Technique Magazine - July-September 1991

u.s. Gymnastics The Official Technical Publication Of The United States Gymnastics Federation

How to Deal with Problem Gymnasts The Scoring Explosion Interviewing, Part II 1991 USGF Congress 1991 World Championships Reports & Minutes

, 1991 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS Cincinnati, Ohio

IUSGF VIDEO-'IA.PEs l Women's Tapes

Men'sTapes

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L July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Inside This Issue

April 1991, Volume 11, No.2

Publisher Mike Jacki Director of Educational Services 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; Wendy Hilliard, vice chair; LindaKardos-Bamett, sec; Kelly Garrison; Tim Daggett; Jim Hartung; Michelle Dusserre; Karyn Lyon; Peter Vidmar, USOC Athletic Advisory Council; Amateur Athletic Union: Julie Sickels; American Sokol Organization: Jerry Milan; American Turners: Bruno Klaus; Junior Boys Gymnastics Coaches Association: Bill Foster; Men's Elite Coaches Association: Fred Roethlisberger; National Association for Girls f d Women in Sports: Dr. Mimi Murray; National Assoation of ColleSlate Gymnastics Men: Abie Grossfeld; iational ASSOCiation of Collegiate Gymnastics Women: Gail Davis; National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judlles: Yvonne Hodge; National Collegiate Athletic Asso· ciatIon: Cheryl Levick, Dave Mickelson; National Federation of State High SchoolAssociations:Sharon Wikh,Susan True; National Gymnastics Judges Association: Harry Bjerke; National High School Gymnastics Coaches Association: John Brinkworth; National Jewish Welfare Board: Courtney Shanken; Rhythmic Coaches Association: Suzie DiTullio; Special Olympics, Inc.: Kate Faber; U.s. Association of Independent Gym Club: Lance Crowley; U.S. Elite Coaches Association for Women: Mary Wright, Chere Hoffman; U.S. Sports Acrobatics Federahon: Joe Schabacker; Young Men's Christian Association: Rick Dodson; USGF National Membership Representatives: Men's: Dave Strobel, Bob Wuornos; Women's: Joan Moore Rice, Jeff Metzger; Rhythmic: Marina Davidovich, Jolie Barretta.

United States Gymnastics Federation Executive Committee President: Mike Donahue; Secretary: MikeMilidonis; Vice President~Women: Sue Ammerman; Vice President·Men: Jim Howard; Vice President·Rhythmic: Norma Zabka; Ex· ecutive Director: Mike Jack i; FIG Women'sTechnical Committee: Jackie Fie; FIG Rhythmic TechnicalCommit· tee: Andrea Schmid; FIG Men's Technical Committee: Bill Roetzheim; Members-At-Large: Roe Kreutzer; Nancy Marshall; Athlete Representatives: Linda Kardos Barnett, Peter Vidmar, Brian Babcock, Wendy Hilliard; President Emeritus: Bud Wilkinson.

Sport Psychology How to Deal with Problem Gymnasts ................................ .4 Technical Handspring and SaIto Forward Tucked Vault .................... 6 Men's Technical 1992 Compulsory Skill Analysis ............................................ 9 Men's Judging Problems with the Scoring Explosion ................................. 12

page 7

Business Interviewing Part II: the Specifics ....................................... 15 International Report FIG Symposium Report ........................................................ 17 Coaches Education USGF Professional Development Program ....................... 24 USGF Congress and World Championships 1991 USGFCongress Update ............................................... 27 USGF Congress Schedule Update ................................ .. ..... 28 World Championships Update ........................................... 29 Club 91 Update .. .................................................................... 30 Ticket Order Form ..... ......................................................... .. . 31 Who's Who .. .. ............ ............................................................. 32

page 9

Information Immigration Act of 1990 ....................................................... 33 Minutes & Reports USGF Boy's Coaches Survey Results .................................. 35 RSG minutes ..... ... ................ .. ..~.............................................. 36 MPC, 4/17 /91 ........................................................................ 37 JOPC Men, 5/6/91 .................................. ............................ .. 38 MPC, 5/21/91 ............................................................ ............ 39 JOPC Women, 5/10,12-13/91 .. ................................ .......... .41 WPC Ad. Board, 6/1-2/91 ................ .. ................................. 44 WEPC, 6/16/91 ............................. .. ...... .. ..... .................... ..... 45 USGF Safety Certification Course Schedule ...... .. ............. .48

1991-USGF CONGRESS page 27

Associate Content Editors SPORTS SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Marlene Ad rian, Ph.D. Gerald S. George, Ph.D. Patty Ha cker, Ph.D. Merrill A. Ritter, M.D. William Sands, Ph.D. Stephen W. Whitlock

TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

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3

INDIANAPOLIS, SEPTEMBER 6-15

page 29

Sports Psychology

How to Deal With Problem Gymnasts Dr. Kevin Elko Therapist at Staunton Psychiatric Clinic in Sewickley, Pa.

All of the athletes that walk into your gym are very motivated.

n my previous life as a coach, I can remember nothing more challenging than handling the "problem athlete." I can recall the displays of, "Notice me, I'll do as I please," "you like her better than me," ''Why are you picking on me," to name a few. After these displays I frequently recited one word: why? Why would an athlete behave this way?

The problem would oftentimes escalate because I had no skills to handle the problem athletes or the situation. A quote comes to mind: "if the only tool you have is a hammer, then every problem looks like a nail." I would often address the problem with this: "it is my way or the highway." However, every problem is not a nail. Nor can every problem athlete be told to hit the pavement. Young athletes behave for a variety of reasons. When I treated every situation identically because I did not have different "tools" with which to respond, the athlete was oftentimes lost. In addition, I was playing the game just the way that the athlete wanted, without even realizing my participation.

Coaches presently come to me with every imaginable tale of a gymnast's behavior then immediately ask the same age-old question-why? This article will not give you coaches the answer to all the problems you face with athletes, but it attempts to address that particular question and to supply the coach with some "tools" for his or her "toolkit" so that the coach can respond differently.

I

Why They Do What They Do Whenever a gymnast behaves in a manner that is disturbing, a coach must realize that this behavior is done for a purpose. The gymnast didn't just"do it."

A purpose lies behind all behavior; the purpose is sometimes called a game. When the gymnasts exhibit this behavior, he or she is inviting the coach or someone around the gymnast to come play. Unfortunately, the misbehaving athlete usually gets a participant. But by participating, the coach is feeding into the game-playing and, therefore, making the likelihood of it occurring in the future much greater. The coach must realize that bad behavior, like a fire, will die if it is not fed, and whatever is fed will grow.

The problem, however, is that these games are often (although not always) learned at home with family members. This makes it very difficult to extinguish this behavior because someone else is reinforcing it.

One must then come to a point that he or she controls what they can. In other words, you can send the message to the gymnast that they can play their game with others but it will not work here. This message must be sent with actions more than words and with consistency.

4

Games Gymnasts Play Notice Me Some of the gymnasts you work with may have a high need for attention. And if they are not constantly getting positive attention (which is not possible), they vie for negative attention. An example of attention-getting behavior is that which young children exhibit as soon as the mother picks up the telephone. Unless you are as accurate throwing a shoe as my mom was, it is very difficult to then have conversation. The same is true if a coach is trying to conduct practice.

The attention getting behavior can be displayed in many ways: dressing inappropriately for practice, clowning, or talking when the instructor is teaching, to name a few. It can go as far as crazy shaved-head hairdos and clothing worn backwards.

It can be amazing how creative and sophisticated some young people can be at getting attention.

The easiest way to determine why the gymnast is doing what he or she is doing is to check how you feel. If the game is Notice Me, you will feel annoyed.

The constant energy needed to feed into a gymnast' attention-thirsty actions is similar to the feeling that you get when a fly is constantly flying around your head and then escapes your swats.

What we frequently do in response to this attention-getting behavior is to coax or remind the gymnast. Although the coach frequently has no other options, this is exactly what the gymnasts want the coach to do. Thus the game is complete.

I'm The One In Charge Another issue with the problem gymnasts is a need for power. These gymnasts find their place by having control over "as much that is crazily possible." Often a gymnast will start talking negative about a coach or a few chosen teammates and obtains a small following. Therefore, such athletes almost become the team "Buddah." Others openly defy a coach on an issue just to defy. If the coach says "right," they say it should be left and vice versa.

If the gymnast is trying to obtain fower, you will feel angry. You will have a feeling 0 how dare they try to pull that on me. You will sense their need to be right and the gymnast's condition of being "power drunk."

You may then try to meet their power with power. You may set up a power struggle in which the gymnast most of the time loses. The gymnast will then comply with just enough to get by but not to the full expecta tion of the coach. You will then feel a sense of the gymnast not giving their all.

Go Ahead Make My Day In this game the gymnast is actually trying to July-September 1991 TECHNIQUE

hurt the superior, who in this case is the coach. frequently effective tool here is that of the broken Without being aware of it, the coach has hurt the ego record. You communicate, in a calm and controlled of the gymnast. This hurt may have occurred when voice, what is 'expected of the athlete. When the the gymnast invited the coach into the power struggle athlete bids for you to get involved with a power and lost. Or it may have been in a comment in which struggle you repeat the phrase again, remaining w one acknowledged any hurt. Some gymnasts calm. This procedure may repeat itself a couple of walk around in what is called the "hurt child," in times before the athlete withdraws. You will feel which it is almost impossible to not hurt their feel- yourself compelled to enter the struggle but rememings, everything that you say is taken personally. ber that is what the problem athlete wants.

(There are some adults who act this way, for that 路 Similarly, when an athlete makes an attempt to matter.) hurt, you must refuse to feel hurt. This step takes a The goal of this game is to make you feel hurt; lot of personal reminding as to what the game is that is, you hurt me and now it is my turn. The credo about. It will be beneficial to attempt to build a here is, "They drew first blood sir," The way that relationship with the athlete based on trust as opyou know that the gymnast is playing this game is posed to retailing the hurt. that you feel hurt.

