Winter Cup Challenge John Orozco Wins the All-Around
Preschool FUNdamentals
Tips from USA Gymnastics National Instructors
MARCH 2012 – VOL. 32 – #3
EVENTS 2012
AUGUST
MARCH
8–11
TOPs Invitational Camp (W)
Huntsville, TX
10–12
Region 6 Congress
Providence, RI
10–12
Region 8 Congress
Nashville, TN
12 – 15
TOPs Invitational Camp (W)
Huntsville, TX
17–19
Region 7 Congress
Baltimore, MD
22-25
Women’s Level 300 JO Team Coaches Course (W300)
Huntsville, TX
24–26
Region 2 Congress
26 – 29
Women’s Level 400 National Coaches Course (W400),
16–18
Kellogg’s Pacific Rim Championships (M/W/R/T)
30–31
USA Gymnastics Collegiate Championships (M)
30–Apr 1
Elite Challenge (TT)
Everett, WA Colorado Springs, CO Tulsa, OK
APRIL Bridgeport, CT
Everett, WA Huntsville, TX
12 – 14
USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships
13–15
Women’s Level 9/10 Regionals
Various Sites
13–15
Men’s JO Regional Championships
Various Sites
16–22
Acro Gym. World Champs. & World Age Group Competition Lake Buena Vista, FL
14–16
Region 5 Congress
Indianapolis, IN
20–21
NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships
22
National Gymnastics Day
various locations
20–22
NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships
28 – 30
National TOPs Testing (W)
Huntsville, TX
Norman, OK Duluth, GA
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
MAY 3–6
Level 9 East/West Championships (W)
Landover, MD/Boise, ID
7
USA Gymnastics Special Olympics Championships (M/W/R/GG)
7–13
JO National Championships (M)
10–12
JO National Championships (W)
11–13
Stars & Stripes Cup (TT)
13
JO National Invitational Tournament (W)
26
Secret U.S. Classic (W)
31–June 3 USA Gymnastics Open Championships (W)
Marietta, GA
7–10
Level 9/10 Training Camp (W)
Huntsville, TX
10–14
JO National Team Training Camp (W)
Huntsville, TX
Cincinnati, OH Hampton, VA Cleveland, OH Hampton, VA Chicago, IL Lake Buena Vista, FL
2013 APRIL 12–14
Women’s Level 9/10 Regionals
Various sites
MAY
JUNE
2–5
Level 9 East/West Championships (W)
St. Louis, MO
9–11
JO National Championships (W)
Minneapolis, MN
Region 4 Congress
St. Louis, MO
12
JO–NIT (W)
Minneapolis, MN
26–28
USA Gymnastics Rhythmic & Trampoline Championships
San Jose, CA
31–June 2 2013–20 JO Compulsory Master Workshop – East (W)
28–July1
U.S. Olympic Team Trials–Gymnastics (M/W)
San Jose, CA
28
Certifications for USA Gymnastics National Congress
San Jose, CA
JUNE
29–July1
USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show
San Jose, CA
6–12
JO National Championships/Invitational (R)
7–10
Visa Championships (M/W)
8–10
Lake Buena Vista, FL
JULY 5–11
T&T Junior Olympic Nationals
19–22
USA Gymnastics For All Nationals
23–26
JO Optional Skills Camp (W)
27–Aug. 12 Olympic Games (M,W,R,T)
Long Beach, CA Lake Buena Vista, FL
7 – 9
2013–20 JO Compulsory Master Workshop – West (W)
NOTE: Dates and events subject to change or cancellation. 2
TECHNIQUE • MARCH 2012
Orlando, FL
Reno, NV
SEPTEMBER 13–15
Region 5 Congress
Huntsville, TX London, GBR
W = Women, R = Rhythmic, TR = Trampoline, M = Men, GG = Group Gymnastics, TU = Tumbling, AG = Acrobatic Gymnastics, B = Business, TT = Trampoline/Tumbling
(TBD)
Columbus, OH
TECHNIQUE
an official publication of USA Gymnastics University
M A R C H 2 0 1 2 • V O L U M E 3 2 • #3
F E AT U R E S PUBLISHER
Steve Penny EDITOR
6 USA Gymnastics – Preschool Fundamentals
Luan Peszek
14
Clear Hip Handstand: Shape, Drop, Open
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
18
Working Together to Make a Difference
24
Foam Rolling for Optimal Performance
28
USA Gymnastics Business Advisors’ Tips
Jeannie Shaw
USA GYMNASTICS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair: Peter Vidmar Vice-Chair: Paul Parilla Secretary: Gary Anderson Treasurer: Jim Morris National Membership – Women: Tom Koll National Membership – Women: Steve Rybacki National Membership – Men: Yoichi Tomita National Membership – Men: Russ Fystrom National Membership – Rhythmic: Brooke Bushnell-Toohey National Membership – Trampoline & Tumbling: George Drew National Membership – Acrobatic Gymnastics: Dr. Jay Binder Advisory Council: Mike Burns Advisory Council: Ron Ferris Advisory Council: Carole Ide Athlete Director – Women: Terin Humphrey Athlete Director – Men: John Roethlisberger Athlete Director – Rhythmic: Jessica Howard Athlete Director – Trampoline & Tumbling: Karl Heger Athlete Director – Acrobatic Gymanstics: Michael Rodrigues Public Sector: Frank Marshall Public Sector: Bitsy Kelley Public Sector: Jim Morris Public Sector: Mary Lou Retton
CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES: In order to ensure uninterrupted delivery of TECHNIQUE magazine, notice of change of address should be made eight weeks in advance. For fastest service, please enclose your present mailing label. Direct all subscription mail to TECHNIQUE Subscriptions, USA Gymnastics, 132 E. Washington St., Suite 700, Indianapolis, IN 46204 .
D E PA R T M E N T S 2 Event Schedule 4 Inside USA Gymnastics Message 22
Athlete Focus: John Orozco
30
Member Service Update
32
National Congress
36
National Congress List of Presenters
40
Women’s Elite Committee Minutes
46
Classified Ads
14
24
HEALTH
TECHNIQUE is published monthly except bimonthly in Sept/ Oct and Nov/Dec by USA Gymnastics, 132 E. Washington St., Suite 700, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (phone: 317-237-5050) or visit online @ www.usagym.org Subscription prices: U.S.– $25 per year; Canada/Mexico–$48 per year; all other foreign countries–$60 per year. If available, back issue single copies $4 plus postage/handling. All reasonable care will be taken, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited material; enclose return postage. Copyright 2011 by USA Gymnastics and TECHNIQUE. All rights reserved. Printed by Sport Graphics, Indianapolis, IN. Member Services 1-800-345-4719 Unless expressly identified to the contrary, all articles, statements and views printed herein are attributed solely to the author and USA Gymnastics expresses no opinion and assumes no responsibility thereof.
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KNOWLEDGE
www.usagym.org COVER PHOTO: John Orozco by John Cheng M MA RACRHC H2 021021 1• •T ET CE CHHNNI IQQUU EE
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Get Ready! The 2012 Kellogg’s® Tour of Gymnastics Champions, a 40-city national tour featuring Team USA’s top performing gymnasts following the 2012 Olympic Games in London, is coming to a city near you between September and November.
2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin will lead an impressive cast that includes members of the men’s and women’s 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympic teams, in men’s, women’s, rhythmic, acrobatic gymnastics and trampoline and tumbling. Local area gymnasts will also have the chance to participate in each Tour stop’s performance.
