WHY COACH GYMNASTICS

After over 35 years as a career coach, I still ask that question. There are jobs that pay much better. A lot of volunteer time is expected.
So why coach?

Gymnastics is the most beneficial physical activity. Gymnasts are the most fit athletes. Gymnastics is never boring. I love being part of the best sport.
We must also ask why kids do gymnastics?

Surveys of gymnasts & parents result in lists like this:

Have FUN
Improve Skills
Friendships
Be GOOD at something
For EXCITEMENT
For FITNESS
To be part of the CLUB
For CHALLENGE
To LEARN new skills
To WIN

How can we best provide an experience to fulfill those goals? My philosophy I appropriated from Keith Russell, a principle author of the Canadian coaching manuals:
Fun
Fitness
Fundamentals
This is the checklist by which I plan practices;
Is it fun? Will fitness improve?
Are basic skills reinforced?
Fun is a great goal as it is one that EVERYONE in the gym can achieve.
So what is fun in the gym?
contests
games
variety in skills and drills
activities where the kids work together (e.g. relays) depending on one another
etc.
How do we improve fitness? It is easy. No other activity improves fitness as quickly and effortlessly as gymnastics. We only run into problems if the strength drills are too easy (no training effect) or too repetitive (the body adapts after 3-4 weeks and improvement slows).
The main principle for coaches is the overload principle. Training plans must progressively and insistently require more and more of the athlete, physically and technically.
If the kids are having fun in the gym, they (normally) wil be more motivated for conditioning. If they are motivated for conditioning, the skills come more easily. If the basics are sound, competitive performance will improve.
Any additions to, or questions on, my philosophy?I would appreciate feedback
By the way, my philosophy is the same for recreational once-a-week gymnasts as it is for high performance athletes. I observe, however, additional positive qualities of competitive gymnasts, including:
high social status
middle or high level socio-economic class
organized in their life- style
more socially adjusted
superior leadership qualities
emotionally controlled
self-confident yet humble
courageous
normal or slightly above normal academic achievement
tough-minded

“Trying to make a top gymnast out of a child with limited physical ability is like trying to play a sonata on a piano with only five keys.”
- John Atkinson, Great Britain

The primary objectives of the sport of Gymnastics is not to contest the ability of those fundamental elements in terms of time, distance and resistance, but to test your command of the total body in terms of artistic value.

Talent Opportunity Program (TOP)

United States of America Gymnastics’ Talent Opportunity Program (or TOPs) is still going strong. Fifty-four athletes participated in the three-day National TOPs Team Camp at the Women’s National Team Training Center, held at the Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville, Texas, Dec. 1-5. An additional 58 athletes participated in the TOPs B Camp, Dec. 5-9.

For the first time in the program’s history, 8-year-old gymnasts participated in the training camps with tremendous success. The athletes were instructed in all four Olympic events and dance by the National Team Developmental Coaching staff. Lectures were also given by the staff to the coaches on training techniques.

TOPs is a talent search and educational program for female gymnasts ages 7-11 and their coaches. During the months of June and July, 2,800 gymnasts ages 7-11 were evaluated on physical abilities at the state level. From there, the best 280 gymnasts 8-11 year old athletes were invited to participate in the National TOPs Testing in October, where they were evaluated on the same physical abilities tests and basic gymnastics skills. From National TOPs Testing, 54 athletes were named to the TOPs National Team and invited to participate in the National TOPs Training Camp in December.

The training camps were, without a doubt, the most productive camps in their 19 years of existence and the inclusion of the 8-year-old athletes was a tremendous success.