Finally, when the athlete is displaying that he or Here we usually respond with a phrase similar she is inadequate, you must avoid pampering. You to, "and I like you," or "with all the time I spend with must also fight the urge to give up. Instead, encouryou, how could you?" Therefore, letting them know age the athlete and focus on effort instead of outthat the game has officially begun. come. Try to recognize their assets and verbalize them. Most of all, make the athlete responsible for Charlie Brown "their plight."

The final game is one in which the gymnast lets you know that they are not really worth much. The problem gymnast acts as if he or she is not as good The tenets of this article are similar to the STEP as the other gymnasts and presents concrete evidence to convince you. They are so good at convinc- program developed for parents by Don Dinkmeyer ing you that you hope that when they grow up and and Gary D. McKay (1990). The ideas that help if they become an attorney, they will represent you, someone to develop into a good parent, teacher, or they will convince any jury. They argue well for coach are all similar: making people take responsitheir limitations. bility, teaching the discipline, showing them the You know that they are playing Charlie Brown if natural consequences of their behavior and helping you feel like giving up and just agreeing with them. them make effective choices. To do this task we need When they say to you that they are not any good at a high level of awareness of the individual and the \Vhat they do, in the back of your mind, you are situation . .;aying,"Yes, you are right; you're not." PsycholoFinally, you may think that some of the gymnasts gists call this one the "discouraged child" because that you work with are not motivated. This is not true. All the athletes that walk into your gym are he or she discourages you.

Often we try to praise this gymnast when they do very motivated. It is just they have made a choice at something correctly, but we eventually get worn being motivated at something different than what down or discouraged. That which the problem you aspire for them. For example, a coach came to athlete has set out to convince you, he or she has me and said how a gymnast entered his gym exdone successfully. This further reinforces or feeds tremely quiet three years ago and that now he is their conviction. Thus the circle goes around. loud and obnoxious. The gymnast is motivated at the role that he plays and the need for power (and by the way he is quite good at it, he could make the nationals in coach crazy-making). This skill took The first area that you should consider is that of time and a lot of practice. He finally found someboundaries. You must send a clear message to the thing that he is good at? Therefore the coach feels gymnast that this is the behavior that he or she can that he has two options: (1) tolerate the obnoxiousget away with and this is what they can't. It is ness, or (2) ask the boy to leave the gym. There is, important that this message is consistent and however, a third option, and that is not to tie into the unwavering. Probably every gymnast that you work game, to take away the payoff, no longer feed the with knows exactly what their boundaries are with fire. The gymnast will then have to change or find you. another arena for his or her behavior (which means You must also get a feel for what gymnasts like I may be writing this article for a soccer magazine in to participate in what games. Then from a behav- a few years). We as coaches need to realize that there ioral standpoint you must refuse to play the game. are options to these behaviors.

For example, if the game is Notice Me, you must, when possible, not notice them. You should make an attempt to not notice the athlete. you should notice the athlete when they are not calling for Dinkmeyer, D & McKay, G. Parenting Teenagers. Ameriattention. can Guidance Service, Circle Pines, Minnesota The concept remains true for the power-drunk (1990) . .tthlete. However, this plan is not as easy to execute.

You do not want to get involved with the power struggle or to give in: This stance requires tact. A

A purpose lies behind all behavior; the purpose is sometimes called a game.

Conclusions

Al terna ti ves for the Coach

References

TECHNIQUE July-September 1991

5

Probably every gymnast that you work with knows exactly what their boundaries are with you

Technical

Handspring and Salta Forward Tucked Vault involved in initiating counter rotation during contact with the horse is difficult and requires a great Yoskiaki Takei, Ph. D. Unlike other Olympic events in gymnastics, deal of timing and control. Second, the introducNorthern Illinois vaulting is unique in that evaluation is based on a tion of the Reuther takeoff board (with its springy University single skill performed, whereas in other events it is quality or high coefficient of restitution) at the time based on the outcome of performances of multiple of the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Austraskills (nearly ten different skills of various degrees lia, markedly increased the difficulty the gymnast of difficulty) in a routine. Furthermore, in case of experiences in reversing the forward rotation of loss of balance or control in the middle of a routine, the body in preflight by the application of blocking the mistake can be covered up by quickly modify- while on the horse. ing the remainder of the routine and presenting it The vaults most commonly performed in nain the most positive tional and international competitions today are I .

I manner for maximal variations of the Tsukahara and round-off, flic flac I- ! - I - I - - - - - - - -I I I I p(l ~:r"gh l performance. How- entry vaults for women and the Tsukahara and Contact I ConlaCI I I I I I ever, routine cover-up front handspring entry vaults for men - all of which I I I I I I I I is nearly impossible in are vaults of the continuous rotation category.

I I I I vaulting due to the Among these variations is the handspring and I I I I I I rapid and explosive salto (somersault) forward tucked vault (Figure 1).

I I I nature of a single skill In women's competition, this vault has been upII ~\ II completed in ap- graded from 9.8 (FIG, 1985) to 9.9 points (FIG, 1989) : i ooooooro~ proximately 1.5 sec- in recognition of its difficulty. The upgrading of onds of time from the base score greatly enhanced the usage of this takeoff to landing. vault or its variations as one of the two vaults Board contact, pre- required in the final competition for the event. I flight, and horse con- view of training progression and safety, the handtact typically take spring and saIto forward vault is the foundation I I slightly less than 0.2 for learning the more advanced vaults frequently second, while the post- seen today. Once this vault is mastered, more flight takes between 0.8 and 1.0 second. Therefore, complex vaults can be learned more safely and Figure 1. Selected posia mistake made during the board contact or pre- efficiently. This is one of the reasons why the vault tions and the trajectory up during the was chosen as the men's compulsory vault in major flight phases can not be covered of the CG of a subject performing a hand- remainder of the vault. In fact, errors made during competitions for the 1985-88.olympic period.

The ultimate measure of a gymnast's execution spring and saIto for- the above two phases may result in additional and landmistakes during horse contact, postflight, of a vault is the number of points awarded for the ward tucked vault. ing phases. Thus, the initial mistake is compounded performance. This number is determined by the during the course of the vault, resulting in serious average of the two middle scores awarded by the consequences. For this reason, the gymnast should four judges. According to the Code of Points of the proceed with great caution and not take the event Federation of International Gymnastics (1989), the lightly during the daily training. evaluation of a horse vault is categorized into five Gymnastics vaults may be classified into two general areas: (a) a base score designated for the categories (Kaneko, 1974, 1977): (a) the continuous vault, (b) preflight, (c) postflight, (d) the execution rotation vaults, in which the rotation of the body during the vault, and (e) possible bonus points for about the gymnast's transverse (or somersault) display of originality and / or virtuosity. axis is in the same forward direction throughout, The factors to consider in analyzing a vault are, and (b) the counter-rotation vaults, in which the first,linear motion of the gymnast in phases (b), (c), direction of rotation of the body about the trans- and (d) above, reflected in the path followed by the verse axis is reversed during the contact with the gymnast's CG, and second, angular motion of the horse. The handspring, Yamashita, handspring gymnast is phases (b), (c), and (d) above, reflected salto forward, Tsukahara, and their variations are in the angular distances through which the gymexamples of the continuous rotation vaults, whereas nast rotates about the transverse (or somersault) the hecht vault and its variations are examples of axis. the counter-rotation vaults.

The trajectory of a gymnast's CG in preflight if Counter-rotation vaults are generally less spec- governed by the gymnast's velocity at takeoff from tacular and less popular than continuous rotation the board, by the gymnast' srelative height at takeoff vaults, in part for two reasons. First, the technique (i.e., the height of the CG at takeoff from the board

Introduction and Purpose

I

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Prerhght

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6

July-September 1991 TECHNIQUE

I

relative to its height at the instant of contact with the horse), and by the air resistance encountered.

Similarly, the trajectory of the CG in postflight is governed by the velocity at takeoff from the horse, by the gymnast's relative height at takeoff (i.e., the height of the CG at takeoff from the horse relative to its height at the instant of contact with the mat), and by the air resistance encountered in flight.

The velocity at takeoff of a vault may be considered as the vector sum of the horizontal and vertical velocities at takeoff. The horizontal and vertical velocities at takeoff in turn are equal to the sum of the corresponding velocity at touchdown and the change in that velocity which occurs during takeoff.

The velocity with which the gymnast lands on the board at the conclusion of the hurdle step is governed by the velocity at takeoff from the floor, the relative height at takeoff (i.e., the height of the CG at takeoff from the floor relative to its height at touchdown on the board), and the air resistance.

Similarly, the velocity with which the gymnast lands on the horse at the conclusion of the preflight is governed by the velocity at takeoff into the preflight, the relative height at takeoff (i.e., the height of the CG at takeoff from the board relative to its height at touchdown onto the horse), and the air resistance.

The change in horizontal and vertical velocities that occur during the takeoff are determined by the horizontal and vertical impulses that the board or the horse exerts on the gymnast (in reaction to the impulses the gymnast exerts on the board or the horse), and by the mass of the gymnast (impulsemomentum relationship). The horizontal and vertical impulses exerted on the gymnast are, by definition, determined by the corresponding average forces exerted and the time for which these forces act (i.e., the time of support).

The angular distance through which a gymnast's body rotates while he or she is in the air depends on the gymnast's angular momentum at takeoff, on his or her average moment of inertia during flight, and on the time of flight. The time of flight is determined by the velocity at takeoff, the relative height of takeoff, the air resistance encountered in flight, and acceleration due to gravity.

The aesthetic characteristics, or form, of a gymnast's performance such as elegance, sharpness, smoothness, artistic amplitude, and harmony depend on a number of factors . These include the positions of the various body parts during the vault and the manner in which they move from one position to another. The mechanical variables mentioned above may amount to as many as 50, some of which may be critically important and others less important in achieving success. With the identification of mechanical variables that govern successful performance of the vault, additional insight can be gained for performance improve. ment. This information can also be incorporated into developing more effective coaching strategy for safe and efficient learning of this fundamental but important vault.