A Gym Club Ticket Sales Program has been created to make sure that the sport’s most loyal fans get the first opportunity to secure seats to this event. Joining the Club Ticket Sales Program is easy and you can register to participate through your local arena or USA Gymnastics. Clubs are encouraged to visit www.kelloggstour.com and register their clubs for the Club Ticket Sales Program. Clubs will get discounts on tickets when purchasing as a group and qualify for great incentives, including a chance to have their gymnasts participate in their local show. Check the website regularly because it will be updated when Tour stops are confirmed and clubs are added to the ticket sales program. Our goal is to get this information out as quickly as possible to let our members and fans have an early opportunity (before tickets go on sale to the public) to buy tickets to this gymnastics celebration following the Olympic Games in London. We are grateful to our partners from Kellogg’s, P&G, and Hilton for their support of this tour. This show promises to be a fantastic display of our sport and showcase USA Gymnastics like never before. Get on-board early for the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions. It will be one show you won’t want to miss! See you in the gym,
Steve Penny President and CEO
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USA Gymnastics University
www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org
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Preschool FUNdamentals: USA Gymnastics University provides two great learning opportunities for recreational coaches and more specifically preschool instructors. R101 Preschool Fundamentals Theory and R102 Preschool Fundamentals: Hands-on Training (HOTPS) are great opportunities to earn credits in USA Gymnastics University: School of Recreational Gymnastics and to gain additional teaching knowledge. The more you know the better you are prepared to coach and teach.
R101 Preschool FUNdamentals THEORY is an online course that addresses the theoretical aspects of a preschool age child and how to best work with that aged child. The course is interactive and loaded with great information that will make your job as an instructor easier. In order to maximize opportunities for gymnastics clubs and coaches to obtain this information, USA Gymnastics University has recently LOWERED the online price to $39. Learn at your own pace with this online course by logging on to usagymnasticsuniversity. org and registering for R101.
TECHNIQUE • MARCH 2012
R102 Preschool FUNdamentals: Hands-on Training (HOTPS) is a live 4-hour interactive experience. Participants apply theoretical aspects learned in R101 as well as learn new games, activities and tips to work with the preschool age child. To embrace these fantastic, educational opportunities, USA Gymnastics University is NOW offering Member Club pricing for R102. This allows Member Clubs to send ALL of their staff at discounted pricing. The best investment a club owner can make is in the education and training of their staff.
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R102 is offered at all regional and national congresses as well as offered at various locations throughout the U.S. Log on to view the most up to date live course schedule at www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org. Let’s get to know some of National Instructors who teach the R102 Preschool Fundamentals courses as they share additional gymnastics tips. USA Gymnastics likes this!
Preschool FUNdamentals Jeff Lulla Jeff Lulla
Beth Gardner
National Instructor for R102 Preschool Fundamentals: Hands-on Training (HOTPS) and R103 School Age: Hands-on Training (HOTSA) U101 Safety & Risk Management
National Instructor for R102 Preschool Fundamentals: Hands-on Training (HOTPS) and R103 School Age: Hands-on Training (HOTSA)
www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org
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Never limit your imagination. Allow children to express their own imagination as well. Make sure to keep lesson plans fresh and new, adding new props, themes or games. Look outside of the gym, and think outside of the box. Challenge yourself to find new things to add to class. Our most recent purchase, for example, was a group of small stuffed animals shaped like Angry Birds characters. We let the kids build mat structures, put the pigs into the structures and toss the birds at them to knock the pigs out of the structures. It’s a spatial awareness drill the kids love because it’s different and it includes pop culture to which they can relate. It accomplishes the same spatial awareness as other tossing games and challenges them to use their spatial awareness in constructing various structures. USA Gymnastics likes this!
____________________________________ USA Gymnastics So creative! Great tips, Beth. ____________________________________
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After years of teaching I have learned one thing – that you cannot CONTROL children (or anyone for that matter). The only person any of us has control over is ourselves. However, you can LEAD, ENCOURAGE and ENTICE a child to make desirable choices. Let me give you an example; a class of six 5 year olds is asked to stand on a line while the teacher adjusts the bar. A moment later the teacher notices four of the kids standing on the line and two kids playing in the chalk bucket. The most common “reaction” to this situation – the teacher addresses the two kids in the chalk about their inappropriate behavior. Of course, when this happens, those kids who chose the wrong behavior get the ATTENTION that is often what they are seeking. This frequently leads them to misbehave again since any attention is better than none. A more effective response would have been for the teacher to “act” (instead of react) by NOTICING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE FOUR KIDS WHO LINED UP! For instance, “Lisa, Mark, Sue and Jim – I love how you lined up. Thank you for being good listeners. Give me a ‘High Five’! I have a good listener stamp for you.” Now what do you think those two kids in the chalk will do when they see the attention good listeners get? In most cases Continued on pg. 8
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www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org
Preschool FUNdamentals
they will leave the chalk bucket and line up too. And when they do, how should the teacher respond? “Thank you for listening Bill and Bob. I love it when you chose to listen. Give me five!”
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When bad behavior gets ignored it often disappears. Of course you can’t ignore dangerous behavior. Instructors should be trained not only to teach skills, but more importantly, how to help children choose behaviors that they can be proud of so they can see themselves as successful, capable and worthy of praise. That’s how we help build their self-esteem. USA Gymnastics likes this!
____________________________________ USA Gymnastics This works! ____________________________________
Sandi McGee
National Instructor for R102 Preschool Fundamentals: Hands-on Training (HOTPS) and R103 School Age: Hands-on Training (HOTSA) Wall
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Always be prepared to offset a child’s lack of confidence by being on guard with our dialog, so as to discourage failure in their minds before they have the opportunity 8
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to think it. Commonly around the ages of 4 to 5 some children will begin to see “Fun in the Gym” as “Challenges in the Gym,” challenges that under the growth of “preschool reasoning,” seem unattainable more or less because of the lack of selfconfidence. We should never give them the opportunity to make a choice to fail, we should always and only give them the opportunity to try. Make sure your curriculum is mapped out in “true progression” and that it promotes a “positive self concept.” Each progression should be mastered, which naturally dictates progression to the next level. Children need to be successful most of the time, not only in order to feel and be confident, but to just plain want to continue. In the Movement Education & Lesson Plan Development Workbook developed by USA Gymnastics, it talks of the “80% Rule.” Young children need to be successful 80% of the time to maintain a sense of competence and challenge (Graham, 1992). If they are successful less then 80% of the time, they get frustrated or anxious, If they are successful more than 80% of the time, they get board. Examples: Instead of asking a child to do something and predetermining what his/her success should be such as “Jump and touch the hoop,” we should instead say “Show me how high you can jump!” If they didn’t reach the hoop it’s okay because, we just simply ask them to jump! Another example would be working with progressions. Setting up a variety of cartwheel stations and allowing the student to work at his or her own pace, only to advance to a more challenging station once they feel confident and ready. Our dialog should be nurturing, positive, and always focused on elaborating, keeping the student informed of what is going on with empowering dialog. USA Gymnastics likes this!
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National Instructor for R102 Preschool Fundamentals: Hands-on Training (HOTPS)
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–Having the kids repeat what you say
Cindy Furman
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–Voice inflection from the instructor to encourage fast or slow rhythm +
Every instructor should reach out and take advantage of the many new educational programs offered through USA Gymnastics and stay current on what are the most effective ways to teach kids of all ages to be their personal best. My challenge for instructors is to become informed and sensitive coaches that form a collective effort to set the direction for our youth. Keeping in mind that all kids are unique, we must learn what learning style is most productive in building long lasting self-esteem.