Asian Gymnastics Camp - India

Mr. Sanjay Sabnis, Assistant Director & In charge, Balewadi Sports Complex as guest of honour, Mr. Kan Singh Rathore, General Secretary GFI, Mr. Zambri Abidin AGU Expert and Mr. M. Chemburkar Secretary MAGA were present at the closing ceremony on 11th December 2010. Mr. Kan Singh welcomed all the guests and participants and appreciated the support provided during the camps by Director Sports & Youth Services. He also said that the credit goes to Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune for the India’s historic medals in gymnastics at CWG and Asian Games 2010. Coaches from Sri Lanka & India also shared their experiences gathered during this training camp

25th National Gymnastics Championships

The Malaysian Gymnastics Federation will be organizing the 25th National Artistic Gymnastics Championship on the 5th December 2010 at Gymnasium III, National Sports Council, Kuala Lumpur.

16 MAG from 7 teams

15 WAG from 5 teams

Team Managers meeting will be held on the 3rd December at 7.00 p.m. Gymnasium III, National Sports Council, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

See you there.

16th Asian Games, Guangzhou 2010

Team Championships

MAG

China

Japan

R.O.Korea

WAG

China

Japan

Uzbekistan

Individual Finals

MAG

TENG Haibin - China

LU Bo - China

MIZUTORI Hisashi - Japan

WAG

SUI Lu - China

HUANG Qiushuang - China

TANAKA Rie - Japan

TIME OUT

To all my Hindu friends, Happy Diwali...

To all my Muslim friends, Selamat Eid Adha...

To all my Christian friends, Merry Christmas...

Diwali, Eid Adha, Christmas...we are still the same - Malaysians!

Please pray for all our Malaysian Muslim brothers who will be performing their haj this year so that they are given the strength and ease for haji mabrur...

HAPPY DEEPAVALI

Wishing all my Indian Friends a Happy and Prosperous Deepavali

NEW TRENDS IN MEN’S GYMNASTICS

1. Introduction

A. Gymnastics Overview

1. Six areas of concern for Coaches – Six Men’s Apparatus ( FX,PH,SR,VT,PB HB )

2. Six areas of supplemental Learning
a. Strength and Endurance
b Flexibility
c. Air Sense
d. Mental Preparation
e. Dance
f. General Information
i) Nutrition
ii) Judging Gymnastics
iii) Philosophy of Coaching


II. New Trends Derived from Supplemental Learning Areas

A. Upper Torso Flexibility and Strength

i) Highly developed in current world class gymnasts
ii) Creates very effective beat swings on apparatus
iii) Creates effective lifts on FX
iv) Creates very pleasing aesthetics lines on PH,PB HB
v) Strength Drills
a) PH lifts in arch-up position
b) PH lifts in sit-up position
c) Partner sit-up ( hollow-up that avoids partner’s touch )
vi) Flexibility Drills
a) Bridge that in-locates upper back
b) Hollow and arch in prone position

B. The Use of Dance in Floor Exercise

1. FX moving away from robotic years of Ditiatin, Andrianov
2. Dance Elements creates Creativity, originality and Virtuosity )
3. Areas of Development
a) Head, Shoulders, arms, finger awareness
b) Focus
c) Rhythm through FX corners and side pass
( e.g. energetic to soft – Li Ning )
d) Original Shapes – Jesus Rivera
4. Dance elements and a new dimension to FX

VISUALIZING ORIGINAL SKILLS

Some Methods:

1 Look at old films and videos for unusual skills and combinations.
Ex. Kato hop on PB, swings to inverted cross on R, Honma onRings )

2. Observe dance performances
eg. various twisting, leaps transitions etc.

3. Add a twist or salto
eg. 2 ½ twisting back dive on FX, twisting swings on R,
Lo’s mount on FX, 1/1 hop pirouette on FE or PB

4. Watch a film or video in reverse.
Eg. reverse cast on PB, Healy on PB Honma on R

5. Using the mind’s eye, change a skill by mirroring the motion of body parts.
Free hip circles rear-ways on HB

6. Take a move from another event
eg. flaired circles on FX & PB, Tong on PB, Li, in R salto backward on R

7. Take a move from women’s gymnastics
toe-on 1 ½ twist on HB

8. Devise new combinations
eg. Omeliantchik on FX

9. Try a new hand change on PH
Stold’s double reverse stockli with promoted grip.
1 ½ Russian on one pommel

10. Improve technique
Delchev’s side scale, Markelov’s Honma to L cross. etc.

GYMNASTICS SEMINAR 2010

The Malaysia Gymnastics Fedration with the cooperatipn of the National Sports Council Malaysia held its first Seminar, Entitled - Past, Present and Future of Gymnastics in Malaysia on the 24 - 25 October at the Auditorium 1, National Sports Council Malaysia.
The invited speaker was Mr Gao Jian, Consultant from the Federation International Gymnastics.

The steps taken by the MGF and the NSC is timely looking at the standard of Gymnastics, especially Artistic Gymnastics which is in a state of vaccum. We may have to wait for another 10 years or 10,000 hours of training and deliberate practice to develope a High Performance athlete before we can be at the International Arena again.

The existing system needs to change to evolve.

" The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

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

I hope all those attending the Seminar will come up with a concrete solution to help Malaysia regain her pride in this sport.

GYMNASTICS ARTISTIC RESULTS

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Gymnastics(Artistic) for Mens Events

Australia ( AUS )
England (ENG )

Canada ( CAN )

Individual all-around

Luke Folwell (ENG)
Reiss Beckford (ENG)
Joshua Jefferis (AUS)

Floor

Thomas Pichler (AUS)
Reiss Beckford (ENG)
Ashish Kumar (IND)

Pommel Horse

Prashanth Sellathurai (AUS)
Max Whitlock (ENG)
Jonathan Chan Thuang Tong (SIN)

Rings

Samuel Offord (AUS)
Luke Folwell (ENG)
Herodotos Giorgallas (CYP)

Vault

Luke Folwell (ENG)
Ashish Kumar (IND)
Ian Galvan (CAN)

Parallel Bars

Joshua Jefferis (AUS)
Luke Folwell (ENG)
Prashanth Sellathurai (v)

Horizontal Bar

Dimitris Krasias (CYP)
Anderson Loran (CAN)
Max Whitlock (ENG)

XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Gymnastics(Artistic) for Womens Events

Team

Australia (AUS)

England (ENG)

Canada (CAN)

Individual all-around

Lauren Mitchell (AUS)
Emily Little (AUS)
Georgia Bonora (AUS)

Vault

Imogen Cairns (ENG)
Jennifer Mbali Khwela (RSA)
Gabby May (CAN)

Uneven Bars

Lauren Mitchell (AUS)
Georgia Bonora (AUS)
Cynthia Lemieux-Guillemette (CAN)

Floor

Imogen Cairns (ENG)
Lauren Mitchell (AUS)
Ashleigh Brennan (AUS)

Balance Beam

Lauren Mitchell (AUS)
Heem Wee (SIN)
Cynthia Lemieux-Guillemette (CAN) Imogen Cairns (ENG)

NSC/MGF CLASSIFICATION PROGRAM NATONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The championship held on the 8 till 10 October 2010 at Gymnasium III, National Sports Council Malaysia, attracted more than 160 MAG and WAG gymnastts from most of the states in Malaysia.

The first day results:

MAG Level I

Champion - Sarawak; 469.400 points

Runners-up - Perak ; 451.850 points

Third - Terengganu ; 447.450 points

MAG Level II

Champion - Edugym ; 447.250 points

Runners up - Terengganu; 434.300 points

Third - Perak ; 409.650 points

WAG Level I

Champion - Perak ; 294.150 points

Runners-up - Edugym ; 284.76 points

Third - Kedah ; 262.260 points

WAG Level II

Champion - Sarawak ; 300.000 points

Runners-up - Edugym ; 280.100 points

Wishing all the gymnasts the best of luck.

New Delhi - Commonwealth Games 2010

Date : 4 - 8 October 2010

Place: Indra Ghandi Indoor Stadium

Logo

MAG: 5 gymnasts

WAG: 5 gymnasts

RG: 3 gymnasts

Medals Male - 8 G 8 S 8 B

Medals Female - 12G 12S 12 B

We hope Malaysia will be successful at this Games.