TECHNIQUE July-September 1991

The purpose of this study was, therefore, to determine the mechanical factors that govern success in the performance of the handspring and salto forward tucked vault.

Methods Subjects. The subjects were 41 all-around gymnasts including members of the USA team at the 1984 Olympic Games and the 1986 World Championships who performed the handspring and saIto forward tucked vault during the 1986 USA Gymnastics Championships in Indianapolis.

Filming Protocol. A 1 6mm motion-picture camera, filming at a rate ofl 01 / fps, was used to record the vaulters' performances during the hurdle onto the takeoff board, preflight, support, postflight, and landing.

Data Reduction. Each of the 41 vaulting performances was analyzed with the aid of a computerized (a) digitizing system consisting of a Vanguard projection head and Complot digitizer linked on-line to a laboratory microcomputer. Approximately 50 frames of the film for each trial were digitized.

These included the frames showing the gymnast's position as early in the hurdle phase as possible, the touchdown on the takeoff board, the takeoff from the board, the touchdown on the horse, the takeoff from the horse, and the touchdown on the mat.

Data Analysis. The data analysis procedures used in this study consisted of (a) computation of the means and standard deviations of all factors identified, and (b) computation of the Pearson product-moment correlations between each of the factors and judges' score. A value of p ~ .05 was taken to indicate statistical significance.

Results and Discussion The descriptive statistics and I values with the judges' score for the variables in the handspring and salto forward tucked vault are shown in Tables 1 and 2. The three highest I values found in the present study were 0.73, 0.69, and 0.65 (ie., explained variance of 53%,48%, and 42%, respectively) between the average angular velocity, horizontal distance, and time of postflight, respectively, and the judges' score. The significant correlations found for (a) the horizontal velocities at touchdown onto and takeoff from the board, (b) change of body angle while on board, (c) horizontal displacement of body center of gravity (CG) on board, and (d) the body angle at takeoff from the board (determined by the horizontal line to which front of the body faces at takeoff and the line connecting CG and point of contact on the board) 7

(b)

Figure 2. The inclined landing (a) versus upright landing (b) and their respective height of CG at touchdown on the mat.

with the judges' score (Table 1) indicated that (1) the greater the horizontal velocity of hurdle step and thus touchdown on board, (2) the greater the forward movement of the body while on board, and (3) the greater the horizontal velocity and body inclination at takeoff from the board, the higher the official score.

During the next phase of preflight, no significant correlation was found for the variables shown in Table 1. However, for the horse contact and takeoff phases, (a) the horizontal force exerted while on horse, (b) the vertical force and impulse on horse, (c) the change of vertical velocity on horse, and (d) the vertical velocity at takeoff from horse were significantly correlated with the judges' score (Table 2). These correlations meant that (1 ) the greater the horizontal and vertical forces and vertical impulse exerted on the gymnast by the horse (in reaction to forces and impulses he exerted on the horse by means of blocking with arms and shoulders) and (2) the greater the change of vertical velocity on horse and resulting vertical velocity at takeoff, the higher the score awarded by the judges. In addition, significant negative correlations with the official score (Table 2) were found for (a) the change of body angle while on horse, (b) the body angle at takeoff from horse (determined by the horizontal line to which front of the body faces at takeoff and the line connecting CG and point of contact on the horse), and (c) the time of horse contact. These correlations indicated that (1) the shorter the time of contact with the horse and (2) the smaller the body rotation while on horse and the body angle at takeoff (or the body angle nearer the handstand position a ttakeofD, the higher the judges' score. The above findings seem to indicate that a sharp, quick blocking applied to the horse with arms and shoulders is more effective than a slow one in bringing about desired effects for takeoff into postflight.

For the postflight phase of the vault, (a) horizontal distance, (b) maximal height, (c) angular velocity, and (d) time of postflight were correlated significantly with the official score (Table 2) . These correlations meant that (1) the greater the horizontal distance and the maximal height of posfflight and (2) the slower the average angular velocity of body rotation in postflight, the higher the score awarded.

This suggests that the better gymnasts completed the somersault near the peak of the postflight, extended the body more fully in midair, and maintained the position longer until landing on mat than the poorer gymnasts. Finally, significant correlations found for the body angle and vertical velocity at landing (Table 2) indicated that the greater the body angle or backward body inclination (determined by the horizontal line to which front of the body faces at landing and the line connecting CG and point of contact on the mat, Figure 2) and downward vertical velocity, the higher the official score.

Furthermore, significant correlations were found for the relative height of takeoff (i.e., the height of the CG at takeoff from the horse relative to its 8

height at landing on mat C =0.53, 12 < .001) and the height of CG at landing (r = -0.35, P = .025) with the score awarded. These correlations meant that (1) the greater the relative height of takeoff and (2) the less the height of CG at landing on mat, the higher the score awarded by the judges. These relationships were almost entirely a consequence of the landings angle. The better gymnasts, in general, landed on the mat with a greater backward body inclination and their arms pointing downward, . while the poorer ones landed in a more upright body orientation with their arms held above their head (Figure 2) . This resulted in the CG of the better gymnasts to be lower than that of poorer ones at the instant of touchdown on the mat. Apparently, this was an important and necessary adjustment to increase the control of sticking the landing and simultaneously better suited for eccentric contraction of extensor muscles in the lower extremities to absorb large amounts of kinetic energy and impact force of landing over a longer distance.

For practical purposes, the above findings in the present study indicate that: 1. Focus should be made to develop a large horizontal velocity at takeoff from the board by sprinting the approach run and to depart into preflight with forward body inclination.

2. Convert this large horizontal velocity to a large change of vertical velocity while on horse by means of quick, forceful blocking applied to the horse with arms and shoulders. This large increase of upward vertical velocity on horse and resulting large vertical veloci ty at takeoff enables the gymnast to achieve great height and distance and long time of postflight for subsequent somersault, kickout, and preparation for landing.

3. Strive to achieve an optimal landing angle at touchdown on the mat for sticking the dismount and for a safe, controlled landing in order to achieve successful results in the performance of the handspring and salto forward tucked vault.

References Federation of International Gymnastics. (1985). The code of points artistic gymnastics for women . Lucerne Switzerland: Raeber.

Federation of International Gymnastics. (1989). The code of points artistic gymnastics for men. Lucerne, Switzerland: Raeber.

Kaneko, A. (1974). Modern sports coachinq series: Coaching competitive gymnastics (pp.89-90,163-172) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Taishukan Kaneko, A. (1977). Olympic GY111nastics (p.44). New York: Sterling.

Acknowledgement The author wishes to express his appreciation to the United States Gymnastics Federation for financial support and making it possible to gather data at the 1986 USA Gymnastics Championships.

July-September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Skill Analysis

1992 Compulsory Skill Analysis Parallel Bars: Front Uprise Stutz xecuting the front uprise stutz to a handstand in the PB compulsory is one of the most difficult skills in t~e. routine. Achieving the handstand posItron at the end of this skill requires not only refined technique, but also specific shoulder strength. Furthermore, the subsequent skill in the rou tine, the giant glide, can be executed securely only from the handstand or near the handstand position. Consequently, a gymnast who is able to execute the front uprise stutz to a handstand has a tremendous advantage in achieving a higher score. Many of us have been working on this compulsory exercise since as early as 1988, but we still have very little success in executing the whole routine to its maximum.

This article is therefore to analyze the skill by parts and to try to find the necessary techniques for achieving the handstand position effectively.

Gymnast A in Illustration I demonstrates a \fairly refined technique on the fro~t.uprise stu~z to a handstand position. The effICIency of hIS technique will be discussed and analyzed step by step in the following:

E

Illustration I - Layaway (Figures 1-3) 1. The ideal basic position of the upper arm sup-

port swing is to keep the greatest distance possible between the hands and ~he shoulder~.

Gymnast A in Illustration I (FIgures 1-3), IS shown pushing the shoulders away from the hands during the layaway, but it appears that the shoulders are still not quite far enough away from the hands in terms of the ideal position. .

2. During this phase, the body should be In . a slightly arched position but must also remain extremely tight.

3. The body arch should occur from the chest region at first, then naturally shifts down lower toward the waist as the body completes the layaway.

2. Illustration II compares gymnast A and gymnast B during the forward kicking phase at the bottom of the swing. As the arrow indicates, the direction of the forward kick in gymnast A is directed more in an upward direction as compared to gymnast B. This is e~~ential in order to achieve the handstand pOSItron at the end of the skill.

3. Another important point during this phase: do not overuse the shoulder dip at the bottom of the swing. Overusing the dip has a tendency to delay the quick lifting action of the shoulders during the uprise and the half-turn phase.

4. The head should be naturally placed behind the shoulders at the end of the kick (Figure 9), rather than too far forward (above the shoulders). This natural head position will help delay the kick through the bottom, as well as facilitate the upward movement of the toes.

Illustration I Gymnast "A"

Article by: Mas Watanabe USGF Senior Men's Technical Director

Illustration II Forward kick phase comparison.

Forward Swing (Figures 4-9) 1. One of the critical points during this phase is not to initiate the forward kick too early. Figure 6 shows that the body is still in an arched position at the bottom of the swing. If the forward kick is initiated too early, the body will not have an arched position at the bottom as in Figure 6, and the toes will be advanced further forward.

B

TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

A

9

Accelerate

U

Gymnast "A"

Illustration III Comparison of movement of the shoulders for Gymnast "A" (correct) and Gymnast "B" (incorrect).

2. During the uprise phase, gymnast B has a very weak support, due to the excess bend of the elbow.

3. Illustration IV also shows that the shoulders of gymnast B move up and back during this phase, which slows the speed of the leg lift. Whereas the shoulders of gymnast A move up and forward to ensure a much stronger support position at the end and to accelerate the speed ofthe leg lift as well.