Visual learners benefit from seeing information or an illustration and may grow impatient listening for long periods of time. Strategies for visual learners include: –Use of color to show where a hand or a foot needs to be placed in a skill –Using a mat or a prop to demonstrate skills or how the body should move in
relationship to the fixed objects (cartwheel over a mat, etc.) –Showing the kids a video or photo of the skill they are attempting
–Having the kids watch the instructor demonstrate Like • Comment • Share
There are many different learning styles. Some children use different styles, but there is normally one style of learning that is dominant. Examples of learning styles and different teaching tips for them are: Auditory learners are typically good at absorbing the information from spoken words or sounds. Strategies that work well include: –Talking to the kids about what they are doing –Set information to a tune or a rhythm to help the kids remember (singing can demonstrate when/where a foot or hand is placed during a skill)
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USA Gymnastics likes this!
Annette Thomas
National Instructor for R102 Preschool Fundamentals: Hands-on Training (HOTPS) and R103 School Age:Hands on Training (HOTSA) Wall
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Try out some old warm-up music favorites on the balance beam to help your preschoolers with their balance. Try doing … Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes, ...
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Preschool FUNdamentals Hokey Pokey, or Simon Says.
Later into the session and aware of gym safety, the children take turns being the bus driver.
It makes beam time totally different! USA Gymnastics likes this!
Children have fun and always stay in line.
____________________________________ USA Gymnastics Always looking for beam ideas! ____________________________________
USA Gymnastics likes this!
Brant Lutska
National Instructor for R102 Preschool Fundamentals: Hands-on Training (HOTPS)
Cindy Morano
National Instructor for R102 Preschool Fundamentals: Hands-on Training (HOTPS)
www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org
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It’s always a safety concern moving students from one event to another while other classes are in progress in the gym. Here is what I do: I have the preschoolers take a bus ride to each new event. During this ride, I incorporate daily life lessons such as: “counting,” “right side,” “left side,” “stop sign,” “fast,” “slow,” “buckle your seat belt,” “stoplight: red means stop, yellow means caution, green means go.” In the beginning of the session, the teacher is the bus driver and the children ride the bus. The children must pay their fare (high five’s) to ride the bus. They count as they give their fare (high five’s) to the bus driver. Once everyone is on the bus (in line), they buckle up their pretend seat belts. Prior to leaving to the next event, everyone looks and points to the “right” then “left” to see if it is safe to proceed. They look and become aware of gymnasts in other classes. When moving, the teacher utilizes a “stop sign” and/or “red light” when they need to cross an area that gymnasts from the other class are using. “Green light” means it is safe to cross and proceed.
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What does your body language say as a teacher? Many of us teach classes behind a glass wall where parents are watching. Make sure your body language is showing positive movement. Parents cannot always hear what we are saying, so your body is telling what is happening on the floor. It is said that when talking to a person the information that we receive can be broken down as: 10% from what the person actually says 40% from the person’s tone and speed of voice 50% from the person’s body language. It’s a great idea to video tape your teaching and view how you are perceived. USA Gymnastics likes this!
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Preschool FUNdamentals
Linda Thorberg
National Instructor for R102 Preschool Fundamentals: Hands-on Training (HOTPS)
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“Life Skills” of jumping, landing on two feet, rolling, and safety falling are one of the most important actions we can teach in gymnastics class. We need to incorporate landing skills and safety falls in every class.
To learn more about the Preschool Child, as well as gain additional teaching tips and ideas, register for R101 Preschool FUNdamentals Theory Online or a live course: R102 Preschool FUNdamentals: Hands-on Training (HOTPS).
www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org
Make Safety Rolling/Falling an automatic reaction by repeating this many times. We know that the natural reaction when falling backwards is to reach behind with the arms. This can result in injury to an arm, shoulder, or head. Children need to practice “Safety Rolling” by holding arms overhead or in front of their bodies when falling. Good instructors will find ways to make this a game to practice every class. Safety falls can be practiced forwards, sideways and backwards to reinforce rolling when falling. These will keep children safe at the playground, at home riding their bikes as well as at gymnastics! USA Gymnastics likes this!
LIVE COURSE SCHEDULE U101 – SAFETY CERTIFICATION (LIVE) March 4 El Paso, TX June 7 St. Louis, MO June 28 San Jose, CA July 13 Centerville, OH Aug. 9 Nashville, TN Aug. 9 Providence, RI Aug. 16 Baltimore, MD
SCHEDULE
NEW – W200 – DEVELOPMENT COACHES COURSE: HANDS ON TRAINING (HOTD) March 17 Everett, WA Purchase a Pac Rim Ticket and you can attend this course for free!
April 22
Longwood, FL
Purchase a World Acro Championships Ticket and you can attend this course for free!
June 3 June 28
Camarillo, CA San Jose, CA
T200/T201 – TRAMPOLINE & TUMBLING DEVELOPMENT COACHES COURSE: LEVEL 1 AND HANDS ON TRAINING March 16 Everett, WA Purchase a Pac Rim Ticket and you can attend this course for free!
