Simplify

Sometimes I think we get bogged down by an overabundance of drills with elaborate setups, trying to break things down too far. When someone is having a specific issue, that's when pulling out a specific drill to address the specific problem might be beneficial. In some cases, I think too much emphasis on drills rather than emphasis on the actual skills can create a Rube Goldberg situation where the shortest distance between two points becomes an unnecessary, complex maze.

Here is a very simple progression for acquiring the front layout whip:





With minimal coaching, I find that this setup is pretty much self-teaching.

Other than what's shown in the video, I also like having gymnasts start out doing layout fronts with the arms pinned by the ears and staying in a hollow without releasing the heels. If they can do this and flip all the way over to their feet, releasing into a tight arch is no problem.

I also don't like over-emphasizing the arms out to the sides, initially. Just a small arm circle at first to encourage the arms to be above horizontal, ready to set again for the next salto.  

*Update September 21, 2011*: 

Rick linked to this and a reader noted: 

The most interesting thing is that in the performance of the drills with supporting block the slightly hollow shape in the first part was obvious, since the gymnasts had to put their hands on supporting block. Once the block was removed, the somersault turned to the most common slightly arched layout forward. Actually, it was nothing left from the technique of whip salto forward.

The two older gymnasts shown at the end without the block in place did not go through this progression from the beginning. Their old habits of the earlier heel release and arm movements are still there, but these two are showing improvements in what they were like prior. Sorry for the confusion in presentation and video edit. If I had thought this through better, I should have filmed gymnasts who went through this progression from beginning to end result.

Flexible Trampoline Frame Bar Testing

Not too long ago, Tumbletrak came out with the quick flex bar as an alternative to the more traditional frame bar.

The inherent padding makes hitting and crashing on the bar a non-issue, as far as the fear of acquiring bumps and bruises go.

Love the idea of it, but the product is $239.

Coach Ben came up with a low-budget version that amounts to less than $20.

Still am thinking of brackets to support the ends of the ratchet trailer tie-down, but so far this might be a fun and inexpensive addition for a bar drills station.

I don't see a whole lot of carry-over value in their usage (with the exception of maybe drilling the throw on Tkatchevs); but within a narrow scope and range of skills, and with some creativity, I think the trampoline bar is good to have. It's also fun; and making drills fun and interesting is sometimes one of the challenging aspects of coaching.

Saturday Successes

This is Akasha from March 14th (I think the first time she did two in a row was the previous Saturday):



Akasha and her sister Ashana will be taking a break for a session or two, and last Saturday was her last. I'm sure they will be back.

This is Lauren from last Saturday: