PRAYING FOR THE BEST NEW YEAR

Merry Christmas from Malaysiagym

Conditioning Part 2

Happy gymnastics

Simple Conditioning - 1

Level 1 Coaches can use this conditioning exercise after six months of training.

Level 1 Coaching Course

The above course will held on the 11 - 16 October 2009 at the Sandakan Sports Complex, Sabah.

The Course is for the coaches from the High Performance Sports Schools in Sabah and Sarawak.

Wishing all the Coaches Happy Gymnastics.

Instructor from Sabah is Mr Zambri b Din, the Coach from Sandakan Gymnastics Centre.

SABAH GYMNASTICS CAMPS

Wishing all the Coaches, Officials and gymnasts a cheerful camp.

9 - 11 October 2009

Kota Kinabalu,

Sabah

To all Indian Gymnastics Community

COACHES LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Wishing all Gymnasts, Coaches and Officials of Sarawak High Perfromance Sports Schools Gymnastics Camps, shedule from 3rd - 5th October 2009 a Successful Camp. Happy Gymnastics !

Sports programs are associated with several well-established duties with regard to the participants in their programs. Each of the duties listed below should be considered part of what an instructor/coach MUST do, not SHOULD do.
Legal Duties of Coaches
1. Supervise the activity closely – The instructor should clearly establish his/her control over the situation, the participants, and the group at the outset. Performers should never be left in an unsupervised area.
2. Properly plan the activity – Develop clear written rules for participation, including expectations for proper behavior. In addition, the instructor should have a written plan for each training session.
3. Provide proper instruction – Recognize and understand the necessary skill progressions and the time that is required to master those skills. Instructors should be aware that they should only teach those skills within their own knowledge and experience level.
4. Provide a safe physical environment – Facilities and performance areas should be inspected regularly to ensure they are safe for the participants and other involved in the planned activity.
5. Provide adequate and proper equipment – Existing codes and standards for equipment should be met, and all equipment should be inspected and maintained. For general gymnastics, this includes using equipment and props only for the specific purpose for which they were designed.
6. Warn of inherent risks – The instructor must be familiar with the ordinary risks of the activity and the performance area. Risks that are integral to the activity should be explained to the participants in words they can clearly understand and appreciate.
7. Provide appropriate emergency assistance – Participants must be evaluated for injury. Instructors should have a knowledge of basic emergency first aid and injury management procedures, such as STOP and RICED, and keep-to-date on these and similar procedures.
8. Keep informed – Instructors, regardless of the level of activity, have a duty to regularly update their teaching knowledge and keep themselves informed of new developments.
9. Know your athletes – Instructors must have a complete understanding of the training and background of each participant including his/her limitations. Instructors must recognize the effect of peer pressure and coach acceptance pressure upon tryouts and individual performances.
10. Keep adequate records – Adequate records are useful aids and should be kept on all participants. These include relevant general and medical information, progress reports, and injury reports.

SEJARAH RINGKAS SAIKOLOGI SUKAN

Awal tahun-tahun 1895 – 1920
Saikologi sukan ( percayalah ) boleh dikesan sejak pertengahan 1890 bersama ahli sikologi Indiana, Amerika Utara, Norman Tipiette, melakukan kajian pertama dalam bidang saikologi sukan. Norman adalah seorang peminat lumba basikal, setelah menyaksikan pelumba basikal mengayuh lebih laju apabila berada dalam kumpulan atau berpasangan daripada berseorangan. Beliau telah membuat kajiselidik dan boleh membuat ramalan prestasi pelumba dengan lebih tepat.. Ini adalah permulaan saikologi sukan yang kita gunapakai sekarang.
Era Griffifth ( 1921 – 1938 )
Coleman Griffith telah diiktiraf sebagai “the father” Saikologi Sukan Amerika. Beliau bekerja sebagai pakar saikologi di Universiti Illinois dan juga bekerja di Jabatan Kebajikan Fizikal ( Pendidikan dan Olahraga). Dia menubuhkan makmal saikologi sukan yang pertama dan membuat penyelidikan bersama-sama pasukan bolasepak dan bolalisut. Griffith telah menghasilkan sebanyak 25 makalah daripada kajian saikologi sukan dan menulis sebanyak dua buah bukuiaitu Saikologi Latihan dan Saikologi Atlet.
Persedian untuk masa hadapan ( 1939 – 1965 )
Franklin Henry dari Universiti California, Berkley, menghabiskan masa tugas nya mengkaji aspek-aspek saikologi dan penguasaan kemahiran motor. Ramai ahli Pendidik yang dilatih oleh Franklin Henry telah menjadi pakar rujuk sains sukan.Warren Johnson mithalnya telah membuat penilaian emosi atlet sebelum pertandingan buat pertama kalinya pada tahun 1949 dan 1965 di Kongress Pertama saikologi Sukan di Rome. Walaubagaimana pun sehingga kini mengaplikasikan pengetahuan ini untuk membantu atlet masih terhad.
Penubuhan Akademi Saikologi Sukan ( 1966 – 1977 )
Pada ketika ini Pendidikan Jasmani telah menjadi disiplin akademik dimana saikologi sukan dan kawalan motor sebagai komponen berasingan. Pakar pembelajaran motor memberi tumpuan bagaimana seseorang menguasai kemahiran motor ( bukan sahaja dalam sukan ) dan keadaaan latihan, mengumpul dapatan kajian, dan ketepatan. Berbeza dengan saikologi sukan yang mengkaji bagaimana faktor-faktor seperti kebimbangan, ketakutan, “self-esteem”, dan personaliti mempengaruhi sukan dan prestasi kemahiran motor.Bruce Ogilvie dari Universiti San Jose adalah orang yang pertama mengadakan berbincang dengan atlet dan pasukan.
Sukan Kontemporari dan Saikologi Latihan ( 1978 hingga kini )
30 tahun yang lalu menyaksikan perkembangan pesat dalam sukan dan saikologi latihan, terutama sekali dalam bidang sains gunaan.Bermacam-macam jenis majallah telah diterbitkan yang memberi tumpuan kepada gunaan (applied ), dan kajian teori terhadap prestasi dan sukan. Sehingga kini terdapat lebih dari 3000 individu di lebih dari 65 buah negara bekerja dalam bidang sukan dan saikologi latihan.

Pakar Saikologi Sukan : Apa harus kita lakukan ?

Pertandingan Gimnastik Junior peringkat Antarabangsa Jepun 2009

Pasukan Lelaki Jepun memenangi 5 pingat Emas dan Viktoria Komova dari Russia menambah 2 lagi pingat dihari akhir Pertandingan Gimnastik untuk Junior, di Yokohama.
Chihiro Yoshioka, Individu Keseluruhan pada hari Selasa, pingat Emas bagi acara Pelang Sejajar memenangi who won the men's all-around title Tuesday, won the individual gold medal on parallel bars. Yoshioka telah menjuarai peringkat Junior Jepun awal tahun ini.
Ryuzo Sejima memenangi pingat Emas bagi acara Senam Lantai dan Gelang,dan Shou Yokoyama memenangi dalam acara Kekuda Berpelana dan Palang Tunggal.
David Belyavsky dari Russia menghalang Jepun merangkul semua pingat dengan memenangi pingat Emas bagi acara Melombol .
Komova, yang menjuarai acara Individu, telah memenangi Emas – Palang Bertingkat dan Batang Titian, Perak – Melombol dan Gangsa – Senam Lantai. Manakala Seira Suzuki memenangi acara Melombol Wanita, dan Sophina Dejesus dari Amerika – Emas bagi Acara Senam Lantai.
Pertandingan Antarabangsa “ Toyota Cup “ akan berlangsung pada 12 – 13 Disember 2009

External Link: Japanese Gymnastics Association

2nd Artistic & Rhythmic Gymnastics Friendly Championships

The above Championship will be held on Saturday 26 September 2009, at the Sri KL International School, Subang Jaya Selangor, from 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Competitions will be for MAG and WAG under 10, 12 and 15

Dato' Dr Zakariga Hj Ahmad, the President of the Mlaysian Gymnastics Federation will officiate the openeing ceremony at 9.30 a.m.

Participating Teams:

Phillipnes GAA Sonny Ty Gymnastics Centre

Kerman Gymnastics Club, Iran

Ardebil Gymnastics Club, Iran

Total Gym Club, Malaysia

Ghaemshahr Gymnastics Society, Iran

Sri KL Gymnastics Club.

Wishing all the gymnasts the best of luck.

To All Muslims Gymnastics Community

GULING BELAKANG berbagai cara

Setelah berlatih Gulingan Hadapan perlulah gimnas menguasai kemahiran Guling Belakang.

Di sini saya berikan contoh-contoh aktiviti berkaitan dengan Guling Belakang.

Oleh itu para gimnas boleh berlatih kedua-dua kemahiran ini selama beberapa bulan dan tidak jemu hanya melakukan Guling Depan atau Belakang sahaja.

Selamat berlatih.