April 27 June 28
Fort Worth, TX San Jose, CA
R102 – PRESCHOOL FUNDAMENTALS: HANDS ON TRAINING (HOTPS) March 16 Tampa, FL March 24 San Jose, CA April 15 Manteca, CA
June 10 June 28 Aug. 9 Aug. 12 Aug. 19 Aug. 26 Sept. 16
St. Louis, MO San Jose, CA Nashville, TN Providence, RI Baltimore, MD Everett, WA Indianapolis, IN
NEW – R103 – SCHOOL AGE/RECREATIONAL: HANDS ON TRAINING (HOTSA) March 17 Tampa, FL W300 – JUNIOR OLYMPIC TEAM COACHES COURSE Aug. 22-25 Huntsville, TX
To register for a course, visit the USA Gymnastics website at www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org. | Register online or download the registration form. | **Save $5 by registering online!**
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By Karen Goeller, CSCS
T
he Clear Hip Handstand on uneven bars is not an easy skill for many gymnasts. It requires technique, timing, speed, and strength. To perform the clear hip to handstand correctly the gymnast must do the following: 1. Form the correct shape in the cast. 2. Keep that shape on the drop and throughout the entire of the skill. 3. Open her shoulders at the correct time, with speed and precision. 4. See the bar, but keep her head neutral. There are so many drills for the clear hip handstand, but I will discuss my favorite ones. First, how do you train your gymnast to hold the shape? Instruct your gymnast to get in a front support position on the bar. Instruct her to push down on the bar and slide her thighs to the bar just enough to round out her upper back while keeping her buttocks muscles tight. It is imperative that you tell your gymnast to squeeze her buttocks throughout the clear hip to handstand. Once comfortable in the correct shape, rounded upper back and squeezed buttocks, teach the shape to your gymnast upside down. Be sure to remind her that she MUST hold the bar securely so that she
does not fall to the floor. Once in the correct shape on top of the bar instruct your gymnast to drop back until her feet face the ceiling. Her thighs should still be in contact with the bar on the drop. Please spot your gymnast for this 14
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simple DROP BACK drill. Make sure she holds the correct shape. The drill is really 1/2 of a back hip circle. Your gymnast will be upside down. Once upside down instruct your gymnast to hold that shape and position for 10–20 seconds. Spot her for this drill to be sure she does not release the bar and fall. As soon as your gymnast loses the correct shape, rounded back with squeezed buttocks, allow her to slowly bring her feet down to the floor and then release the bar. Remind your gymnast to look at the bar the entire time but to keep her head neutral. The two most important safety factors in the clear hip to handstand are to hold onto the bar and to keep the head neutral. Explain to your gymnast that if she drops her head back it will change the shape of her spine. Dropping the head back on this skill may cause your gymnast to lose her grip and fall. Although you want your gymnast to hold the bar securely, you also want her to be able to shift her hands as she circles. You can ask your gymnast to perform a cast and two consecutive back hip circles as a wrist flick and shape drill. Now let’s discuss the drop. The better the drop, the easier it will be to reach the handstand. A simple drill for the drop is the Cast-Drop-Fall to a resi or soft mat stack. Instruct your gymnast to start in a front support. Ask her to perform a cast. As soon as her hips are off the bar she must release the bar, reach up and back, and land on the mat on her back. Some gymnasts will need a spot the first time. You can hold your gymnast’s legs as she casts and guide her down to the mat to land on her back with her arms up. This drill should help your gymnast become comfortable with dropping her shoulders back quickly and remaining in the correct shape. The next drill also teaches the gymnast to open her shoulders as she drops back rather than waiting until she is completely upside down. While teaching the clear hip handstand, tell your gymnast that it is important to open her shoulders as soon as she drops her shoulders back. For the Cast-UnderswingDrop instruct your gymnast to perform an underswing and to hold the bar until her toes are facing the ceiling and she
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feels the upward motion. Once your gymnast feels the upward motion she must release the bar and fall to her back on a resi or soft mat stack. When she releases, she must also perform a throwing motion. This drill will help with the drop, shape, and shoulder action for the clear hip handstand. Your gymnast will quickly realize that she must remain tight and drop back quickly in order to travel towards the ceiling for a handstand. You should spot your gymnast until she is comfortable performing this drill on her own. Here are two strength, visualization, and speed exercises for the clear hip handstand. Your gymnast will need a toning bar and dumbbells. In the beginning, she must perform the exercises slowly. Eventually, she can increase the speed a bit to more closely simulate the clear hip handstand on uneven bars. Start with light weight, 3-pound dumbbells or a 6-pound toning bar, for both exercises. The Standing Cast / Front Raise Drill is very effective with strength, speed, visualization, and technique. It is a useful station between turns on the uneven bars. Tell your gymnast to hold one dumbbell (weight) in each hand. Instruct her to squeeze her buttocks and start with the dumbbells touching her thighs. Your gymnast’s palms must face her thighs. Instruct her to raise her arms forward and upward simulating a cast to handstand on uneven bars. Once her hands are facing the ceiling and her shoulders are elevated at the top, she may slowly lower the dumbbells to her thighs. With both exercises make sure your gymnast keeps her hands shoulder-width apart throughout the exercise. Some gymnasts tend to go too wide with their hands. Instruct your gymnast to keep her arms straight, but if she feels any tension in her elbows, she must perform the drill with slightly bent arms. The Supine Kip-Cast Drill is very effective with strength, speed, visualization, and technique. It is a useful station between turns on the uneven bars. Tell your gymnast to lie on her back on the floor and hold one dumbbell (weight) each hand. Instruct her to start with the dumbbells touching her thighs. Your gymnast’s palms must face her thighs. Instruct your gymnast to raise her arms towards the ceiling to simulate 16
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a cast to handstand on bars. She must go through the full range of motion until her hands touch the floor above their head. Once her hands touch the floor, she must elevate her shoulders. That portion of the exercise will help with the cast handstand and clear hip handstand. Next, instruct your gymnast to lift her hands off the floor and bring her arms towards the ceiling, then down to her thighs. Once the dumbbells touch her thighs, instruct your gymnast to lift her head and shoulders off the floor to form a hollow shape. Her feet must remain on the floor. That part of the exercise will help with the glide kip. When your gymnast performs several repetitions consecutively, she will be performing a similar movement as a glide kip to cast handstand on uneven bars. You can teach the exercises with dumbbells or with a toning bar, but I prefer dumbbells. With dumbbells, each side of the body will become strong and efficient with the movement. When a toning bar is used, some gymnasts compensate and do more work with their stronger side. That does not allow the weaker side to improve very much. I hope these drills will help your gymnast become comfortable with the clear hip handstand on uneven bars. You will see that your gymnast’s cast handstand will
improve as a result of the two dumbbell exercises. Best of luck with this skill and always keep safety in mind while training.
Karen Goeller, CSCS Gymnastics and Fitness Author NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach www.KarenGoeller.com www.GymnasticsDrills.com
http://usagym.sportgraphics.biz/ JeniGym 10 is an interactive CD for judges, coaches and anyone interested in the details of Level 10 women’s gymnastics. The CD was originally created as a study aide for the Level 10 test; however, has been very useful to coaches and others in understanding the details, including value parts, start values, deductions, composition and bonus. The CD was created for PC users and includes sort functions in Excel. MAC users can use the CD; however, the sort function will not work on this platform. A free version of Open Office (which includes Excel) is included as part of the CD. Cost $35.00 Item # 2115 JeniGym 9 is an interactive CD for judges, coaches and anyone interested in the details of Level 9 women’s gymnastics. The CD was originally created as a study aide for the Level 9 test; however, has been very useful to coaches and others in understanding the details, including value parts, start values, deductions, composition and bonus. The CD was created for PC users and includes sort functions in Excel. MAC users can use the CD; however, the sort function will not work on this platform. A free version of Open Office (which includes Excel) is included as part of the CD. Cost $30.00 Item # 2116 JeniGym 7/8 is an interactive CD for judges, coaches and anyone interested in the details of Levels 7 & 8 women’s gymnastics. The CD was originally created as a study aide for the Level 7/8 test; however, has been very useful to coaches and others in understanding the details, including the rules, value parts, start values and deductions. The CD was created for PC users and includes sort functions in Excel. MAC users can use the CD; however, the sort function will not work on this platform. A free version of Open Office (which includes Excel) is included as part of the CD. Cost $25.00 Item # 2117
To order go to http://usagym.sportgraphics. biz/
or call 800-345-4719 and select option 1.
MARCH 2012 • TECHNIQUE
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Industry members who support your industry. The United States Gymnastics Supplier Association proudly supports Industry Education.
WORKING TOGETHER
To Make a Difference By Carrie Lennox, Jefferson County Parks & Rec. and Diana Hughes, PhD.
ow can private gym clubs work together with local schools, rec programs, YMCA’s, and other groups in order to coordinate efforts to provide fun and safe physical activity to kids of all ages and abilities – basically to support the activity of gymnastics which hopefully leads children into the sport of gymnastics?