Stutz (Figure 14-18)

Gymnast "B" Slow down

1. During the half-turn, the thrust of the chest should be kept minimum. Excessive thrust of the chest and a body arch will cause leg separation during the turn, as well as delay the lower body turn.

2. The regrasping hands should not reach back excessively, rather, the hands should regrasp close to the original hand placement. Therefore, the hand regrasp and push will continuously accelerate the upward movement of the lower body in reaching the handstand position.

Summary

Front Uprise (Figures 10-12) 1. It is essential to lift the shoulders directly upward rather than pull them forward at the initial part of the lift. The shoulders must stay behind the elbow in order to ensure the open arm push / pull down on the bar during the stutz phase. The gymnast will feel a much weaker support and the push will be very ineffective if the elbows are bent more than 90 degrees during this uprise phase.

2. During this phase, the toes should be rising quickly to above shoulder height (Figures lOll). The shoulders should start rising off of the bar after the toes pass bar height.

3. It is absolutely critical to use both arms to execute the uprise as much as possible, meaning that the non-supporting arm must stay on the bar for as long as possible before the release. Releasing the non-supporting arm early will result in early body turn and weaker support of the arm.

Illustrations III and IV (Figures 10-13 as in Illustration I) 1. In Illustration III, Gymnast A demonstrates the correct movement of the shoulders. Comparison of the Figures in Illustration IV clearly shows the difference between the distance of the hands and the shoulders for the two gymnasts. Note Gymnast B shows an early pull of the shoulders and head in the forward direction during the kick - this closes the distance between the hand and shoulders.

10

It has become apparent from a variety of experiences, that most gymnasts who have difficulty learning the front uprise to a handstand also have the most difficulty in shifting from the concept of pendulum swing (front uprise to a support swing), to circular swing (front uprise stutz to a handstand). In other words, gymnasts who are having many problems with this skill have a tendency to execute the front uprise first, then try to execute the stutz like a stutz done from a support swing position. However, this concept will work only if the front uprise is done with the correct technique. Unfortunately, most of the gymnasts have been taught the front uprise to a pendulum, finishing the uprise in a strong front support swing position. This results in an early leg kick and a vigorous bent arm forward pull- the most common mistakes identified in the front uprise stutz.

The front uprise stutz handstand is started and finished in a handstand position - a complete circular motion.

Therefore, the principle of movement for the circular swing should be applied to this skill.

The following are the key factors that we should pay close attention to, in order to effectively change the swing from the pendulum to the circular: 1. Start the upper arm support swing with the shoulders and the hands as far apart as possible.

2. The body beat action (leg kick) should be directed upward.

3. The arms should be kept straight during the uprise 4. The head should also be kept naturally back during the upward kick.

5. The shoulders should start to rise after the toes pass the bar height.

6. Attempt the uprise with both hands on the bar as long as possible.

July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Gymnast "A"

10

11

12

13

Gymnast "B"

'Suggested Exercises and Drills 1. From a handstand, bail down to upper arm support

to forward swings (without the front uprise). a) It is essential to keep the correct upper arm support position, meaning: keep the hands and shoulders as far apart as possible. b) During the bail, the shoulders should be kept relatively close at first, until sufficient strength develops to support and control the momentum. Then, gradually push the shoulders further away as strength develops.

2. Practice the part of the front uprise in illustration Figures 1-12. (Start from a correct arm support position: hands and shoulders wide apart. a) One of the purposes of this drill is to develop correct timing of the beat (leg kick). The body should stay in an arched position through the bottom and then kick in a more upward direction. b) The shoulder should rise off the bar only as far as both hands can remain on the bar. The shoulders should start rising after the toes pass bar height. Also, the arms should be kept as straight as possible.

3. Front uprise stutz to quarter turn off to the side; with spotter. a) Basically, adding the stutz quarter turn to the second drill. At first, the spotter may need to push and roll the gymnast's body over the bar from the other side. During the quarter tum, the gymnast will not have a secure support position due to the amount of shoulder lean TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

and the lack of momentum to complete the tum. The spotter should give him enough lift and support from under his body to complete the quarter tum safely. b) It is essential to keep the toes higher than the shoulders during the turn and try to avoid excessive hip pike during this drill. c) The gymnast should feel that the shoulders are rising off the bar vertically rather than forward. d) Emphasize vigorous use of the non-supporting arm to lift and push off the bar without excessive arch/ thrust in the chest.

4. Try to execute the complete front uprise stutz with a spotter. a) It is important to keep the exact body position and the timing of above drills. b) Try not to force the ending height unless the amount of swing becomes great enough, and the shoulder strength naturally develops to handle the greater momentum to go up to the handstand position. c) If you observe form breaks, excessive pike and/ or bent arms at the catch, the gymnast is probably not quite ready to handle the amount of swing or momentum generated through the bottom due to poor shoulder strength. In this case, the gymnast should slow down a bit by starting from a smaller swing (without sacrificing good technique).

Being patient is the key to learning this skill!

11

Illustration IV The uprise. (Figures 10-13 from Illustration I)

Men's Judging

Problems with the Scoring Explosion t's as certain as death and taxes (well, maybe): the next Code of Points for men will see the most dramatic changes since the Code was first introduced. The exact changes remain to be seen, but at the first Coaches and Judges Symposium, held in Paris on March 19-20, the Men's Technical Committee (MTC) of the FIG virtually committed itself to make major changes in the scoring of men's gymnastics. Why? Data presented at the Symposium on Olympic scoring trends led to the unmistakable conclusion that scores in men's gymnastics have gone off the charts (Scheer & Cowan, 1991).

John Scheer and Robert Cowan

I

Rationale for Changes Under the recent Codes it has become difficult, if not impossible, to adequately differentiate the truly GREAT gymnastics exercises from the simply ADEQUATE performances which meet all the criteria for evaluation. The reason for this inability to separate scores is that almost every gymnast at the international and elite level is capable of

Team Competition Ib SUMMARY OF OLYMPIC TEAM COMPETITION

1st place team score in Competition 1b 3rd place team score in Competition 1b 9th place team score in Competition 1b

1972

1976

1980

286.200

290.550

295.850

296.100 297.650

2281.300

283.400

288.800

294.300 292.950

270.550

278.150

280.050

284.700 289.150

1984

1988

Team Competition Ib SUMMARY OF OLYMPIC TEAM COMPETITION

Average score of all 36 routines for 1st place teams Average score of all 36 routines for 3rd place teams Average score of all 36 routines for 9th place teams

1972

1976

1980

1984

1988

9.483

9.667

9.838

9.838

9.882

9.347

99.399

9.578

9.774

9.726

9.018

9.211

9.249

9.400

9.567

constructing exercises with beginning values of 10.0. The purpose of any competition is to compare the participants. If a teacher constructs a test on which all students can score 100 percent, the test has no relative value for comparing their performances or evaluating their progress. The current Code no longer represents a test, or challenge, to elite athletes. While we see wide differences between exercises, they all meet the requirements.

The Escalation and Compression of Scores The following information illustrates how scores in men's gymnastics have both risen and compressed at the top end of the 10.0 scale over the past five Olympics.

Team In reviewing team scores in the Olympic (see Team Competition Ib Tables), we find that Japan scored 286.2 to win (Competition Ib) in 1972, or an average counting score of 9.54. Winning scores escalated through 1988, when the Soviet Union scored 297.65, for an average counting score of 9.92! A similar pattern is found for all team placements, illustrated by the escalation of the third place team score from 270.55 to 289.15. The Japanese in 1972 had an outstanding team, which makes it all the more interesting that all 12 teams in the 1988 Olympics scored higher in Competition Ib than did the 1972 Japanese!

All-Around The rise in scores is also dramatic in the allaround competition (see All-Around Competition II Table). We find that Kato won the all-around in 1972 with a score of 114.65 (9.55 average), and that scores went straight up through successive Olympics to Artemov's 119.125 (9.93 average) in 1988. Certainly, Artemov is a great all-around gymnast, but wasn' t Kato also? We also find that 10th place has escalated from 112.125 to 117.625, 20th place from 110.55 to 117.125, and 30th place from 109.125 to 115.95. Furthermore, a gymnast could qualify for the all-around finals Competition II with a 53.9 in 1972, while a 57.3 was required to qualify in 1988.

Finals Scores in the Olympic event finals illustrate

12

July-September 1991 TECHNIQUE

that judges have nowhere left to go (see Finals Competition III Table). The average event champion in the 1972 Olympics had an average score of 9.642, while winning scores in 1988 weraged 9.958! Maybe more importantly, the .!verage score required to qualify for an event final in 1972 was 9.479, while in 1988 averaged 9.958. Maybe more importantly, the average score required to qualify for an event final in 1972 was 9.479, while in 1988 the average qualifying score had risen to 9.876. We also find thattheaverageof all scores in Competition III has risen from 9.494 in 1972 to 9.924 in 1988! Needless to say, judges can no longer separate gymnasts at these scoring levels.

Compression While the information above shows how scores have risen, the compression of scores at the top of the 10.0 scale is illustrated by the following three findings.

1. In 1972 team Competition Ib, the first place

team scored almost 16 points higher than the ninth place team (286.2 - 270.55), but by 1988 the gap between first and ninth had narrowed to 8.5 points (297.65 -289.15). Ninth place teams were selected for comparison throughout the five Olympics since only nine teams competed in the boycotted 1980 and 1984 Games.

2. The separation between the all-around champion and 20th place narrowed from 4.1 points in 1972 014.65 - 110.55) to only 2.0 points in 1988019.125 -117.125).

3. Finally, in comparing scores awarded in finals Competition III alone, first place was separated from sixth place by an average of almost four-tenths of a point in 1972, but that gap had narrowed to a mere one-tenth of a point average separation from first to sixth by 1988!

So What? So Plenty!

So what if scores have risen and compressed into a narrow range? Plenty of problems result.

First, the FIG has complained about the number of ties (to qualify, to win, to earn a medal, etc.) that have resulted from the compression of scores, and the NCAA has experienced the same increase in ties. For example, including three tied events, 10 gold medalists emerged in the six events in the Seoul Olympics (Raymond, 1988). Pommel horse ended in a three-way tie at 19.95! So how do we solve the problem? The FIG has experimented with increasing judging panels to six for some meets, and allowing each judge to score exercises in half-tenth increments for scores above 9.5. This solution does not help to spread scores out, but only narrows the minimum gap possible between gymnasts. Are judges so discriminating that a panel can accurately differentiate between TECHNIQUE July-September 1991

All Around Competition II PLACE

1972

1976

1980

1984

1988

1

114.650

116.650

118.650

118.700

119.125

10

112.125

113.325

115.225

116.675

117.625

20

110.550

111.300

113.725

115.500

117.125

30 Lowest qualifying score

109.125

109.775

111 .125

114.350

115.950

53.900

54.050

54.375

56.625

57.300

Finals Competition III SUMMARY OF OLYMPIC COMPETITION III

1972

1976

1980

1984

1988

Average of 6 event winning scores

9.6742

9.800

9.915

9.969

9.958

Average of 6 event low qualifying scores

9.479

9.575

9.746

9.854

9.867

A verage of all scores in Competition III

9.494

9.697

9.839

9.922 !

9.924 !

gymnasts by as small a margin as 0.0125?

Second, what are spectators supposed to think?

Ever since Nadia Comaneci popularized the score of 10.0 in 1976, fans have had increasing reason to question the credibility of high scores. A 9.8 used to bring a standing ovation. A 9.8 or 9.9 was the best in the world and nobody could match it!

Today, a 9.9 earns a "ho hum." We now read about the gymnast that completed a very good exercise, but scored "only" a 9.8! As a spectator, how would you react to this: the top seven gymnasts in pommel horse finals in the 1988 Olympics scored 9.95, 9.95, 9.95, 9.95, 10, 10 and

1O! This brings us to the most important problem associated with high, compressed scoring in men's gymnastics. As we said at the beginning, under the current rules, judges are no longer able to reward the great exercise by adequately separating it from the good exercises. One might argue that the gymnasts today are better, and there are more of them, than 15 to 20 years ago, therefore the scores should be higher. The problem with that argument, however, is that we then end up using less and less of the 10.0 scale, and in doing so fail or become unable to distinguish between gymnasts. Clearly, elite gymnasts today surpass the rules by which they are judged.

The Challenge to the FIG/ MTC Following the 1984 Olympics, Dick Criley (984) thought scores had escalated to such a high point that he wrote an article titled, "Where Do We Go -Prom Here?" In 1988 the answer came: we just went higher yet. Scores in men's gymnastics now, 13

Team Competition lb: 1st Place OLYMPIC TEAM CHAMPIONS

1972

1976

1980

1984

1988

Team Score in Competition 1b

286.200

290.550

295.850

296.100

297.650

Average score of all 36 team (1 b) routines

9.483

9.667

9.838

9.838

9.882

Lowest of 6 AA scores in Camp. 1b

55.450

57.300

58.600

58.350

58.750

Highest of 6 AA scores in Camp. 1b

57.750

58.400

59.350

59.350

59.700

Team Competition lb: 3rd Place OLYMPIC 3rd PLACE TEAMS

1972

1976

1980

1984

1988

Team Score in Competition 1b

281 .300

283.400

288.800

294.300

292.950

Average score of all 36 team (lb) routines

9.347

9.399

9.578

9.774

9.726

Lowest of 6 AA scores in Camp. 1b

55.550

55.700

56.700

58.050

57.700

Highest of 6 AA scores in Compo 1b

57.000

56.800

58.100

58.950

58.850

Team Competition lb: 9th Place OLYMPIC 9th PLACE TEAMS

1972

1976

1980

1984

1988

Team Score in Competition 1b

270.550

278.150

280.050

284.700

289.150

Average score of all 36 team (lb) routines

9.018*

9.211

9.249

9.400

9.567*

Lowest of 6 AA scores in Compo1b

53.300*

54.200

54.950

54.700

56.800*

Highest of 6 AA scores in Camp. 1b

54.700*

56.600

56.150

57.200

58.250*

* Only 5 gymnasts completed all 6 events in Competition 1b

however, have risen to the point that judges have little ability left to differentiate between and among gymnasts. The current Code is partly to blame, and judges are allowed to misapply originality and virtuosity in ways that ensure scores will be too high (give international judges subjective scoring criteria and we all know what the result will be).

In brief, the USA proposal at the Paris Symposium was to eliminate originality and virtuosity bonus, and increase to one full point the bonus for additional difficult bonus skills in an exercise (Scheer & Cowan, 1991). A German proposal was also presented by Jorg Fetzer (1991) which would create two judging panels, one to score execution and bonus, the other combination and difficulty, with difficulty scores being openended (resulting in some scores over 10.0) It appears the Men's Technical Committee is

14

considering devising a scoring system which will draw from both proposals, and it is certainly too early at this point to discuss any specifics.

The significance of international judging bias has been established beyond any doubt in both men's and women's gymnastics (Ansorge & Scheer, 1988). We believe the Men's Technical Committee should spread scores out using the most objective scoring criteria possible in the next Code. If this is done, we may actually witness a reduction in international bias, not through policing judges with yellow and red cards but through the scoring system itself.

We believe the challenge to the MTC is to restore 9.8 as a great score, 9.4 as a very good score, and 9.0 as a reasonable score in men's gymnastics. Whatever scoring criteria are adopted, we hope that only those few gymnasts who are capable of flawlessly executing as many as five or six bonus skills in one exercise will be able to score 9.8 to 10.0. Attainment of high scores must once again become a true challenge.

References Ansorge, c., & Scheer, J. (1988). International bias detected in judging gymnastics competition as the 1984 Olympic Games. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 59(2),103-107.

Criley, D. (1972) OlympicS: Men's results and photos.

Gymnast, 15(10), 10-24.

Criley, D. (1976). Games of the XXI Olympiad. International Gymnast, 18(9), 12-47, 49-53.

Criley, D. (1984a). The Games of the XXIIIrd Olympiad.

International Gymnast. 26(9), 8-28.

Criley, D . (1984b). Where do we go from here? International Gymnast, 26(9), 62.

Criley, D. (1984c). Gushiken outshines Vidmar, Li. International Gymnast, 26(10), 8-13.

Criley, D. (1984d). Li Ning dominates event finals.

International Gymnast, 26(10), 20-22, 58, 60-6l.

Fetzer, J. (1991). Possibilities of steering the accomplishments of development in artistic gymnastics through the international Code of Points. Paper presented at the International Coaches and Judges Symposium, Paris, France March 19-20, 1991.

Moran, L. (1980). The 1980 Olympics summarized.

International Gymnast, 22(11), 30-37.

Raymond, N. (1988). Ten golds awarded in six events.

International Gymnast, 30(12), 51-53, 66-69.

Scheer, J., & Cowan, R. (1991). USA position paper on the 1992 Code of Points. Paper presented at the International Coaches and Judges SympOSium, Paris, France, March 19-20, 1991 .

NOTE: With some modification, the F.I.G. has recently adopted some of the principles presented in this report.

July-September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Business Tips

Interviewing Part II: the Specifics appy Spring to you! Cincinnati has been hit by a significant force of 17 year cicadas and it is to that chorus that I am writing. The constant buzz is strongly reminding me of carefree summer days when I was a kid. Let's see, I must have been seven years old (two 17 year cycles subtracted from my age)just about the age a kid really begins to experience the world. Oh well, we can't go back can we? And standing still never sounds too good does it? In that case, we sure better see to it that we are constantly going forward.

Now, with that message behind us, it's time to talk a little business. The topic is a continuation of the subject of interviewing. I want to start out by mentioning a problem I see in many Gym Clubs.

Does this sound a little too familiar? You need somebody NOW and a possible candidate shows up at your doorstep. What do you usually do first? Schedule an interview. What do you do next? Offer her a job. End of story. The Problem: all too often, because of limited number of candida tes, the yes / no decision of an interview is predetermined and the interview is little more than a formality.

Of course, the permanent solution to this desperate business condition is a topic for another day. However, the ineffectiveness of this interviewing approach must be mentioned because one of the first rules of successful interviewing is, you must be prepared to walk away from the negotiating table empty handed or don't waste your time in the first place.

Another tra p for Gym Club Owners: we look at the interviewing process as a necessary evil. Let's face it, interviewing generally is not fun, has few immediate rewards and occurs so sporadically and infrequently that we feel little urgency to spend time learning how to do it better.

But, how wise is that? Is not interviewing the primary selection process for choosing the people to whom you entrust your business? Your livelihood? Your family's future? For crying out loud, the quality of your people means everything to your business and honing your ability to select good people is well worth a little effort. Fortunately, a little effort can reap BIG dividends. My hope is that this discussion will help stimulate you to learn more.

H

Summary Of Part I • A Candidate's beliefs and values are more important than how much he /she knows. The interview atmosphere should be informal, with the candidate wondering, up to the very last minute, "When is this interview going to start?"

• Be very careful not to reveal what qualities you TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

are looking for in a candidate. The candidate can simply spew the answers right back at you.

• Spend time learning how to spot lies. Study a candidate's base line communication style. Pay attention to EVERY lie, even little ones.

• Respect your intuition.

Interview Objective Keep in mind that when you are interviewing you are trying to establish if your candidate meets four criterion-not three of four, but FOUR OF FOUR. If just one is missing, the chances of success will be miserable.

1. Does he have the ABILITY to do the job? In other words, does he have: a) the technical knowledge; b) the ability to communicate it?