Best of Luck and Happy Gymnastics.

Go Find Out

I read this the other day:

“….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

Donald Rumsfeld may well have known what he was talking about, however we can apply this piece of political frippery to life in the gym. There are things about coaching which we know, or think we know, but if those things which we know, we only know because someone else told us, whom we assumed knew what they knew, but in actual fact didn’t know, but assumed as well. Then the things we think we know suddenly becomes things 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 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.

A large array of coaching resources are available from some Gymnastics Associations, but they aren’t there to hold your hand. There is a whole world of information out there and once you start to access it you begin to realize how much you still have to learn, but you also start to find the questions to ask.

The internet is has hundreds of sites dedicated to sport sciences, gymnastics and other related activities. Here are some –

www.pponline.co.uk
www.sportsci.org
www.brianmac.demon.co.uk

Richard Reuther of Oppau

The greatest influnce of modern gymnastics is Richard Reuther the German of Oppau. born in 1909. The world will thank him and his friend Rudi Spieth manufacturer for today's efficient gymnastics apparatrus.

Perhaps the most appreciated was the springboard which was introduced in 1950. He has been concerned with his horizontal bar dsign as early as 1930, but only succeded after World War II with pre-tensioning.

He was a quiet , friendly gymnastwho also knew much about training. and taking care og gymnasts.His clun Turnerbund Oppau was German team champion several times.

He was always a good " gymnastics brother" as the term has been used in German Gymnastics since Friedrich Ludwig Jahn whenever you address a freind.

Brother in Gymnastics.

Tsukahara Vault - 1969

The Tsukahara Vault was performed by Mitso Tsukahara of Japan during the World Championshops in Lybjuana, Yugoslavia. Mr Tsukahara vaulted the piked version to become the World Vault Champion.

His vault now makes up one of the three main families of vaults and some say it's the most versatile. For many years it had come to a standstill with the double and full twisting

Kasamatsu version.

Technical preparation Tsukahara Vault
( Persediaan dari segi teknik – Lombol Tsukahara )

Illustration by Roland Carrasco

Happy Gymnastics

Eid Mubarak

Wishing all my Muslim Viewers all Happy and Prosperous Eid Mubarak

Fasting Month of Ramadhan

I will be away for the fasting month. To all my Muslim viewers dont forget to fast this whole month of Ramdhan al Mubarak.

RUNNING FAST BUT MOVING SLOWLY

In an effort to increase the success of Malaysian Gymnastics internationally, I think the MGF Technical Committee must wake up and have quality restored in the Classification program.

I think we have given a lot of opportunities to all the gymnasts participating in different parts of the programs, like the grass-root program and all that. But we have to have to look into how we can speak the same language to restore the quality of the program so that we can enhance the kids who are very talented to go all the way to the top. And I don’t think we are doing that effectively.

But now we have a new program or the MGF classification program as it was previously called prepared by Mr. Hardy Fink ( director of Education Federation International Gymnastics), while some people have heard of it, very few people know any of the details about it. The program objective “ To enhance the development of talented young gymnasts , with the aim of improving our national image”. I think it will be a quality manual for all to utilize in the future with much simpler language.

And I sincerely believe that this program will unify the coaches of the nation in a common goal and will serve to stimulate new thinking, new and better ways of training and teaching these talented youngsters. My only fears, and I think that they are well justified are that we are the biggest rationalizers and procrastinators in the sports world. We are not moving fast enough efficiently and effectively.

When the sports people and in this case I mean the gymnastic people of Malaysia get down to the task at hand we can develop the greatest gymnastic athletes in the world……within a free and open culture – but we still are not moving fast enough. ( running fast moving slowly )

Don’t let a good idea that finally got off the ground crash and burn for lack of support, or what is even worse, generate active resistance to the program due to lack of information.
( eg. 8 Core sports programs) If you need a national vehicle to help with these tasks I and a few coaches offer the services of a Gymnastic Forum.