H
Outreach programs, like the one described in this article, can go a long way to increase enrollment for gymnastics clubs that make the effort, so it can Set up in the be a win-win situation for all involved.In communities large and small, there are often several options for families to provide physical enrichment to their youth. These programs are commonly offered by private or public entities, including Parks and Recreation programs, YMCAs, school districts, churches, private gym programs, and others. These programs share the
common goal of getting and keeping kids active, but many differ in how they do it. A recent cooperative effort among several organizations resulted in a two-day event at Blue Heron Middle School in Port Townsend, Wash. Activities were planned by one main coordinator and were gymnasium geared toward providing students, of all different skill levels, an opportunity to succeed. Recreation and YMCA staff, along with physical education teachers, were assigned stations with simple activities and a list of a various challenges. There were several run-and-jump stations using a combination of bouncy equipment and mats. Jr. Bars were set up with rings attached, to create several Continued on pg. 18
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TECHNIQUE • MARCH 2012
Ron & Joan Ganim
MARCH 2012 • TECHNIQUE
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Industry members who support your industry. The United States Gymnastics Supplier Association proudly supports Industry Education.
WORKING TOGETHER
To Make a Difference pull-up stations and beams and slacklines were set up for several balance stations. Even the instructors with little or no experience, working with groups on this type of equipment, commented on the ease of helping kids to learn and grow. The physical education teachers were ecstatic as they noticed students, who are typically inactive in class, participate with excitement.
ions
Stat p U l
Pul
Feedback from students in the following days included: • “That was the best PE class we’ve ever had!” • “I did pull ups for the first time ever!” • “When can we do that again??” These comments came from fourth through eighth grade students who are in a crucial time of developing identity and positive self-esteem. Run-and-Jump Stations The two-day event was considered a great success for all – students, teachers and program coordinators. It provided a terrific model for developing more events like it in the future. So, think about reaching out to your local Recreation Center, Community Center, YMCA or school to see if you can organize an event like this one in your community. The kids will benefit, and your enrollment can benefit, too. After having experienced an event like this, many children will look to their local gymnastics club for similar activities and just may sign up for a birthday party or even a class or two.
Since it was s was a two tored -day e overni ght in vent, equip me a corn er in t nt he gym .
Industry members who support your industry. The United States Gymnastics Supplier Association proudly supports Industry Education. 20
TECHNIQUE • MARCH 2012
MARCH 2012 • TECHNIQUE
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“I’ve had the worst luck at this meet in the last few years,’’ Orozco said. “I’ve either been hurt or sick during this competition. So, this year, I just tried to get over all that and change my luck. I’m glad I got to start off the new year like this.” A native of the Bronx, N.Y., Orozco trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs with his coach Vitaly Marinitch. He led after the first day of competition and never looked back. In addition to the all-around title, he won the title on parallel bars, tied for first on the horizontal bar, finished second on pommel horse and fourth on floor. Orozco finished fifth in the all-around at the 2011 World Championships and helped his team to a bronze medal finish. He also qualified to high bar finals where he finished eighth. Orozco was third in the all-
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His goal this year is to make the Olympic Team and help the USA win a team medal. Orozco’s parents are William and Damaris. He said, “My parents are my backbone. They are there for me through the good times and the bad times, helping me follow my dream.”
Photo by John Cheng
Nineteen-year-old John Orozco changed his luck this year at the 2012 Winter Cup Challenge in Las Vegas, winning the allaround title with a score of 180.700.
around at the 2011 Visa Championships and won the junior title in 2009.
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HEALTH KNOWLEDGE
FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE By Jeffrey Richter, CSCS, USAW
T
he rigors of gymnastics places neuromuscular stress on the body that must be accounted for through proper recovery techniques. Gymnasts are well aware of the benefits of a thorough flexibility and stretching program. While this form of neuromuscular recovery focuses on the length of our muscle tissue, it cannot account for tissue quality. To address tissue quality, one simple yet profound strategy for the gymnast is to start incorporating a foam rolling sequence into the warm-up and cool down. The truth is, repetitive sportspecific movements done in gymnastics causes eccentric and concentric muscle stress. These hyper-
contracted muscle fibers result in trigger points that must be alleviated. To compound the problem, our society reinforces poor posture positions in the rhythms and flow of life that, if left uncorrected, can leave our muscle tissue “locked long” with eccentric stress and “locked short” with concentric stress. Take for example sitting in a desk at school writing a paper. While in this position, our hip flexors are particularly vulnerable because they are in a constant state of “shortening.” This chronic shortening of the muscle tissue may cause an anterior pelvic tilt which then places extra tension
IT band
Latissimus Dors
i
pine
S Thoracic
on the hamstrings. In addition, our muscles surrounding the scapula are in a constant state of “lengthening” due to leaning forward and having a rounded shoulder position. This causes the tissue to be “locked long,” in desperate need of tension relief. Therapeutic massage is one modality that can be used to release these trigger continued on pg. 26
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...continued
points. However, setting up appointments for this form of treatment is often anything but quick and easy. In addition, prices for this treatment are expensive and thus are often times non-ecumenical. A more practical solution to the problem is foam rolling. Foam rolling, also known as self-myofascial release, is particularly effective at releasing trigger points due to the principle known as autogenic inhibition. As we roll our myofascia across the foam roller, we place tension across the muscle that our Golgi Tendon Organ responds to and sends a proceeding relaxation signal. Functional movement patterns are essential to sports performance, and often times we are prone to movement restrictions when we don’t address these trigger points in the muscle. If we release this muscle tissue that is preventing us from moving properly, we are more apt to be able to place ourselves in the positions needed for success. In gymnastics, the demand for mobility is paramount for success so we need to make sure we are doing
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Hip Flexo
rs
Quadraceps
Calves
ngs
Hamstri everything we can to ensure that our movement patterns are optimal. I would encourage you to check out the video that we put together and sent to USA Gymnastics about a lower-body foam rolling sequence that targets the IT Bands, hamstrings, quadriceps and glutes. This “howto” guide will steer you in the right direction so you can begin implementing this in your routine immediately! In addition, the pictures we have provided will help you get in the right position to target a certain group of fascia.
Piriformis
Gluteus Maximus
St. Vincent Hospital and St. Vincent Sports Performance in Indianapolis, Ind., are official service providers to USA Gymnastics Call 317-415-5747 or visit sportsperformance.stvincent.org
Check out the Foam Rolling video at http://usagym.org/pages/home/fitness/healthknowledge.html or use your smart phone to scan the code on the right.
MARCH 2012 • TECHNIQUE
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USA Gymnastics recently received the following question. We asked the USA Gymnastics Business Advisors to comment on how to handle this question and we selected a few of their responses to publish in Technique – all of their responses will be posted online on the Member Club website, under forums. Response from David Holcomb of Buckeye Gymnastics
In basic terms, I do not think USA Gymnastics can do much of anything. We own businesses that are governed by the laws of the states, counties and cities in which we operate. As a general operating principles, we enter into contractual agreements with our customers that are governed by these laws. USA Gymnastics does not have any authority to intervene in that contractual relationship in any way unless it impacts or interferes with our contractual agreement with USA Gymnastics. This can happen when we become a Member Club (agree to have liability insurance, not hire those on the banned list, etc.) or when we host or enter gymnasts in USA Gymnastics sanctioned events (all coaches and gymnasts must be currently registered with USA Gymnastics). We live and operate in the USA and our gym families are free to contract with us for gymnastics services and are also free to leave us and contract with someone else to provide those services. USA Gymnastics plays no part in this relationship in a legal sense. Nor can USA Gymnastics be the arbiter of contractual disputes between our gyms and those who contract with us. USA Gymnastics cannot be put into the position of being the “finder of fact” (that role is left to judges and juries) and they certainly cannot determine winners and losers. (What a nightmare!)
gymnastics businesses. We do this knowing that we take a calculated risk in doing so. As it happens, Buckeye Gymnastics is on good terms with most of the gyms in our area and in the rare event that a student or athlete leaves us as a family “not in good standing” and joins another club, we get on the phone with one another and get things sorted out. This arrangement works both ways. But, we are not on good terms with every gym.