2. Does she have the WORK ETHIC? This means: a) does she accept responsibility for her own actions; b) is she reliable; c) does she take pride in a job well done?

3. Is he MANAGEABLE? a) does he take criticism; b) does he get along with co-workers; c) Is he loyal?

4. What is the DEGREE OF MATCH?- does the job match her needs in terms of: money, number of hours, career potential, responsibility level, flexibility of hours, etc.?

Questioning Techniques • Closed Ended Questions - Usually telegraphs a desired response: "Do you like working with preschoolers?" Permits one word answers and generally tells very little. They are effective when looking for a commitment: "Can you start in September?"

• Open Ended Questions - They can't be answered with short answers and generally require an explanation: "How do you feel about working with children?" Can begin with, "I'm curious, what do you think is the most important aspect of working with children."

• History Probing Questions - This approach is based on the belief that past performance is a strong indicator of future performance: "Tell me about a time when you had a particularly ill-behaved student and how you handled it" or " Give me an example when ... " .

• Yin & Yang Questions - When candidates answers seem too good to be true, get down to earth with: "That's very impressive. Tell me about a time when your discipline techniques did not work so well" or "Give me an example of something you are not particularly proud of.

• Confirmation Of A Negative Response - If a candidate's answer hits a nerve, dig deeply for 15

Jeff Metzger President, Queen City Gymnastics Cincinnati, Ohio

more information. You need to find out if a particular behavior is the norm or an exception: "You know, that's very interesting. Tell me about another inst:al\ce when something similar happened."

• Paraphrasing - Simply restating the candidate's answer often stimulates him to expound. "So, you say whenever you have a particularly difficult child you just grit your teeth?"

• Stretchers- "How interesting" or "Is that so?"

• Silence - People are uncomfortable with periods of silence past a few seconds. This can be very effective to encourage further explanation of a subject.

Miscellaneous Thoughts • Use Of Resumes- Considering that the source of both the content and the topic are the choice of the candidate, resumes have limited use. Use resumes as a road map to determine your preliminary interest.

• Use of Employment Applications - These are better than resumes because you can choose the questions, if not the content. A well designed application can tell you much about tendencies of the candidate as well as her employment history including how much money that she may be expecting. Beware of gaps in employment history or frequent job changes.

Use phone calls, not letters, to follow up on references. Remember, the applicant determines who he/she lists as references. Forget following up on relatives used as references.

• YOU control the pace/content of the interview-

Orchestrate the interview so that the candidate talks 80% of the time (and on the topics about which you want to hear). You should limit your talking to 20% of the interview. With a person who jabbers, diligently interrupt with, "You know that makes me wantto ask you about..." .

• Conclude Gracefully - "Is there anything else you want to tell me about yourself?" or "If you were offered the job how long would it take you to make up your mind?" or "If you were offered the job when could you begin work?"

There you have it. A Gym Club Owner's primer for effective interviewing. Like I said earlier in the article, a little study on the interview process will reap tremendous benefits. In case you doubt the benefits, consider: at one time or another, haven't you hired at least one employee who created great turmoil in your club? And other than the personal lessons you learned, wouldn't your club have been better off had you never hired that person?

Well, perhaps next time, with a little more skill in the art of interviewing, you will be able to identify that future bad employee BEFORE you hear yourself utter the words, "I'd like to offer you a job."

One final word about interviewing. Even though interviewing is the most conventional selection process, in our business, there is another method at least equally effective. However, this being a limited space magazine, I must abide by the publication rules and stop NOW. But stay tuned.

Make it a good summer and get your fall marketing done NOW. See you in Indy at Worlds and Congress. Jeff

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July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

International Report

FIG Symposium Report March 19-20, 1991 Paris, France

Opening Address Mr. Yuri Titov, President FIG The objective of the Symposium As you know, an FIG Congress will be held every two years. This Symposium comes between the two Olympic games to entertain different points of view and new ideas. Gymnastics continues to improve all over and increase in importance.

Earlier it was only in Europe, but now big progress is being made in other countries - Africa for example.

This is why we need to do a lot of developing in these regions and countries new to gymnastics.

We had success with the European Championships despite a crisis seen there. We had 10 full days of competition in Stuttgart.

We need to think of new forms and models of organization - and, of course, we must consider very many things to insure a good Championships.

Also, the financial side is very important. Championships cost a lot of money to conduct.

But first of all, we must be attentive to the needs of the gymnast who has prepared so hard. Of course the interests of the organizers should be aligned to the interest of the gymnasts, this is the most important person.

FIG authorities (TC and EC) also spend thought on the spectators, fans, TV and the general public. There are very many traditions also involved, but in this case, everything is "hanging together." Much depends upon how our sport is shown on TV and how the public sees us.

This is why we have to fight for not losing too much time to show the marks at the end of an exercise.

Remember Arthur Gander who encouraged the judges to work very fast. The jury was required to have their marks within 30 seconds I think that he was not wrong.

This must be done well and fast.

This is why I would like to hear your point of view on how to run Championships- in the interest of the gymnast, TV and advertisement.

Within the FIG, we have people with experience, but we ask the Symposium participants to be very active and to provide ideas and thoughts to arrive at a good conclusion in organizing the international championships.

Judging I would like to repeat the hard work that has already been done, but there are three important aspects to be considered: 1. The Code of Points must be made much better. Of course we must explain all of the details, but the book should not become too thick or no one will read it.

This is why we have introduced the assistant.

In finals we now see 2 superior judges. This is not because of a lack of confidence, but due to the complicated job of the judges.

TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

Therefore, when we analyze the Code of Points we need to consider what can be eliminated things that are old or that don't give a good picture of our sport.

2. How to organize the work of the judges? This includes the number, their work, the structure of the Jury and the Jury of Appeal, etc.

As you know, we have made a test in Brussels which was positive in outcome. Three levels were active: a. Notes of the judges b. TC's checking the judges c. Jury of Appeals to monitor problems I think that with this structure, we reduce subjective judging and the number of cases to the Jury.

3. A system to analyze the work of the judges.

Remember, we ha ve started to check the judges (but only in protests and when mistakes were obvious). During a symposium 10 years ago, we talked about a permanent control throughout the competition.

Now after the work of Longines and the computers, we are able to do a much better job. Of course the computers are only machines those who program them must know much about gymnastics.

Also please consider that this control is not like police control- it is a control for quality, not only for speed (like radar) . This is normal and goes with every work that we do.

This allows us to see the weak side of the system, correct faults and identify a better judging system.

We will continue to organize Symposiums like this one. This is an intellectual side to our Federation. On one side we see everyone performing at competitions, and on the other is the intellectual. We need a balance between these to arrive at perfection.

Symbols Language M. Dietz The WTC has authorized the preparation of a videotape series illustrating the 10 year evolution of elements and the symbols language. The tapes are over 10 hours in length.

1979 The first use of symbols 1980 The publication of a revolutionary Code of Points with symbols.

1985 Preparation of a small brochure 1986 The first symbols book.

1991 The preparation of the second symbols book with VHS. On the continent, gymnastics has grown significantly. The new VHS has been compiled from over 50 cassettes and includes every element that has been seen in the past 10 years. The video will be useful as a history of gymnastics, for judges training purposes, as an aid to the coaches, as an aid to the gymnasts, etc.

17

Steve Whitlock USGF Staff Delegate

Please note: 1. The following is not a verbatim transcript of the Symposium proceedings, but the notes taken from the actual sessions . In many cases, the notes were taken from the simultaneous translation provided by the interpreters.

2. Handout materials were not available. The TC explained that providing handouts at this time would be premature since the material is only in the formative stages and subject to discussion and revision.

The official presentation of the materials will be provided at a later date.

3. Therefore, the information included in this Report should be considered "unofficial and subject to change." Su gges tions, comments, and alternative proposals should be sent to Mrs. Berger c/o the USGF offices . (USGF FAXis317237-5069)

Organization of the tapes We tried to show good examples of the elements from a technical and artistic point of view, however, some of the elements are not at the top level. We did not always have the best quality of materials to work with, i.e. camera angles, etc. But, we did try for the best technique when possible. The general organization of the tapes is as follows : • the element in slow-motion • the symbol for the element • the element at regular speed • repetition of the element • the element and symbol shown together We showed the same element performed on various apparatus. The video also shows some full exercises.

Some of these are in slow motion and some at normal speed. Some of the full exercises include the symbols as each element is performed.

We must decrease the subjective factor by giving very clear rules and increasing the objective factor.

The WTC has already made some efforts in this direction: • They took out the risk factor and increased the number of judges to 6 - thus influencing the subjective factor .

• Created the Start-value.

• Created the special requirements.

• Allowed for coaches on the podium for Uneven Bar D-elements.

• Constantly watch over the development to readjust the rules.

• Analyzes the work of the judges.

We need to make a mechanism of evaluation that will help the judges.

Comparison of the concrete and perfect models:

Presen ta tions

CONCRET E

Two presentations were given: 1. The evolution of the double saito on floor exercise.

2. The evolution of the Code of Points.

Subjectivity does occur in judging, after all, we are human! Given that subjectivity will remain a factor, what can wedo to reduce the influence? Five points will be discussed : 1. A short characteristic of artistic gymnastics as an Olympic Sport.

2. The objective/ subjective approach of judgement in artistic gymnastics.

3. The ways for building up the objective factor in judging.

4. A mechanism of activity of the subjective factor in judging.

5. Some ideas to improve the classification system for womens judges.

The place of artistic gymnastics in the Olympic medal system

SWimning

Athletics

Gymnas t ics

The judges are a part of the responsibility of those who receive the medals!

The structure of the process RULES

I --t

(objective factor) (subjective factor) 9.bjErtive IffiJlt

18

U C

~

PERFECT

T

EXECUTION

~

~

I

0

I F I NAL J UDGEMENT I

~I OBJECTIVE

N

Anneke Kelder

wrestling

~ ISUBJECTIVE

DEVIATION

MODEL

Subjective Judging

Arti~tic

D E D

The perfect standard of each judge for artistic gymnastics depends upon: • Knowledge of correct techniques and rules.

