January 11, 2011
Here are several snap down examples some better than others. Back handsprings have two flying phases one from feet to hands and the second turning from hands to feet. Snap downs help gymnast to understand the second flying phase. She could open the shoulders more to begin the snap down. In this example notice a much better shoulder opening to begin the snap down. /4th clip/ Better shoulder opening. /6thclip/ After Gymnasts can snap down safely from folded mats they can try from spring boards. The extra bounciness facilitates to train the deep hollow turn over without having to pike down. This is an incorrect snap down with an excessive pike. This gymnast shows a better turnover with a deep hollow position.
January 11, 2011
Snap down drills are closely related to the hands-to-feet motion on back handsprings required to add power and turn over to the rebound connecting a handspring to another handspring or to a somersault. The goal is to open the shoulder area and then pushing from shoulders and wrists snap the whole body into a deep hollow while turning on one unit from hands to feet. /Still1/ Shoulder Opening. /Still2/ Straight up handstand. /Still 3/ Shoulders opening. /Still 4/ Aiming for hollow turn over down.
January 7, 2011
American Gymnast has offered Gymnastics on Demand as a subscription-based online video training system for coaches, gym owners, and gymnasts for the last several years. Today, I'm excited to announce that all of the videos in that system are being added to YouTube so that the entire gymnastics community can now view them for FREE! There are approximately 1200 videos that are currently being uploaded!
November 29, 2010
I was just asked this question through our Ask American Gymnast section. I think this would be a good question to solicit feedback from others in the gymnastics community.
November 6, 2010
If you participate in gymnastics, or any sport long enough, chances are that at some point along the way you will experience an injury. If you were to scour for more information here, you'd know that the probability of an injury transpiring from gymnastics is high. The physical process of rehabbing the injury and getting back to normal training and competition level can be a long and difficult road. However, what is often overlooked is the mental rehabilitation that also needs to take place. Even when the athlete is back to 100% physically, neglecting the mental rehab or avoiding sessions of advanced hypnotherapy training can prevent the athlete from ever returning to pre-injury form.
October 9, 2010
We've been selling these Gymnastics Straps for many years, but I didn't realize they weren't listed for sale on our web site. (Credit goes to GymnasticsCoaching.com for blogging about Coach Nick Blanton's video, which is what brought it to my attention.) Coach Nick does a great job in the video below showing exactly how you can use these straps in numerous ways around the gym.
August 11, 2010
In this gymnastics equipment video from American Gymnast, we show you how to set up your AAI Elite Uneven Bars from start to finish.
July 10, 2010
The circle is the basic foundation for learning skills on pommel horse. It is imperative that gymnasts learn the proper technique of the circle early in their career to ensure growth in routine difficulty, stability, and efficiency. The ideal body position on the circle is a straight body. This position enables the gymnast to maintain an even weight distribution throughout a routine, and allows for a more rhythmic swing and fluid transition between skills.
July 5, 2010
Smooth Skills…Marcel Nguyen
July 4, 2010
Smooth Skills…Natsumi Sasada