Response from Jeff Metzger of Kids First Short answer...no way, José. USA Gymnastics should do nothing more than to educate why it is not their business to police private enterprise.
Response from Patti Komara of Tumblebear Gym Program
I strongly urge USA Gymnastics to stay out of these disputes. The affected gym owners have recourse through the legal system within their respective states.
I agree–nothing should be official from USA Gymnastics. However, aren’t most gyms going to the policy where you pay up-front with your auto-pay credit card system? Therefore, there should be no outstanding bills. Now, we all know we get bad credit card numbers, expired cards, etc. But when there is an unpaid bill, that child is not allowed into class as soon as we get the notice. Our bad debts add up to almost zero at the end of the year. Make them pay up front like a university–no upfront payment, no class.
The best course of action might be to take no action at all. We all extend credit to those in difficult situations within our
Do you have a question you’d like to ask our Business Advisors? If so, email your question to clubservices@usagym.org.
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MEMBER SERVICES UPDATE
MEMBER SERVICES UPDATES AND REMINDERS: • Effective April 2012 domestic sanctioning prices change to one fee of $90 regardless of the amount of participants. • Any meet director that wishes to sanction a meet must be affiliated with either a Registered Business or a Member Club. • All Instructor members are now required to complete a criminal background check upon becoming a member or renewing. • USA Gymnastics University certifications will not be provided to anyone who has not successfully completed the USA Gymnastics background check screening.
• The price of Instructor membership has decreased to $30. • Professional, Introductory Coach or Jr. Professional members in a pending status due to missing background check or safety/risk management requirements are NOT ELIGIBLE to be on the floor of USA Gymnastics sanctioned events. Allowing pending members on the floor of sanction events is a sanctioned violation. Sanction violation can results in fines, and/or loss of sanction privileges. • Current members have the ability to print their membership cards and certificates from the USA Gymnastics website. Simply log on to the website and click on Member Services, and the My Membership link to access these features.
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E H T ST R O BE ER! F V USST &S E IN E ES O J IGG GR B ON C
See Schedule on pages 36–39
REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2012
NATIONAL CONGRESS & TRADE SHOW! 48TH ANNUAL USA GYMNASTICS NATIONAL CONGRESS & TRADE SHOW Held in conjunction with 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials–Gymnastics June 29 – July 1, 2012 San Jose Convention Center–San Jose, California
EXPECT
on addy Certificati it rs e iv n U s mnastic y, June 28 • USA Gy on Thursda ld e h e b l il w REGISTER Friday, on courses NOW AND l take place il w s re tu c SAVE! ss le 1 • ly Ju R e y, g • Congre a ister online Sund h g u ro a th t: 9 f June 2 usagymnast ll tracks o icsnationalc ature 15 fu ot n fe l l il il w w y d n a a d ongress.org s • Membe ipline c • Each is d 6 ll a n o r m ti C o ti fr lu e p b n o m ti ti o ered pricing educa Trials c is available SAVE BIG! the Olympic h it s w . t re ic tu fl c n Le co g in tt o p S s-On d n a • H 2 1 d N 0 te 2 a a tional Cong June 29, • Design ress attende held Friday, m o es receive th p ru ti o on to purch F ss n e -o n d si d u a e B n a a se 2012 U.S • n as o o n G 2 e y 1 th . Olympic Tr m – y n m a b st d ic re s ti so from 8a c n kets at a dis ials– w hall spo counted rate • Visit Na ssociation l Trade Sho A a n ! rs o e ti li a ti p N o p n u a S • l Travel Syst s ems at s Gymnastic ntssportstra United State v e e n l.com for tra li n o le b a il a vel accomm rs’ list av odations • Presente For comple te details on the 2012 N Trade Show ational Con visit usagym gress & nasticsnatio nalcongress .org.
WHAT TO
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Preliminary List of Topics and Presenters June 29 – July 1, 2012
List as of February 14, 2012 – All information subject to change – Dates and Times Coming Soon! Women’s Program Judging/Technical
So She Has A Double Back Flyaway….What’s Next?
Topic(s)–each provided in 1-hour session Bloopers Mistake Management for Judges
Catherine Batsche
Taxes and the Judge/Meet Director
Marian Dykes
Compulsory Vault Optional Vault–Do You See What I See?
Tom Forster
Elite Developmental Tumbling: TOPS to Pre-Elite
Ivan Ivanov
Jr. Elite Level Tumbling
Ivan Ivanov
Linda Thorberg & Marian Dykes
Developing Yurchenko Vaults
Connie Maloney & Neil Resnick
Overview of the Elite Competitive Track – How to Structure
Neil Resnick
Floor: 7/8 Practice Judging
Linda Mulvihill & Char Christensen
Raising the Intensity from Conditioning to Training
Floor: 9/10 Practice Judging
Linda Mulvihill & Char Christensen
Bonus Combinations on Bars
Tricky Tricks on Bars
Catherine Batsche
Tom Forster
The Tkachev: The Most Important Move On Bars?
Steve Rybacki Mary Lee Tracy Marvin Sharp
Front Tumbling
Al Fong
Bars: 7/8 Practice Judging
Connie Maloney & Cheryl Hamilton
Basic Development for Elite Training on Beam
Bars: 9/10 Practice Judging
Tammy Biggs
Connie Maloney & Cheryl Hamilton
Twisting Yurchenko Vaults
Neil Resnick
Beam: 7/8 Practice Judging
Carole Bunge & Myra Elfenbein
Tumbling Basics on Beam
Tammy Biggs
Beam: 9/10 Practice Judging
Carole Bunge & Myra Elfenbein
Beam Dance
Men’s Program
Neela Nelson
NAWGJ General Meeting
Topic(s) – each provided in 1-hour session
Evenlyn Chandler
NCAA Update New Judges Tools and Information
Kathy Feldmann
Developing a Winning Mindset
Kathy Feldmann
Identifying, Developing and Training Judges
Robert Andrews Mark Sherman
Performance Assessment
See active lecture schedule for additional lecture offerings
Ron Brant
2013–2016 FIG Code of Points
Women’s Program Junior Olympics – Levels 1– 8 and Xcel Topic(s) –each provided in 1-hour session Transition Releases: Straddle Back, Bails, Chinese Sit Ups, Paks
John Geddert
Moving your Gymnast Through the Levels
Mark Folger
Tumbling Progressions for Twisting
Brad Harris
Gym Layout and Team Scheduling: How to Maximize your Gym Space
