Technique Magazine - April-June 1989

H. 8. Gymnastics

Coping With Fear In High Level Gymnastics Creativity And The Philosophy Of Gymnastics

J Plyometric Training Seeing Is Believing Spatial Awareness Cover Illu stration By:Mario Noche

NEW! USGP VIDEO-TAPES MEN'S TAPES Several new videotapes are available through the USGF Merchandising Department. USGF videos are produced and provided to the membership primarily for their educational value rather than artistic merit. Most often, the tapes of various events are shot by National Team coaches or USGF staff, utilizing hand-held cameras, of workouts and competitions where our USA athletes are participating. Often the "best we can do" is to provide footage shot on the floor or from spectator seating.

While the tapes are not "professionally" produced including special editing, narration, sound engineering, lighting, etc. they do meet our primary goals -that is: To provide documentation of competitions and training that might provide insight and inspiration to our coaches, judges and athletes! ... and to make the tapes available on a timely basis at affordable prices.

USGF tapes increase in value through repeated viewing. The more you wa tch the more you see! Often significant drills will be observed in the "background" activity.

To aid our members, the USGF will attempt to "rate" the quality of USGF tapes as follows:

(A) Excellent (C) Average

,

(B) Above average (D) Below average

W 0 MEN'S TAP E S

#2105 1989-92 Levell -IV Compulsory VHS - the new developmen tal exercises for your class and recreational students. The Levels include individual skills and skill sequences.

(A+) ........... ............. ............................... $ 79.95

#2140 1989 Women's American Cup The tape includes routines from both the Prelims and the Finals as well as segments from the pre-competition training. 2:00 (B+) ................. ................ ...................... $ 15.95

#2106 1989-92 Level 5-7 Compulsory VHS - these are the new compulsory routines that will be utilized beginning with the Fall season. (A+) ............... .... ......... ....... ..... $ 89.95

#2142 McDonald' s USA / USSR Challenge, Women's Compulsory sessions - During the Soviet visit in April, the USA and USSR teams shared workouts on the new 1989-92 Olympic Compulsory routines.

Also included on this tape are segments of a training session conducted by Mary Wright on FX and BB. 2:00 (B) .. .... .... $19.95

#2107 1989-92 Level 10 Compulsory VHS - This Level is adapted from the 1989-92 Elite Compulsory routines. (A+) .... $ 49 .95 #2108 Special price for purchasing all three of the 1989-92 Compulsory Levels above.

(A+) ........................................ ........... ... $189.95 #2119 McDonald's USA / USSR Challenge (held in Columbus, OH 4 / 29 /89) - The women's competition was spectacular! The USA Team gave the champion Soviet Team a strong challenge. Also included is approximately 1 hour of the USA and Soviet teams in their pre-competition work-outs.

2:00 (A) ................... ............. .... .. .......... $19.95

#2126 Ballet Training from the National Team Training Camps - Tapes of sessions with Junior and Senior National Team members conducted by Mary Faulkenberry at the recent Training Camps in Austin, TX. approximately 2 hours. (B) .. ..... .. .... .. $ 15.95 #2191 National Team Beam Complex This tape d emonstrates the "beam complex" that was utilized for National Team members at training camps. 30 minutes (B) .......... .. ... ........ ............... .. ....... ..... ...... $ 19.95

#2207 1989-92 Junior Olympic National Team Warm-up and Dance - This was prepared by Susan Cable for the Junior Men's Program. 24 minutes (A) ...... .............. $19.95 #2224 US Junior Team vs. Canadian Junior Team - Highlights of the competition that was conducted as part of a joint training camp in March, 1989. 1:15 (A) .......... $15.95 #2225 1989 Moscow News InvitationalMen's prelims, Event Finals and top Soviet Junior competition. 1:20 (A) ......... .... $ 15.95 #2240 1989 Men's American Cup - Men's Prelims and Finals. 2:00 (A+) ......... .$ 19.95 #2241 1989 McDonald's USA / USSR Challenge, Compulsory competition (held in Columbus, OH 4/ 27/89) - (A+) ......... $19.95 #2242 1989 McDonalds's USA / USSR Chal lenge,Optional competition (held in Colu: bus, OH 4/30/ 89) - (A+) .................$19.9,:,

JUDGES TAPES #2500 FIG Continental Judges Course - an excellent series of tapes for both judges and coaches. 6,2 hour tapes! (A) ...... .........$ 60.00

To

order any of these tapes, or for more infoma tion on other educational materials available from the USGF, contact:

,---s • •

~'

J .............

~ ®

U.S. GYrv1NASTICS FEDERATION Merchandising Department

(317)237-5060

)

Inside 'Fhis Issue

April-June, 1989, Volume 9, No.2

Sports Psychology Publisher Mike Jacki Education/ Safety Director Stephen W. Whitlock Production Luan Peszek United States Gymnastics Federation Board Of Directors Executive Director: Mike Jacki; President: Mike Donahue; President Emeritus: Bud Wilkinson; Athlete Representatives: Brian Babcock, chair; Kathy Johnson, vice chair; Linda Kardos Barnett, sec; Kelly Garrison-Steves; Wendy Hilliard; Tim Daggett; Jim Hartung; Peter Vidmar; USOC Athletic Advisory Council; Amateur Athletic Union: Julie Sickles; American Sokol Organization: Norma Zabka; American Turners: Bruno Klaus; Junior Boys Gymnastics Coaches Association: Rich Boccia;Men's Elite Coaches Association: Jim Howard; National Association for Girls and Women in Sporls: Dr. Mimi Murray; National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Men: Fred Roethlisberger; National AssociatIon of Collegiate Gymnastics Women: Judi Avener; National Association of Women's Gru!nastics Judges: Dale Brown; National Collegiate Athlehc Association: Syllvia Moore, Gail Davis, Nancy Latimore, Dave Mickelson; National Federation of State High School Associations: Sharon Wi1ch, Susan True; National Gymnastics Judges Associ.tion: Harry Bjerke; National High School Gymnastics Coaches Association: John Brinkworth; National Jewish Welfare Board: Courtney Shanken; Rhythmic Coaches Association: Pauline David; Special Olympics, Inc.: Kate Faber; U-S. Association of Independent Gym Club: Lance Crowley; U.S. Elite Coaches Association for Women: Roe Kruetzer, Don Peters; U.S. Sports Acrobatics Federation: Thorn Blalock; Young Men's Christian Association: Cliff Lothery

United States Gymnastics Federation Executive Committee President: Mike Donahue; Secretary: Judi Avener; Vice President-Women: Sue Ammerman; Vice President-Men: Jim Howard; Executive Director: Mike Jacki; FIG Women's Technical Committee: Jackie Fie; FIG Rhythmic Technical Committee: Andrea Schmid; FIG Men's Technical Committee: Bill Roetzheim; Members-At-Large: Mike Milidonis, Roe Kruetzer; Athlete Representatives: Kathy Johnson, Peter Vidmar, Wendy Hilliard. Brian Babcock; President Emeritus: Bud Wilkinson.

Associate Content Editors SPORTS MEDICINE COMMITIEE: Merrill A. Ritter. M.D. Frank A. Pettrone. M.D. James J. Campbell, M.D. SAFETY COMMITIEE: Dr. Marc Rabinoff EDUCATION COMMITIEE: Susan True BIOMECHANICS COMMITIEE: Dr. Marlene Adrian, Director SPORTS PSYCHOLOCY COMMITfEE: Dr. Keith Henschen, Ph.D. EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY COMMITIEE: Dr. Pat Eisenman. Ph.D. Unless expressly identified to the contrary, all articles, statements and views printed herein are attributed solely to the author and the United States Gymnastics Federation expresses no opinion hereon and assumes no responsibility therecf.

Coping With Fear ........................ 4 Education

Creativity And The Philosophy Of Gymnastics ............................ 10 Exercise Physiology

The Influence Of Plyometric Training On Leg Power In Gymnastics ................................. 14 Education

Seeing Is Believing ..................... 18 International Report

Bonification Overview 1988 Olympic Games ................ 24 Men's Technical

) Syhio Kroll (CDR)

)

DilnKol~vtBULl

Analysis Of A Layout Cuervo 26 I LouYun (OIN)

Women's Judging

Judges Ratings For 1989-93 Certifica tion ................................ 29 Event Schedule

Domestic & International. ........ 30 Committee Reports

Women's & Men's Minutes ..... 32 CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES: In order to ensure uninterrupted delivery of TECHNIQUE magazine, notice of change of address should be made six to eight weeks in advance. For fastest service, please enclose your present mailing label. Direct all subscription mail to TECHNIQUE Suscriptions, Pan American Plaza. 201 S. Capitol Ave., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46225.

TECHNIQUE is published quarterly for $12.00 by the United States Gymnastics Federation, Pan American Plaza, 201 S. Ca pitol Ave., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46225 (phone: 317-237-5050). Third class postage paid at Indianapoli1i, IN. Subscription price: $12.00 per year in United States; all other coun tries $24.00 per year. Back issue single copies $2.00 plus $1.00 postage / handling. All reasonable care will be taken, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited material; enclose return postage. copy right 1987 by USGF and TECHNIQUE. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

page 26

Sports Meliicine

Coping With Fear In High Level Gymnastics D~vid

A. Feigly,

Dzrector

Youth Sport Research Council Rutgers University

F

or some gymnasts, fear is the major psychological barrier preventing learning and success. It prevents the learning of new skills and retards the improvement of already learned ones. It causes athletes to feel helpless and out of control of their lives. Fear erodes athlete's feelings of self-worth and competency and destroys the fun of the sport. Fear has even ended careers of otherwise successful gymnasts who quit because they were unable to cope with its constant presence.

perceived competency and perceived control. The major theme of this article is that gymnasts must perceive that they can effectively assume individual responsibility and personal control over the fears they encounter in their sport. Successful gymnasts feel in control of their lives. Their feelings of self-worth are based on their perception that they are good at what they do and that they have control over the events and situations they encounter in their lives.

Related to these two concepts are a variety of techniques which athletes can use to cope with fear. While fear cannot be totally eliminated from a' high-risk sport such as gymnastics it can be controlled. In fact, the total elimination of fear, even if that were possible, may not be desirable.

Fear promotes caution, acts as a stimulus for the adrenaline response, and creates the challenge which attracts many athletes to the sport. A gymnast who is never afraid is either foolish or ignorant. Sophisticated gymnasts experience fear on a regular basis. Those who are successful at their sport have developed a means of dealing with their fears so that the risks are controlled.

Controlling fear often requires very specific strategies to cope with what are, quite often, very specific fears.

Before specific techniques are outlined, a few general comments should be made. Experienced coaches and gymnasts realize that an important first step in controlling fear is recognizing that fear is a natural response to taking risks. Unfortunately, some athletes try to deny their feeling because they: a) view fear as a weakness; b) are afraid of looking foolish; or c) believe that they are the only one in their group who is afraid.

On the other hand, fear attracts many athletes to gymnastics. Sports which induce fear are often sought out by athletes who view the excitement of high risk as an essential ingredient in the challenge of sport. Nonetheless, even those who seek out fear display a strong need to be in control of the situations in which they compete (Ogilvie, 1973). Those factors which distinguish pleasurable from unpleasurable fear experiences are related to those factors which Deci (1975) postulated as the foundations of intrinsic motivation 4

Solving a problem, that you deny you have, can be very difficult. Sometimes, athletes actually convince themselves that they are not afraid because they have mislabeled the actual cause of the fear. For example, a beginner gymnast continually throws her head backwards on a backwards somersault and is reluctant to reach up with her arms as she has been instructed by her coach. If asked by her coach if she is afraid to reach up her answer may be "No, of course I'm not afraid. I can already do the somersault!" She is, in fact, not afraid of the backwards somersault, but she is nervous about doing something that

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

she lacks experience with - reaching up her arms and performing the skill in a way she has never done before. She can avoid the fear of the unknown simply by staying with what she already knows. She knows she can rotate safely on a somersault by throwing her head back even though she realizes that the skill could be performed better if she reached up. She may be afraid of the known feeling or may not understand how she can spin backwards if she does not whip her head backwards. Thus, her fear slows her rate of improvement. If she has correctly identified and acknowledged her fear, she would have taken the first step in improving her rate of learning.

Secondly, young gymnasts should be informed that virtually all good athletes experience fear.

While experienced coaches may see this fact as obvious, many young and inexperienced gymnasts may not. They see advanced gymnasts confidently performing difficult skills with little overt presence of fear. They often do not realize that the older, more experienced gymnasts have already coped with fear during earlier stages of learning.

Coaches can have older gymnasts counsel younger gymnasts simply by relating their experiences with learning new skills. Such information can substantially reduce younger gymnasts' beliefs that something is wrong if they are afraid. Younger gymnast will quickly learn that they are not the only one who feels afraid and that others have successfully dealt with the same problem.

The third point concerns the coach's acknowledgement of the gymnast's fears. Coaches should respect an athlete's fears. One of the most ineffective things a coach can say to a gymnast who has admitted being afraid is "Don't be afraid," or "There is nothing to be afraid of." Such statements are often attempts to make the athlete feel better. Unfortunately, they rarely do. If the gymnast is afraid and saying "don't be" is of little value. In fact, such statements tend to trivialize the gymnast's feelings. There are many realistic reasons to be afraid in gymnastics. A more logical approach which respects the gymnast's feelings is to say, "It's O.K. to be afraid, but you can't let that fear stop you from learning. Let's see what steps we can take to control the risk and your fear." Such steps might involve more protective matting, a spot from the coach, more work on prerequisite skills, more experience on high beam, or anyone of a number of ways to reduce the risks, and ultimately, the fear.

There are many different types of fear. For example: a) b) c) d) e)

Realistic fear Vague, diffuse, chronic anxiety Fear of the unknown Illogical fear Fun fear f) Fear of success

This article will focus predominantly on realistic, specific, direct fear of injury in high risk activities, although some discussion of "fear of the TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

unknown" will also be included. (Feigley, 1985).

Realistic Fear This is the type of fear in which the gymnast is justifiably concerned about the possibility of experiencing pain, injury or even death, if a gymnastics skill is misperformed. The more realistic the fear is, the more specific its focus may be.

Often the cause of fear is so specific that without careful thought even the athlete cannot identify the source of fear. Precisely identifying the nature of the fear and/or what provokes the fear is a major step in solving a fear problem. Frequently, the source of the gymnast's fears may be much more specific than either the coach or athlete realizes. Pinpointing the nature and the source of the fear is crucial for developing effective coping techniques.

For example, a gymnast might be afraid during the performance of a round-off, double back somersault dismount from the beam. Simply identifying the skill as the source of the fear often does little to solve the fear problem. The fear is frequently much more specific. Different gymnasts doing the same skill might balk for entirely different reasons. Different sources of the fear might be: a) feet missing the end of the beam. b) hitting the head on the end of the beam. c) not being able to see backwards in the direction of the dismount. d) ankle pain on the punch for the take-off or from landing short at the end of the rotation e) somersault rotation too slow for safety. f). concern about "What if.... ?"

Each type of fear suggests a different solution.

A gymnast who fears missing her feet on the takeoff requires either increased training on the skill to increase consistency or additional coaching on the biomechanics of a straight round-off. She might be encouraged to keep records of her consistency on lower or wider practice balance beams so that she can actually see her consistency improving. That record keeping might also note the extent to which her misses are "safe" misses. That is, a gymnast who misses a skill but can control the fall to a safe landing has quite a different reaction to falling than a gymnast who rarely falls but when the fall occurs, it is completely out of control and likely to lead to serious injury.

Fear of hitting one's head requires instructions on how to increase one's distance from the beam.

She might accomplish this by increasing her horizontal speed and/or learning to alter her angle of take-off to propel her center of gravity further away from the beam. Alternatively, you may want to pad the end of the beam during the initial learning phase to reduce the risk of injury should she accidentally strike her head on the beam.

5

Frequently, the source of the gymnast's fears may be much more specific than either the coach or the athlete realizes.

While realistic fears may appear to focus predominantlyon the highrisk skills or the the circumstances in which they are performed, the characteristics of the gymnast also influences what is a realistic fear.

If the gymnast fears not being able to see be- is more effective than visualing such a skill on the hind her during the skill, she can be taught to floor or with a spot from the coach. Second, visually spot cues in front of her as she dismounts. gymnasts often need exploration time for discovShe can also practice relying on kinesthetic cues ery and awareness of many aspects of the risky rather than visual ones. skills. Allowing gymnasts to play on the high If she fears pain because her ankles are con- beam, jump into foam pits, perform many repetistantly being hurt by the punching action of the tions of a skill over a foam pit, practice falling, or take-off, she can wear beam shoes to cushion the practice "what if...." situations can dramatically shock or tape her ankles for additional support. If reduce fear level when the high-risk skills are pain occurs during the landing, additional pro- actually performed. These two techniques are tective matting can be placed in the dismount not totally independent: exploration time inarea. creased familiarity with the skill and usually If she rotates too slowly, she needs to work facilitates effective visualization. double back somersaults on the floor or perform A gymnast who expresses concern about "What them into a foam pit until her rotational speed if my hands miss the regrasp?" or "What if I increases. While these solutions require coaching should stop in the middle of the skill?" are not and/ or biochmechanical knowledge supplied by likely to be reassured by statements from the the coach, the coach's knowledge is likely to go coach such as "You won't miss," or "You won't unused or be a hit-or-miss solution unless the stop." The gymnast needs to know more about gymnast and the coach have clearly pinpointed how to realistically cope with such situations.

In one specific case history, a 10-year-old junthe exact source of the fear. Attempting to teach faster rotational techniques when the gymnasts ior elite gymnast specifically expressed the fear round -off is inconsistent is of little value in coping about what might happen to her if she stopped in the middle of the second of two consecutive backwith the legitimate fears of the gymnast.

While realistic fears may appear to focus pre- handsprings performed on the high balance beam. dominantly on the high-risk skills or the circum- She had never fallen nor had she been injured on stances in which they are performed, the charac- the skill. Nonetheless, she became increasingly teristics of the gymnast also influence what is a concerned about "What if I stop in the middle of realistic fear. The gymnast's susceptibility to the second backhandspring?" Her performance pain is but one example. Different athletes have deteriorated to the point that she often hesitated different sensitivities to pain. For some athletes, for as long as 5 to 10 seconds after landing the first the pain threshold is high while others experience backhandspring and before continuing into the much greater sensations of pain for a given objec- second backhandspring. Clearly, such a performtive stimulus intensity. Also, athletes have typi- ance would receive no credit from the judges for cally had different experiences with pain, falls, a series of backhandsprings. The actual answer to and/ or injuries. Athletes who have experienced her direct question was that if she stopped in the serious injury are likely to be more sensitized to middle of the second backhandspring, she would the pain of a potential injury. While some display land on her back or her head on the balance beam. a stoic attitude, others display an almost hypo- The solution to her concern about injury was to show her how to fall safely from that position. A chondriac response to pain.