The Splits

A split is one of those moves that is really easy for some people and much harder for others. Even if you’re as tight as can be, though, you’ll still be able to master it if you work hard at your stretching. A great way to get (or improve) your split is to move through a series of different stretches, from simple to advanced. If you are a beginner, you’ll probably want to master the easier stretches first before moving on to full split stretches. Be sure to do each stretch on both sides – you’ll want a good split on both your right leg and your left leg in order to be a great gymnast. A Warning: These tips are not meant in any way to replace a knowledgeable coach. You must be sure to take the necessary safety precautions such as proper progressions, the right matting and the use of spotters

Edited from Amy

MELATIH "WALKOVER ( Bahagian 2 )

MELATIH "WALKOVER" ( Bahagian 1 )

CABANG GULING HADAPAN

Jurulatih yang mengajar Kemahiran Asas Guling Hadapan boleh menggunakan aktiviti ini agar gimnas dapat menguasai Guling Depan dengan betul. Pastikan kemahiran ini diajar dengan bentuk yang betul. Pastikan "toes" sentiasa ditunjukan (point)

Selamat Berlatih.

Small steps forwards is better than many steps backwards later.

AYUNAN PENDULUM

Disini terdapat latihan asas Ayunan Pendulum bagi Jurulatih-Jurulatih Pusat Latihan Daerah untuk melatih kemahiran yang sangat berguna sebagai persediaan kepada kemahiran yang lebih Kompleks nanti.

Teruskan ayun hingga mencecah langit

TANGGUNGJAWAB SEORANG JURULATIH

Mengenalkan Jurulatih Gimnastik Artistik Malaysia dari kalangan Warga Pendidikan semasa beliau seorang pelajar di SM Bedong, Kedah.

Tanggungjawab Jurulatih Gimnastik - petikan dari En Zambri Zainal Abidin untuk makluman para Jurulatih.

Tanggungjawab Jurulatih Gimnastik Artistik

Kemahiran yang diperlukan oleh jurulatih .
1. Kemahiran merancang latihan.
2. Kemahiran menyelenggara peralatan.
3. Kemahiran menyokong gimnas.
4. Kemahiran berkomunikasi.
5. Kemahiran rawatan kecemasan.
6. Kemahiran memotivasikan gimnas.
7. Kemahiran mengurut.

BELARUS GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIP 2009

7 -9 September 2009

Belarus Championships Artistic Gymnastics. Minsk (BLR) MAG WAG

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - 2009

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
9/8 (rope and hoop final): delayed 6:00am-7:15am ET ( Universal Sports TV )
9/10 (ball and ribbon final): delayed 5:30am-7:00am ET( Universal Sports TV )
9/11 (individual all-around final): Live 1:30am-4:00am ET; 5:00am-8:00am ET; 9:00pm-10:45pm ET*
9/12 (group prelims): Live 12:00am-2:00am ET( Universal Sports TV )
9/13 (group final): Live 2:00am-4:30am ET( Universal Sports TV )

ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS

Men's all-around final:
· 10/15: Live 1:30pm-4:00pm ET ( Universal Sports TV )
· 10/15: Same day delayed 8:00pm-10:00pm ET
Women's all-around final:
· 10/16: Live 1:30pm-4:00pm ET ( Universal Sports TV )
· 10/24: Delayed NBC TV 1:30pm-3:30pm ET
· 10/24: Delayed Universal Sports TV will air after NBC TV
Event finals day 1 (men's floor, pommel horse, and rings, women's vault and bars)
· 10/17: Live 8:00am-12:00pm ET ( Universal Sports TV )
· 10/17: Same day delay (Universal Sports TV) 8:00pm-10:00pm ET
Event finals day 2 (men's vault, parallel bars, and high bar, women's beam and floor):
· 10/18: Live 8:00am-12:00pm ET ( Universal Sports TV )
· 10/18: Same day delayed 8:00pm-10:00pm ET ( Universal Sports TV )

Happy, happy Gymnastics.

World of Information out there……….

I read this in Jun 2005…..

‘…as we know there are known knowns ; the things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know, but there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don’t know we don’t know.
Donald Rumsfeld

"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success." Henry Ford

He may well have known what he as talking about, unlike the vast majority of people listening to him, however we can apply this piece of political frippery to life in the gym. There are things about coaching which we know we know, or think we know, but what if those things which we know we know, we only know because someone else told us, whom we assumed as well. Then the things we think we know suddenly become things we don’t know that we don’t know. Furthermore there are also things we think we know but have never checked. So in addition to the things we thought we knew that we don’t actually know there are those things which we know we don’t know but haven’t bothered to find out and the things we don’t know that we don’t know………..,

So what is the answer ?

I don’t know, go and find out.