• You must also have judges with a basic knowledge of biomechanical regulations. In ca tegory I, the judges need to know this!

• Also, the judges must be able to read different variations and personality on the execution (this lli the subjective part of a score).

Therefore, the FIG must: • Improve knowledge - teach the judges more techniques and biomechanical rules.

• For this purpose, it is necessary to make tests in different variation ih connection with the classification of international judges.

• It is the task of the TC to teach and introduce this.

Some ideas to improve the classification system: We now have a list (a categorization) of judges. We can work with this as a group or as individuals, can move from one category to another, and can analyze judges' performances. We want the judges to have a good chance in the examinations, but suggest: 1. Examination questions of various levels of difficulty.

2. Compile a computer test program with a lot of questions to select from (this would permit different Forms of the exam ... each with different questions, but of comparable difficulty level).

3. Use 6 exercises per event in the practical exam instead of 4.

4. Consider the possibility for the judges to graduate on the results of FIG competitions.

5. Consider the possibility for the judges to graduate in another intercontinental course (this is a problem in terms of cost).

6. Draw into the judges courses the technical and biomechanical components.

July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

The State of Progress of Computer Analysis Jackie Fie, VP/WTC This has been developed for use by the FIG to facilitate the quality control of judging and implementation of the FIG Categorization of Judges with the assistance of Mr. Lance Crowley a compu tor programer, club owner, meet organizer and member of the USGF Board of Directors.

Until this point the development of the program has been supported by Mr. Mike Jacki of the United States Gymnastics Federation, and has included: computer, modem, printer, etc.

To date, over 800 programing hours have been invested in the development of the program. It is estimated that a like number of hours will be necessary to finalize the program, however, the program is usable now and could function today.

Data from the World Championships in Stuttgart as well as from World Cup, the Goodwill Games and the American Cup have been entered as test data. In the testing, over 50% of the generated statistical data has been discarded because it lacked meaningful significance.

The objective is to realize an improvement in the judging process for an objective and instant quality control analysis.

The program can print a complete analysis of all judges on all apparatus in less than one minute. The program is designed to take into consideration the human factors. The WTC realizes that judges can make an error and that this is not only natural, but expected - this has been considered. Objectives include: 1. Indication of objectivity and subjectivity during evaluation of individuals, teams, and the entire competition.

2. Indication of competency and I or incompetency.

3. Indication of variances in opinion and the use of the rules.

4. To counselor "coach" the judges to become better and more consistent.

Some terms: 1. Constant Error - the degree that the judge misses the accepted (average) score. â&#x20AC;˘ Delta Average (0 AVG) - this allows for personal behavior.

2. Variable error - the degree a judge varies about her own average, or her own score tendency or her personal variance. This is called "Delta Personal" or "oPER."

The Main Screen Among other information, the VTR will display: Gymnast's name, nationality, number Competition name, event Start Value Average Final Average Meet Average Scores of all judges Rank area by judge for gymnast Individual area (judge's statistical analysis for individual gymnasts) Summary area (judging behavior for each judge and for the entire competition)

Tolerance Deviation (-t) 't is the amount that a judge is allowed to vary about the average score.

TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

Penalties assessed to judges are based on each judge's own tendency. Thete are currently three typ~s available for utilization in the program.

Judges [Average] Type

>

There are current.ly 5 average types available.

Rate Type There are three possibilities - This is used to examine the judges ability to rank the gymnast. Rationale is that the judge's primary responsibility is to rank the competitors in the correct order. The ranking is important for finals, medals, team rank, etc.

Emphasis is on placement using a weighting system.

The program compares each judge's ranking of the athletes to that of the panel. NOTE: as soon as the score appears, all of this information is immediately available!

Rate System Type 1 - for 36 competitors (C-II).

Rate System Type 2 - (This is more detailed) - For up to 250 competitors (C-Ia, C-Ib).

Rate System Type 3 This has a greater emphasis on the higher places ... probably best used for Competition II . (used 'for 36 competitors) oA VG computation' This is the difference between each judges meet average for a particular event and the average for the panel.

Eg.1 - (JAvg = 9.15) - (MAvg = 9.20) = oAVG of -.05 Eg. 2 - (JAvg = 9.25) - (MAvg = 9.20) = oAVG of +.05 These values will appear as the meet progresses, but is most conclusive at the end of the event. oPER computation - This factor is how the judge varied from her personal meet average for a gymnast.

(Judge's score - panel score) - oA VG = oPER Contra Tendency "C" This reflects if a judge contradicted her meet average. Is "yes" if: oAVG = (+) and judge's score < panel score, or oAVG = (-) and judges's score is > panel score.

Standard deviations, mid-points (medians), averages (means), skewness can be instantly computed for numerous behavioral judging activity with the ability to sortl rank the judges according to each factor - based upon oAVG, oPER, Rate and Tolerance (t).

This judges analysis computer program is still being refined for the FIG/WTC by Crowley and Fie. Team analysis statistics is underway and should be completed

by June. Also, a graphic summary is being prepared.

Another goal is the development of a Judging Index (ranking) that would summarize all of the information for each judge. THE PROGRAM WILL BE UTILIZED AT THE 1991 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN INDIANAPOLIS AS CONTROL MEASURE.

Proposed Changes/Corrections to the Code of Points Ellen Berger I. B. 6 - (this won't change) II. Mode of Judging 6 judges per panel, 1 Secretary Assistant (SA) named by the WTC (must be a Brevet).

For country meets Chief Judge (CJ) and 34 other judges.

For interna tiona I tournaments, CJ + 4-5 other judges + ASSISTANT.

19

Seating: 6

STC

SA

1 2

4 3 5 Single row seating is permitted: 4 5 6 STC SA 1 2 3 • The podium should be 50 cm in height • The jury will be fixed before every competition.

• Scores wil be calculated as before.

IA = SV = 10.0; judge in 0.5 increments; no base score.

6. STRUCTURE - (new) 6.1 Formation of the lury of Appeal President FIG President TC /FIG Control Jury 6.2 Formation of Main lury President TC /FIG VPTC/FIG Secretary FIG Duties: check the judges, each score given, oral warnings to judges, give yellow / red cards.

6.3 Formation of the Control lury (per apparatus) 1 member of the WTC + Expert called by the WTC (this wil be done in Indianapolis) Duties: responsible for the correct job of judges on each apparatus, work with the judges prior to the competition and during the competition (ask Jury of Appeals to warn or change a judge).

6.5 Duties of STCs To look at the content of the exercises, write all value parts, all elements of originality, combinations and Special Requirements, calculate the Start Value and enter into the computer.

For main jury ... provide all information requested.

Also, control and analyze the Start Value and compare (when necessary) with video-tapes made in the Championships.

Additional duties and special functions during the Olympic Games and World Championships.

6.6 Duties of the ludges Must know the Code of Points, Technical Regulations, principles and new elements, compulsory exercises. Must have a Brevet, Code, Judge Book, have taken part in international course and on the judging list, categorized appropriately. Must participate in the judge course prior to the competition and have the proper uniform (during the Olympic Games, a special uniform is provided).

Judges should be at site 1 hour early, know all of the details, be able to score fast/ clean/ correctly, write legibility, enter information (data) into the computer take notes on deductions ofcompulsories, the A/B/C/D elements and Bonus and note missing parts and poor execution. (Do not have to take start value from STC).

Rights and Duties of the Coaches Allowed Coaches: IB = 1 male and 1 female II = 3 coaches (max. 1/ gymnast) III = 2 coaches (max. 1/ gymnast) Coaches must know the Code of Points, the number of the vaults . Coaches may be around the arena and help set UPB (or another gymnast) - but at green light, just 1 coach is permitted on the podium.

Coaches are not permitted to give signals and may not stand in front of the judges. No talking to the judges is permitted during the competition.

20

Coaches should not have contact with others outside the arena (and exception might be permitted for the Head of Delegation or the Medical Doctor).

Rights and Duties of the Assistants Must have a valid Brevet (includes line judges, timers, the secretary, etc).

Rights and Duties of the Gymnast (This section remains basically the same) • Must orientate to the Green Light • Warm-up time at UPB is 50 sec.

(5 minutes for the whole team ... this is new on Ia and Ib)

Jackie Fie Articles 7, 8, 9.

(Most of the new things are in these sectons) Article 7 1.0 Requirements of the Exercise = 3.00 Value Part BP = .50 Combination = 2.00 Execution = 4.50 10.00 P 1.1 Value Part Requirements 1A = .2 3A =.6 3.B = 1.2 2B =.8 2 C (nat) = 1.2 2C (nat) = 1.2 (2/0 or 1/1) 1D (nat) =.8 3.0 3.0 1.2 Bonus Points Originality additional natural D

2B= .8

1C = .6 2D = 1.6 (2/0 or 1/ 1 ) 3.0 Maximum .50 P .4

:l

.5 (.2 max. from elements; .2 min. from connections) Maximum 2.0 P 1.3 Combination • progressive distribution of elements (with dismount corresponding to the content value of the exercise).

• diversified composition through creative and artistic elements and connections.

• space and direction • tempo and rhythm 1.4 Execution v Maximum 4.50f It includes: • technique, amplitude and posture, etc.

ADD:

• technical clarity • lightness, ease in execution • dynamic artistic performance (The scoring form will be slightly modified) 2. Directives for Recognition of the Value Parts ADD:

Devalued elements can not lead to value raising or be value raised, only if they are listed with a number in the table.

The same elements can be recognized 2 times in an exercise as an "A" 3. Bonus Points 3.1 A maximum of 0.40 P. will be given for Originality.

Remarks: The concept of "originality" suggests that: • fewer elements should correctly be featured in this list.

• Bonus Points should possibly be eliminated after a 4 year cycle, when performed by (Le.) more than 10 gymnasts.