Some gymnasts are predominantly concerned soft mat was draped over the beam at the point with the unknown. They may worry about "Wha t where she would fall and she was actually taught will happen if..." Fear of the unknown can often how to fall and protect herself by using her arms be more frightening than the actual outcome. as a protective cradle in much the same fashion as Knowing you can jump high enough to vault over stuntmen do. While the use of a mat on the beam the vaulting horse is of little comfort unless the was clearly different than any actual situation she athlete knows what a landing from the height of might have encountered in a competition, the use the horse will be like. Being able to perform two of the protective mat allowed her to safely experibackhand springs en the floor may not easily trans- ence what would happen if she stopped and to fer to the balance beam because of subtle differ- realize that she could protect herself. Her perences in performing that skill in different sur- formance improved dramatically after only one roundings. For example, hand placements on the session in which she was taught to fall from such floor can be wider than on the beam; and foot a position. placements are frequently done side-by-side on Another situation common enough to warrant the floor whereas on the narrow beam the feet mentioning is that of circling moves on the unmust usually be placed one directly behind the even bars and horizontal bars. Frequently, on other. Fear tends to decrease as the athlete be- skills such as free hip circles and stalder circles comes familiar with the circumstances under gymnasts consistently rotate beyond the handwhich the skill will be performed. stand before attempting to open the circle. This Two techniques have proved particularly ef- technique consistently produces a free hip or a fective in dealing with fear of the unknown. The stalder that fails to reach the handstand position first is visualizing the skills particularly when because the gymnast has not opened early enough that visualization is done within the actual con- in the circling movement. Many times the coach text in which it is performed. Visualizing oneself believes that the gymnast is unaware of when and performing a somersault alone on the high beam where to open the skill in order to go to the hand6

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

stand at the completion of the circle. In fact, the problem which many beginners have is not awareness but fear of what to do if they open too early and, thus, are short at the handstand position.

Typically, such an early opening results in the gymnast falling backwards from the handstand position. Experienced gymnasts normally pirouette 180 degrees and land in a standing position.

Inexperienced gymnasts, however, are often uncertain as to how to fall safely from such a position. Unless they are specifically taught how to open early and safely pirouette, many gymnasts simply avoid this fearful position by circling too far . Teaching them how to recover from the earlier opening increases the likelihood that they will attempt to open the circle at the correct time.

Here again, by increasing the gymnast's familiarity and sense of control over the situation, the coach aids the gymnast in reducing fear levels and enhance the rate of learning.

One anxiety situation worthy of special mention is the case of the extremely talented young athlete who is advanced too far, too fast in terms of high-risk skills. Some young athletes are so gifted physically that they can learn new, more advanced skills (which in the case of gymnastics usually means more risky skills) almost as soon as they have learned preliminary skills. What happens is literally an athletic version of the famous Peter Principle. The athlete is continually advanced until a point is reached at which the fear is so great that the performance deteriorates. The talented young athletes may develop a reservoir of fear that is often difficu It to pinpoint because it stems from having to perform so many different high-risk skills. The athlete is competent on each of the skills but there are so many of them on so many different events that the athlete literally has no safety skills on which to fall back. Each event requires such total concentration that there is little time to relax. The athlete feels a lack of control because of the rapid advancement and the inability to stabilize the fear. Just as these extremely talented athletes are beginning to feel comfortable with their routines, their talent allows them to advance to even more difficult skills. Their physical talent gives the perception to others that such skills are easy for them to perform but the gymnast has difficulty stabilizing their fear reactions. Young gymnasts, in particular, often feel as if they cannot go back to earlier progressions and, thus, constantly feel stressed and apprehensive. Coaches should allow athletes to become comfortable with their routines at high risk levels before requiring those athletes to add difficulty.

The Positive Aspects Of Fear There are a number of positive aspects of fear which should not be overlooked. First, fear is a rational response to high-risk activities and, as TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

such, it tends to make the gymnasts cautious in an activity in which caution is a virtue. Gymnasts who fail to appreciate the risks involved in their sport may be less likely to take the necessary precautions to ensure safety. They may not use enough mats or spend sufficient time in prerequisite skills to guarantee competency.

Second, fear reactions usually produce adrenaline-responses. Adrenaline can result in the gymnast being stronger, quicker, and more alert.

To the extent that a skill is well-learned, the adrenaline response can often produce a higher level of performance. Improved performance, as opposed to lowered performance, depends strongly on the gymnast's interpretation of the adrenaline response. The sensations of the adrenalin response are often vague, ambiguous and open to various interpretations. If the sensations are perceived as "getting psyched up," they are viewed as a positive response to a high-risk situation. If they are perceived as "being afraid" or viewed in terms of "What's wrong with me?" performance is likely to deteriorate. Coaches should prepare their gymnast for such responses and should emphasize that such responses are a natural part of getting ready. A gymnast who expects such sensations and who knows that veteran performers experienced similar feelings is more likely to perceive such sensations as a necessary, and even positive, aspect of performing high-risk skills.

Third, fear is a form of stress for which coping responses can be learned. Learning to cope with stress of fear can carry over to coping with other forms of stress in the gymnast's lives. Meichenbaum's (1977) concept of stress inoculation suggests that small, manageable doses of stress are valuable because, as the athletes learn to cope with small amounts of stress they build up a repertoire of stress coping responses which subsequently allows them to cope adequately with what might otherwise be overwhelming stress situations. That is, dealing with stress literally inoculates them from subsequent stressors.

Finally, as noted earlier, fear eliciting situations are often actively sought out by certain athletes.

These situations are part of what makes their sports involvement enjoyable. Confronting a highrisk situation in which the outcome is uncertain and in which the athletes must depend upon themselves in order to succeed can lead to a tremendous bolstering of one's self-esteem upon the successful completion of the challenge.

Recognizing The Athletes' Fears Some evidence suggests that coaches may be quite inaccurate in predicting the fear and anxiety responses of their athletes (Martens, Rivkin & Burton, 1979; Martens & Simon, 1976). While this evidence comes from different sports (basketball and volleyball) and deals primarily with precom7

Coaches should allow athletes to become comfortable with high risk levels before requiring those athletes to add to their difficulty.

In situations in which the physical difficulties of performing a skill induce fear, the gymnast's behavior often changes in ways which actually make the original skill physically more difficult to perform

petitive anxiety, as opposed to high-risk fear in gymnastics, there are a number of reasons to suspect that a similar inaccuracy may exist in gymnastics. First, athletes often believe that fear is a weakness or that admitting to fear may make them look foolish . Regardless of the validity of this belief, such a concern is likely to cause them to make their fear responses in many situations.

Some coaches do, in fact, make fun of their athlete's fears and do respond as if displays of fears are weaknesses. In addition, athletes are typically subordinate to their coaches in terms of power and status. If an athlete believes that displays of fear will result in lowered status or in a decreased opportunity to work with the coach, hiding the fear becomes a predictable response.

Thus, a gymnast's fear may not always be displayed in an obvious fashion. Finally, coaches have many things to which they must attend throughout practice and competitions. These responsibilities may distract them from attending to the often subtle cues displayed by their athletes.

There are a number of cues that may suggest the presence of high fear levels to the perceptive coach. While the following list is not meant to be all inclusive, it does suggest a number of relatively common signs to excessive fear, particular among young, immature gymnasts. a) Gymnasts who are continually late or absent when it is their turn to perform. b) Gymnasts who are continually leaving the tumbling line or constantly slipping back to the end of the line. c) Gymnasts who repeatedly spend excessive time on warm-up or lead-up skills. d) Gymnasts who consistently display an in ability to pay attention or whose attention frequently wanders. e) Gymnasts who display behavior which is out of place or out of context; e.g., anger, laughter, excessive socializing. f) Gymnasts who are chronically fatigued without obvious cause. g) Gymnasts who are continually ill or injured, especially minor injuries which are ignored or which disappear when the gymnast is playing with friends.

cycle, if not disrupted, intensifies both the fear and physical difficulty of the skill until the gymnast is literally immobilized.

Recognizing these feedback cycles requires a close interaction between the coach who is sophisticated in the biomechanics of the sports an the psychologist who understands the implications of fear for behavioral patterns. The following are examples of such interactions between fear-induced behavior and biomechanics.

Speed & Stability Both linear and rotational speed have direct effects on the stability of many gymnastics skills.

On women's balance beam, for example, standing stationary on a straight line with one foot directly in front of the other (a rhomboid position) is physically more difficult than maintaining balance while walking along the beam, and thus, passing through the rhomboid position repeatedly while moving.

The more slowly gymnasts move through the rhomboid position, the less stable is their balance. As the height of the beam is raised, novice gymnasts typically show fear responses and a strong tendency to slow down as they walk along the beam. As they slow, their balance is often disrupted creating more fear and ultimately slower speeds.

This same interaction of fear and biomechanics is seen in more advance gymnasts as they learn multiple tumbling skills on the beam such as two or more consecutive backhandsprings or back handsprings to back saltos. Here the effect is even more pronounced because the circular rotation of the backhandspring produces a gyroscopic action which aids the gymnast's balance and direction at high rotational speeds. Fearful gymnasts typically slow both the linear and rotational speed of the backhand springs which creates more difficulty in balancing these skills. As the skills become less stabile, the gymnast's fear increases often causing them to further slow the skill. Again, an unhealthy feedback cycle exists.

Pushing vs. Pulling

On many gymnastics events, gymnasts are required to maintain a constant pressure against the apparatus (i.e., pushing to successfully perform the skill. A giant circle on horizontal bar, a stalder on uneven bars and a backhandspring on While fear may appear to be purely a psycho- the beam are all examples of skills in which preslogical phenomenon, this emotional reaction inter- sure against the apparatus tremendously reduces acts in very specific ways with the biomechanics the difficulty and, thus, enhances the safety level of gymnastics. In situations in which the physical of the skill. In each of these examples, inexperidifficulties of performing a skill induce fear, the enced gymnasts show an inappropriate but gymnast's behavior often changes in ways which <;iominant response when they are afraid: Their actually make the original skill physically more fear causes them to pull the apparatus in a bidifficult to perform. This increased difficulty is omechanically ineffective way. Pulling cause~ sensed by the gymnast and often further elevates them to experience the sensation of falling or the original fear level and again further modifies- ripping路off." "TIi.us, "the feedback cycle between the gymnast's behavior. This unhealthy feedback biomechanically inappropriate responses and fear

Biomechanics And Fear

I

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April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

continues to accentuate both.

Reaching Up On Backwards Saltos Coaches uniformly teach gymnasts that reaching up with the arms just prior to the take-off on back somersault skills is essential for height and rotation. While there are a variety of techniques for reaching up, the basic concept is quite common. Inexperienced gymnasts usually understand and attempt this technique but often in the early stages of skill learning, they reach up after they have left the take-off surface. Once a gymnast has left the floor, reaching up retards performance by increasing the radius around which they are rotating and actually slows the rotational speed.

Somersaulting slowly, especially on high-risk skills such as double back saltos and twisting double back saltos can be quite frightening. As a result, gymnasts begin to lower their arms and "cut off" their take-offs, creating skills which are often too low and too slow for safe execution.

Coaches must emphasize that the arm reach must occur before the take-off rather than after. That is, they must emphasize when to do it as well as what to do. This example is a specific illustration of the more general problem of gymnasts following a coach's instruction of what to do but failing

to perform it at the correct point in a sequence of interrelated movements. Gymnasts who attempt the correct technique but at an inappropriate time in the sequence of skill execution are likely to retard the skill's performance creating a fear response which, in turn, interferes further with correct performances.

These examples of the interrelationships between one's behavior and the biomechanics of sports are not meant to be all inclusive but merely some representative examples.

Fear, Falling & Personal Control

To the extent that

To the extent that a coach can help an athlete obtain personal control over the risk in a high-risk situation, that athlete's fear is likely to be diminished. To the extent that the athlete feels a loss of control, that fear is likely to be increased. One skill that is clearly related to the ability to reduce risk of injury is the ability to fall safely. Falling safely is a learned skill and, as such, should be taught. Gymnasts who can fall safely are less likely to feel paralyzed by fear. The United States Gymnastics Federation describes a variety of falling techniques which protect the gymnasts and enhance their sense of control over the high-risk skills which they perform (George, 1985).

a coach can help an athlete obtain personal control over the risk in a high-risk situation, that athlete's fear is likely to be diminished.

UNIQUE BOOKS The article "Coping with Fear in High Level Gymnastics" by David A. Feigley, PhD. is ex-

Other books in the series published by Sport Psyche Editions include:

erpted from an article that first appeared in:

World Identification Systems for Gymnastics Talent

PSy'chological Nurturing and. Guiaance of Gymnastics Talent.

(Petiot, Samela , Hoshizaki) Various international talent identification and analysis systems from North America, eastern and western Europe, and Asia are highlighted.

This is a useful guide for gymnastics planners, administrators and decision makers.

(Same/a, Petiot, Hoshizaki) This is one of three books that were the result of the World Scientific Congress that was held prior to th 23rd World Gymnastics Championships in Montreal, Canada in November, 1985.

Over 400 of the best international specialists in gymnastics coaching and sport science were brought together for four days of intense workshops, stimulating lectures and seminars. The theme was Analysis of Gymnastics Talent, and the most up-to-date information was presented on international gymnastics training systems, innovative measurement techniques, safety, psychological planning and skill analysis.

Diaznostics, Treatment and Analysis of Gymnastics Talent (Hoshizaki, Same/a , Petiot) The focus here is on state-of-the-art methods in sport medicine, biomechanics and computing science within the field of gymnastics. Specific treatment is given to the issues of safety and injury diagnosis, innovative skill analysis techniques and medical intervention.

..

~r ~=:

. . "' , ___....... ~ ....... ~ â&#x20AC;˘ u.s. GYMNASTICS FEDERATION

TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

These books may be ordered through the USGF Merchandising Department (317) 237-5060.

The cost is $20.00 each or $55.00 for all three books.

9

Education

Creativity And The

Philosophy Of Gymnastics A Sane Approach For U.S. Coaches Toby Towson

I

've been practicing and performing gymnas- suggest that part of the problem lies in a lack of tics for almost thirty years, and I hold much discipline in the training of basic movement and respect for those people all over the world rhythm in our boys' and men's programs. This is who choose gymnastics as one of their pri- a problem created more by coaches and adminismary activities in life. Modern gymnastics is a trators than by gymnasts. The gymnasts in this field rich in pioneers developing new hybrids of country will accept as much discipline as is necesmovement combining acrobatic and tumbling sary to get the job done if it is given with clear elements with the best of ballet, jazz, modern, and authority and an even hand. Hopefully this kind ethnic dance forms to produce performances un- of visionary coaching and legitimate use of audreamed of even a few thority is already developing in our men's prodecades ago. And on gram.

When I think of discipline in gymnastics I am the apparatus even the sky doesn't seem to have immediately reminded of what the Soviets call any limits these days. "choreography." They don't use the word as we We are at the cutting do to mean the creative composition of moveedge of the evolution of ments. In the Soviet gymnastics system "chorehuman movement on ography" means the practice of ballet barre exerearth, and the whole cises to prepare the body and build muscles and world is watching. We flexibility for better gymnastics. All Soviet gymhave seen the popular- nasts, boys and girls, practice these choreographic ity of our sport grow exercises from their early days in the gym, usufrom infancy until it is ally with a special coach who watches them and now one of the premier a piano player to give them the supporting rhythshowcases of the Olym- mic framework. It's not always fun; in fact somepic Games, and national times it's downright boring. But everyone does it gymnastics champions because the coaches believe in it, and the gymnasts understand how important it is to build the can become celebrities.

What place will proper bodies for the kind of gymnastics they America play in the fu- eventually want to perform.

But sometimes, my friends, it can be fun. To ture of international gymnastics competition? Coaches and gymnasts understand rhythm, to appreciate music, to move have a tremendous responsibility to keep up the with perfect coordination and confident grace world wide high standards. The U.5. women's can be a great enjoyment in life. Out of great gymnastics team seems to be on the right road. discipline and concentration eventually comes Their tremendous success at the Olympic Games freedom and creativity.

In America these exercises are equally imporin Seoul proves we can be competitive with the best in the world and reflects well on the coaches tant. Some of America's female gymnasts have a and gymnasts who were involved in this terrific good background in ballet. Many do not. Some effort. But to move into a legitimate third place start late and realize how difficult it is to gain internationally or to finish in one of the top two flexibility, rhythm, and grace if these qualities spots will test our resources, dedication, and have been ignored in their formative years. Too creativity more than ever. few of our male gymnasts have even a basic The men haven't been so successful in the last experience of good serious ballet training. Form few years. Our men's team finished a disappoint- and basic rhythmic training are continually releing eleventh out of twelve teams in Korea. Some- gated to second place in a misguided quest for . thing must be missing in the training and prepa- higher difficulty and new tricks.

Please don't misunderstand me. I know that ration of our male gymnasts to finish so low in the world rankings. Now is the time to think crea- high difficulty is here to stay and that to be tively and to be open to changes in the existing competitive we must teach and encourage our gymnasts to perform these skills. What I'm trying order.

I'm not going to propose some easy solution; of to emphasize is that if your foundation is weak course there aren't any. But I will continue to you'll never achieve the results you want. It may 10

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

take a little longer to produce great basics, perfect form and flexibility, but the results will be far superior and safer. And safety is a major factor, isn't it?

Watching some of our American coaches encourage their gymnasts to try new difficulty which is above the gymnast's level of competence is like watching old generals send young men off to war without the proper weapons . . . a war the old generals never had to fight themselves.

Although I am critical of a lot of the gymnastics I see today I don't want to be a nay sayer, and I'm not an anarchist. I want very much to work in the system and help others to improve it. I don't want to throw out the baby with the bath water. There is much that is good and healthy in American gymnastics, and there are many coaches and clubs doing excellent work Many of our problems in America are fostered by problems at the internationallevel. I would like to see American gymnastics rise above international standards and show the world the most beautiful and creative gymnastics ever. It's possible. We don't have to be followers; we can be leaders and innovators.

When people in America hear the word gymnastics they immediately think of the Olympic level sport of gymnastics. I'd like to see our consciousness raised to the idea that gymnastics exercise is not just for toddlers, children, and Olympic bound athletes. Gymnastics exercises, especially when performed with music, can be very beneficial and great fun throughout life.

Europeans, especially the Germans where our modern sport of competitive artistic gymnastics was first created, have understood the total benefits of gymnastics as basic physical education for decades. I wish you could all visit an international Gymnaestrada some day and watch all ages of men and women from around the world perform the most wonderful and fun gymnastic dances you could ever imagine. Many of the participants come from cultures that encour~e healthy gymnastics training for the whole family throughout life. We don't have this kind of grass roots support in America, but I think it's a goal worth striving for and would strengthen our competitive programs by broadening the popularity of the sport.

With a broader national base we will find more youngsters with ambition and special talent who will seek more extensive training in the thousands of private gymnastics schools across this country. These clubs have a special duty to provide sound basics and to encourage good rhythm and form in every workout, not just a week before the next meet.

Our judges must encourage this duty by rewarding the extra hours and patience it takes for coaches and gymnasts to produce quality work The judges must learn to recognize real creativity and give it a green light, encourage routines that are expressive and those that contain original combinations of movements or new variations on old tricks, even if the tricks themselves are not that difficult. Judges must control the current trend of rewarding skills with high difficulty TECHNIQUE Apr il-June 1989

even when they are not performed well. We cannot help our gymnasts by giving them inflated scores for unoriginal and uninspiring routines, and we only encourage injuries by rewarding high difficulty that is not performed beautifully with a degree of safety.