If you followed that little piece of nonsense, then you might ask, “How can you know which are the things you don’t know you don’t know ? “ You might as well ask “ How can I know the right questions to ask when I don’t know which answers I need ?”

Once again, go and find out. The more you read, the more questions you ask, the more chance you have of getting the answers you need and not the ones you want .

I am giving you a hand by publishing some coaching tips, but they aren’t there to hold your hand. There is a whole world of information out there, and once you start to access, you begin to realize how much you still have to learn, but you also start to find out the questions to ask.

The internet has hundreds of sites dedicated to sport science, gymnastics and other related activities. Do investigate.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Helen Keller

RELAX - FASTING MONTH

Just relax, but training must go on!

Watch this kid do it

NEW METHODS NEED TO BE ASSIMILATED INTO OUR SYSTEMS

Learning to be a gymnastics coach is like learning to use a computer. A computer is a complex instrument affected by many variables and interactive systems, defined by strange terminology and jargons and forever changing and updating on a daily basis. A bit like a gymnast! And us elders of society who can remember trying to learn how to master the secret rituals of computing can empathise with apprentice gymnastic coaches. You become desperate for help finding it in the usual places of books, magazines, and IT tutors but sometimes finding you can learn just as much from a child, an enthusiastic Amateur and better still teenager But we must keep our eyes open and be prepared to try things out and see if hey work, press a few buttons and see what happens.

I have often found new and unexpected ways to teach gymnastics from examining Assistant Coaches and I have certainly learned a lot from the performers I coach .New methods need to be assimilated into our systems but this sometimes leads to compatibility problems.

Traditionally ‘eastern and western’ nations have produced top class performers from systems as different and incompatible as PC’s and Apple Macs. Can the systems learn from each other and possibly merge ? of course they can. The mistake is to assume that one system is naturally superior to the other. Bring together the advantages of both and discard the disadvantages. Never assume that something is right without testing it. (Imagine The rigorous testing of new programs at Microsoft – and they still come out with problems.!)

I am constantly on the lookout for different sources to bring you a range of coaching methods and tips. But it is up to you, the Coach, to see if they are compatible with your system or do you need to update and change (or maybe you just need a faster processor ).,

All I am saying is that getting comfortable with your coaching can mean that you are missing out on far more effective ways of developing your gymnasts. You should constantly challenge what you do and think.

Unfortunately, unlike computers that have an army of extremely intelligent boffins trying to make life constantly easier for us by making them more user friendly, the opposite is true of gymnasts. As time passes, the gymnast software becomes increasingly more difficult to use and manipulate. Controls become ever more subtle and difficult to implement and the software is increasingly more susceptible to the viruses of modern ( I am sure you can fill these in by yourself! )

Malaysian coaches developing our young talented gymnasts must take heed now before we fall seriously behind.

further:

http://magayarspindle.blogspot.com

SHARING OF INFORMATION

I perceive the role of this blog to be more a sharing of information and best practice rather than telling you only one way it should be done. It will hopefully become a meeting point for individual opinion. Many of our great coaches have produced great performers in Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics, I am hoping to twist their arms to give us an insight into how they did it. I think with articles from American and Russian thought in Artistic Gymnastics will be of some help to our local coaches.

However there are many of you out there who have your own opinions and ideas and I hope at least some of you will be willing to share them. I will expand more on this later.
For those of you who wish to express a view on the content of this blog or wish to ask questions there is space for your comment at the bottom of the articles, feel free to use it, but no personal abuse please.

Happy Gymnastics !

COACH ALL SKILLS IN LEVEL 1

The direction of the new Malaysian Gymnastics Federation’s coaching scheme must emphasize on developing the right skills to learn, is at the base of this new scheme. The correct basic !

Like that old saying that if you give a man a fish you feed him for a day., if you teach him to fish you fed him for life. Teach an individual a certain skill, and like a performing seal, he or she will be capable of doing that skill. Give the same individual the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to learn for himself and you prepare them to continue learning effectively throughout their life.

In this sport, if we follow others, we will always be behind them.

BE SERIOUS

Our sport is developing more and more quickly. Its growth is not complete. We are not imitators, but we are striving for originality. We develop as we like in our schools and training centres.

The essential thing is to be serious ( about it )

Gymnastics provides the real satisfaction of achivement and the complementary outcome of good physical condition.

"Even more than physical...sports develop an attitude....God Bless the coaches and Teachers if this nation."

