February 1, 2011
In both the regular split leap and the switch leap the front leg swings forward as the back leg leaves the floor in a sweeping motion to kick toward the horizontal line. Both the front and back leg cooperate to show a 180 degree split or more at peak height. Many younger gymnasts often demonstrate a back leg position that is a little low and not completely parallel to the beam, or they tend to flex the back leg. This simple swing and kick back exercise helps the athlete understand the quick kick action required from her back leg. It is important to train the drill without bending the leg during the kicks.
February 1, 2011
The swing kick half turn is a good balance drill. The goal is to perform a high front kick and swing the same leg back while raising the support leg in a tall releve. The gymnast performs a half turn ending with that same free leg raising up as high as possible above the horizontal line. The whole drill must be performed without bending the support leg or the free swinging leg. The body is kept straight without leaning forward or arching back.
January 13, 2011
The first dynamic step in straps training is learning how to progressively increase the basic swing amplitude. The hollow to tight arch motions to execute a tap while moving through the bottom are similar to the regular swings with straps but wearing the straps correctly the gymnasts can afford very big back and forth swings without any fear of ripping off the bar. One difference between regular swings and strap swings that the gymnast must be made aware of is that with the straps on there is no need to regrasp at the peak of each back swing because the straps prevent the hands from sliding out of a good grip while swinging back and forth. Once the gymnasts return to regular swings with straps they must regrip at the peak of each back swing or they can rip off the bar easily. Also during all strap training it is very important to keep the arms straight. since the gymnast can not jump off the bar to bail out of a problem keeping the arms straight and having a tight body makes the athlete swing in the opposite direction if a skill is not completed. if the arms bent close to a handstand or the body ges loose the gymnast may be unable to avoid collapsing down on the bar. 4th clip Take another look at the gymnasts hand at the peak of the back swing and notice how the athlete is not performing any kind of obvious regrasping to begin swinging down again. Training on the strapss allows the gymnasts to concentrate on good body positions technical motions and powerful taps without holding back on the swings amplitude.
January 13, 2011
To swing in the straps with an eagle grip the hands are placed through the straps like for undergrip swings. The gymnast then makes a backwards roll to dislocate. The athlete must shift the wrists to maintain proper weight support at peak height or his body may collapse against the bar. Notice also the wrists shift on each inverted giants ascending phase to support. To come out of the straps once the athlete stops he uses the elevated spotting surface to initiate a forward roll coming in this way out of the eagle grip toward an undergrip. Clip #2 Check again in this closer view how the gymnast sets his hands on the straps for undergrip swings and by means of a backward roll with a dislocate he gets into the disired position to practice his eagle grip swings and inverted giants. Notcie also how in each inverted giant the body shortens with a pike to facilitate the return to support and then straightens up again for maximum presentation amplitude and to increase the swing down.
January 12, 2011
Starting to teach back handsprings without arm swings may help the gymnasts to get used to keeping the arms closer to the head in the early learning stages plus it can save the coach a couple of face slaps. Place the gymnast on a position as if they were coming from a round off or another back handspring. Because this gymnast is light and already knows the skill the hand spotting the lower back is placed on the middle instead of farther across. Coaches must only spot back handsprings from kneeling when the gymnast is so light that her weight can be handled easy from this spotting position.
January 12, 2011
Once we are relatively sure that the gymnast is not going to throw the arms out too open we can add the arms swing to their spotted back handsprings. This gymnast is trying to master a hollow turn over second flying phase instead of just piking it down. Coaches may use every training opportunity to help establish good posture habits like standing up with stomach area in and buttocks tucked in too. Starting with a hollow instead of a totally straight back allows for a more explosive upper body range of motion and mimics an effective way to connect back tumbling skills like a roung off to back handspring a handspring to another handspring or to different types of somersaults.