Over confidence leads to ruins, while confidence is the path to success.

SUKMA III 2010, Melaka

Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships results.

Team Championships

Champion -Malacca

Runners-up - Selangor

Third - Sabah

Men's Individual Champion

Wan Mohammad Akhmal b Mohammad Zain - Johor

Mohammad Azam b Azmi - Selangor

Daniel b Iskandar - Selangor

I couldnt get the Women's Champion

I guess Selangor

Malacca, historic city, a state in Malaysia, hosted the 13th Malaysia Games 2010 ( or SUKMA XIII ) Gymnastics Championship begining 8 - 11 June 2010. Eleven teams participated in the team competition for Men and Seven teams for women.

The results for Men Team Championship

Champion - Selangor

Runners-up- Penang

Third - Sabah

Tomorrow the 9th June, WAG team competition will see Selangor and Malacca having a tough competition. Malacca is without Cheong See Teng who is injured.

Malacca has won the women's team gold at the last SUKMA 2008 in Terengganu .

Best of luck to all the Gymnasts.

SUKMA XIII 2010 MALACCA - COACHING SHORTS

Malaysia games or SUKMA XIII 2010 Gymnastics Championships will be held from 8 - 11 June 2010, at Melimau Institute of Polytechnics, Malacca, Malaysia.

See you there.

Injury Prevention

Injuries are better prevented than treated
Never start a training session before warming up and stretching. Always finish a training session by cooling down and stretching
Juice, water or sports drinks should always be on hand to rehydrate atleletes between efforts and after training.
Use appropriate safety equiptement at all times
Rest, relaxation and recovery between efforts and sessions are vital in injury prevention
Yes, injuries can be minimized understand the possible injury risks of your sport and take steps to reduce them.

Coaches deserve recognition and accreditation.

TIME

Kursus Jurulatih STPS Level 1

Kursus tersebut telah dilangsungkan pada 24 - 29 Mei, 2010 di Dewan Gimnastik, Kota Baharu, Kelantan. Kursus in anjuran Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia dengan kerjasama Majlis Sukan Negara dan Persekutuan Gimnastik Malaysia.

Seramai lebih kurang 25 orang peserta dari Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu dan Pahang telah mengikuti Kursus ini. Mereka akan melatih bakat-bakat gimnastik dinegeri masing-masing.

Para penceramah terdiri dari Encik Nasri b Omar ( Johor ) dan En Eddy Chin b Abdullah ( Terengganu ) Fasilitator ialah Pn Salina dari Kementerian Pelajaran

TRAINING CYCLE

( The Preparatory Phase )

1. Appoint a Captain
2. Individual and team requirements for the season
3. Training Schedule
4 Schedule and rules of competition
5 Selection of Individual Exercise material according to difficulties in all events
6. Endurance training, Continuous tumbling and Vaulting
7 Strength and Flexibility training
8 Working on selected dismounts on each event . Spotting is given as needed.
9 Combination of 2 to 4 elements with dismount
10 Special attention is given to continuous strength, flexibility and endurance development after each training session.

( The Practice Phase )

1. Establish exercises according to abilities of your gymnasts. Goal, to achieve the maximum potential score.
2. Repetition of exercise 3 -5 times through continuous error reduction of each attempt made by the gymnast.
3. Continuous development of strength, flexibility , and endurance as outlined on individual basis.
4. Establish the process of mental training on individual basis.

( The Competition Phase )

1. Training under simulated competitions. Scoring each performance by the coach, followed by immediate evaluation by the coach and the team
2. One day before competition occupy team with light exercises to relax both nerve and muscles.
3. Mental training before each competition through discussion of technical pointers and tactical decisions made by the team and individuals.
4. Psychological preparation for competition on increasing the level of motivation and will power to allow every gymnast to concentrate on every element of his/her exercise.

Theory of Training

In gymnastics every training session must have a definite aim. The coach hould never enter the gym without knowing what he wants to accomplish, and what the procedures are to reach hhis goals of thet training session.