GREAT COACH

I often spend time pondering on the obscure conundrum – What makes a good coach into a great coach ? Sad I know, but I waste hours in the gym while I should be coaching, gazing into space, or sitting on the toilet while the rest of the family are banging on the door in desperation, searching for the X factor that separate the good from the mundane, the excellent from the good and the great from the excellent.
I have looked at all the factors; great knowledge, excellent communication, skills, the ability to motivate, charisma, rapport, determination, attention to details, organizational ability, insight and so on ad nauseam.

The other day I happened to see an excerpt from the film ‘ Close Encounters of the third kind’, I don’t know if you remember the film, in it, Richard Dreyfuss sees an alien spacecraft and proceeds to turn from a good father and upstanding member of society into a driveling idiot obsessed with turning everything he sees into a large mound, etc., the obsession becomes so great that his kids end up scared of him and his wife leaves him.

That’s the way it is for many great coaches.

Formally sane individuals consumed by their desire to scale the mountain, to find the holy Grail ! Galahads, Puteri Gunung Ledang,and Lancelots galloping through the fields of sporting endeavour only to be frustrated by another false lead, another cracked vertebrae in the spinal column of achievement…….

I am reminded of the Greek legend of Sisyphus who was punished by the Gods and doomed in the Underworld to roll a large rock to the top of a mountain, only to see it roll back down again and so have to start his labors afresh into eternity.

To achieve in coaching ( indeed sport ) at the highest level, especially in our under-funded sport, is to give up everything to roll that stone to the top of the mountain, more often than not to see it roll back down again.

The obsession is not for everybody, but we must set our own objectives and feel good about achieving them, even in the presence of the towering ego and tormented and driven soul that is the great coach.

When Professor Smolevsky from Russia prepared a development program for Malaysian Gymnastics, the team in 1998 was a huge success, ending up our team with some medals at the Commonwealth games and leaving some good gymnasts thoroughly modernized Malaysian’s preparation and approach.

It isn’t easy to live in the shadow of these characters, or be given the job of following them. Just ask Mr. Secretary…..

“Genius is one percent inspiration, and ninety percent perspiration” – Thomas Edison.

TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT COMPETITION

Many gymnasts made mistakes; most of them were technical and accordingly deductions in scores were inevitable. But there were dozens of occasions when they could have done better had they prepared correctly, hence missing the ultimate goal ‘to win ‘

There is no substitute for hard, well organized , regular training, which will return confident, well executed exercises, therefore the list below should be viewed as complementary and certainly important to your approach to the next competition. Whatever the level, it should be your best effort.

1. Be absolutely clear of the exercises you are expecting to perform including your vault number.
2. Practice, rehearse and get through them under differing conditions and state of mind.
3. Feel confident that that all exercises have been adequately trained and effectively observed by your coach.
4. Do not include doubtful or risky elements ( moves which you are uncertain )
5. Make sure that your clothing and footwear is clean and sound, including any elastic which would be well sewn to your clothing.
6. Do not wear new socks, straps or anything which might affect your performance – new socks tend to slip about in your shoes, new straps are tight and affect grip etc. But you should have a good pair of gym shoes
7. Get plenty of sleep and regular – not heavy meals of varying types, but nothing new, unusually seasoned or strange to your normal taste prior to your competitions. ( if it is possible abroad ) Most gymnasts don’t eat for several hour before a competition.
8. Be absolutely clear about , bus, train or flight times, also the competition times, the whereabouts of the sports hall/gym – allowing plenty of time to amble about before getting changed.
9. Get familiar with all the apparatus , making a note of bright lights, audience seating, amount of approach run, space around the apparatus etc.
10. Warm up thoroughly and slowly. Try out the moves or routines in the direction you hope to compete in. Don’t be persuade to go through your routines several times because others are doing it – unless this method has proved to be right for you.
11. Take into the competition with you : a) spare straps ( have these always available 30 sec. Will not allow you to dash into the changing room for your spares ) b) spare footwear, if shoes shows signs of weakness, c) Pullover or extra tracksuit if in a cold gym, d) a small quantity of juice or water.
12. Do not forget some warm-up clothing =- always keep competition gear clean and make sure wrists bandages are well tucked in ( if you wear them )

Always present yourself confidently before and after each performance. Then go out there to win.

Relax

Time out. Just relax and enjoy.

GYMNASTICS 2012 OLYMPICS LONDON

I wonder how many of you know that in the 90’s and 2000’s we had three world class gymnast that participate at the Commonwealth games , and the Olympics. ( Lim Wai Chi, Au Li Yen and Ng Shu Wai, to name a few ) How many people know we won silver medal at the Asian Games, and the Commonwealth Games.