Bryon Hough
Preparing for the 2013 Compulsory Floor Elements Junior Olympic Update
Linda Johnson Connie Maloney & Tom Koll
Acro & Dance Connections –Why Didn’t the Judges Give It and How to Fix
Laurie Reid
Bar Releases from High Bar to Low Bar
Dan Witenstein
How To Be a Better Meet Director
Diane Callison
Basics for Beam
Kathyrn Geddert
Yurchenkos – When and How to Start! Teach Salto Vaults Using the Pit
John Geddert Mark Folger
Compulsory Vault Level 4–6
Brad Harris
Conditioning and Flexibility–How Much Time to Spend at the Developmental Levels Technique – Why Does My Gymnast Keep Wobbling on Turns? The Switch Leg Leap: It's Application to "C" Level Leaps Teach Front and Back Giants from the Ground Up Basics for Floor
Bryon Hough Linda Johnson Tom Koll Dan Witenstein Kathryn Geddert
Preparing for 2013 Balance Beam
Cheryl Jarrett
Steve Butcher
Pommel Horse: Progressions for Multiple Turning Skills
Dave Juszczyk
Peach Basket Development with Emphasis on the Drop
Vitaly Marinitch
Technical Sequence Update
Kevin Mazeika
Vault Front Handspring: Converting Power to Vertical Direction & Rotation Horizontal Bar: The Jam and Takamoto
Tom Meadows Hideo Mizoguchi
Basic Sports Medicine Concepts for Coaches
Don Rackey
Path to Successful Boy’s Gymnastics Team Program
Dusty Ritter
Pommel Horse Basic Curriculum for Boys
Jeff Robinson
Floor Exercise: Mastery of Forward and Backward Tumbling for Elite Success
Yoichi Tomita
Floor Exercise: Twisting Development
Joy Umenhofer
Sports Psychology: Returning from Injury Building Teams Through Sound Leadership
Robert Andrews Dennis McIntyre, Kevin Mazeika & Ron Brant
Team Workout Management – Keep Workouts Interesting
speaker TBD
Parallel Bars: Giant Swing Variations
speaker TBD
Strength Development for Juniors
speaker TBD
Taps and Trampoline Drills for Tkatchev & Kovacs The "Rings Turnover Swing" for Giants, Honma, Yamawaki Jr. Olympic Program Update Still Rings Basic Curriculum for Boys Pommel Horse: Breaking Down the Technical Sequence for 10.0 Performance
Geoff Corrigan Hideo Mizoguchi Dusty Ritter Jeff Robinson Dave Juszczyk
Strength/Conditioning from Dance to Gymnastics
Linda Fenton
Seasonal Planning for Beam
Beth Rybacki
Parallel Bars Basic Curriculum for Boys
Jeff Robinson
Warm Ups & Conditioning for the Optional Athlete
Beth Rybacki
Creating a Motivating Boy’s Team
Jeff Robinson
Pommel Horse: Learning the Swing to Handstand and Scissors to Handstand
Women’s Program Elite, Level 9/10 and TOPs/Hopes Topic(s) –each provided in 1-hour session TOPS New State & National Compulsory Testing Elements/Routines How Basic Bar Shapes Turn Into Bigger Skills
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Dave Juszczyk
Horizontal Bar – Mastering the "Hang and the Handstand" for Kevin Mazeika Perfect Giants & Dismounts Tammy Biggs Tom Forster
See active lecture schedule for additional lecture offerings
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Designing Successful Parent/Tot Classes
...Continued
Dr. Pamela Evans
Parent & Child Class – Set It Up
Linda Thorberg
Preschool Vault
Brant Lutska See active lecture schedule for additional lecture offerings
Trampoline and Tumbling Program
School Age
Topic(s) –each provided in 1-hour session What it Takes to Grow a Great Athlete
Judy Cline
Progressions for Trampoline to Build Skills
Susan Jacobson
How to Add a Trampoline & Tumbling Program to your Gym
Susan Jacobson
100 Things to do Before Going Upside Down
George Hery
Trampoline for Competitive Gymnasts
Judy Cline
Changes to the JO Guide for Trampoline & Tumbling
Susan Jacobson
How to Start a Trampoline & Tumbling Team
Susan Jacobson
Understanding the Mystery of Twisting
George Hery
Tumbling Basics/Spotting/Drills
Joy Umenhofer
Motivating Athletes in Daily Training
Joy Umenhofer
Trampoline 1 Coaching Basics/Spotting/Drills
Joy Umenhofer
Trampoline 2 Coaching Multiple Somersaults and Multiple Somersaults with Twist
Joy Umenhofer
Topic(s) – each provided in 1-hour session Skill Deconstruction – Critical Components
April Sawyer
Handstand/Cartwheel
Sandi McGee
Brain and Body Working Together
Beth Gardner
Are You Using Your Tumble Track and Trampolines to Their Fullest Potential
Annette Thomas
Lesson Planning
Quin Shannon
Smart Spotting
Steve Greeley
Expect the Unexpected…Behavior Management
Randy Parrish
Skills & Drills Using Shapes/Skill-Builders
Rhonda Zaluckyj & Patti Komara
Awards, Rewards, & High 5’s
Steve Greeley
Professionalism: Beyond the Staff Shirt
Sandi McGee
Recreational Bars
Robin Pearson
13 Unbreakable Laws of Teaching
Steve Greeley
Business
Beam Stations, Drills and Games
Sandi McGee
Topic(s) –each provided in 1-hour session
Fun and Creative Tumbling Basics
Randy Parrish
Leadership Development and Style: Why Most Don’t Work and What to Do About It
Jeff Metzger
Go for the Green and Decrease Operation Costs
Lynn Ledford
Image Management – Creating and Exceeding your Clients’ Expectations
Jeff Lulla
Women of Mass Discussion
Patti Komara
Protecting your Business
Tom Forster
Sports Science Topic(s) –each provided in 1hr session Lower Back Injury Prevention in the Gym
Brandi Smith Young
Sports Nutrition for Compulsories: Building a Foundation for Competitive Gymnastics
Bindee Eberlee
The Competitive Mindset: How to Hit When it’s Time
Dr. Alison Arnold (presented by Janae Whitaker)
Steve Greeley
She Won’t Go Backwards!: Coaching Through Fear in Gymnastics
Dr. Alison Arnold (presented by Janae Whitaker)
Simplify your Hiring and Training Process with a Step-by-Step System
Diane Barron
Business System and Strategies
Frank Sahlein
Sports Nutrition for Optional Gymnastics: Advanced Strategies to Optimize Training, Recovery and Competition
Wellness for the Club Owner and Coaching Staff
Julia Thompson
Fun and Variety in Staff Training
"Sometimes I Wish….." Tips on Dealing with Difficult Parents
Anne Josephson
Running Multiple Facilities
Jim Jarrett
Summer Camps – A New Competitive Environment
Beau Biron
Capitalizing on the USA Gymnastics National Advertising Campaign
Scott Willy & Loree Galimore
Procedures that Nurture Relationships – The Key to Great Customer Service Additional Programs to Build Revenue…It’s Showtime!
Jeff Lulla Beau Biron
Facebook Bootcamp
Michelle Weaver
Birthday Parties that Boost Enrollment
Mimi McKellar
State Licensing. Will it Affect Your Business?