The Training FORMAT

1. Detailed lists of gymnastics movements in every event, according to their difficulty ( A,B,C....)
2. The Chracteristics and content of every training session eg.
a) teaching only new movements
b) teaching combination with learned movements
c) training for endurance,
d) Automatization of movements through repetition in exercise form . etc.
3. Time devoted to individual attention per session,
4. The order of events during the training session for All Around Gymnast and the specialist,
5. Clarification and list of general warm-up exercises for each event,
6. The number ( and height ) of apparatus set up for each training session including the number of mats under or around the apparatus.
7. Selection of methods for fitness training and exercise content for All Around Gymnast and the specialist.

The Preparatory Phase........to be continued

To experience Life,
God has given us our bodies,
To experience our bodies,
God has given us Gymnastics.

Dr h.c. HEIKKI SAVOLAINEN ( Finland )

The first real World Championships took place in Paris ( 50th anniversary of the FIG ) Savolainen was 23, and the best all-rounder among 44 athletes from 10 nations.

At that time the all-around consisted of 14 exercises, five of which were from track and field athletics. Savolainen started sports as a decathlete. At 21 in 1928 he was third on Pommel Horse. ( Amsterdam Olympics ) He won Pommel Horse 20 years later. He won four medals in 1932 Los Anglese, one in Berlin 1936, two Golds in London 1948 and one Bronze in Helsinki, 1952.

There will never again be a gymnast who counts over 24 years among the best in the world, since now the requirements are so high; 10 elements to choose from A – G skills on each event.
I have not heard much about him since, he must be 101 years now. Lets wish for him that he continues that friendly “ fight “ against age.

Sorry no publication, just move house

GYMNASTICS INJURIES

The Beginner Gymnast

Because of the need for years of intense practice to reach high level of skill many pre-adolescent and adolescent athletes are being directed toward gymnastics. In many instances they are rapidly progressing to skills and stunts attempted by older athletes only a few years ago. The implication here is whether the young athlete’s body ( particularly the bones ) can withstand the stresses.
The primary area of consideration are the epiphyses or growth centers of the young athletes. The growth centers of the young athletes are particularly susceptible to stress; the complication being permanent damage to the growth centers . Accordingly, the coach should be highly suspicious of the young athlete complaining of pain around the growth centers at the end of bones. The tibia, elbow, and low back are potential problem areas. Pain is not always and expected by-product of intense training. Be suspicious and conservative.
At this point it seems clear that gymnastics is a risk activity. As a result of the equipment involved and the nature of the various skills, injuries, some potentially acute, are a regular occurrence. Those individuals’ coaches and/or trainers, responsible for the gymnasts’ health should be prepared to deal with these injuries.
1 They must understand the nature of the activity and its skills.
2 They must identify the risk skills and control them.
3 They must be prepared to respond in a conservative, consistent and systematic manner when
evaluating and managing suspected injuries.
4. They must have appropriate and immediate follow-up ( emergency transportation )available.
(Note ) the success of a quality athletic injury care program depends on the availability of competent
and interested physicians in order that the coach may refer the injured athlete for definitive diagnosis
and managements.
5.The use of tape should not replace proper management and rehabilitation but supplement it.
6. Despite all the management methods, rest and a conservative approach is likely to provide the most consistent long-term results.

To all Artistic Gymnastic Coaches,
MERRY CHRISTMAS
More aching bones and muscles
Each day there are more sore
Round off here
Round off there
Yet still we are back for more
Could it be our coaches
Hail to the chiefs
Right in time they save us
I’ts really a relief
Stretch, you dummy!
Tighten up!
Move it, pay attention
All apparatus aren’t easy
Success, splits, swing, stuz and struggle we don’t mention……….

But those back-up and High Performance Schools coaches
Keep struggling along
With impossible young cubs and facilities
We may sneeze , we may wheeze
We may even crash to our knees
But….Thanks…….
To all of “yoos!”
With the new season in full swing, we should have results of many invitational and qualifying meets.