I wonder how many of you were watching the Olympics on NBC when the diving commentator, Steve McFarland, was asked why there had been no tens in all the diving competition while over at the gymnastics hall they were not so unusual. His answer struck me deeply, and I was saddened by the truth of it. I'll have to paraphrase a bit, but essentially he said, "Gymnastics is an acrobatic sport, a sport of tricks. Diving is also acrobatic, but it is a sport of grace and acrobatics.

In diving body line and grace are everything. In gymnastics the judges allow form breaks as long as the athlete completes the trick" It wasn't so long ago that gymnastics was considered an artistic and graceful sport. I think it sill is, or at least it has its moments. Basically, I think that's what our founding fathers had in mind, and I believe there are still deductions available in the judges' rule books which deal with the artistic merits of our sport. What a pity and what a danger to our sport that these deductions are used so infrequently, and now the newest jargon in Olympic gymnastics commentating is "another imperfect ten." We are a bit lost now in the sport of artistic gymnastics, because we have lost a clear conception of what constitutes perfection.

I' d like to see America lead the way by demanding higher artistic standards from our gymnasts and encouraging greater creative expression than one currently finds at the internationallevel. We have lots of tricks in this country and some incredible technical knowledge. Let's build on that and package it with creative and expressive choreography, form, style, and personality. Let the tricks of the future be the byproduct of a system that stresses good form, rhythm, strength conditioning, and creativity. Let's not put the cart before the horse as is too often the case today. Again, it's going to take a little longer to get there, but one of the rewards besides difficult tricks and beautiful performances will be fewer and less serious injuries.

So what is a sane approach to gymnastics for U.S. coaches? Webster says sane means "sensible, sound of mind, and rational." I suggest to you that based on these definitions the international gymnastics establishment is not always the greatest protector of sanity for our sport. And for us individual coaches in the United States to maintain our own sanity and reasonableness we must be creative in our own right and not look longingly to the FIG, Romania, or the Soviet Union for guidance. As Candide discovered, the answer may very well lie in your own backyard.

Watch your own gymnasts closely; get to know them well. Encourage their creativity at every opportunity and train them to be artists as well as athletes. Give them a clear idea of perfect form at an early age and don' t applaud them too eagerly 11

We are a bit lost now in the sport of artistic gymnastics, because we have lost a clear conception of what constitutes perfection.

Give them a clear idea of perfect form at an early age and don't applaud them too eagerly for merely completing a trick.

for merely completing a trick. Save your highest praise for that extraordinary effort when they combine the difficulty with perfect execution.

Remember why you started gymnastics in the first place. Is it still fun? Do you love it? Count your blessings everyday, and remember all the less fortunate people who don't enjoy the way they make a living. Try to keep a positive attitude in the gym as much as humanely possible. Learn about music; be a student of music along with your own gymnasts and let rhythm be a regular and consistent coaching tool in warm ups, drills, routines on the apparatus as well as on floor, and also in conditioning.

Take some time to learn about basic ballet, at least the barre exercises. If there's one thing we need to learn from the Soviet Union it's how effectively they use these exercises in the training of their gymnasts. You don't have to leave all the dance training to a specialist if you take the time to learn the basics yourself. After all bodyalignment, good posture, coordination, and rhythm are an intricate part of your gymnastics goals. In learning about dance and the art of performing, you can become more sensitive to your gymnasts, help them to develop their individual personalities, and gain self confidence along the way.

You may never develop national champions or

1989

international competitors in your own gym, but if your program is creative, safe, and challenging to your gymnasts, then you're a winner. If you enjoy going to the gym every day and watching your kids grow stronger and produce better and better gymnastics, then you're a winner. If you are still learning about gymnastics, dance, rhythm, performing, and how to be a better coach, then your are a winner.

And if, in the end, you're lucky enough to develop or find that special talent that might succeed nationally or even internationally, nurture them well and don't be too upset if they leave you. God willing they'll take the time to thank you for your effort and give you credit for giving them a good start. You know you deserve special credit if you keep them all the way through high school and they still enjoy gymnastics. It takes a mature, dedicated, and intelligent coach to help a young gymnast become a young adult gymnast who still loves the sport and works hard to keep improving.

That's the sanest approach I can imagine. Give your kids the best possible foundation and try to keep gymnastics creative and expressive as well as difficult. Lord knows it's a lot of hard work these days, but I think it can still be fun along the way.

USGF

PRE-CONGRESS BUSINESS SEMINAR r;-------------, REGISTRATION FORM:

The USGF will present a new feature at this year's Congress. Many have expressed interest in a Business Lecture.

Therefore, we will feature a pre-Congress Business Seminar targeted directly to Gymnastics Club Owners. Highlights of this Seminar will include:

• Maximizing Profits • Quality Customer Service • Creating Perfect Gym Club • Hiring/Keeping Employees • Gym Construction • Legal session - Asset Protection • Marketing Strategy For Gymnastics Clubs • Business Action Plan Two of the most exciting and interesting speakers will be back this year to help you increase enrollment and raise your revenues. Seminar speakers Patti Komara and Jeff Metzker will share many years of knowledge with you.

12

Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ Club:_ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ Home Address: _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ City: _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _

State: Zip Date: _ _ __ Phone (Day) _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ Phone (Night) _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _

u.s. GYMNASTICS FEDERATION

Date: September 13 and 14, 1989 Site:

Philadelphia Adam's Mark City Avenue & Monument Rd. Philadelphia, PA 19131-1788 215 / 581-5000

Fees: $85. for full conference $50. for 1 day only $10. discount of USGF professional members attending congress

Please circle appropriate Womens' Program Men's Program Club Owner / Adm. Rhythmic Program

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April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

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PHILADELPHIA

Once again the USGF will present an outstanding program, featuring the finest clinicians and professionals in the sport. The 1989 Congress will provide you with essential, useful information on coaching techniques, rules and interpreta tion, running a successful, profitable operation, and more.

Travel: The official carrier of this year's Congress is American Airlines. We have negotiated with American Airlines for substantial air fare discounts not otherwise available. Please call American Airlines special reservations number, 1-800-433-1790 and refer to STAR number S0699MY to access these savings on the applicable fares. American Airlines is giving away two free sweepstakes tickets to those who book their flight through the meeting services desk and fly on American Airlines. So, don't delay. Call now! Winners will be announced at the final banquet and dance.

u.s. GYMNASTICS FEDERATION

The highlights of the 1989 Congress in Philadelphia: • • • • •

~afety

and Educational Programs Preschool Gymnastics Programs Business Presentations Updates on Rules and Policies Emphasize Grass Roots Programs

Due to the growth of Congress in recent years, space is limited for the final banquet.

Register early to assure prime seating.

The registration desk will be open the following days and times: Wednesday, September 13, 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 14, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p .m.

Friday, September 15, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Hday, September 16, j .00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Fees: $90 for USCF professional members postmarked by August 1, 1989 $110 for USCF professional members postmarked after August 1, 1989 $130 for non-USCF professional members regardless of date.

Fee Includes: Free entrance to alllectures, master clinics, demonstrations, open meetings and general assembly.

Free entrance to exhibit area featuring the industry's finest products. Final Awards Banquet and Dance. Registration is non-refundable after September 1, 1989. NO EXCEPTIONS

Date: September 14 -17,1989 Site: Philadelphia Adam's Mark City A venue and Monument Road Philadelphia, PA 19131-1788 215/581-5000 Sufficient rooms are reserved for Congress up to August 12,1989.

Rates:

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Exercise Physiology

The Influence Of Plyometric Training On Leg Power In Gymnasts Donald Metzger

Fig. 1

T

he concept of training specifically involves the use of exercises that closely duplicate the actions of specific athletic events. This practice has long been advocated as an important component of training. In gymnastics

one way to achieve this is through plyometrics.

Plyometrics, according to Wilt (1975), are " .... exercises or training drills used in producing an overload of muscle action which evokes the stretch reflex .... " . In discussing plyometrics, Chu (1986) stated that, "Body weight accelerated by gravity provides a force and velocity which exceeds that of machines or free weights and also stimulates actions in many jumping, sprinting, and throwing activities." If this is the case, plyometrics may be beneficial to gymnasts since explosive movements are required from the body to execute the acrobatic skills of the sport.

Plyometrics involves jumping from a prescribed height and upon landing, jumping back up to the same height. They are often referred to 14

as drop jumps or counter jumps. The drills can take many forms such as jumping down between two boxes and going back and forth or lining up various heights of boxes and jumping through a course.

The principal of plyometrics is based on several components of muscles, primarily those of the connective tissue and the muscle spindle.

Connective tissue in muscle surrounds the muscle fibers in series and in parallel. Since connective tissue is elastic and not contractile, it possesses elastic potential energy when stretched. This means that as the muscle is elongated, the connective tissue is stretched and has the potential to return to its original position, much as a rubber band snaps back after being stretched. When released, the elastic potential energy can then add to the muscle contraction. (Komi and Bosco, 1978; Kreighbaum and Bartheis, 1985.)

The muscle spindle is described as being composed of Types Ia and II muscle spindle afferent fibers. These intervate the intrafusal muscle fibers and are responsible for monitoring the length, and change in length of the extrafusal muscle fibers . (Clark, 1975.) The Ia afferent fibers are responsible for the detection of both length and rate of change in length. The type II afferent fibers primarily detect the length of the extrafusal fibers. The elongation of muscle, whether rapid or slow, is detected by the muscle spindle which in turn sends messages to the spinal cord concerning the degree of elongation. The dynamic elongation of the muscle triggers the stretch or myotatic reflex. The stretch reflex, via a single synapse, instructs the muscle fibers to contract and therefore counteract the forces causing the elongation. (Noble, 1986) Racliffe and Farentinos (1984) state, ''It is generally accepted that the stretch reflex is the neuromuscular process most typifying the action basis of plyometrics." During the loading or eccentric phase of plyometric exercises, the muscle is elongated stimulating the muscle spindles. This produces a dynamic stretch reflex causing the muscles to contract. Therefore, plyometrics attempts to couple the dynamic stretch reflex with a concentric contraction producing increased muscle power output.

In the gymnastics events of floor exercise, vaulting, and balance beam, one must possess speed, power, and stability to execute the tumbling elements common to these events. Rogers (1986) has stated that, "Plyometrics bridge the April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

gap between pure strength and the applicable skills used by athletes in competition." With this in mind, this study was designed to investigate the effects of plyometric training on gymnasts in the hope of improving performance in the running and tumbling events by increasing their dynamic leg power. Three variables were used to assess the subjects of which vertical peak force and time to peak force were quantified; vertical displacement (height of the jump); and average time in a backhandspring sprint.

Methods Thirteen subjects, four males and nine females, with a mean age of 14.9 (SO= 1.04) and a mean of seven years (SO= 3) experience in gymnastics were randomly assigned to two groups.

All subjects were volunteers and completed an informed consent form prior to participation.

Group A underwent a six week plyometric training period in addition to their normal regime.

Group B followed their normal training regime without the additional plyometric drills. The plyometric training consisted of drop jumps and speed hops arranged in a course (fig. 1). The drop jump (OP) was from a height of 60 cm as described by Mekhonoshin (1983). The training began with each subject completing one set of ten trips (repetitions) through the course, once a week.

Each week the sets were increased so that during the fifth and sixth week, the training consisted of five sets of ten repetitions done twice a week. A 45 second rest period was allowed between each set.

Evaluation of the subjects leg power consisted of three trials for each of the following tests; a vertical jump (Vn, a drop jump (On, and a 10 m backhands pring sprint (BHSS) the vertical displacement for the VJ and the OJ was measured by recording the marks left by the subject's chalked fingers on a scaled chalkboard and subtracting this value from the value of their standing vertical reach. Subjects performed all tests barefooted.

The subjects stood on a bench (height= 60cm) in a flat footed position and hopped with both feet down onto the force platform. Upon landing, they immediately rebounded and tried to make a mark on the chalkboard as high as they could.

Since the subjects were performing the trials without shoes, a rubber interlock mat was placed over the force platform to provide a surface that was both physically and psychology appealing to the subjects. Each subject was allowed to practice prior to testing to ensure correct execution and to minimize any fear factors associated with the trials. Vertical ground reaction force data were recorded with an AMTI force platform, interfaced through an ISAAC Cyborg data acquisition system to an Apple IIe pc computer. The sampling rate was 1000 hz. The BHSS was conducted on an AMF carpeted spring floor over a distance of 10m, which is the distance used by the USAIGC in profiling elite gymnasts. Tape lines TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

were placed on the spring floor to mark the start and finish. Subjects were allowed to do a one-step roundoff prior to the backhandsprings. Once the subject's anatomy crossed the start line, time began, and when they crossed the finish line, time stopped. A mean time was recorded for the three trials of the BHSS.

Discussion To establish a posiFi . 2 - VERTICAL JUMP MEANS (CM) tive relationship between the plyometric 55 training and the post- 53 } - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - test scores, a one-way 51

~==================~~~~~~~~=========:

analysis co-vari- 49 ance was of performed 47 ton the data using the 45 ~::::::;;::::::::;:~:足 pre-test scores as the 43 co-variant. Signifi- 41 cant differences were 39 found between the 37 two groups. The VJ 35 ~'LLL.(LLL.aLIIL vertical displacement POSTIEST TEST SESSSION was found to be sig~PLYO .NON-PLYO nificant at the p .05 Fi .3 - DEPTH JUMP MEANS (CM) level (F= 4.975) with values of 48.33 cm 55 (SO= 10.78) for group 53 f - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - I Aasopposed to 45.77 51 cm (SO= 9.85) for 49 1--------~WW?;,,--------1 group B. The OJ 47 f - - - - - - - - ----t; movement time was 45 ~;;::;;::::::::=;------i significant at the p- 43 .05 level (F= 8.326) 41 with values of .11 39 seconds. (SO= .0282) 37 for group A and .13 35 seconds (SO= .0294) L-l<'LLL.(LLL.LL.dIL for group B. AlTEST SESSSION though not statistically significant, group differences for the other variables were in the hypothesized direction. As shown in fig . 2 and 3, group A improved in jumping height and in both VJ (diff. + 3.74cm) and OJ (diff. +5.06cm) from pre-testtopost-test. Group A in the OJ produced a greater peak force (4.54 bwu, fig . 4) in a shorter time (.11 second. fig 5) than did group B, suggesting that they could generate more power during the jump.

Power is a function of force times distance divided by time (P=F*O IT). An increase in force with 0 and T remaining constant or a decrease in time with F and 0 remaining constant would result in an increase in power output. The data analysis revealed that group A exerted greater force over a d ecreased period of time. This represented an increase in power output, which resulted in an increase in vertical jump performance.

Practical application of the ply orne tic training is best indicated by the results of the BHSS posttest at the p-.Ol level (F=10.752) . Group A reduced their time by .39 seconds, while group B re15

mained the same, suggesting that the gymnasts were able to tumble faster, after undergoing the training.

Conclusion Dynamic leg power is a key factor in successfully executing elements common to the events of floor exercise, vault, and to an extent balFi .4- PEAK VERT. FORCE MEANS (eM) ance beam. Based on 5 4.5 I - - - - - - - - ,---ri the data presented by this study, plyomet4 ric training may pro3.5 1---------j duce an appreciable increase in power output, which in turn will be beneficial to the gymnast or ath1 lete. The subjects in 0.5 this study were able O ~~ÂŁL to exert more force in PRETEST POSTIEST a shorter period of TEST SESSSION ~VJ : PLYO _VJ: NON-PLYO time which resulted ODJ: PL YO DoJ: NON-PL YO in an increase in vertical displacement.

Fi .5 - MOVEMENT TIME MEANS (SEC) This increase in .40 power output .36 ~-------------------1 coupled with an in.32 crease in tumbling .28 speed therefore may .24 result in an increase .20 in tumbling height. .16 In addition, by training the legs in a way .12 that stimulates the .08 take-off and landings .04 common to gymnaso POSTTEST PRETEST tics, plyometrics TEST SESSSION ~ VJ: PLYO _vJ: NON-PLYO may help to condiDDJ: PLYO D DJ: NON-PLYO tion the body and reduce the frequency Fi . 6 - BACK HANDSPRING TIME (SEC.) of injuries. It has been noted that plyometrics may cause injuries in the form of increased stress to ligaments and tendons, particularly the patellar tendon. while none of the subjects tested in this study were injured or expressed any discomfort durPRETEST ing the six week TEST SESSSION training period, caution should be used in developing a program.

Particular attention should be given to the types of surfaces the athletes jump onto and the height from which they jump. This study supports previous claims that plyometrics can be used as a tool by which an athletes can improve dynamic leg power and ultimately performance.

16

Practical Checklist 1. Do not perform drop jumps on hard floors.

Use soft or matted surfaces to land or jump on.

2. Vary the height of the drop jumps. Use smaller heights for younger athletes. Bobbert et al (1987) recommends using heights of no more than 20 to 40 cm.

3. Athletes who are sensitive to injuries involving the ankles, knees and/ or lower back should not participate.

4. Set up a course to give the athletes variety.

For instance, you might have them jump through a series of stacked mats rather than back and forth between two stacked mats.

5. Try to give the athlete a target to jump for.

This encourages the athlete to work harder.

6. Do not do plyometrics every day. Try to do them twice a week, with at least a two day rest in between.

7. Use plyometrics during the transfer or conversion phase of the training season .

8. Use plyometrics in addition to other strength and conditioning exercises .

Bibliography Bobbert, M.F., Huijing, P.A., Schenau, G.!., (1987) .

"Drop jumping, II. The influence of dropping height on the biomechanics of drop jumping." Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, 19(4): 339-346.

Bobbert, M.F., et al (1986) "Biomechanical analysis of drop and countermovement jump". European Tournai of Applied Ph1{siolog1{, 54: 566-573.

Clark, R.G . (1975) Essentials of Clinical Neuroanatom1{ and Neuroph1{siology, ed. 5. Philide/phia, F.A. Davis Co. Chu, D. (1986) "Practical Considerations for Utilizing Plyometrics". Roundtable, National Strength and Conditioning Assoc. TournaI Vol . 8 (3): 14-22.

Kreighbaum , E., Barthels, K. (1985) Biomechanics: A Qualitative Approach for Stud1{ing Human Movement) ed.

2. Minneapolis, Burgess Publishing Co. Komi, P.V., Bosco, C. (1978). "Utilization of Elastic Energy in Jumping and Its Relation to Skeletal Muscle Fiber Composition in Man ." Biomechanics VI-A: Proceedings of the Sixth international Congress of Biomechanics, Baltimore: University Park Press.

Mekhonoshin, S. (1983) "Execution ofJumps for Height. " Soviet Sports Review. 18(2) 65-68.

Meyes, B. (1984) "Uses of Plyometric Boxes". Track Technique (Spring) Vol. 88: 2795-2796 .

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

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SAFETY CERTIFICATION TESTING Scheduled Sessions Friday, June 23, 1989 Omaha, NE 12:00-7:00 p.m.

Omaha School of Gym. - 402-571-6630 6124 N. 99th Street Omaha, NE 68134 Course Dir: Mike Stanner 402-339-2924 Course Contact: Tom Koll402-391-6858

Saturday, July 8, 1989 Woodward, PA 12:30-7:00 p.m.