Perhaps it’s a reflection of a wider perspective and growing frustration at the incomprehensibility of our competition judging structure, but gymnastics in the Korbut and Comaneci days was on the lips of even the most ardent football fan.

We all know that media fame is not the most important thing within sport, but it’s nice to know that you are appreciated for your efforts outside of the immediate gymnastics family. It is also a fact that celebrity status brings its own financial rewards.

The thing is, our gymnasts need some incentive, a carrot dangling at the end of what is a mighty long stick. If we hope to develop a team that is capable of winning medals in London 2012 then this is just one of the problems that must be approached.

“Developing Olympic Champions is like training doctors, it’s expensive, takes time and needs real expertise.”

The real difference though is that doctors can look forward to a commensurate financial reward for their efforts at the end of training.

Coaches are our ‘centers of excellence’ and we need to make sure we have consistent strong funding from now through to 2012.

The definitive point of this statement is that individuals make the difference, whether performers or coaches, and both need to be given every possible incentive and support to reach the Olympic rostrum.

At the moment the incentive to spend 30 hours a week in a gym is pretty much limited to personal ambition. We need young performers to know that there is at least a chance of their efforts being rewarded.

You’re probably thinking that this has all been said before, but we have never been in this position before.

In order for our performers to reap the benefits of any success they may have in 2012 the profile of this sport needs to be raised in the eyes of the public. If the gymnnasts don’t percieve this happening then the incentive to give up everything and go for it is not going to be there.

Whilst many hours are spent agonising over the best way to improve our ranking in the World arena, what strategy does the Malaysian Gymnastics have to improve the standing of our sport in the public domain ?

He who SWINGS is a GYMNAST !

WHAT IS POTENTIAL

POTENTIAL – ( Capable of coming into being or action, latent )

Thus stated by the Concise Oxford Dictionary the most abused word in the sporting vocabulary is exposed as a knife with two cutting edges. In sporting or gymnastics term we understand that coming into being or action means the realization of sporting excellence, the performance of human activity at its most perfect level.
Andrianov, Deltchev, Gienger, Korolev, Comaneci, Boginskaya, represent just a few of the world class gymnasts we all try to emulate. But those two knife edges LATENT and CAPABLE cythe through our intentions and dreams as easily as bent leg through a medal opportunity.

LATENT

This suggests that something is within, dormant, awaiting some action that will release and ability. With some slight juggling we turn LATENT into TALENT, a theory into object of practical use. The search for TALENT, can be the most crucial activity in the schools, sports club or gym centers . Many sports use TALENT SCOUTS who go to endless number of minor games events, matches, competitions, tournaments etc. with an experienced eye ever watchful for the youngster with something special. The Malaysian system runs this way. A successful coach funded by the NSC will train the best sportsmen and women after going through TID or being selected.

In sports such as gymnastics the search starts much earlier, In schools, clubs, gym centers children are TESTED and progress MONITERED with the infamous PYRAMID reaching up to elevate the TALENTED few. These tests can be very specific in physical terms. The results of a series of tests and measurements can identify TALENT for specific sports. It is more subtle test that can qualifies intelligence, courage, determination, and will power. Many centers and clubs are experts in physical testing but rank beginners in identifying those qualities which the champions must have.

CAPABLE

Of course we are capable of unleashing that LATENT ability. Well, given the time, and the facility and the money, and of course there is the question of medical support, and then we must have the new type of spring board, and remember the exams are very important and the………

The TALENT is only of POTENTIAL if someone is CAPABLE of realizing it. Some of the best gymnasts come from the smallest, hottest, overcrowded halls in the country. The trick is solving problems not creating them. If all the TALENTED gymnasts in this country for instance could be placed in an identical situation with and identical coach, we would still have the same success rate in performance.

COACHING means CAPABLE

We can spend whole evenings bleating about problems but in the end it is the coaching that counts.

Are you a CAPABLE coach ?

WHAT IS PHYSICAL CONDITION ?

The term “ physical condition “ is very wide and is not specific enough to describe what we often wish to say. There are seven separate areas which can all be absorbed into such a slick term, physical condition.
a. physical strength. The ability of a muscle to contract against a force. The greater the force the muscle can overcome the stronger it may be said to be.
b. muscular endurance. The ability of the muscle to make many contractions without loss of power.
c. cardio respiratory endurance. The ability of the heart to keep the blood ( the gas transport system of the body ) circulating.
d. Flexibility. The degree of rotation attainable around a joint complex. The limiting factors here may not be in that joint at all.
e. power. Related to the speed at which the forces opposing movement can be overcome.
f. co-ordination. Related to the nerve impulses which stimulate muscle contraction and the ability of the body to decode skills from the memory.
g. relaxation. It is only rarely that the musculature of the body, other than that involved with vital organs, will cease to receive and transmit signals. In such a state the process of learning is acute.

