A Brian Meeker Moment Early in Life

Posted by Paz on Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Sunday Funnies

Curriculum & Lesson Planning with Smart Moves- Clinic by Jeff Lulla

Clinic description:

Published on Nov 17, 2014

This is the same live presentation Jeff Lulla has delivered at the USA Gymnastics Regional and National Congresses, Gymnastics Ontario Congress, Alberta Gymnastics Congress and at the GymCon Conference in 2014.
Here, at a staff workshop hosted by Fun & Fit Gymnastics, with club owners and staff invited from other Southern California gymnastic clubs, Jeff explains the importance of using a progressive curriculum and creative lesson plans built online with the Smart Moves teaching system to make classes fun, safe and exciting.

Region 3 Congress Yurchenko Lecture- Steve Arkell

Sunday Funnies

Living an Abnormal (Re: Extra + Ordinary) Childhood

Wendy Bruce:

Because of gymnastics I was able to experience and learn things that only sports was able to teach me. I was able to be better than normal, I was able to be extraordinary.

I learned how to be on time.
I learned how to be dependable.
I learned how to de disciplined.
I learned how to travel.
I learned how to be mentally strong.
I learned how to take criticism.
I learned how to fix mistakes.
I learned how to work hard.
I learned how to be independent.
I learned how to compete.

Sacrificing is giving up or losing something that you wish to have. When gymnastics is what you wish to have, then there is no sacrifice. Gymnasts that train 25 hours a week do not sacrifice their childhood. They have a childhood, and it is an amazing childhood filled with amazing experiences that only sports can bring them. And my stories about my childhood are far more interesting, inspiring, and entertaining because they aren’t well, “normal.”

Hat tip:  JAG Gym

Sunday Funnies

Hover Ball for Slider Exercises

I'm always looking to improvise products toward usage in gymnastics drills.

Today while at Rite Aid, I happened to notice a product called "Hover Ball".

I could not take it out of the package, but it appeared to be a foamy half sphere glued onto a furniture slider. 

When I got home, I looked it up.

Personally, I think it's a pretty lame toy.  Especially for that price.  And I don't think it's probably that hard to tip over. 

However, as a slider for conditioning, I think it's comparable to my friend's product, the Xpodz.

Hover Balls ae $9.99 at Rite Aid.  I'm tempted to get a couple even though we now have plenty of Xpodz foot sliders at my gym; and I have a pair of Xpodz as well as an ab slider.

I'm wondering if I get 4 of them, they could serve as a base for a small block for some creative block pushes....

Stalder Rolls with Therabands

A few days ago, I linked to this.

Last night I saw Cassie Rice/Gymcats post the following.

Today is Tuesday....

Source

Remembering David, Ron, Daniel....

 

Video description:

Uploaded on Sep 5, 2008 These tiles were put up on the fence across the street from St. Vincent's, the hospital in the Village where they waited to take care of the survivors who never came. In case you can't read it, the name on the tile I walked up to at the end is David Reed Gamboa Brandhorst, who was only three years old. His fathers Daniel R. Brandhorst and Ronald Gamboa died with him. I didn't know any of them. I just walked up at a certain point and pointed at the first tile that caught my eye. RIP.

Hurdle Drill for Vault

Several years ago, I took this hurdle to flatback drill (for exaggerating and emphasizing hurdling feet in front) for vault and added in a bit of fun factor:

I've done the same sort of slip n slide idea for ro bhs drilling and handstand flatbacks, dropping from an elevated height.  Kids love it.  Because it slides!

1977-1980, 1981 1984 MAG WAG Compulsories USSR Film

Unsafe Bridging

*UPDATE* 9/12/2015

I decided to look up who this kid is.  Looks like it's Arat.  Also here.  Backheadspring at 2 years old.  Limbering.

*END UPDATE*


nd of mine yesterday morning linked to this video.  My friend was a former gymnast/teammate when I was young; and I think even started coaching again.  But I cringed when I saw it.  And now my own gym posted the video up.  Ugh!

Some community education:

Bridging in Preschoolers

Safe Bridging - Beth Gardner

preschoolers should not do back bridge

walking in ‘bridge’

 Bridges – How to spare the back…

 Bridge Mobility: Why Your Gymnasts May Be Struggling: Possible Injury Prevention For The Lower Back and Tips To Help

Community Discussions (Chalkbucket Forums):

Preschoolers and Backbends/Bridges

bridges

I will continue to update this post with more links as I find them.

Beth Gardner comment from 2008 worth reposting:

The current industry standard for bridging recommends that children do not start bridging until age 5. The industry standard USED to be based on the concept of "developmentally correct" in which the child was allowed to do a bridge if they could place themselves into the bridge position on their own. This, however, is no longer the standard. The standards can be found in the old USAG KAT book, and it remains the standard within the Preschool Fundamentals and HOT courses.

Here's a little background on the issue..

Read more »

Memory Monday

2011?  Not even sure what year this was.....

Sunday Funnies

Straddle-L Press Drill

I love half presses and holding pancake handstands.  Most beginners will rush to reach the handstand and end up unfolding the legs prematurely and arching.  This looks like an interesting way to train straddle-L 1/2 presses:

Featuring @our_acro_trio 👏🏼 press handstand drill! #gymnasticsshoutouts

A video posted by Gymnastics/Dance/Cheer/Acro (@gymnasticsshoutouts) on Sep 3, 2015 at 7:32pm PDT

Hat tip:  World Gymnastics Academy

The Fall Season is Here!

Hat tip:  Gymnasticscoaching.com