Woodward Gymnastics Camp 814-349-5633 Route 45, Box 93 Woodward, PA 16882 Course Dir: Michael Rizzuto 814-238-8995

Saturday, August 12, 1989 Woodward, PA (Same as above)

Friday, August 18,1989 St. Louis, MO 8:00-2:30 p .m.

Stouffers Concourse HoteI314-429-11 00 9801 Nautral Bridge St. Louis, MO 63134 Course Dir: Ray Overmann 314-569-1179 Course Contact: Joan Shankin 314-569-1179

Thur, Sept. 14th & Sun, Sept. 17, 1989 Philadelphia, PA 215-581-5000 Adams Mark Hotel City Ave. and Monument Rd. Philadelphia, PA 19131 These courses will be conducted by several USGF National Safety Certifiers during the USGF National Congress. Contact USCF Office 317237-5050.

Sunday, September 17, 1989 Hawthorne, NJ 10:00-5:00p.m.

Elite Gymastics 201-432-4040 80 Fiftll Avenue Hawthorne, NJ 07506 Course Dirctor: Cathy Finkel 201-263-1325

Sunday, October 1, 1989 Pittsburgh, PA 10:00-5:00 p .m.

National School of Gym. 412-655-0424 97 Terence Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15236 Course Dir: Jeannette Jay 412-562-4161 Dates, Times and Locations can be checked by calling the USGF Department of Safety at 317-237-5050.

Everyone Needs To Be Safety Certified 1. Promotes a safer teaching / learning environment.

2. Reduces insurance premiums.

3. Identifies your commitment to your profession, your sport and your athletes.

4. Implementation of stricter safety practices will help reduce the chances of accidents and/ or injuries.

5. Helps in membership recruitment.

General Points of Information 1. The text book for the Certification Course is the USGF GYMNASTICS SAFETY MANUAL. This text / reference manual is to be purchased and studied prior to course participation.

2. The course will take approximately six hours, including the test.

3. The Course fee is $100.00 (retest cost is $25.00).

4. Certification is good for four years.

r------------------------, Participation Registration Form Name: Mr. / Mrs./Ms._ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ Soc. Sec. # _ _ _ _ _ __ Address: _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ City: _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _State:_ _ _ _ _ _Zip _ _ __ Telephone: (H) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ (B) _ _ __ __ __ _ _ Course Director: ___ ______ ________________ Course Location: Date: _____ Organization Represented:_ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _________ If USGF Member, List Type and Number_ __ __ _ __ __ _ _ _

Form of Payment: D Check D Visa 0 Mastercard Name on Card:_ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ Number: _ _ _ ______ Expiration Date: _____ Signature:_______________ Please make checks payable in full to USGF SAFETY CERTIFICATION Mail Registration Form and Payment to Respective Course Contact.

DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE â&#x20AC;˘ FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

Registration Form Received:___________________

LConfirmation ________________________ Mailed: ______________________

USGF Department of Safety, Pan American Plaza, Suite 300, 201 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46225, 317/237-5050

~

Educatien

Seeing Is Believing Spatial Awareness-An Approach To Better Twisting Somersaults

S

PACIAL AWARENESS

Jeff T. Hennessy

the ability to visually determine ones body position as it relates to the environment while airborne.

With this repetitive dialogue the athlete will acquire a sense of consciousness of his surroundings.

The integration of spatial awareness with twisting and nontwisting somersaults has led to the growth of a sophisticated technique of somersaulting in the sport of Trampoline. This procedure is the foundation for a wide variety of complicated multiple twisting/multiple somersaults. This concept has also strengthened the performance of less difficult single somersaults with and without twists.

The evolution of advanced multiple twisting/ multiple somersault skills necessitates that added security be acquired to assist and protect the athlete during the execution of these complicated maneuvers. With this in mind the strategy is to develop and master the concept of visualization of the take-off surface, selected objects in flight and the landing surface.

Coaches and athletes in a variety of aerial sports have begun to take advantage of this "seeing" concept and are introducing the procedure in their particular discipline. Visualization allows for a controlled execu tion of twisting skills.

Quite often the "seeing" phenomenon spills over into non-twisting somersault skills. The added dimension of visualization will improve the execution of non-twisting skills and will prepare the athlete for the development of spatial awareness in all phases of rotation

The Puck Position Illustrations: H. Mizoguchi S. Whitlock

The ability to visually determine ones body position while airborne is an essential component in the performance of twisting somersaults. This ability is not an intrinsic gift readily available to all athletes. It is acquired during the learning process of twisting and non-twisting somersault skills. Obviously skill performance must be done with eyes open for the system to work properly.

The advanced athlete can also develop this technique by learning to find key locations in the environment.

During the learning process the athlete is made aware of visual reference points that can be seen and used to assist in the execution of a skill or group of skills. With these reference points established the learning process is one of constant inquiries by the coach as to, "what do you see?"

18

During the development of visualization a new body position was created which allows the trampolinists to execute skills involving combinations of twists and somersaults previously considered impossible. The "puck position" as it was named is an intermediate (elongated) position between the tuck and pike positions. The body is bent at the hips and at the knees while the twist is being performed. This body position is used in a number of aerial sports. The puck position is used only with multiple somersaults with twists and is not considered appropriate for single somersaults with twists.

With this principle of multiple somersaults with twists came a new category of skills many of which could not have been realized if attempted with legs and / or body straight. Twisting multiple somersault skills now have four positions to work with: tuck, pike, layout, and puck.

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

Somersaulting around the lateral axis in the puck position, combined with twisting around the longitudinal (long) axis, permits athletes to maintain better eye contact with selected objects in the environment for extended periods. This improved visualization is characterized by a slower twisting action while the speed of rotation around the lateral (somersaulting) axis exceeds that of the pike and layout positions.

Twisting in the puck position resembles that of a rolling motion and only one twist per somersault is acceptable in some sports. When more than one twist is combined with one of the somersaults of a multiple somersaulting pucked skill, the legs are usually extended and the body is straightened (layout). As this is done twisting around the longitudinal (long) axis accelerates while somersaulting around the lateral axis decelerates. In the sport of Trampoline if more than one twist is performed in the puc ked position there is a deduction for a break in form.

Environmental Identification It has become apparent that identification of surrounding objects while performing twisting and other skills is crucial to obtaining a higher degree of success. Visual contact, while executing these skills, is useful in establishing spatial awareness plus the enhancement of the athletes ability to determine time of impact. Knowing what objects in the environment to "spot" through the process of repetition will help develop the necessary spatial awareness needed to perform complicated rotary skills.

Trampoline training, presently being used in a variety of aerial sports, should provide superb opportunities for repeated exposure to locating important objects in the surrounding area. While repetition is a necessary element in the development of this process, an understanding of how visual contact can be accomplished is imperative.

Sighting during the performance of twisting somersaults is an essential element in the successful completion of the skill being undertaken. Eye contact with the take-off and landing surface enhances execution and makes possible an extra margin of safety.

The possibility for correcting the landing is an additional opportunity afforded the athlete through eye contact with selected objects in the environment.

Spatial awareness has an enormous influence on a variety of aerial sports. Visualization, when properly utilized, permits the athlete to maintain better control of twisting and non-twisting skills while airborne and when the skill is terminated on landing. It allows for the modification of over or under-rotation as well as the security needed in the performance of these intricate skills.

Early in the learning process, looking for the take-off and landing area must be encouraged so TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

the state of spatial awareness is acquired. There are athletes who have the ability to view the surface area throughout the performance of twisting skills. Others see the surface area for short periods while some see nothing. It is important that the ability to see be developed to the ultimate.

In The Beginning There are two fundamental skills that must be realized to establish a foundation for more advanced twisting somersaults. These skills are the barani (front somersault with early one-half twist) and the backward somersault with one twist. The twisting action must be learned in the same direction for both front and backward somersaults.

This will become a problem with advanced multiple twisting multiple somersaults if ignored. At this point, it is assumed that the front and back somersaults have been accomplished.

It is important to remember the concept, "somersault first, twist second" while learning the twisting single somersault. Failure to follow this idiom may well lead to no somersault and all twist. The outcome could be disastrous, resulting in a head-first landing which is not advisable when performed over a solid landing surface.

The somersault, to be efficient, must originate from the take-off surface. This is not necessarily true with the twisting phase of the skill. During the execution of one or more somersaults when the twisting action is contained in the first somersault, it is more efficient to initiate the twisting action from the takeoff surface as well. As the number of twists increase, the greater the surface initiation. Proper execution of skills with twists in the first somersault gives the appearance that the twist is initiated while airborne when in fact it is not. It is possible however, to initiate twisting action in a single somersault while in flight.

The introduction of rotary motion (somersaulting) around the lateral axis presents the potential for twisting around the longitudinal (long) axis while airborne. A simple test to illustrate this point has been developed and consists of the following steps.

1. The athlete performs, a three-quarter (270째) backward somersault with one-half twist (180째 to a back landing on a trampoline.)

2. Observe the performance from one side.

3. Have the athlete perform the one-half twist at the command left or right when the body reaches the perpendicular (inverted) position to the surface of the trampoline.

4. No pre-notification of the direction of twisting is given to the athlete.

5. The athlete must follow the command and twist in the direction given.

6. Repeat this procedure ten times to off-set any guess work by the athlete. It will be come clear on completion of this exercise that twisting action can be initiated in a 19

The twisting action must be learned in the same direction for both front and backward somersaults.

somersault without the use of the take-off surface.

When twisting occurs in the latter phase of multiple somersaults, the twist/ twists are executed after the body becomes airborne. This late twisting is quite common in the sport of Trampoline and is becoming very popular in other aerial sports. Examples of this technique are seen in a variety of fliffis skills (multiple somersaults with one-half or more twists).

Athletes in these disciplines are finding that

Barani Somersault

late twisting multiple somersaults are more stable and consistent. Eye contact with the landing surface throughout the last twisting somersault magnifies the potential for adjustment in landing. This cannot be said of the multiple somersault with early twists as sighting the landing occurs late in the last somersault and for a shorter period, IF AT ALL! Twisting, when introduced in the later somersaults of multiple somersaults, should begin at the completion of the previous 360° of rotation around the lateral (somersaulting) axis. The initiation of twisting action is best accomplished during the first 90 0 0f rotation around the lateral axis of tha t particular somersault. If twisting begins prior to this position, under rotation of the somersault is usually the result. If it occurs after, over rotation is often the outcome.

when the barani (front somersault with early onehalf twist) . When a fixed point is sighted by the athlete, the twisting action is not functional beyond the one-half twist around the longitudinal (long) axis. When the twising action reaches approximately 180° and the eyes are focused on a single location, the head will not continue to turn in the direction of the twist. At this point, the head begins to turn in the opposite direction of the intended direction with the head now moving in the opposite direction. This counter movement disrupts the twisting action.

While learning the full twisting forward somersault, the athlete will, in some cases, twist 180° in one direction and 180° in the opposite direction giving the athlete the sensation of a complete 360° twist in the same direction. This predicament sometimes occurs with the backward twisting somersault. The coach, at times, may not be aware of the reversed direction of the twist. Perhaps, the most common advanced skill in which this phenomenon occurs is the half-in, half-out fliffis; (double backward somersault with one-half twist in the first somersault and one-half twist in the second).

To correct this dilemma in single somersaults with one twist, the athlete must learn not to visually concentrate on one central location of the landing surface. Since a twisting skill is being learned, it follows that the performer should have a circular view of the area below rather that a central point. In other words, "look where you are going." The head must continue to turn in the same direction around the longitudinal (long) axis as the arms and body. This must continue throughout the duration of the skill. On completion of the twisting somersault, the athlete can then fixate on one central point for the landing.

Athletes who accomplish twisting somersault skills with the visualization technique will enjoy a decided advantage over their contemporaries.

They will have extensive knowledge of the concept and function of spatial awareness. "Seeing where you are going" is a decided advantage to the user during both success and failure. Success in performing a skill of grace and the saving of one's neck in failure. If sighting the landing area is an established habit, a learned skill, then the outcome of the performance is more readily predictable.

Surface Eye Contact Using the concept of eye contact with the takeoff and landing surface during the learning phase of the forward and backward twisting somersault is often misunderstood. Confusion is shared by both the coach and athlete when the procedure is first introduced. The area of confusion is unexpected termination of the twisting action at approximately one-half twist. For a newcomer to the technique, the problem is confusing but easily overcome when properly diagnosed.

While performing front and back twisting somersaults, sighting the surface below must not be confined to one central point as is the case 20

The Barani Somersault And The Round -Off The Barani Somersault The barani somersault is a trampoline skill similar to the front somersault with one-half twist and the round-off which is used in tumbling. Like the round-off, and unlike the front somersault with one-half twist, the head is held erect and the eyes are fixed on the take-off surface. The barani and round-off twisting action occurs early during April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

the rotation around the lateral (somersaulting) axis. The twisting action in the front somersault with one-half twist occurs later during the somersaulting action. The early twist and erect head in the barani and round-off, allows the athlete to view the take-off and landing surface below throughout the execution of these skills.

The barani is an excellent skill on which to develop a variety of front twisting somersaults.

With the mastery of this basic skill, an unlimited number of front twisting somersault skills can be accomplished.

During the learning phase of twisting somersaults, it is crucial that all airborne twisting action around the longitudinal (long) axis be performed in the same direction for all twisting skills with front or backward rotation. This rule-of-thumb becomes very apparent as more complicated twisting skills are undertaken.

The twisting action of the barani as well as the round-off, during the learning phase, can be confusing to the athlete as well as the coach. Often the direction of the twist is thought to be one way when in fact it is the opposite. The twisting direction can be determined in a simple and concise manner. View the athlete from the side. If viewed from the right side and the twist is right to left, the back will be seen. If viewed from the right side and the twist is left to right, the stomach will be seen. The same results can be confirmed if the athlete simply turns to the right or left while standing upright. (No somersault is necessary).

Front somersaults with twists have undergone a dramatic change in recent years. Previously, it was assumed necessary to bend at the waist to begin somersaulting then extend the body while twisting. On completion of the twist, the hips were flexed again to complete the skill. This has proven to be an inferior technique. A more efficient system has been developed in the sport of Trampoline and is referred to as the "straightbody ascent."

During the barani take-off, the body should be as straight as possible when somersaulting forward around the lateral axis. In addition, there should be a slight lean in the direction of the somersault. Leaning places the center of gravity in front of the application of force (feet) causing forward travel while somersaulting. As the barani begins, the legs and feet are lifted forcefully up behind the body much as in the back uprise used on the gymnastics apparatus. Lifting of the hips is incorporated into the rotary (somersaulting) action with little to no flexion during the initial stage of rotation (somersaulting) Emphasis placed on lifting the legs, not the hips.

As the legs rise, the body straightens, causing the athlete to assume the "straight-body ascent" position. The chest, head, and upper body are propelled upward with maximum force with arms leading the way overhead. As the body ascends and rotates (somersaults), the arms are extended and swing forcefully downward simultaneously.

They are shoulder width in front of the body. The head is held erect so eye contact is maintained with a point on the surface below and in front of TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

the body throughout the complete 360 somersault.

As the forward rotation develops and the legs swing upward and overhead, the arms continue to swing down and come to rest in an extended position along both sides of the body. The head is held erect and rotates with the shoulders and chest forcefully around the longitudinal (long) axis in the direction of the desired twist. As somersaulting and twisting occurs, it appears that the body is somersaulting around a fixed point, the head. The twisting action should be completed at 1800 of rotation around the lateral (somersaulting) axis. At this position, the body is inverted and straight with arms by the sides. The athlete is perpendicular to the surface below and viewing the location of impact.

As the body completes the somersault and descends to the landing surface, the hips are flexed if necessary, to insure a stable landing. On landing, the athlete will be facing the opposite direction from take-off.

The straight arm position may be adjusted to fit the needs of the athlete. During the learning phase of this skill the performer feels awkward with the arms straight and by the sides, flexion may assist in a successful completion of the skill.

However, in the final analysis, the arms should be kept as straight as possible and by the sides.

There is little perception of twisting when a barani is performed properly, it is more of a turning sensation.

Federation International Trampoline (FIT) Rule 16 "Required Position during a Routine" subsection 16.5 states "The arms should be straight and held close to the body whenever possible."

This rule applies to all twisting and non-twisting skills. Twisting with arms straight is encouraged in the trampoline, tumbling, and mini-tramp events.

Individuals learning a barani often land with both arms to one side and opposite the direction of twist. This arm position conveys the sensation that more than one-half twist has been accomplished when actually less than 1800 of twisting is the correct diagnosis. Because the arms are trailing behind and have not completed the necessary 1800 of twisting action, there is a sensation of twisting towards the pull of the arms.

This assumption causes the athlete to attempt to turn in the direction of the trailing arms. If this feeling persists the athlete will, in effect, twist back to the starting position and in the opposite direction intended. When this occurs one might think that a complete 360 0 twist has been accomplished. Using the method described earlier to determine the direction of a twist, it becomes apparent that only one side of the athlete can be viewed. Both sides of the athlete are seen when a full 360 0 twist is completed properly.

On completion, the athlete should land upright facing the opposite direction of take-off.

The eyes are focused on the landing surface in front of the point of impact with arms down and hands below or near the level of the waist. If another skill is performed in sequence with the 0

21

The arms continue to swing down and come to rest in a extended position along both sides of the body.

barani, the arms swing upward and overhead on rebound in preparation for the next skill.

The Round-Off

The implementation of the part method of learning will allow the athlete to master the intended twisting skill as well as develop visual contact with selected objects and the landing surface below.

The exception to the twisting rule-of-thumb is the round-off which is not an airborne skill. The twisting action in this skill is usually in the opposite direction when preceded by a half-out twisting skill. This curiously becomes apparent when the athlete performs a half-out (or uneven number) twist in a backward somersault while tumbling and immediately follows this twisting skills with a round-off, flic flac.

If the twisting direction of the skill leading to the round-off is right left, the athlete will land on the right foot and step out with the left foot in preparation for the round-off. This left foot forward approach will cause the athlete to place the left hand on the floor first followed by the right.

The outcome is a left to right twist when the round-off is performed. This constitutes a change in direction. When the left hand is placed on the floor first, a left-handed pirouette occurs and the twisting action is left to right. There is, at this point, a great deal of confusion.

The Foward Somersault With One Twist With the barani properly learned and eye contact with the landing surface well established, the front somersault with one twist is the next logical process, the barani is used as the foundation to develop front twisting somersaults. The technique used to learn the front somersault with one twist can be expanded to learn other front twisting skills. The implementation of the part method of learning . will allows the athlete to master the intended twisting skill as well as develop visual contact with selected objects and the landing surface below.

To develop visual contact with selected objects while learning twisting somersaults, an object or person is placed at the three quarter (270°) twisting position and to the side of the athlete during the execution of a barani. As the barani is completed and a landing is made, the athlete rebounds and turns the head and shoulders in the direction of the object at the 270° mark. If a persons is used to designate the 270° position, a voice command can also be used to help the athlete pinpoint the correct locale.

Gradually the amount of the twist is increased prior to landing. This repetitive procedure continues until the object is visually located and the twist is completed to that point. As the skill progresses, the object or person is moved closer to the 360° position. The same process continues until a full twist is mastered. We now have a full twisting somersault with visual contact of the surface below.