1. S.A.I.D The body SPECIALLY, ADAPTS TO IMPOSED DEMANDS. SPECIFICALLY………….changes can be predicted.
ADAPTS…………………..can improve or become poorer
IMPOSED…………………unaccustomed
DEMANDS………………..expectation of performance

2. OVERLOAD The demands must always be greater than before for improvement.
a. Overload by increased resistance.
b. Overload by increased repetition
c. Overload by increased work rate
d. Overload by expectation ( often psychological overload )

3. CONTROL A highly technical and aesthetical sport requires great care in the organization of all those attributes which are required to become a successful performer. Care in the preparation of the body and mind, and care in he teaching process.

Gymnastics is movement. Movement requires the use of contracting muscles. The contraction have either to oppose gravity ( i.e. jumping ) or has to articulate the mechanical parts of the body. If the body is neither strong enough nor efficient enough to make those contractions then the skills are limited to the simple and insecure.

In total body activities it is the central system of respiration, and the heat dissipation, and nervous system and cell function which are likely to established the limit of performance.

BIOMECHANICS

What is this thing called biomechanics ?

Biomechanics is perhaps the most important of sport sciences a gymnastics coach must understand. A thorough grasp of the main biomechanical theories can allow the coach to look at any gymnastic skill and evaluate it.

This guide will take you step by step through the relevant theories, starting with the most fundamental, and building on them to demonstrate more complex areas. For some of these fundamental areas, there are certain terms for which we must learn biomechanical jargon. Such as centre of mass and parabola. This is to make discussion of connected topics easier to understand.

Why do I need to understand biomechanics ?

The nature of this sport that we call gymnastics means that we are constantly trying to analyse what we are seeing or have just seen. Trying to work out why our gymnast has over-rotated, under-rotated, fallen, is too low, is too high, is too far from the bar or has just plain collapsed.

If we can understand some basic biomechanics, we can start to understand why these things have happened and enhance our coaching and increase the success of our gymnasts.

QUOTES FROM FAMOUS GYMNASTS

"Set daily, monthly, and long term goals and dreams. Don't ever be afraid to dream too big. Nothing is impossible. If you believe in yourself, you can achieve it." -Nastia Liukin, USA, 2008 Olympic all-around champion

DIFFERENT SYSTEM

Seeing is believing. I heard stories about the Soviet Union ( Russia ) and its gymnasts. Tales of KGB, torture, and tripling tykes left little impression. I wanted to see it firsthand. So the opportunity came. I was selected to attend a Coaching Course under the U.N.E.S.C.O. educational Diploma Coaching program in Moscow, that was in 1983. I took it without second thought for my purpose is to learn more about the Soviet system of gymnastics.

Coaches from 20 countries were housed on different floors at the Sports Hotel, Lenninsky Prospek. Every morning we traveled by bus to the Olympisky Sports Complex built for the 1980 Moscow Olympics .Lectures in the morning and practical sessions in the evening. During the weekends we were taken to the Dynamo Club, Central Amy Club, Sports Schools, Sports Science Centre, Circus Schools and city tours, complete with a team of interpreters to answer our every need.

We have seen top Russian gymnasts at World Championships, Olympic Games and etc., but those gymnasts were the results of many years of training – the finished product. I also wanted to learn how the Russians developed their youngsters.

What we see at these clubs were not the whole picture, indeed, but there was an underlying theme to the Russians training that is missing from that of ours and many other nations. The selected preschool-age youngsters at these facilities, weren’t attempting cartwheels or choo-choo trains. Instead they were being stre…..tched and strengthened for three hours with a conditioning program that would make a typical Malaysian male gymnast cry “ Daddy “ By the time these kids are six or seven years old, they have a perfect body line and a solid handstand. Next step ? Take them to the apparatus.

Granted, the Malaysian idea of preschool gymnastics is a far cry from three hour sessions of splits and planche presses. If we did that, little Jamal and Jamilah might quit after 15 minutes, and where would the “ business “ be ? So the main difference lies not within our children but with our system.

We see the Russians, Chinese and Americans performing new skills all the time, and its only natural to want to match them. But it is difficult to keep pace if you don’t have a solid foundation.

So, as gymnastics continue to become more and more difficult, we should not be consumed with learning the latest D or E element. Instead, we should strive for the proper preparation from the beginning of a gymnast’s career.