Diane Callison
Topic(s) –each provided in 1-hour session
Jeff Lulla
Core Stabilization
Nancy Cummings
Perfect 10 Posture
Paula Lord
Solving the Mystery of Motivation
Michael Taylor
Keep Boredom Out of Beam
Annette Thomas
Preschool Gymnastics Stations Rolling Into Reading: How Gymnastics Readies Preschoolers for Academic Learning Preschool Tumbling Curriculum Progressions Understanding the Preschool Child How Safe Are Your Youngest Athletes? Things All Preschool Teachers Should Know
3 Silver Bullet Coaching Strategies that Work
David Benzel
Shoulder Instability
Dr. James Bicos
Strength Training from Childhood to Adulthood
Dr. Bill Sands
What do Stretching, Warm-Up and Injury Prevention Have in Common? When the Foot Hits the Mat Everything Changes
Dr. Bill Sands Dr. Larry Nassar
Dr. Larry Nassar
Pelvic Instability and Its Implication for Training
Dr. Bill Sands
Back from the Brink: Journey to Overtraining the Back
Dr. Bill Sands
Cindy Furman Debra Em Wilson Jeff Lulla Beth Gardner Cindy Morano & Annette Thomas
Rhythmic, Gymnastics for All, Special Needs, Special Olympics, Risk Management, Cheerleading, Collegiate Topic(s) – each provided in 1-hour session GFA: Mini-Trampoline for Team Gym GFA: Performance Choreography GFA: Team Gym at My Gym GFA: Rules for Team Gym GFA: Gym Shows and Gym Fest
Birthday Parties and Field Trips
Mike Spiller
Collegiate: NCAA Rules and Collegiate Recruiting
Crawlers, Walkers, and Runners – Children Under 2
Brant Lutska
Cheer: Introducing Cheerleading to Grow your Gym Business
TECHNIQUE • MARCH 2012
David Benzel
Brant Lutska & Linda Thorberg
FUNdamental Preschool Bars
38
Dr. Alison Arnold (presented by Janae Whitaker)
Incorporation of Kinesthetic Awareness and Proprioception in the Core Linda Thorberg & Brant Lutska
Class Management Specific to Preschool Fun Movement to Music for Preschool Classes
Coaching Gymnastics/Coaching Life
Rehab Monkeys: The Physical and Mental Aspects of Injury Recovery Brandi Smith Young (featuring Dr. Alison Arnold)
Preschool Latest and Greatest Equipment
Bindee Eberlee
George Hery Cheryl Cupples Barbara Jo Taylor Steve Whitlock Steve Whitlock & Cindy Bickman Kurt Hettinger Kevin Brubaker
Cheer: Building a Successful Cheer Program
Kevin Brubaker
Active Recreational: Back Handsprings
Risk Management: Supervision and Sharing the Safety Message
Michael Taylor
USA Gymnastics National Instructors
Active Recreational: Wild Wacky Camp Phun Games
Mike Spiller
Risk Management: Avoid Sexual Misconduct
Scott Himsel
Active Recreational: Retaining Recreational Kids with Play
Mike Spiller
Risk Management: USA Gymnastics Safety/Risk Management Handbook
Scott Himsel
Active Recreational: Best of the Best Birthday Parties & Activities
Mike Spiller
Active Recreational: The Playful Team
Mike Spiller
Risk Management: State Licensing – Will it Affect Your Business?
Diane Callison
Risk Management: USA Gymnastics Sanction Insurance Coverage
Pat O’Connor
Women: Feel the Music…You Can Teach Dance
Risk Management: Insurance FAQ
Pat O’Connor
Women Technical: Floor Dance
Risk Management: Have a Plan Before the Crisis
Michael Swain
Acro: Acrobatic Gymnastics=Athlete Retention
Special Needs: Growing Your Special Needs Program
Kim Pladson Nate Hendrickson
Special Needs: Special People In Our Gym: Opening our Doors to Special Needs Special Needs: Autism Spectrum and other Disorders
Beth Gardner Robin Pearson
Active Lectures & Hands-On Spotting Topic(s) –each provided in 1-hour session
Women: When Will My Susie Start Kipping?
Women JO: Compulsory Floor…One More Year
Tom Koll
Nancy Davis & Selena Peco
Special Needs: How to Start a Special Needs Program in Your Gym & Sustain It
Men: Basic Parallel Bars Spotting
Antonia Markova Audrey Schweyer & Tammy Biggs
Jeff Robinson Quin Shannon
USA Gymnastics University Certification Opportunities Each certification takes place on Thursday, June 28th at the San Jose Convention Center. *Additional registration and fee are required to attend. *U101: USA Gymnastics Safety/Risk Management Course
June 28
3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
*R102: Preschool Fundamentals Hands-on Training Course
June 28
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
*W200: Development Coaches Hands-on Training Course
June 28
12:00 – 7:00 p.m.
*T200/T201: Trampoline & Tumbling Development Course/ Hands-on Training
June 28
12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
*Y200: Rhythmic Development Coaches Course
June 28
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
*Women’s Judging Exam
June 28
5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Women: Level 5/6 Spotting
USA Gymnastics National Instructors
Special Olympics – Artistic
June 28
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Women: Beginning Optional Spotting
USA Gymnastics National Instructors
Special Olympics – Rhythmic
June 28
4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Acro: Let’s Get Spotting Recreational: Level 1–4 Spotting Active Recreational: Let’s Get Up Up Up with a Warm Up Up Up
Selena Peco & Nancy Davis
USA Gymnastics National Instructors Randy Parrish
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MINUTES MINUTES E L I T E
INTERNATIONAL ELITE COMMITTEE January 18, 2012
Chairman ................................... Steve Rybacki Coach Representatives ................. Valeri Liukin ................ Mihai Brestyan ................ Mary Lee Tracy Alternate .................................... Liang Qaio
Motion Liukin Second Brestyan PASSED The committee assigned Tammy Biggs to the Video Review Panel for classics, championships and trials. The committee gave their recommendation for Olympic judge selection. The committee tabled the nominations for the FIG Intercontinental Judges Course until the next meeting.
National Team Coordinator .......... Martha Karolyi Athlete Representative .................. Absent Vice President Program ................ Kathy Kelly Managing Director Athlete & Coaching Program ................... Kim Riley Meeting convened at 12:40 a.m.
I. JUDGES SELECTION COMMITTEE IEC discussed the appointment of a judge to serve on the Judges’ Selection Committee and our plan and recommendations/nominations for the judges to represent us at the FIG Intercontinental Judges Course. Recommendation to appoint Cheryl Hamilton as the judge to serve on the Judges’ Selection Committee, beginning on Sept. 1, 2012.
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II. ZONE ADMINISTRATORS/CLINICS The committee discussed the current system of the zone clinics and made the decision to change the emphasis to TOPS athletes and elite developmental education. New zone administrators will be assigned and will work closely with Kim Riley and Gary Warren. National Team coaches may conduct compulsory sessions for qualifying at their Invitationals with approval of the IEC.
III. OLYMPIC EQUIPMENT
Recommendation that GYM Nova bars and vaulting boards be used for seniors at CoverGirl Classic, Visa Championships and U.S. OlympicTrials. Motion Tracy Second Liukin PASSED Continued on pg. 44
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MINUTES MINUTES
...CONTINUED
E L I T E Recommendation that a GYM Nova balance beam be purchased for the Training Center. Motion Liukin Second Tracy PASSED
IV. QUALIFICATION SCORES The committee discussed the current qualification scores and made no changes from last year’s qualification scores to classics/championships. Recommendation that those event specialists from the 2011 season who hit the qualifying score for two or three events at the 2011 Visa Championships are qualified to the 2012 classics on the same events. If the athlete elects to compete in the All-Around in 2012, then she must attain the All-Around
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qualification score in 2012. Motion Liukin Second Brestyan PASSED
V. ATHLETE FUNDING Committee discussed the 8 slots that need to be reviewed by the Selection Committee and decided that all the athletes will receive a letter outlining the expectations. It was decided to delay the review until the March camp so the athletes will have time to prepare.
VI. TOPs SKILL TESTING Committee discussed the TOPs skill testing. Skill testing will be initiated at the TOPs state testing. A complete list of skills will be posted on the website after agreement with the Athlete Development Committee. Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
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CLASSIFIEDS
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POSITION AVAILABLE
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