The arms as well as the head and chest must 22

move in the direction of the twist. If they eyes remain fi)(ed on one location, as in the barani, the body will turn in the desired direction to a point, but the head will not. This counter action will cause the twisting action to terminate prior to completion. Constantly look in the direction of the twist. When the front somersault with one twist is accomplished with the method described, visualization is strengthened.

• Twisting with Arms Flexed or Straight • Lead arm - arm that leads the direction of the twist • Swing arm - opposite arm that follows the twist.

On take-off the well executed forward somersault with one or more twists should have little to no flexion at the hips. A slight forward lean is coupled with a downward push of the legs and feet. The legs swing up behind the body resulting in forward rotation around the lateral (somersaulting) axis. As the "straight body ascent" develops, the head, chest and arms are driven upward for maximum lift with arms extended overhead. As the body lifts and rotates, both arms swing forcefully down together.

The lead arm swings down and back in the direction of the desired twist. The arm is then flexed at the elbow with the hand being raised and positioned on or near the chest. If the twisting action is to be done with arms straight, the lead arm swings down and is kept straight so that it extends down from the shoulder. This arm is then positioned against the side of the body in the direction of the twist.

The opposite arm, referred to as the swing arm, swings down in an extended position and in front of the body in the direction of the twist. The elbow is then flexed with the hand being raised and coming to rest on or near the chest. The arms are kept in close to the body and at chest level.

The same starting procedure is utilized with the swing arm when twising with straight arms.

There is no flexion at the elbow and the arm remains straight coming to rest at the side. Both arms are extended down, kept in close, and in line with the sides of the body. The body is kept straight throughout the twisting phase of the somersault.

During the swinging motion of the arms, the head, shoulders, and chest are rotated in the direction of the twist. The head is in line with the body with the chin tucked near the lead shoulder.

Because the lead arm is down, visual contact with the take-off and landing surface below is possible.

This allows for the necessary spatial awareness to ensure proper execution and landing. Twisting action is initiated from the take-off surface with the upper body leading the way. If properly executed, the upper body, then the hips and legs will follow in that order.

On completion of the twist, the arms are extended down from the shoulders as is also the case with flexed arm twisting. The head is aligned forward with eyes down and fixed on the point of April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

impact. Ideally, the twisting action should be completed early during the somersault (about 225° of rotation) allowing the hips to be flexed prior to landing when necessary. On impacting the landing surface, a straight-body position is preferred.

Twisting with the arms straight and at the sides is very popular in the sport of Trampoline.

It is only a matter of time, before this concept will appear in the sport of Gymnastics.

Those individuals having trouble maintaining eye contact, can at minimum, be taught to observe the start and finish of the skill.

Form is important only after a skill has been learned. If the athlete must be concerned about form breaks while learning, learning will be tedious. Debilitating injuries are a very real possibility when highly complicated skills are being learned. With this in mind, there should be one major thought while learning a skill, that is, to complete the skill without injury.

The Backwards Somersault With One Twist The technique used to teach twisting in forward somersaults is also used to teach twisting in backward somersaults. The part method oflearning is put into effect as described previously. In the learning process, the athlete is encouraged to perform a backward somersault with a later onehalf twist. This late twisting concept is continued until the skill becomes stable. At this time, the twisting action is started earlier so that more than 180° of twisting can be realized. It is essential to start the learning process with the late twist so that the athlete becomes aware of the importance of somersault first, twist second.

To develop visual contact with selected objects while twisting, an object or person is placed at the three-quarter (270°) twisting position and to the side of the athlete while a one-half twisting backward somersault is being performed. At the point of impact on completion of the back half-twister, the athlete rebounds and turns the head and shoulders in the direction of the object at the 270° mark. As in the front twister, sound can also be utilized to help located the precise position.

Gradually the amount of the twist is increased prior to landing. As the skill progresses, the object or person is moved closer to the 360° position. This procedure is repeated until the object is visually located and the twist is completed at that point. The same process continues until a full twist is mastered. We now have a twisting somersault with visual contact of the surface below.

Conclusions Twisting with arms straight is a new and innovative concept that should be fully utilized in the sport of Gymnastics. The potential for supremacy in this twisting technique is presently unclaimed. The opportunity for leadership is ever present and should be seized while available.

The speed and number of twists will have a bearing on when the twisting action is completed.

By maintaining a straight body in both front and back somersaults, the twist can begin early or late depending on the number of twists to be performed .

If properly coached, most athletes can and will be able to twist with arms straight and maintain visual contact throughout the twisting action.

TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

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In addition, a successful coach must have an eye for constructive analysis. The coach must possess the ability to evaluate and correct defects no matter how insignificant they may be, as this ability is essential in the development of a champion.

Somersaulting as described, indicates that learning is necessary to accomplish forward and backward rotation around the lateral axis. Leaning will cause the athlete to travel in the direction of the somersault. If this is not appropriate for the skill being performed there is another method that can be used to accomplish somersaults.

The body is flexed or arched on take-off, depending on the direction of the somersault, so that the center of gravity is outside the body and over the base (feet). This causes the athlete, depending on the amount of flexion or arch, to lift straight up or travel in the opposite direction of the somersault action. When this method is used to somersault forward, and sometimes it is necessary, it becomes difficult to use the "straight-body ascent" method described.

Jeff Hennessy has coached a number of world champions in trampoline since 1960. He is an expert in developing spacial awareness using the trampoline and will be a tremendous asset to the gymnastics' coaching community. Jeff's ideas have already been incorporated into junior and senior men's training camp sessions - and his ideas are well-received by coaches and gymnasts . This refreshing new idea of twisting will allow our athletes to conquer multiple twisting/ multiple somersaulting skills with greater ease, proficiency and safety.

By Mas Watanabe 23

Backwards Somersault With One Twist

International Report

Bonification Overview 1988 Olympic Games Jackie Fie, FIG/WTC

The following is an Overview of the Bonification and Starting Value of the Exercises in Competition IB for the 24th Olympic Games 1988 in Seoul/ KDR from 18-24 September, 1988.

Start No 392 394 398 393 3%

395 384 380 381 382

383 378 341 344 345 347 343 402

400 403 405 404 401 316 314 313 317 315 318 307 310 308 312 306 311 325 322 320 324 326 321 391 389 385 387 388

390 351 354 352 356 355

24

GYMNAST

Nation

Baitova, Olga Chectchenko, Elena Strajeva, Svet.

BOguIDskaia, Svet.

Lachtchenova, Nat. Schuschunova, El. Voinea, Carnelia Golea, Sugenia Popa, Celestina Potorac, Gabriela Sill vas, Daniela Oobre, Aurelia Fahnrich, Gabri.

Klotz, Ulricke Schieferdecker, B. Thiiemler, Oorte Kersten, Oagmar Marlowe, Melissa Garrison-Steves, K. Mills, Phoebe Stack, Chelle Spivey, Hope Johnson, Brandy McDonald, Christi Giancastro, Cath.

Covacci, Monika Rankin, Janine Loving, Larissa Strong, Lori Kart olova, Maria Raikova, Ivelina Khrabrova, K. Vodenitcharopa, O. Ooueva, Diana Stojanowa, Boriana Wang, Wenjing Ma, Ying Chen, Cuiting Wang, Huiying Wang, Xiaoya Fan, di Veliskova, Martina Richna, Hana Drevjana, Alena Krmelova, Ivona Polokova,Iveta Vejrkova, Jana Csisztu, Zsuzsana Miskl, Zsuzsana Ladany, Andrea Storczer, Beata Ovary, Eszter

URS URS URS URS URS URS ROM ROM ROM ROM ROM ROM ROA ROA ROA ROA ROA USA USA USA USA USA USA CAN CAN CAN CAN CAN CAN BUL BUL BUL BUL BUL BUL CHN CHN CHN CHN CHN CHN TCH TCH TCH TCH TCH TCH HUN HUN HUN HUN HUN

UNEVEN BARS Specific Start 0 O路 Requirmt Value 0.5 2 10.00 + 9.80 0.5 2 + 0.4 2 10.00 + 0.7 3 10.00 + 0.3 2 10.00 + 0.6 3 10.00 + 9.70 + 0.5 3 10.00 + 0.5 3 10.00 + 1.1 4 10.00 + MISSING 10.00 0.4 3 10.00 + 0.5 3 10.00 + 0.3 1 10.00 + 0.3 2 10.00 + 0.5 4 10.00 + 0.8 4 10.00 + 0.4 4 10.00 + 0.7 3 10.00 + 0.3 3 10.00 + 0.9 5 10.00 + 0.8 4 10.00 + 0.6 3 10.00 + 10.00 0.3 3 + 0.9 4 10.00 + 0.3 2 10.00 + 0.6 3 10.00 + 0.5 4 10.00 + 1.1 4 10.00 + 0.3 2 10.00 + 10.00 MISSING 0.7 5 10.00 + 0.6 3 10.00 + 0.5 2 10.00 + 0.5 5 10.00 + 0.4 5 10.00 + 0.4 4 10.00 + 0.7 3 10.00 + 0 2 9.80 + 0.2 1 10.00 + 10.00 0.7 5 + 9.80 0.3 2 + 0.5 3 10.00 + 0.3 2 10.00 + 0.2 2 10.00 + 0.5 3 10.00 + 0.4 2 10.00 + 0.4 3 10.00 + 0.4 3 10.00 + 0.3 2 10.00 + 0.3 2 10.00 + 0.2 1 10.00 +

0 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2

BALANCE BEAM Start Specific O路 Requirmt Value 10.00 3 + 10.00 3 + 10.00 3 + 10.00 5 + 10.00 4 + 10.00 4 + 10.00 3 + 10.00 4 + 10.00 4 + 10.00 4 + 10.00 4 + 10.00 2 + 10.00 4 + 4 10.00 + 10.00 3 + 10.00 4 + 10.00 3 + 10.00 3 + 10.00 3 + 10.00 3 + 10.00 4 + 3 10.00 + 10.00 4 + ..o.2G.S 9.80 2 9.80 2 + ..o.2G.5 9.80 1 3 ..o.2G.5 9.80 10.00 2 + 3 10.00 + 10.00 3 + 10.00 3 + 4 10.00 + 10.00 2 + 10.00 4 + 10.00 3 + 3 10.00 + 2 9.~ + 9.~ 3 + 2 10.00 + 9.~ 2 + ..0.2 G.5 9.80 4 9.~ 3 + 10.00 3 + 3 10.00 + 3 9.~ + 10.00 3 + 9.~ 2 + 10.00 1 + 4 10.00 + 3 10.00 + 9.~ 2 + 3 10.00 +

FLOOR EXERCISE Specific Start 0 O路Requirmt Value 9.~ 0.5 3 + 10.00 0.5 1 + INJUREO 10.00 0.4 2 + 10.00 0.6 3 + 10.00 0.4 3 + 10.00 0.5 3 + 10.00 0.2 2 + 10.00 0.5 3 + 10.00 0.5 3 + 10.00 0.5 3 + 10.00 0.3 1 + 10.00 0.7 1 + 10.00 0.6 3 + 10.00 0.2 2 + 10.00 0.5 2 + 10.00 0.5 3 + 10.00 0.2 2 + 10.00 0.6 3 + 10.00 0.5 3 + 0.5 3 10.00 + 10.00 0.8 3 + 10.00 0.8 3 + 0.2 2 9.50 + 10.00 0.4 3 + 10.00 0.3 2 + 0.4 3 10.00 + 0.3 2 10.00 + 0.4 3 9.~ + 10.00 0.4 3 + 10.00 0.3 3 + 10.00 0.4 3 + 0.7 3 10.00 + 10.00 0.6 3 + 0.5 3 10.00 + 10.00 0.3 21 + 0.3 2 10.00 + 10.00 0.5 3 + 0.7 3 10.00 + 0.5 3 10.00 + 0.3 2 10.00 + 0.3 1 10.00 + 0.2 2 10.00 + 0.2 2 10.00 + 10.00 0.5 3 + 0.6 3 10.00 + 0.2 1 10.00 + 0.3 2 10.00 + 10.00 0.1 1 + 10.00 0.3 2 + 10.00 0.5 3 + 0.6 3 10.00 +

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

Start GYMNAST No '5.27 Belehi, Nuria 330 Hervas, Manuela 328 Castillejo, Lidia 329 Garcia, Maria Rueda, Eva 331 Munoz 371 Hang, Kyung-Im 374 Lim, Hye-Jin 372 Kim, Eun-Mi 369 Bae, Eun-Mi 373 Kim, Narn-Ok 365 Nanahara, Yuriko 362 Mori, Mieko 363 Morimuro, Sachiko 368 Shinoda, Miko 366 Sanada, Maliko 364 Morio Maiko 301 Allen, Monique 302 Rycroft, Leane 305 Parente-Ribeiro, L. 334 Bauduin, Anne-M. 335 Boucher, Karine 336 Romano, Chath.

337 v.Lospichl,Isab.

338 Ustorf, Nichaela 339 Hargate, Karen 348 Varvaiotoy, Fotino 349 Flores, WurmsernM 357 Sharon, Revital 358 Cocuzza, Maria 359 Locini, Partida 360 Volpi, Giulia 376 Moura, Sonia

m

Nation

0 ESP ESP ESP ESP ESP ESP KOR KOR KOR KOR KOR JPN JPN JPN JPN JPN JPN AUS AUS AUS

FRA FRA FRA RFA RFA GBR GRE GUA ISR ITA ITA ITA POR

0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.3 0.9 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.2 0 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.3

UNEVEN BARS Specific Start O' Requirmt Value 1 10.00 + 3 10.00 + 2 10.00 + 3 10.00 + 10.00 2 + 3 10.00 + 10.00 2 + 10.00 2 + 9.70 -0.2 3 2 10.00 + 2 10.00 + 2 10.00 + 4 10.00 + 2 10.00 + 3 10.00 + 10.00 3 + 3 10.00 + 2 9.90 + 4 10.00 + 2 10.00 + 2 10.00 + 3 10.00 + 3 10.00 + 2 10.00 + 0 9.70 + 1 10.00 + 3 10.00 + 3 10.00 + 1 9.70 + 3 10.00 + 2 10.00 + 10.00 3 + 9.80 -0.2 2

BALANCE BEAM Specific Start 0 O' Requirmt Value 9.70 0.1 3 -0.2 G.5 0.3 3 10.00 + 10.00 0.2 2 + 9.90 0.1 3 + 0.1 2 9.90 + 0.2 3 10.00 + 0.2 2 10.00 + 0.1 2 9.90 + 0 2 9.80 + 10.00 0.2 5 + 0.2 2 10.00 + 10.00 0.3 4 + 0.2 2 10.00 + 10.00 0.2 4 + 10.00 0.4 3 + 0.1 3 9.90 + 9.90 0.1 2 + 9.90 0.1 2 + 0.4 3 10.00 + 10.00 0.6 3 + 0.1 2 9.90 + 9.90 0.1 2 + 0.2 2 10.00 + INJUREO 10.00 0.4 3 + 0 2 9.90 + 0.7 3 10.00 + 0.1 2 9.90 + 0.1 1 9.90 + 0.1 3 9.90 + 9.80 0.2 3 -0.2 G.5 0 4 9.80 + -0.1 9.80 0 2

FLOOR EXERCISE Specific Start 0 O' Requirmt Value 10.00 0.5 2 + 0 1 10.00 + 10.00 0.2 2 + 10.00 0.6 1 + 10.00 0.3 2 + 10.00 0.2 2 + 10.00 0.3 2 + 10.00 0.2 3 + 10.00 0 1 + 0.3 3 10.00 + 0.4 3 10.00 + 10.00 0.3 2 + 10.00 0.4 3 + 0.4 2 10.00 + 10.00 0.4 2 + 10.00 0.2 2 + 10.00 0.4 3 + 10.00 0.2 2 + 9.80 0 1 + 10.00 0.2 3 + 0 2 0.2 unter 9.50 0.6 3 10.00 + 10.00 0.2 2 + INJUREO 9.90 0.1 2 + 9.90 0.3 2 + 10.00 0.3 2 + 10.00 0.2 1 + 9.80 0 1 + 9.70 0 1 + 9.80 0 1 + 10.00 0.5 2 + 9.80 0 1 +

G.S = "Gymnastics Series" â&#x20AC;˘ Listed are all performed D-Value Parts, also Value Raised, unrelated to the fact that a few of them were used for missing C, respectively B-Value parts. - - J. Fie 1/89

TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

25

Men's Technical

Analysis Of A Layout Cuervo Hideo Mizoguchi The USGF Junior Technical Coordinator

T

his is the second in a series of articles discuss commonly used skills in today's national and international level gymnastics performance.

Reviewing of the '88 Seoul Olympic Carnes, relative to other nations, the USA Men's Team performed the vaults with values of lesser difficulty.

The USA team Members performed the following vaults: • Piked Handspring Front • Piked Handspring Front with Half Twist • Piked Cuervo • Layout Kasamatsu • Layout Kasamatsu with straddle

chanical aspects of vaulting and to re-examine our coaching strategies in day-to-day training situation in order to upgrade performance in the Vaulting event. Although, this article discusses and deals with the Layout Cuervo, much of the technical information is applicable to other vaults and vaulting training.

The following illustrations are the performances of the three Layout Cuervo that were performed by Sylvio Kroll (CDR), Dian Kolev (BUL) and Lou Yun (CHN) in the event finals at the '88 Seoul Olympic Carnes (Figure 1).

The first and foremost important consideration in daily coaching is to be able to recognize and to identify "what to look for" since the overall

A) Sylvio Kroll (CDR)

W I

I I

B) Dian Kolev (BUL)

C) Lou Yun (CHN)

Check Point #1

Figure 1

#2

#3

#4

While other top nations are performing far more difficult vaultings such as: • Double Full Twisting Tsukahara (Tucked or Layout) • One and One Half Twisting Handspring Front (Tucked or Layout) • Layout Cuervo • Full Twisting Tucked Cuervo • Full Twisting Layout Cuervo • Layout Handspring Front • Handspring Tucked Double Front The purpose of this article is to explore the me26

#5

#6

#7

duration of the vaulting performance is of short duration. Therefore, illustrations in figure 1 shows Check Points created to facilitate and to identify the "point of focus" in coaching of this particular vault.

Check Point # 1:

Hurdle Phase Focus: Low and relatively long hurdle.

Here, it is important to note that, in the past, April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

over emphasis was placed on the hurdle being close to the board. The concept does not necessary accomplish a faster and more effective contact onto the board. In fact, by approaching the board too close on the hurdle (and considering the running speed) one must jump high onto the board in order to achieve an effective block position (Figure 2a & 2b).

Therefore, an essential part of focus in this phase is to maintain the center of gravity traveling horizontally.

YUN, Illustration (5) in figure 3).

Check Point #4:

Hands Contact Phase Focus: Quick repulsion through a vertical line.

In performing of the LAYOUT CUERVO in particular, one does not want to create a blocking action when the hand contacts the horse. When a large amount of of blocking action takes place in

Check Point #2:

Blocking Phase On The Board Focus:Good compression and good blocking position on the board.

Examining Check Point #2 in figure 1 shows that at the compression of the board, all three gymnasts clearly demonstrate that their center of gravity is positioned behind the vertical line. In addition, all show a flexed body position (piked position) which allows the feet to stay in front of the body.

