANINO- NUMBERS AND DISCIPLINE, Goal SettingCANINO- NUMBERS AND DISCIPLINE, Goal Setting BLASKO- KNOWLEDGE OF “THE GAME” FORM, BLASKO- KNOWLEDGE OF “THE GAME” FORM,

EXECUTION-ADHERENCE TO RULE BOOK, EXECUTION-ADHERENCE TO RULE BOOK, PROPER PROGRESSIONS!PROPER PROGRESSIONS!

GAGNIER (LOKEN)- ATTENTION TO DETAIL- GAGNIER (LOKEN)- ATTENTION TO DETAIL- BELIEF IN WHAT YOU’RE DOING.”WE CAN DO THIS BELIEF IN WHAT YOU’RE DOING.”WE CAN DO THIS GUYS!” + MOTIVATIONAL ATTITUDE!GUYS!” + MOTIVATIONAL ATTITUDE!

KAFKA-NEVER,NEVER, NEVER (UNDER ANY KAFKA-NEVER,NEVER, NEVER (UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES) GIVE UP! BELIEF IN CREATING CIRCUMSTANCES) GIVE UP! BELIEF IN CREATING TEAM ATMOSPHERE AND EMPOWERMENT!TEAM ATMOSPHERE AND EMPOWERMENT!

H-BARH-BAR DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE THE DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE THE

STRAP BAR!STRAP BAR! SWING ENOUGH WHERE THEY’RE SWING ENOUGH WHERE THEY’RE

NOT AFRAID. (SOMETIMES, VERY NOT AFRAID. (SOMETIMES, VERY SLOW PROGRESSIONS).SLOW PROGRESSIONS).

GOOD MODELS ON BAR (IN YOUR GOOD MODELS ON BAR (IN YOUR GYM!)- NOTHING BETTERGYM!)- NOTHING BETTER

MAKE IT FUN!MAKE IT FUN!

REPITITIONSREPITITIONS BACK UPRISE, BACK HI-CIRCLE- DROP KIP- BACK UPRISE, BACK HI-CIRCLE- DROP KIP-

CAST GIANT (IN THE THOUSANDS)CAST GIANT (IN THE THOUSANDS) LOTS OF CASTS ON LOW BAR.LOTS OF CASTS ON LOW BAR. LATER IN THE SEASON- PIRO DRILLS,LATER IN THE SEASON- PIRO DRILLS, FREE HIP DRILLS, POSSIBLY HIGGINS FREE HIP DRILLS, POSSIBLY HIGGINS

DRILLS.DRILLS. GET GOOD AND COMFORTABLE (BELT) GET GOOD AND COMFORTABLE (BELT)

WITH CAST FLYAWAYS.WITH CAST FLYAWAYS.

FIRST MEETFIRST MEET 1. BACK UPRISE1. BACK UPRISE 2. BACK HIP CIRCLE2. BACK HIP CIRCLE 3. DROP KIP3. DROP KIP 4 AND 5- CAST GIANTS (2)4 AND 5- CAST GIANTS (2) PIKE DOWN DROP KIPPIKE DOWN DROP KIP 6. CHANGE HANDS- B. GIANT6. CHANGE HANDS- B. GIANT 7. GIANT (IN TO BAR)7. GIANT (IN TO BAR) 8. BACK HIP CIRCLE8. BACK HIP CIRCLE 9. KIP9. KIP 10. FLY AWAY10. FLY AWAY

SCORESCORE DIFF. .4DIFF. .4 COMB. 1.2COMB. 1.2 SUB-TOTAL= 1.6SUB-TOTAL= 1.6 FORM 2.4-3.5FORM 2.4-3.5 SCORE 4.0- 5.1SCORE 4.0- 5.1

KAFKA- NO ONE ON MY KAFKA- NO ONE ON MY TEAM IS GOING TO BE A BAD TEAM IS GOING TO BE A BAD HIGH BAR MAN!HIGH BAR MAN!

FREE HIPS- KEEP YOU HEAD IN!FREE HIPS- KEEP YOU HEAD IN! OPEN EARLY!OPEN EARLY! PIROS- WORK LOW BAR, CATCH ORPIROS- WORK LOW BAR, CATCH OR USE MAT ON BOTTOM.USE MAT ON BOTTOM. HIGGINS- SAME CONCEPT.HIGGINS- SAME CONCEPT.

END OF YEAREND OF YEAR 1. B.U.-A1. B.U.-A 2. FREE HIP- B2. FREE HIP- B 3. GIANT-A3. GIANT-A 4. GIANT-A4. GIANT-A 5. PIKE DOWN- KIP- A5. PIKE DOWN- KIP- A 6. CHANGE HNDS- R. GIANT- A6. CHANGE HNDS- R. GIANT- A 7. GIANT7. GIANT 8. PIRO –GIANT – B8. PIRO –GIANT – B 9. KIP-A9. KIP-A 10 FLYAWAY- A10 FLYAWAY- A

END OF THE YEAR SCOREEND OF THE YEAR SCORE DIFFICULTY- 1.0DIFFICULTY- 1.0 COMBINATION= 1.2COMBINATION= 1.2 SUB-TOTAL= 2.2SUB-TOTAL= 2.2 FORM 3.6- 4.4FORM 3.6- 4.4 TOTAL= 5.8- 6.6TOTAL= 5.8- 6.6

A Few Anecdotes- The A Few Anecdotes- The Events and the GymnastsEvents and the Gymnaststhat Make a Difference!that Make a Difference!

John BremerJohn Bremer Michael and Eddy RossMichael and Eddy Ross Josh LevinJosh Levin Bob PoleBob Pole Steve AltonSteve Alton

PRACTICE DOESN’T MAKE PRACTICE DOESN’T MAKE PERFECT…PERFECT PERFECT…PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

LEVIN- IF YOU BREAK A SKILL DOWN LEVIN- IF YOU BREAK A SKILL DOWN ENOUGH TIMES INTO IT’S ENOUGH TIMES INTO IT’S NUMEROUS AND SMALLEST PARTS…NUMEROUS AND SMALLEST PARTS…

AND DO IT ENOUGH TIMES…AND DO IT ENOUGH TIMES… YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING

OR TEACH (LEARN) ANYTHING!OR TEACH (LEARN) ANYTHING! (COMBINED WITH A LITTLE (COMBINED WITH A LITTLE

CHUTZPAH!)CHUTZPAH!)