I would be sharing my experience about coaching in my other blog http://magayarspindle.blogspot.com

Small steps forward now will prevent big steps backward later. “ MALAYSIA BOLEH “

FEDERAL TERRITORY ( Kuala Lumpur ) GAMES 2009

In conjunction with the Federal Territory Games, the Federal Territory Gymnastics Association, under its hard working staff Mr Mike Ng organized Gymnastics Competition for its members.

The competition was on the 13 th June 2009 at the National Gymnasium, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. 25 boys and 21 girls gymnasts took part in this contest.

Results:

MAG Elite - Individual All Around Champion

Francis Chio - 60.47
Kelvin Tan - 57.33
Shaun Chow - 60.16

WAG Elite

Wong Tze Wei - 45.91
Skye Chow - 41.85
Aleena - 40.74

12th Cycle FIG Judging Course 2009 - Malaysia

Firstly I’d like to congratulate the Malaysian FIG Judges,f or obtaining their accreditation for the 2009+ FIG. I believe the course was very stressful and challenging, and this judges will no doubt be on hand to educate the rest of us throughout Malaysia as we make the change to the new code later this year.


I would like to thank Mr Hardy Fink, Ken Achiron, and Jeff Thomson for coordinating the updates for the Pre- Course held earlier, the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation and National Sports Council Malaysia, for making it possible for the course to take place.


Attention all Judge, if you are interested in assisting the up coming National Programs please contact me through this blog, or the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation.


Please keep an eye on this blog for information regarding competitions dates and changes.
BE AWARE - it is your responsibility to keep yourself up-to-date by Judging Gymnastic Competitions.

NEW TREND OF GYMNASTICS

The new trend of Gymnastics today - the rise of difficulty over artistry and the emergence of young, pre-pubesent gymnasts and the phasing out of the mature, elegent woman. This trend has many implications for our level of gymnastics. Will we be losing more and more potential high school gymnasts because they are considered " too old. " ? How many women coaches are there tooday ? Have they been losing out because they dont spot double backs and triple twists ?

At the World Championships the new style on Beam included very little dance - just the obligatory full turns and safe transitions - otherwise it could have been a tumbling event . On Floor the tumbling of the finals was very predictable. open with double back, second pass double twists, lass pass another double back. Not very interesting when you consider the different passes they could be using.but the safety factor in performing double backs mandates execessive practise time. Does this time spent , on perfecting dangerous skills take away from time that used to be invested in dance ? Are these children old enough to be able to use dance expressively ? Old enough to accumulate the knowledge and experience necessary for good dance technique ?

Did you see anyone out on the floor able to enjoy their routine ? Did you see anyone smile during their free exercise routine ?

I believe the coaches on the school level have the potential bring joy and elegence back to " artistic " gymnastics. We work with the mature gymnast; the one who knows how to add the little spark to her routines that, perhaps, the new, very young gymnasts may never experience.

HAPPY GYMNASTICS ALWAYS

MALAYSIAN GYMNASTICS 2009

The way I see it, gymnastics is always improving. Each new stage it reaches, absorbs what it has achieved before and casts out everything that holds it back. In this sport we sometimes see periods of time when there are sharp qualitative changes and progress races ahead. These burst are usually connected with the introduction of more intricate routines. In modern sport and especially gymnastics intricacy is the most important of the criteria of skill.

Recently there have been two big qualitative advances. There were many very good contestants in 1998 Commonwealth Games, but undoubtedly it was Au Li Yen the first Malaysian woman artistic gymnast who qualified for the Sydney Olympic Games.
Not only women’s but also men’s gymnastics were given a fresh impetus.

The next big leap forward came several years later. This new stage began at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games when Ng Shu Wai represented Malaysia. The most difficult movements were already commonplace not only by the leaders but also by most of the gymnasts.

Shu Wai won silver at Melbourne Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. The “Shu Wai phenomenon” is a distinctive synthesis of flexibility, strength, and free movements, plus his mood, character and of course inspiration without which there can be no success.

I still believe that Malaysian gymnastics will performed well again in the near future. However there is minus here, the back up pool is still raw. But there is a plus too. The schools are beginning a high performance program for gymnastics, where talents could be detected and developed to a world class gymnast. Incidentally this is lacking in Malaysia. On the other hand our gymnasts lack is stability, which is a factor of no small importance today in the “battle of nerves”

And yet medals and prizes are only one side of gymnastics. Champions come and go but the beauty and joy they bring to the spectators remain.

MSSM Gymnastics Championships 2009

THE Malaysia Schools Gymnastics Championships will held on the 2nd June 2009, in Kuantan, Pahang.

About 400 gymnastics from all over the coountry will be taking part in MAG and WAG competition.

See you there.