This allows for the accomplishment of two significant factors: 1. It permits the body to rise upward while moving forward and turning in rotation.

2. It permits the body to rotate as a unit without releasing the heels prematurely (Figure 3).

Check Point #3:

Take-Off Phase To Heel Release Focus:Leaving the board with a hollow body position until passing a horizontal line followed by a "heel release" (heel kick) This phase is probably the most crucial phase in determining an optimum outcome of the entire vaulting performance. Illustrations (2), (3) and (4) in figure 3 demonstrate a hollow body position.

This hollow position initially helps to create an effective turning momentum. Then, illustrations (5) and (6) in figure 3 indicate that there is a definite "heel release" action in order to promote additional turning momentum. When a "heel release" action takes place too early, the gymnast must solely depend on the rotation which is created at the time of take-off.

The three gymnasts in illustration (2) in figure 3 do show a Hollow Body position however, KROLL has more pronounced hollowness than that of KOLEV or LOU YUN. In comparison among these gymnasts' "take-off" action, LOU YUN's position, illustration (2) in figure 3, has less hollowness and straighter position than other two gymnasts. This shallow and rather standing upright position has been effected toward minimizing an additional rotation gain, therefore, he is forced to bend his knees to promote additional necessary rotation to complete the skill. (C.LOU TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

this phase, it would exert the force to reflect more toward a vertical direction. Since the major emphasis at this point should be to establish greater rotational force, this motion must be treated as REBOUNDING type action through vertical line.

Thus, REBOUNDING and LESS BLOCKING action would ensure greater rotation in the post flight of the vault (Check Point #4 in figure 1).

Check Point #5:

Peak Of The Post Flight Phase Focus: Square body Position to the horse at the highest point in the post flight.

Check Point #5 in figure 1 shows the highest point of the flight pass. Although, the shape of the body positions are different for each vaulter, all three gymnasts are maintaining a square body position to the horse in order to secure a forward somersault rotation.

If twisting occurs prematurely, then, a lack of rotation could be the result. Also notice that all three gymnasts show clear differences in the degree of the piked body position. However, it should be noted that less the pike is superior the technique for a LAYOUT CUERVO. It is also important to note that maintaining of a tight body in this flight phase produces a sharp and rapid 1/ 4 to 1/ 2 twist while reaching to a second vertical line (Check Point #6 in figure 1).

27

Figure 2

A) Sylvio Kroll (CDR)

Figure 3 B) Dian Kolev (BUL)

It is essential to

have a day-to-day training plan into many different steps in order to accomplish an effective training seSSlOn. Check Point #1

#2

#3

Check Point #6:

A Twisting Phase Focus: Completion of a 1/4 to 1/2 twisting at the second vertical line.

The main focus in this phase should be to maintain a very tight body and to promote a very quick twisting motion before reaching the second , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , vertical line.

Coaching Tips

Figme5 ·· · ·· · futt\~·

j ~ar ~~=--j

It is often a frustrating experience to identify a specific problem and to correct a particular mistake in coaching the vaulting event since the event and skill takes such short time in completion. Therefore, it is essential to have a dayto-day training plan into many different steps in order to accomplish an effective training session.

The following steps are recommended:

Step 1: a. Running practice. b. Finding ideal hurdle distance and approach onto the board. c. Solid contact and take-off action on the board Step 2: a. A forward somersault with tight and hollow body - and take-off" from the board to high stacked landing mats (as high as the horse) (Figure 4). b. Same as Step 2 a, but to add a "heel release" when the body passes a horizontal line (figure S).

28

#4

#5

#6

c. Same as b. but to do this with the horse in and practice an "over-rotation" of the handspring vault onto high stacked landing mats.

STEP 3: a. A forward somersault practice with slight piked or hollow body position by using a mini or large trampoline into the foam pit.

STEP 4: a. Place the horse or stacked folding mats in front of a trampoline, and then practice 1/4 or 1/2 twisting to the back into either a foam pit or soft landing mats. b. And finally, to add the backward somersault after completion of the twist.

Recommendations Development of correct techniques to perfect a LAYOUT CUERVO vault takes a long time. Particularly, when you are working with junior gymnasts, this process takes even longer.

It is equally important for Jr. coaches to recognize the normal growth and development of the young gymnasts and their overall strength. This understanding will help determining what type of training should be prioritized.

Example: Coaches of 12-13 year olds may find that a gymnast is growing at a rate where his running speed does not keep up with his strength development. At this point, a major portion of the vaulting training could be spent on a development of air mechanics by utilizing a trampoline into the foam pit while streng thing the legs to increase his running speed. Therefore, rather than teaching how to do the vault as a whole in day-today training, WELL PLANNED, STEP BY STEP training methods are strongly recommended.

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

Women's Judging

Judges Ratings For 1989-93 Certification TITLE

TEST SCORE

Provisional Judge

TEST PARTS

EQUIVALENT 1984-88 RATINGS

Provisional Course

Provisional Class III Comp

LevelS Rating

70%

Compulsory Written

Level 6/7 Rating **

75%

Compulsory Written

Level 8 Rating

70% 70%

Optional Written & Practical

Class III Opt.

Level 9 Rating

75% 75% 75%

Compulsory Written (6/7) Optional Written & Practical

Class II

Level 10 Rating

80% 80% 80%

Compulsory Written Optional Written & Practical

Class I

Elite

Elite Course

Elite

Brevet

Brevet Course

Brevet

â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘ Compulsory level 6/7 is one exam consisting of 50 questions.

1. A present Class I and II Judge (whose active status for 1988 is complete) may test Level 10 and alllower levels.

2. The present Provisional Judge and Class III-C or III-O Judge may test separate Compulsory parts (5, 6/7) and Optional level 8... or all three at the same time.

Must test in order 5, then 6/7.

3. Level 8 Optional judging is an entry level.

4. In order to test level 9 (Comp 6/7, Optional & Practical 9) you must have a level 8 rating for one year and a levelS rating for one year, which may run simultaneously.

5. In order to test level 10 you must possess a level 9 rating for one certification year.

6. In order to become an Elite or Brevet Judge you must be invited to attend the appropriate course and attain the passing score.

TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

The present testing will be in effect until April 30, 1989. During that time, examinees can take form A&B. No exams will be given in May, 1989. The first testing for the new cycle will be on June 28, 1989 at the National Judges Symposium. Between June 28 and December 31 exams may be taken two times if needed. Thereafter, each exam may be tested only twice in a certification year.

(Jan 1 to Dec 31) During the new cycle, each part of the exam may be taken separately. The minimum score must be reached on each part. There will be no averaging of scores. All parts must be passed before the rating is achieved. All 1989 Elite and Brevet Judges are automatically certified to judge at all optional levels (8,9 & 10). In order to receive a Level 10, Compulsory (6/7) or Compulsory (5) rating, the appropriate compulsory exam must be passed.

All 1985-89 judges must recertify by December 31, 1990, or they will be required to start a t entry level.

29

ErJents 5ehedule

Domestic & International Calendar 1989

PLEASE NOTE: At this time, dates and Sites listed are tentative, the various program committeess and the

WkMo Sat 12 3 25 13 4 1 14 4 8 15 4 15 16 4 22 17 4 29 18 5 6 19 5 13 20 5 20 21 5 27 22 6 3 23 6 10 24 6 17 25 6 24 26 7 1 27 7 8 28 7 15 29 7 11 30 7 19 31 8 5 32 8 12 33 8 19 34 8 26 35 9 2 36 9 9 37 9 16 38 9 23 39 9 30 40 10 7 41 10 14 42 10 21 43 10 28 44 11 4 45 11 11 46 11 18 47 11 25 48 12 2 49 12 9 50 12 16 51 12 23 52 12 30

Events Department are presently attempting to finalize their 4 year plans.

This calendar will be updated in future issues of Technique & USA Gymnastics

1990

WkMo 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 2 6 2 7 2 8 2 9 3 10 3 11 3 12 3 13 3 14 4 15 4 16 4 17 4 18 5 19 5 20 5 21 5 22 6 23 6

30

Sat 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26 2 9

Women's Elite U.S. Challenge

TOWomens

Mens Events U.s. Challenge

International

1st Elite Reg 2nd Elite Reg JO Nat (Jr) }O Nat (Sr) Am Classic Jr. Pacific Alliiance US Classic

World Sports Fair Sr. Elite Reg Coaches Seminar

"Golden Sands" Moncada Cup

(Econ Club, Chicago)

Grand Prix de Rome Australian Grand Prix

Jr. Pacific Alli.

USA Championships

JO Nationals USA Championships

OLYMPIC FESTIVAL

OLYMPIC FESTIVAL

Japan Jr Competition USGF CONGRESS World Champ. Trials

USGF CONGRESS Final Selection Meet

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Elite Regionals

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Max Bangerter Gala

American Classic DTB/Swiss Cup WINTER NA TL'S

Women's Elite

JOWomens

American Cup Mixed Pairs U.s. Chall.

1st Elite Reg EASTER 2nd Elite Reg

Mens Events

American Cup Mixed Pairs Level 10 St. Level 9 State

U.s. Challenge

Level 10 Reg Level 9 Reg. }O Nat (Jr) JONat (Sr)

NCAA Men

US Classic

Sr Elite Reg Level 9 E/W

USA Championships

International

NCAA Women's USA / USSR Challenge

IU

USA Championships

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

1990 cont..

WkMo Sat 24 6 16 25 6 23 26 6 30 27 7 7 28 7 14 29 7 21 30 7 28 31 8 4 32 8 11 33 8 18 34 8 25 35 9 1 36 9 8 37 9 15 38 9 22 39 9 29 40 10 6 41 10 13 42 10 20 43 10 27 44 11 3 45 11 10 46 11 17 47 11 24 48 12 1 49 12 8 50 12 15 51 12 22 52 12 29

Women's Elite

JOWomens

Mens Events

OLYMPIC FESTIVAL OLYMPIC FESTIVAL GOODWILL GAMES GOODWILL GAMES GOODWILL GAMES

JO Champ & Oly Fest OLYMPIC FESTIVAL GOODWILL GAMES GOODWILL GAMES GOODWILL GAMES

USGF CONGRESS

USGF CONGRESS

International

NOTE:

Dates for televised events are tentative ...

Elite Regionals World Cup FIG Congress

American Classic

Dependant upon contract confirmations.

Winter Nationals (?)

1991 WkMo Sa 1

1

::>

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

1 1 1 2 2 2 2

12 19 26 2 9 16 23 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 30 7

3

3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 12

Women's Elite

JOWomens

Mens Events

American Cup Mixed Pairs

American Cup Mixed Pairs

U.s. Challenge 1st Elite Regionals

U.s. Challenge

2nd Elite Regionals

International

USA / USSR

US Classic USA Championships

USA Championships J.o. Nationals

Olympic Festival Olympic Festival

Olympic Festival Olympic Festival Pan Am Games

Wid Champ Trials WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Elite Regional American Classic

TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

Winter Nationals (?)

31

Committee Reports

Women's Technical Committee Fairfax, Virginia March 3, 1989 VOL. 2 #1

Roll Call: Region I. ... ..... . ..... .Joanne Pasquale (absent on Friday) Region II ...... .... .. . ...................... Karen Wlsen Region III .... . . . . . .... . . . ... ... ..... ....... Lesley Ogg Region IV .. . .... . ....... .. .. .. .. . .......... Linda Beran Region V .. .... .. ... .... . .. . . . . ... . . ...... Carolyn Bo~ers Region VI. .............. . ..... . ......... Lmda Chencmskl Region VII ........................... Cheryl HamIlton Region VIII . . .. .. ... .. .. .... . ... . ......... .Marion Dykes Nat'l Admin. Board Chairman ....... Mary Ann Mahoney Nat'lJ.O. Dev. Chairmann . .................John Wojtczuk Nat'IJ.O. Tech. Chairman ........ . . . .. ... Connie Maloney Nat'l Elite Chairman .............. . . . ... ...... Roe Kreutzer Women's Program Adm ..................... .Kathy Kelly Director of Ed uca tion .. .... ..... .. .. .... ... .steve Whitlock

Meeting called to order by Marilyn Cross at 7:45 pm I. MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING - corrected as follows: pg. 2,4. Judges affiliation ..... Delete State and Regional Judging Directors from the statement.

II. NCAA REPRESENTATIVES: Pam Burgess has been accepted by the USGF Executive Director and National Technical Chairman as liaison to the Women's Technical Committee Chairman.

Recommendation to extend an invitation to Delene Darst, as past National Technical Chairman to attend the Women's Technical Committee at her own expense.

MOTION - Linda Chencinski SECOND - Linda Beran PASSED (See attached page)

III.

OLD BUSINESS -

A. NATIONAL NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER, DELETE from Supplement Page 9. IV. H. (see R &P)

B. USGF ROUND-OFF VAULT COMMITTEE ...

"Coaches and/or participants follow the current F.I.G. recommendations regarding the appropriate matting for the apparatus. Matting between the board and the horse is allowed at any Junior Olympic level for any vault. The matting should be at the same level as the board. It is NOT permissible to use two vaulting boards.

C. BAR SPECIFICATIONS -

J.O. CompetitionsMinimumRequirements for Uneven Bar specifications are as follows: Bars must close to a minimum of 60 cm.

Bars must open to a minimum of 105 cm.

32

Bars MAY open beyond 105 cm.

Meet Directors must list exact bar measurements in pre-meet information and on bid forms for Sectional and above meets. If a gymnast prefers a wider bar set than the minimum opening allows, her coach should verify bar measurements with the Meet Director prior to submitting an entry form. Consideration forthe awarding of Sectional and above meets will be given to those facilities than can provide a wider bar setting.

D. AFFILIATION -

Philosophy

1. Concerning affiliation, think of the intent, which is to prevent unfair situations for the gymnasts.

The rules are NOT meant to prevent people from judging. Affiliated judges MAYbe assigned.

There is no problem if these people are on a panel.

The rules are not to be used as an axe to prevent affiliated judges from judging.

2. The following is immediately in effect for all USGF sanctioned competitions: Recommendation that an affiliated judge may serve on a two and a four judge panel but not as a Head Judge.

MOTION - Cheryl Hamilton SECOND - Linda Beran PASSED (SpeCial circumstance should petition the Regional Technical Chairman)

Delete Pg. 37 Section IX, E, 2, a, b, c, d. 3. a, b in the Rules and Policies.

Recommendation that Base Scores will be established at the judge's meeting prior to competition by the use of the WTC videos. Therefore, no analysis or forerunners are necessary and all events will commence at the same time.

MOTION - Linda Chencinski SECOND - Carolyn Bowers PASSED

E. More specific guidelines for warm-ups must be developed. Leslie, Marian, Connie and John are to design a configuration for warm-ups.

IV. ELEMENT EVALUATIONS: CLARIFICATION - All elements that are currently found in the 1984-88 Code of Point or the Supplement will maintain their value as listed. New elements not found in the 1984-88 Code of Points or Supplement will receive the value as listed in the 1989-92 Code of Points. Unlisted elements will be assigned value by the RTC. Coaches must bring these signed element evaluation forms to the competitions.

Recommendation that WTC assign Bonification for Originality to appropriate submitted elements.

MOTION - Marian Dykes SECOND - Karen Wi sen

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

PASSED

VAULT: ELITE VAULT Roundoff, flic-flac on, 1 1/2 salto piked backward off with 1/2 twist Roundoff, flic-flac on , 1 1/ 2 salto stretched backward off with 1/2 twist

B. Review of the Elite Course.

9.6

9.8

BARS: Back Straddle to HS-l /2 Turn C Counter swing 1/2 turn to HS on LB D Counter swing to seat circle B Counter swing front tuck 1/2 D Tuck flyaway 1/ 1 regrasp D Turning uprise straddle vault Two (2) C elements BEAM: Mount - 2 foot takeoff, backwards squat 3/4 illusion turn Changement split leap Headstand mount

B C C A

FLOOR: Scissor leap 1/2 to split sit (180 ) Stretched jump 2 1/2 turn Stretched jump 3/1 turn Switch side leap to prone fall Schoushounova 1 1/2 side salto to roll front lying support Switch leg 1/ 4

D C D C C D B

Meeting adjourned at 10:10 pm

C. WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES-UPDATE: The OlympiC Committee announced that the World University Games have been cancelled for Gymnastics competition.

D. USGF RESTRUCTURING update ... A document has been prepared to summarize this.

VII. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR -MikeJacki-Thanks for your continued commitment and participation!

A. Raise Standards of Judges

1.. Training 2. Education a. Suggested that the Brevets spend some time in the gtJms of the top clubs (but regionally distributed I). The judges need to be able to "help" them ( the coaches). b. Technical symposium of coaches and judges together. (2 or three days in the summer). Can the two communities come together in understanding? c. J~dges Education. Need a strong commitment m.th.lsarea. Vlde~ tapes, clinics, regional judges clmlcs ... etc. ThIS IS something that the committee has to be involved in.

3. Certification - This committee needs to evaluate B. Weakest link is coaches education - The number one

priority of Olympic Committee has been Coaches education. Some sports are better than ours ... we are better thm! most, but its missing a lot of levels. We need to raIse the standards of our coaching! This would help to reduce a lot of our problems. This will be a difficult problem.

Meeting reconvened March 4, 6:05 pm Roll Call: (additions to original) Women's Program Adm ............. Kathy Kelly, absent NA WGJ. .... . ...... ... .. . ...... . ... . ... . ..... Dale Brown Judges Training Chairman .... . ... . . .. '" ... Sharon Weber Guest. ..... ... ............. .. .. .. .. .. ... ... Delene Darst

V.ELITE PROGRAM: A. Review and Clarification of REDC minutes from the December mailing.

1. Elemen~ Testing - committee has requested two (2) Judges to do this testing.

2. Junior A's at regional meets and classics are 50/50 this year (This is a change).

3. 50% of squad may be members of same team.

4. No Bonus will be given in the compulsories this season.

5. Regional Elite "Cards" Suggestion - Be sure to check out the gymnast's correct age divisions with birthdates ... there have been some problems with this.

6. Music p:oblem ... for Junior Testing. May use the musIc that has been provided, or their o~n m~sic which they stop and start at appropnate hmes.

B. CLARIFICATION - A gymnast may NOT attempt to qualify in a Regional meet as BOTH a Junior" AU and a Junior "B" C. RECOMMENDATION - National Office prepare summary scoring sheets for the tally and computation of the Junior A, Junior B, and Senior all-around and individual results.

VI. JACKIE FIE - Report to the Committee A. Summary sheets of judges' participations (updated for the '88 season) were distributed with "athlete and judge selection" .

TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

C.

USGF will assist in finding the means to help support the committe~ in worki~g on this. Suggests getting a smaller workmg commIttee together to establish a "game-plan " prior to the next meeting (Marilyn Cross, + members, Roe, Kathy Kelly)

D. Comment on Developmental Level I-IV - most im

portant thing the first few years will be use and acceptance. Need to have coaches and club owners feel that we are coming in to HELP them. They will need to feel comfortable with it ... nfter all it is their business!

-Dinner Recess #2 at 7:25 pm Meeting resumed at 8:31 pm

VIII. NAWGJ - REPORT - Proposed NAWGJ fee structure was distributed .

1. Please examine the proposals that are presented.

Nothing is :'fixed" ... are seeking input. The proposals DO mclude the pre-meet meeting.

2. Suggestions from the committee: Keep per diem separate from the rate.

A daily rate is a good concept.

Updated NAWGJ Roster is in the works ...

Marilyn Cross -Tomorrows meeting time will be 8:00 am IX. ELITE TECHNICAL CHAIRMAN A. Supplementary deductions for Elite compulsory routmes h~ve been written and are being evaluated. Available soon! (They will be retyped and available within the next two weeks).

33

Committee Reports B. Practice meets should remain in the control of the regions. There does seem to be great variance within the regions. - would welcome information as to how each region is doing this. Let her know what sort of format is being applied.

C. Judges meeting - Until regional films are devel oped (that Steve is working on) utilize the films from Frankfurt at the judges' meetings prior to Elite Competitions.

1. If a gymnast performs an element NOT in the Code of Points in a meet, it would have to be evaluated AT THAT MEET...

X. RULES ADDENDIUM - for 1989-90 J.O. Program A. That .5 be the allowable range for scores from 8.5 and below for the JO Program MOTION - Leslie Ogg SECOND - Bowers PASSED

B. That score below 5.0 be within 1.0 point range.

MOTION - M. Dykes SECOND -Beren PASSED

(these apply to any configuration of judging panels) C. Value raised D receives bonus as "extra D." (in JO program) MOTION - K. Wisen SECOND -Pasquale PASSED

D. In the vault deductions of up to.5 for height and .5 for distance will be applied (JO program) MOTION - Wisen SECOND - Bowers PASSED

E. Body position faults shall be amended to read

up to .2 each. (In preflight, support phase and afterflight).

MOTION - L. Beran SECOND-Ogg PASSED

F. Balance Beam - 10 second warning prior to the dismount will be retained.

MOTION -Ogg SECOND - Dykes PASSED

G. Fall timing on Balance Beam - "routine clock" will start when she begins her routine again.

(NOTE: as it was stated in the supplement.

MOTION - Chencinski SECOND - Dykes PASSED

All other BB timing procedures will be as in the Code.

H. Only at National Meets, can the individual judges submit scores of .05 point increments.

(J.O. Program) MOTION - Chencinski SECOND - Beran PASSED

CLARIFICA nONS 1. That versality of connections is "up to .2" on all events ('89 Code of Points)

34

J. UNEVENBARS:-For no deduction for Directional change requirements: only LA turns will be considered ... two 1/2 turns or one full tum is required (may occur in mount or dismounts) the tum must occur in an element that is listed in the Code- '89).

K. Eliminate the specific deductions for A, B, and C moves after release moves. (eg. Jager, beat, peach) MOTION - Bowers SECOND - Chencinski DEFEATED

Motion to adjourn , 10:52 pm. (Meeting scheduled to reconvene at 8:00 am) Sunday, March 5, 1989 - meeting called to order 8:13 am Roll Call - no change from 2nd meeting on Saturday.

L. If not stated in the new Code or the clarifications, the judges must "handle" this. Any rules that are not stated are rescinded. The New Code supercedes previous information for the 1989 Elite Season & the 89-90 J. O. season.

M. CLARIFICAnON - No Natural Acro Con Floor - .10 N. That we maintain devaluing and/or zero value for a skill or vault if the feet do not hit first.

MOTION - Dykes SECOND - Beran PASSED

O. Progressive distribution of elements up to .2 MOTION - Dykes SECOND - Beran PASSED

P. USGF Supplement vault - A handspring fullon, half-off (#1.42) be renumbered 5.1.65 and have 9.7 value.

MOTION - Dykes SECOND - Beran PASSED

Q. To eliminate Hecht vaults from the Supplement.

MOTION - Chencinski SECOND - Wisen PASSED

XII. REVISING THE J.O. TECHNICAL HANDBOOK (SUPPLEMENT) A. Each RTC will review her event and send to Linda Beran by May 15.

B. The office (Kathy Kelly) would need it by July 1.

Working copies will be sent to Cross, Schweyer, Weber, and Maloney for review by June 1 and returned to Linda Beran by June 15.

C. The supplement needs to be ready by September (for sale at Congress).

D. Cheryl Hamilton will prepare a "Bonus list" - this will be listed in the WTC minutes. Also suggested by symbol and value in the Technical Handbook.

E. Linda Chencinski will prepare a chart of symbols to be included in the Handbook.

F. Bonus for connections would also be included.

XIII. JUDGES TRAINING COMMITTEE - Sharon Weber April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

A. Concept is to have an addendum to the Judges Training manual.

B. Have pull-outs at various levels for presenting a course. (Could be a brief or as extensive as you would like) C. Cheryl Grace will be assistant chairman of the committee and will act as laison within the USGF office.

D. Telecommunications possibilities for courses will be explored - this should aid in efficiency and in cost.

E. Would like videos available from San Antonio (2nd classic) compulsories and optionals made available to the committee. (The office will be taping most or all the domestic competitions).

F. Does the FlG have an analysis of the Compulsory elements?

G. The last testing film could be purchased as a starting point for preparation of a training film (practice film).

H. Learning Concepts - (Joanne Aschenbrenner) I. To sanction a Judges Training Clinic, simply submit the regular USGF Sanction Request Form (with appropriate fee). J. The Judges' Training Commission is charged to prepare vaulting deductions for squats, straddles and stoops to be included in the new JO handbook.

K. Develop an "Instructor's Training Manual" ("Judges Training Commission Curriculum Guide") The WTC "Judges Training Commission" is functioning and is seeking state & regional staff to assist.

XIV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS POSITIONS Mary Ann Mahoney • A grass-roots delegate and a committee representative.

• The main concern is a balance between men's and women's delegates.

• Voting will be a popular vote by all professional members.

That Delene Darst will be nominated for consideration to this position.

MOTION - Chencinski SECOND - Dykes PASSED

Connie Maloney's name will be submitted for consideration to the nominating committee.

MOTION - Pasquale SECOND - Beran PASSED

XV. JUDGES' CERTIFICATION, INC. Darst

Delene would ask WTC that ...

Since to maintain active status, you must attend certain clinics, there has been a continued problem.

Need a list of clinicians and how many hours of credit should be given for each course/clinic, etc. Sharon Weber and the Judges Training Commission will identify the proper instructors.

That Sharon Weber (Judges Training Commission) develop a long range plan for judges training clinics/ workshops/ etc.

MOTION - L. Chencinski SECOND - Wi sen PASSED

• The Women's Technical Committee is responsible for the Training and Certification of all Women's Officials for USGF competitions. Efforts by Joint Certification, Inc. in both of these areas for USGF officials must be directed and approved by the Women's Technical Committee, the Women's Program Committee, and the Executive Director.

For the purpose of identification of judging trends, etc, that the Regional Technical Chairmen send Regional Class I judges scores to JCI for analysis. (What is the cost? Who pays? What kind of reports are generated? etc.)

MOTION - Chencinski SECOND - Dykes PASSED

• Any analysis concerning judging for USGF competition and/ or our Officials will be directed and designed by the USGF Director of Educational Services in conjunction with the Women's Technical Committee. This project will be accomplished over the next quadrennium.

XVI. WOMENS PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORT -M.Mahoney Mary Ann gave an update from the Administrative Board. The Operating Code and the Rules and Policies are at present being revised.

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:29 am MEETING RECONVENED AT 4:30 pm

Delene

A. All who give tests mustlsthave taken and passed the test.

B. Regional Test Administrators (Class I T.A.'s) C. The test must be made available at least 4 times per year.

D. All TA's must attend an administrative workshop. These will be available at Congress and the Judges Training workshop.

E. Regional administrators have been asked to submit their dates.

F. Each region has a minimum of 5 TA's for the Level 10 exams. These people have been contacted and confirmed.

G. Process of scheduling exams is being done. To take the test, YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER. there TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

will be NO WALK-ONS. H. The Provisional Course manual is being revised to include all of the levels. Provisional Judge will be considered as provisional at "Level V." I. The Manual has been printed. This is available at cost, ($5.00) and can be ordered from Sue Ammerman.

XVII. WTC CODE OF POINTS WORKSHOPS Format - General information - apparatus specs - value part credit - content- execution - value raising - bonus systems - review of ten routines.

1. KK will send each site coordinator a list of those registered and mailing labels .

2. Presenters must call the office 30 + days in advance to make air reservations.

3. Office will send - Codes, Training manuals, etc to each site.

4. Site coordinators will send out hotel information, tentative schedules, etc.

WILL CANCEL THE CALIFORNIA SITE IF THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH NUMBERS. (Regions I & II)

35

Committee Reports KK will call M. Cross with numbers and make this decision on March 15th. The office will send preliminary budget allowance to each site coordinator. (KK) XVIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Levels of ratings for judges in the new program

will correspond to the names of level of the competitors used (eg. "LevelS," "Levels 6-7," Level 9, Level 10 etc.). Elite and Brevet judges are rated at any optional level.

MOTION - Sharon Weber SECOND - Karen Wi sen PASSED

MEETING ADJOURNED 5:37 pm

Approved: (Mike JackO April, 1989 COMMENTS BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

B. CLARIFICATION - USGF recognizes only the following ratings: 10, 9, 8, 7/6, 5, Brevet, Elite, Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV .

MOTION - L. Beran

Page 1, II. Motion Linda Chencinski - While it is sometimes necessary for a committee to personally invite an individual to attend a meeting in order to assist with a special project or give input to a specific area, it is inappropriate to extend a standing invitation to an individual. It is not in keeping with the streamlining philosophy for restructuring of the USGF Board of Director's and its committees.

C. CLARIFICATION - Sharon Weber pp. 36 of R & P B. 2., e. "Expressed politeness ... good sportsmanship etc" .... Failure to do so will result in a -.5 penalty (each time).

Regarding the nominations from the committee for positions on the Board of Directors' - This process will be fully explained and defined by the By-laws committee which will be meeting in Indianapolis in June.

MOTION - Chencinski SECOND - Bowers PASSED

Women's Administrative Board Meeting Indianapolis, Indiana March 11, 1989 Region I . . .... . ............ Denise Porrazzo (absen t) Region II. ....... . .... Karen Wisen for Laurel Tindall Region III .. .. ... ..... ..... .. .... .. ... Carol Hillenburg Region IV ...... . . . . ......... .... .. ... Nancy Fischer Region V .. ... . . .... ... .. . ... . . Kathy Koeth (absent) Region VI. ...... . .. . . .. . .. .... .... . Kathy Feldmann Region VII .. .... . . ...... . ... ........ ..sue Warbutton Region VIII . ... . .... .. . ... ... . .. ..... Hoylene Noble Athlete Representative . .. . .. . .. Kelly Garrison-Steves Nat'! Admin. Board Chairman .. .. Mary Ann Mahoney Nat'l Elite Program Com. Chair. ........ Roe Kreutzer Nat' l Tech. Com. Chair ...... ... ... . ... Marilyn Cross Nat'1 J.O. Program Chair ......John Wojtczuk (Sunday) Women' s Program Administrator ... .. ... .Kathy Kelly

Meeting called to order at 9:00 am: Committee request that the USGF Coaches' Congress be scheduled for summer.

I. RESTRUCTURING OF THE WOMEN'S PRO-

GRAMA. WOMEN'S PROGRAM COMMITTEE -

Voting Members: Administrative Board Chairman Athlete Representative Elite Program Chairman J.O. Com. Chairman Technical Chairman Non-voting: FIG / WTC Vice President Program Administrator Vice President for Women 1. Meetings will be chaired by the voting members of committees on a rotational basis.

36

2. Responsibilities: Review the minutes of the sub-committee Serve in arbitration capacity Assist in goal setting and task completion Continuing evaluation of program 3. Sub-Committees: Administrative Board Elite Program Committee Junior Olympic Program Committee Technical Committee B. ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD Voting Members: Eight Regional Representatives Administrative Board Chairman Non-Voting : Program Administrator Elite Program Chairman J.o. Program Chairman Technical Chairman C. ELITE PROGRAM COMMITTEE Voting Members: Eight Regional Representatives Elite Technical Chairman Non-Voting: Program Administrator Administrative Board Chairman Elite Program Chairman J.O. Program Chairman

D. J.O. PROGRAM COMMITTEE Voting Members: Eight Regional Representatives J.O. Technical Chairman

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

Non-Voting: Program Administrator Administrative Board Chairman Elite Program Chairman J.O. Program Chairman E. TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Voting Members: Eight Regional Representatives Technical Chairman J.O. Technical Chairman Elite Technical Chairman Non-Voting: Program Administrator Administrative Board Chairman Elite Program Chairman J.O. Program Chairman Judges' Training Commission All Committee Chairman presented their review of their committees duties and responsibili ties. These will be included in the Operating Code.

II. Committee discussed problems encountered in the assignment of officials to USGF competitions. A letter will be drafted and sent to all USGF and NA WGJ Officers concerning the correct implementation of affiliation guidelines and assignment criteria.

III.

ELITE REPORT -

Roe Kreutzer gave a report of the progress of the Elite Program Committees. Roe explained the restructuring of the Elite Program Committee and the current activities, i.e. Calendar, World Championship Selection.

IV.

TECHNICAL REPORT-

Marilyn Cross gave the report from the Technical Committee. The committee is very busy with updating the Technical Journal (Supplement), Judges' Training Manual, J.O. Training Films, Clinic Curriculum.

V. CHANGES TO THE RULES AND POLICIES Section IX, 37. 9 Add: (under G) A Meet Referee or acting Meet Referee must be designated at all USGF competitions.

Page 38 Correct 1. B. to read : Chief Judge and Individual Judge assignments to specific events are the responsibility of the Meet Referee. Criteria for assignment of judges must be followed .

Page 38.1. C. DELETE "in consultation with the NA WGJ National Judging Director.

Page 38 Delete #6 and Add: 6. Ifan acting judge also serves as the Meet Referee, she will receive a Chief Judge's fee or the Meet Referee's fee but not both. NO DUAL COMPENSATION IS ALLOWED.

• Kelly reported on her work for the USGF Office Clinics.

• Kelly is working for the U.s. Olympic Festival '89 in Oklahoma. She is excited about the learning experience.

• Gymnastics is one of the first sports to sell tickets forthe Festival.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm

Meeting reconvened at 9:00 am, March 12, 1989

VII. J.O. PROGRAM John Wojtczuk gave a report from the J.O. Committee. Discussion on the New J.O. Dance Program was held. The committee requested that the Dance Program be evaluated by the Athlete's Council for recommendation.

VIII. ELECTIONS PROCEDURES Procedures for elections were discussed. A proposal was presented by Kathy Feldmann.

Recommendation that the general membership will elect all USGF Regional Officers through an"Electoral College" system within each region.

Procedure will be outlined in the Operating Code.

MOTION - Kathy Feldmann SECOND- Nancy Fisher PASSED

All National officers be elected by majority vote (one over 50% of votes cast).

MOTION - Hoylene Noble SECOND - Sue Warbutton PASSED

Elections of National Officers will be conducted at the designated meeting held in the Olympic year.

Elections are to be completed by June 1st. Each subcommittee will elect its chairman. Elections will be conducted by an election commission.

IX. WOMEN'S OPERATING CODE The committee has revised the Women's Operating Code to reflect the changes in the structure of the Women's Program.

Recommendation thatthe revisions to the Women's Operating Code as presented be accepted as revised.

MOTION - Hoylene Noble SECOND - Karen Wisen PASSED

Meeting Adjourned at 12:30 pm

Page 39. Delete 1. M. Page 40. B. 1. a. & c.1.a. DELETE "The RC, OR THE NA WGJ RJD. If all meet the criteria , then the assignment could be rotated."

VI.

Approved: (Mike JackO April, 1989

ATHLETE REPORT-

• Kelly Garrison-Steves gave a report from the Athletes Council.

• Brian Babcock is the Chairman of the Council • Kelly is on the Women's Sports Foundation TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

37

Committee Reports

Women's Junior Olympic Program Committee Conference Call AprilS, 1989 Nat'l JO Prog. Com. Chair .. ... .. ....John Wojtczuk Region I. ...... .. . .. .................. Mark Cook Region II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob Levesque Region III . ..... . ........ .. .. .. ...... .steve Snow Region IV . .. .. ............. . . ..........Tom Koll Region V...... . ............... ... Doreen Bolhuis Region VI. ......... .... . .... .. Frank DeFrancesco Region VII ............... . .... . . . .. Tony Gehman Region VIII. ...................... ..... DJ Milem Nat'! Adm. Board Chair ........ Mary Ann Mahoney Nat'! JO Technical Chair ........... Connie Maloney Nat'! Elite Prog. Chair . . .... . ...... .. .Roe Kreutzer Athlete Representative. .. . ...... .... Kathy Johnson Womens Program Adm .. .. ...... . . . .. Kathy Kelly

Note: See 5/15/89 Women's Program Committee Conference call below for amendment to Maloney's motion.

Call commenced at 2:00pm.

I. John reviewed the recent action of the committee (by phone vote) on the Level 6 Dismount on Bars and the qualification score for Class mc to Level 8 in the New Program.

The uneven bar dismount for Level 6 will be a flyaway Tucked or Layout.

Class III compulsory gymnast achieving a score of 35.00 AA may enter the new program at Level 8.

II. John apprised the committee of the concerns expressed throughout the community regarding the Dance Program. Each member of the committee expressed their regions viewpoints.

Mary Ann explained that the Womens Administrative Board, by request of the Nat'! JO Program Committee, requested the Athlete Council to review the Dance Program and make recommodations.

Kathy Johnson presented the Athletes' Councils' recommendation- (see attached) It was a consensus of opinion that the Dance Program is both necessary and appropriate. Concern was expressed from all regarding the difficulty of the Program.

Recommendation that for the 1989-90 season, all gymnasts participating in the new program at Level I through IV MUST show proficiency at Levels I & III Dance BEFORE entry into LevelS. And, that all gymnasts participating in the new program at LevelS, 6 & 7 MUST show proficiency at Levels I, III & IV Dance before entry into Level 8.

MOTION - Connie Maloney SECOND - Doreen Bolhuis PASSED NOTE: See amended motion 6/3/89 on page 43 The committee, in order to be totally familiar with the dance program, will be sent Level I through IV Dance Video. A phone vote on the above motion will be conducted by Wednesday, April 12.

John thanked the committee and the Athletes' Council for their efforts.

Women's Program Committee Conference Call May 15, 1989 National Administrative Board .. Mary Ann Mahoney National Elite Program Chair .......... Roe Kreutzer National J.O. Program Chairman . . ... John Wojtczuk National Technical Chairman .........Marilyn Cross Athletes Representative . ........... .Kathy Johnson Guest: Compulsory Chairman ....... Linda Chencinski Non Voting: Women's Program Administrator .. .. Kathy Kelly FIG/WIC. ............... .. . .........Jackie Fie Vice President. ........ .. ...... Sue Ammerman

program for the Junior Olympic Compulsory Workshops was held.

Recommendation that for the 1989-90 season, all gymnasts participating in the new program at Level I-IV MUST show proficiency at Levels I and III Dance BEFORE entry into LevelS. And that all gymnasts participating in the new program at Levels 5, 6, & 7 MUST show proficiency at Levels I, II, III and IV BEFORE entry into Level 8.

MOTION - John Wojtczuk SECOND - Mary Ann Mahoney PASSED

The purpose of the call was to approve the minutes of the Women's Program Sub-committees.

The committee was asked to consider the proposal by the Women's Administrative Board meeting March 11, 1989 concerning the restructuring of the WPC and its sub-committees. A conference call will be held June 7, 1989 at 8:00 pm (Indianapolis time) for presentation at the USGF Board of Directors Meeting.

Discussion concerning the impementation of the Dance

Call completed 11 :30 pm.

Call commenced at 8:00 pm.

38

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

Men's Program Committee Minutes Conference Call March 21, 1989 Members Present: Bill Meade, Chairman . . .. .sr. Coaches Representative Greg Buwick ....... .... . .sr. Coaches Representative Jim Howard . . . . . . .. .. ... . ... Vice President for Men Dave Mickelson ...... . . . . .. .. NCAA Representative John Burkel. . .. .......... . . . .. NGJA Representative Ed Burch . ..... ... ... .Junior Coaches Representative Mas Watanabe . . ... . . ... Mens Technical Coordinator (Voice, no vote) Robert Cowan . . .. ..... Mens Program Administrator, Sec./MPC, (Voice, no vote) Members Absent: Bill Roetsheim . .... .. ... .. .. . ... FIG / MTC member (New Zealand judging course) Jim Hartung . ... . . . . . . .Athletes Advisory Coun. Rep. (Moscow News) Yoichi Tomita .. . .... . . .. . .... Junior Training Camp

Team starting with Mike Farina.

MOTION - Greg Buwick SECOND - Bill Meade PASSED - Unanimously

3. Australian Gym Meet - June 19-26 - Request 3 gymnasts, 1 coach, 1 judge.

Motion to decline the event due to close prox imity to US National Championships.

MOTION - Bill Meade SECOND - Dave Mickelson PASSED - Unanimously

4. Moncado Cup - May 3D-June? (Date not exact) - 1 gymnast, 1 coach, 1 judge requested. Also dealt with Grand Prix Rome at same time June 11-16 - same as Moncado Cup. Motion that Conrad Voorsanger be assigned to Moncado with Jeff Dow as alternate for Moncado Cup and Mark McKiernan with Jeff Dow as alternate for Grand Prix Rome.

The call was put up at 1D pm EST. Mr. Meade opened the meeting with an explanation of the agenda.

MOTION - Jim Howard SECOND - Greg Buwick PASSED - Unanimously

I. WESTERN REGIONAL QUALIFYING MEET -

Robert Cowan explained that Stanford had declined to host the Western Regional due to a scheduling conflict with the university facilities. San Jose State had offered to host it. Cowan had contacted many ofthe West Coast schools to get their opinion. Those contacted agreed to support San Jose.

Motion to move the Western Regional Senior Qualifying Meet of May 20-21 at San Jose State.

MOTION - Greg Buwick SECOND - Jim Howard PASSED - Unanimously

II. ATHLETE ASSIGNMENTS -

Robert Cowan explained that there were two areas to be covered: a. Additional athletes for World Sports Fair since many had declined. b. Meets which needed assignment before NCAA's due to time schedule and visa applications.

1. World Sports Fair-May4-11-Currently only Lance Ringnald and Tim Ryan are going.

Motion to follow rank order on Senior Team starting with Emilio Marrero until two slots are filled.

III.

NEW BUSINESS-

Robert Cowan gave report on FIG Mens Technical Committee meeting in Tampa. a. USA gets Superior Judging Assistant on Parallel Bars at 1989 World Championships. Must be tested on knowledge of symbols and difficulty. b. USA American Cup put on schedule for World Cup. Also new event to be created in Toronto to give two North American events. c. FIG will create international ranking system for

judges.

Motion for adjournment MOTION - Jim Howard SECOND - Dave Mickelson PASSED - Unanimously

The call adjourned at 10:39 EST Signed: (Robert Cowan) March 22 , 1989 Approved: (Mike Jacki) April, 1989

MOTION - Jim Howard SECOND - Bill Meade PASED - Unanimously

2. China Cup - April 25-May 1 - During Soviet Dual Meet... they request 2 athletes, 1 coach, 1 judge.

Motion that the next two ranked gymnasts to China Cup from Senior Elite Development TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

39

G mmittee 'Reports

Men's Program Committee NCAA Meeting Lincoln, Nebraska April 16, 1989 Voting Members: Chairman, Elite Coaches Rep ............ Bill Meade Vice-President for Men . . ... .. . .. . .....Jim Howard NGJA Representative........ ..... .... John Burkel Elite Coaches Representative ..... . .... Greg Buwick NCAA Representative . . ... ... . ... .Dave Mickelson Athlete's Advisory Council Rep ....... .Jim Hartung Non-Voting: USGF Technical Coordinato ... .. . .. . Mas Watanabe Men's Program Administrator ....... Robert Cowan (Secretary) Absent Members: FIG/MTC Representa tive . . ....... . . Bill Roetzheim Junior Coaches Representative .... . .. ... .. Ed Burch Junior Coaches Representative . ... . .. Yoichi Tomita Guests: President, NGJA. .. . ........... ...... Harry Bjerke Chairman, Athlete's Advisory Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Babcock

In deference to Mr. Bjerke's flight schedule, a special presentation was allowed by Harry Bjerke. This presentation was in response to an MPC request for a judges evaluation and ranking system. Harry presented a well organized and efficient means of ranking and evaluating the judges in the various regions. The process includes an evaluation panel of coaches and judges per region with the addition of Bill Roetzheim (17 persons total). Discussion followed from the MPC members as to why this was wanted. Two main reasons : A. USGF meet official selection -

"Why judges

corne to the top."

B. Long term identification for major designations.

The concensus of the MPC was that this is a good effort and well organized. Greg Buwick requested that the coaches select the coaches representatives to the evaluation panel. A process is being started on Monday, April 17 to select the coaches and Jim Howard will contact Harry Bjerke with the names.

II. APPROVAL OF PAST MINUTES Motion that, a. December 4 Minutes, approve as written. b. February 28 Minutes, approve as corrected.

MOTION - Dave Mickelson SECOND - Greg Buwick PASSED - Unanimously

III.

COMMITTEE REPORTS -

A. FIG REPORT - Robert Cowan spoke about Bill

Roetzheim's continental courses in New Zealand and the Phillipines.

B. JUNIOR COACHES REPORT-Greg Buwick asked about the JOPC meeting in JanuaryCowan and Mas Watanabe explained or further amplified the work done there. Further, it was 40

reaffirmed by Jim Howard, Greg Buwick and Bill Meade that all work of the JOPC must be approved by the MPC. Specifically, the MPC had never received the proposal created by Hideo Mizoguchi to change the skills testing program.

Robert Cowan asserted that this would be done in the future. Material from Mas Watanabe and Mizoguchi will be mailed to MPC and JOPC concurrently.

C. ELITE COACHES REPORT - Greg Buwick.

NO REPORT. D. VICE-PRESIDENT FOR MEN - Jim Howard said there would be an executive committee meeting this next week and under New Business he would outline the agenda.

E. NCAA - Dave Mickelson. Rules committee will meet May 3D-June 2, agenda items should be for warded to Dave.

F. NGJA - John Burkel said that the;y had been busy with the Judges Identification process. Also the new Rule Book is needed badly. The NGJA has requested the USGF to provide them with copies of the USA / USSR dual meet video from Columbus. This will be done.

Still having a problem with interpretation of rules. Gave some good examples.

G. MEN'S PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR Robert Cowan stated that on Monday April 17, there would be a JOPC conference call to review the qualifying scores ofJO Nationals. The judges are being very strict, as requested, and few people are meeting the qualifying score. Rather than allow the coaches to pressure the judges to give higher, unwarranted scores, the JOPC is considering lowering the score. Also, there will be one judge at World Championships in Stuttgart from the USA due to our 11 th place finish in Seoul. If the USA had finished in the top 10, we would ha ve had two judges. Also, we will get a Superior Judges' Assistant for the first time. The event is Parallel Bars.

H. ATHLETES ADVISORY COUNCIL - Jim Hartung reported on a grievance received from Lance Ringnald regarding the team '92 Program.

Also spoke about the Athlete's meeting in Indianapolis and the "Code of Conduct" statement and Coaches Incentive Program input from the AAC. IV. ATHLETE'S RESPONSIBILITY -NON-COMPLIANCE COACHES RESPONSIBILITY - NON-COMPLIANCE Bill Meade spoke to the issues which occurred during the Moscow-Leningrad meet.

A. Problem with two athlete's conduct.

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

B. Problem with Delegation Leader.

He also outlined the manner in which the incidents were dealt with by the USGF and the Athlete's Advisory Council. The problem was handled by conference call and depositions of all adults involved. Result was the two athletes were removed from the USA-USSR meet and each has been counseled by Bill Meade. Jim Howard spoke about his concern about USGF policy of Delegation Leader selection.

V. USA-USSR MEET REVIEW Bill Meade addressed that originally we had invited the National Team of 12. Then through a conference call, we added the three unranked athletes. Then Charles Lakes did not accept assignment, then Davis got hurt, then Marrero asked to be excused due to school, then Suter and Dimas were removed. Minicucci is only doing compulsories due to shoulder injury. Schlesinger is undecided at this point. Probably we will have 10 athletes. (Patrick Kirksey, Mark McKiernan, Lance Ringnald, Conrad Voorsanger, Tim Ryan, Jeff Dow, Dominick Minicucci, Mark Warbutton, Scott Burr, and TomSchlesinger. Meade went over the schedule. Compulsory meet - Friday night. Optional meet - Sunday afternoon. Top 7 after compulsories will advance to Optionals.

VI.

OLYMPIC FESTIVAL REVIEW -

Greg Buwick gave a short report on the Festival preparations. The event will be in the Myriad Center in Oklahoma City, which seats 14,000. Also, the Olympic Festival committee has raised 8.5 million without ticket sales at this point. The schedule calls for the senior athletes and the World Championships staff and Robert Cowan explained that Allison Melangton had been working directly with the Olympic Committee in regard to the housing and food for early arrival. The USGF Men's budget will pay for those not directly associated with the Festival. The remainder of the Olympic Festival group arrive on July 23. The compulsory intersquad is the day before the Festival Allaround and Team competition will take place in the University of Oklahoma gymnastics complex (Sam Viersen Center).

The agenda was amended at this point due to the necessanJ departure of some of the committee.

X. NEW BUSINESS A. World Championships selection procedureduring a meeting of the Elite Coaches Association, it was requested that the selection procedure be reviewed. This was done and the feeling was that while there are variances in interpretation, the procedure is as equitable as can be written and no changes were made.

More New Business was conducted later.

VII. SUMMER TRAINING REVIEW Robert Cowan outlined the two possibilities with Colorado Springs and Indianapolis. He gave a forecast of the financial cost for each site. There was a discussion at this point about numbers, dates etc. Also the personal coach involvement. There will actually be two summer camps for the National Team. The first is July 15 until the Festival starts. The second, which also includes the Senior Development Team is from August 5 to August 27 or until school starts for the appropriate coach or athlete. Further, it was clarified that this is a mandatory camp. no excuses. "Acts of God" will be

TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

considered.

VIII. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM SELECTION IN ANNAPOLIS The group will arrive on September 27, train on September 28. Compete compulsories on September 29 and optionals on September 30. Depart on October 1 for Stuttgart. There was a lot of discussion at this point about the one judge and the Superior Judge's Assistant.

Also, an additional two judges, plus Bill Roetzheim should be a part of the selection process. There was further discussion about the time commitment for the World Championships judge. Mas Watanabe wants the judge with the group the entire time. Also, Jim Howard expressed concern about the food and lodging situation at Annapolis.

Jack Rockwell is the Men's Team Trainer for the entire period of September 27 until October 24. This is by his own request. He is contacting Katherine Hickey for the women.

X. ATHLETE ASSIGNMENTS China Cup - Due to injury, Jarod Hanks has been removed from the China Cup. He will be replaced by Jason Brown.

Golden Sands - May 26. Tim Ryan, Dominick Minicucci - Coach: Hamada.

Moncado Cup - May 30 - June 7 - Jeff Dow and Tom Dunn with Brad Manard as Judge.

X. NEW BUSINESS (continued) B. JAROD HANKS PETITION Petition for Jarod Hanks to USA Championships from Greg Buwick. Jarod has had surgery, should be ready. Gave very good documentation of Jarod' s accomplishments to date. Jim Howard made a statement, that we must remember that any petitions accepted would replace qualified athletes. If we take Jarod' s petition, would only leave 47 athletes.

Motion that petition for Jarod Hank's be accepted.

MOTION - Jim Howard SECOND - Jim Hartung PASSED - unanimously

c.

PATRICK KIRKSEY PETITION Discussion about Patrick Kirksey petition - Jim Howard outlined a family problem with Kirksey which occurs on Regionals week-end . Wanted to apprise committee that petition will be forthcoming from Athlete's Council. Also, at this point, Robert Cowan outlined that all petitions for Championships must be in his hands by Monday, May 22.

D. EXECUTIVE COMMITIEE AGENDA Jim Howard explained that the agenda will deal with the following: 1. Coaches Incentive Money 2. Team '92 program 3. USOC Athlete Subsistance Program 4. Steinbrenner Commission Report specifically "Medal Statement" 5. Indianapolis Training Center 6. USGF Budget forecast 7. '91 World Championships Report 8. NCAA Collegiate support programs Jim stated that he would be chairing a Task Force to look into the USGF involvement in the NCAA program. Further, the following is MPC busi41

Gemmittee Reports ness, which he as Vice-President for men must announce: 1. MPC is to create criteria for Vice-President for Men Election. Outline who is eligible.

2. Concern about Butch Zunich judging a tTrials, Championships, etc. where U. of Illinois athletes are competing. John Burkel stated this has been addressed.

3. Wants rationale statementfrom Greg Buwick, Mas Watanabe and Robert Cowan about why Senior Development age was raised, why National Team number was reduced and why Championships of the USA participants was reduced . Also stated that perhaps a statement in the general information concerning Region als and Championships about the 9 part exercise versus the 12 part exercise should be made. A great deal of discussion followed .

Motion - Add requirement of 12 part exercise under general meet information effective this regional.

MOTION - Jim Howard SECOND - Bill Meade PASSED - 1 abstention

E. Mr. Meade recognized Brian Babcock as Chairman of the Athlete's Advisory Council.

F. Greg Buwick spoke about competitive gap be-

tween Junior and Senior program. Feels it is getting bigger. With change in Senior Development age, smaller National Team and less numbers at Championships, it is discouraging to Junior coaches and college coaches of freshman athletes to train elite compulsories.

Greg has a proposal which would eliminate the present bottom four slots (under 18) of the Senior Development Team effective 1990. In place of this, he would create a new division of qualifiers (24 athletes) who qualify from Regionals (60-40) if they are under the age of 19. They would have a separate competition at USA Championships.

This would put 72 athletes total in USA's. .Also, if an athlete qualified in the top 48 and was under 19, he would have the option of going into either program. This second division would be the Junior Elite Division. The top 8 after compulsories and optionals (60-40) would be the Junior Elite Team.

This would mean 12 Senior National Team, 6 Senior Development Team and 8 Junior Elite Team. Jim Howard requested Greg to write this up in a formal proposal and send to USECA for consideration at 1989 USA Championships.

Motion - to Adjourn the meeting.

MOTION - Jim Howard SECOND - Greg Buwick PASSED - unanimously

Signed: Robert Cowan Men' s Program Administrator, Secretary for MPC

Approved: (Mike Jacki, Bill Meade) April 19, 1989

Women's Program Committee Meeting Indianapolis, Indiana March 12, 1989 National Administrative Board .. Mary Ann Mahoney National Elite Program Chair ....... . . .Roe Kreutzer National J.O. Program Chairman . .... John Wojtczuk National Technical Chairman .........Marilyn Cross Guest: USGF Executive Director. .... . ....... Mike Jacki Voting members not present: Athletes Representative .. ... . ... . Kathy Johnson Non Voting: Women's Progra m Administrator . . .. Kathy Kelly Non Voting Members not present: FlG / Wrc. ............ . .. ........ ... .Jackie Fie Vice President .. ... . ...... . .... Sue Ammerman

Mr. Jacki met with the above members of the Women's Program Committee to establish the duties and responsibilities, administrative aspects, and procedures of the Women's Program Committee.

42

Recommendation that the Level 6 Bar Dismount in the New J.D. Program either be a Tuck Flyaway or a Layout Flyaway.

MOTION - M. Mahoney SECOND - Marilyn Cross PASSED

The entire committee will approve Technical and Administrative Board Minutes and the Conference Call Minutes from Elite and J.a. Programs. These will be mailed as soon as possible.

Meeting Adjourned at 4:00 pm Approved: (Mike JackO April, 1989

April-June 1989 TECHNIQUE

Women's Junior Olympic Program Committee Amended Rutgers, N.J. June 3, 1989

I.

AGE DIVISIONS Recommendation that the Age Division for Level 6 through Level 10 be: 9-11,12-14, and 15 and older MOTION - Mark Cook SECOND - D.J. Milen PASSED Recommendation that LevelS Age Division will be:

8-11 and 12 and over (achievement awards) MOTION - Steve Snow SECOND - Bob Levesque PASSED

II. PHILOSOPHY OF DANCE PROGRAM To introduce our age group gymnasts, coaches and judges to proper body alignment through dance training.

Recommendation that the Dance Requirement for the quadrennium will be as follows: In '89-'90 season, • Levels I-IV gymnasts must pass Dance Level I & III before entry into LevelS (intergym) • Levels 5,6,7 gymnasts must pass Dance I & III before entry into Level 8.

For '90-'91 season, • Level I-IV gymnasts must pass Dance Level I & III before entry into LevelS • Levels 5, 6, 7 gymnasts must pass Dance Levels II & IV before entry into next Level.

For '91-'92 season, • Level I-IV gymnasts must pass Dance Level I & III before entry into LevelS • Level 5 gymnasts must pass Dance Levels II & IV before entry into next Level.

• Levels 6 & 7 gymnasts must pass LevelS Dance before entry into into Level 8.

A. You may have a dual Dance qualification B. You may hold a dance qualification in conjunction with a gymnastics competition.

MOTION - Frank DeFrancesco SECOND - Steve Snow PASSED

III. OTHER BUSINESS All equipment should accommodate the size of the gymnasts.

Each State may hold a Level 8 closed Division with difficulty requirements as follows: 6 A's 3 B's 1 C (Value Raised) No credit for Natural C's No salto vaults MOTION - Steve Snow SECOND - D. J. Milem PASSED

Recommendation that all Age Divisions of the Level 10 be required to compete full compulsory routines.

MOTION - Steve Snow SECOND - Bob Levesque PASSED Meeting Adjourned at 11 :00 pm Approved- Mike Jacki 6/6/89

MOTION - Tony Gehman SECOND - Mark Cook PASSED

Recommendation that for the '90-'91 season, Level 5,6,7 gymnasts must be judged on Dance Levels at II & IV. Dance proficiency (passlfail) must be certified by judges at a sanctioned event, i.e.

TECHNIQUE April-June 1989

43

Non·Protit Ol9anization u.s. Postage

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