July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

There are BP for Originality for : • an element from C according to the List = +.1 • a connection according to the Principles = + .1 or .2 ADD:

Principles for original connections will be added to each seperate article.

There is NO bonification awarded • with a fall • with medium fault on UPB, BB, or FX Article 8 1. Recognition of New Elements All new elements must be submitted at the competition to the President with drawings, written explanation and (if possible) videotape.

2. F1G / TC will publish new elements after each World Championships.

4. Categorization - (Insert) • categories with areas of eligibility.

Article 9 - General Deductions (this section will be reorganized - will include many more examples and will be organized by the person who takes the deduction). .05 - .15 .2 - .3 .35 and more

(Fie showed a proposed Table of Faults for the panel judges) Body (postural) faults : • poor foot, head arms • bent arms or knees (depends on event: UB, BB, FX vs. V) • leg separations • relaxed body / trunk positions.

Technical Faults During elements: • Insuf. height of leaps/ jumps • Insuf. height of acro elements • Insuf. tuck / pike/stretch - UP, BB, FX V

• Insuf. split • Turns incomplete or late - UB, BB, FX

Up to ... .2 .2 .2 .3

.15 .15 .3

V

D=.8 Value raised C or D (each)

.2

Up to ...

3.3 Recognition of Bonus Points

Proposal on Faults Small faults Medium faults Large faults

B= .4 C= .6

Flat deduction • Pauses longer than 2 sec. .1 • Extra swing .3 • touch on apparatus or floor .2 • grasp on apparatus to avoid a fall .3 • loss of balance on landing of elements: (proposed) - slight .05 - 1 step .1 - 2 steps .2 - 3 steps .3 - support 1 hand .3 - "near fall" .35 - support 2 hands .4 - fall (knees, hips, etc.) .5 Compositional Faults .2 • 2 elements before the mount .1 • mount with no value • Compulsory mount, dismount, or connections (more than three) .3 .3 • No dismount invalid • Compulsory vault (same) • Missing elements

• Progressive distribution of elements .2 commensurate dismount • Use of entire apparatus (spacially & direct) .2 .2 • Rhythm and tempo (on UPB) .1 Faults in Presentation/lmpression .1 • Dynamic performance (vault) .2 or .3 .2 • Artistry of presentation .1 • Lightness, ease of performance.

Flat deduction Behavioral Faults • Gymnast .3 - Flashing wrong vault no.

- Missing presentation before &/or after .1 exercise - 3rd run during: .5 (Ia V, Ia/b UPB and BB) • Coach - Spotting assistance during exercise or .5 dismount - Signals, spoken commands, cheers, etc. by .2 coaches for own gymnasts/team .2 - Touch on apparatus .2 - Obstructing the view of the judge Deductions by the President in consultation with the Main Iury or Control Iury • Behavior of the Gymnast - non-identical leotards .1 .1 - incorrect attire - incorrect advertising .1 - missing national emblem .1 - missing start number - apparatus irregularities springboard on unpermitted surface .5 raising or lowering the LB/ HB - leaving the competition area without DisQ notifying the Control Jury • Behavior of the Gymnast or Coach - unexcused delay or interruption or composition disqualification .3 - unauthorized remaining on the podium • Behavior of the Coach - more than prescribed number of coaches .5 in inner circle - 2 male coaches in competition Ib .5 Deductions by ASSistants/Secretary • step over (outside) FX area • under / over time • exceed time (fall) • unobservation of warm-up time • timely start of exercise - on red light - 30 sec. after green light • correct adherence to order • at vault, missing SR in CIII(w / STC)

.1 ea. .2

Ex. end .3 .0

.3 .3 1.0

Table also indicates from which score (Team, All Around, or Individual Apparatus) the deduction is taken.

In this way, most of the deductions would be in this table.

A=.2

TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

21

Vaulting T. Oliva Special Requirements - In Ib the gymnast can make 2 jumps.

Research indicates that the number of vaults performed with a SV of 10.0 has increased dramatically.

Possible solutions? â&#x20AC;˘ Just do one vault in Ib and Ia During Competition II, should be higher demands on difficulty, but not on the vault. Therefore: C-II - average 2 vaults.

In competition III the gymnast performs two different vaults.

Score as before. Now if only 1, deduct 1.0 If both from the same group, then the same deduction.

Solution? divide by 2 even if the gymnast only performed one vault.

Table of Vaults Proposed No. Current No 1.01 Handspring 1.01 1.01 Yami becomes 1.02 1.03 Yamashita 1/2 stays 1.03 the other vaults move up one number.

Saltos with 1/2 twist in 2nd phase: give a new number + .1 for additional 112 twist.

3.6 and 4.6 +.1 for additionaJ'l /2 twists.

Eliminate vaults with saltos in preflight - (these have not yet been seen) Vaults with lower value suggested: 1.33 from 9.5' to 9.4 1.33 (Yami) from 9.5 to 9.4 or 9.5 1.6 from 9.6 to 9.5 9.9 4.91 from 10.0 to 1.64 from 9.9 to 9.8 9.9 2.20 & 2.91 from 10.0 to 2.95 from 10.0 to 9.9 9.6 3.60 & 4.60 from 9.7 to 9.8 from 9.9 to 3.61 & 4.61 3.90 & 4.90 omit 9.8 to 9.7 1.62 from 9.8 1.64 from 9.9 to (omitYami) 3.91 &4.91 from 10.0 to 9.9 Again, these are suggestions, contact the TC with ideas and opinions.

Uneven Bars Simonescu The presentation began with a short examination of the past history of the uneven bars in the OlympiC and World Championships. It was observed that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of routines beginning with a base note of 10.0 - a 12% increase was seen in Montreal and a 68% increase in Stuttgart.

The WTC is considering a number of problems and questions related to the uneven bar event in preparation for the new Code of Points ., for example: If a gymnast performs a straddle mount over the LB to a long swing on the HB without touching the hands on the LB, on which bar has the element been performed? - The LB, the HB, or neither the LB or HB? Also what should be considered a change of direction?

22

Ye s

No

2x

2x

1x

Also, should the kip cast to handstand count for two elements on the LB when performed as a mount and only one on the HB? Should the kip, cast to handstand with 1/ 1 pirouette considered 2 or three elements?

How should the distribution of elements on the 2 bars be considered? (refers to SR on LB and HB, i.e. 2 or 3 elements on LB and 5,6 or more permitted on HB)

What about the use of space for combinations and amplitude. Consider all directions, all planes, all space, etc.

Other questions : How many elements should be performed during the routine? Number on each bar?

Number of changes of directions? etc. (exercise) 10 min.?

4 max? or more ?

UGU G'

(~:) 3?

ÂŁ' {V

combine w ith t wi sts?

dismount min. leve l ?

(In f inal s?:

The TC committee has not yet talked about the value raised skills. This will be discussed at the next meeting in Indianapolis.

July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Balance Beam

Question, Answers, Comments...

L. Tourscheva

• We are happy to see that the Code is changing. We request that the TC consider that the value of the dismounts be the same on all events.

The popularity of the sport of gymnastics has increased greatly and we have a growing number of supporters from the public. The TC desires that the competitions be interesting and that we really offer something to the audiences.

Balance Beam has very specific technical requirements. The coach needs to consider both the individual as well as the special requirements. In the 1980's we saw an increase in the number and difficulty of the acrobatic parts. These are impressive, but we want other elements as well.

The TC has also observed poor body positions, lack of twists (turns) and have seen very little mixed series.

We want to see more of this.

The TC has formulated requirements for the balance beam which include: • Acrobatic series • Gymnastics series • Mixed series • Jumps with high amplitude • Springs • Turns • B dismount For the future the TC is examining the following possibilities: • requiring 2 mixed series, possibly with required tum • requiring a tum of 5400 minimum rotation on one leg • The dismounts (last skill) should be at the same level of the rest of the exercise, i.e. the dismount should be commensurate to the rest of the exercise and the level of the competition: Ib would require a value raised C II and III would require C nat or DVR. We believe that these are good requirements.

• The requirement of 2 "natural" C elements might be a bit heavy for some of the weaker countries, especially considering the Bonus Point requirements.

It is difficult for weaker countries to earn BP in IBthis is not a problem in Competition III. Will Combinations be 2.0 pOints? Value raising in Ib is difficult.

• In general very supportive of the ideas of the TC, however, would suggest that maybe we don't need value raising if you carefully examine Ia and lb.

• It is disappointing to see a lower value suggested for

the Tsukahara vaults since they are difficult to perform well.

• Please consider which judge makes the deductions held against the coach for Signals, cheers, etc. This should be the duty of the SA or the Jury.

• It does not seem appropriate to increase the dura-

tion of the FX routine. We are now trying to make the events shorter, this would only lengthen the competitions.

• Question to J. Fie: Must the mount and dismount be of the same value?

ANS: there are two proposals. There is a 0.1 deduction from the composition category in C-Jb , and/or 0.1 may be taken from the special requirements in C-II & C-III) • Question to J. Fie: Do the "copiers" of a new element get credit, or only the "originators?"

ANS: This has not yet been discussed, but it is a possibility. The TC has discussed reducing the Bonification to 0.1 for original elements and discontinuing some elements (with the originator receiving 0.2).

• Thanks so much for the work that the TC has shown so early. There seems to have been a good analysis of the current situation. Also, thanks for considering and making available the input from the National Federations.

Floor Exercise

• In vaulting, these are only the first thoughts of the TC. Please provide your point of view.

Tzvetana Dimova The current Code of Points is quite good and allows for good growth, but there are some problems.

1. The acrobatic parts are important, but many elements should not remain in Group B (move to A) Examples might be # 1.33 and #1.30 2. Regarding Article 4 - Specific Requirements • gym series must be made of 3 elements • 1 B level element, etc.

Propose: • gym series (1 of the B group) 3. In the Code of Points, the duration of the routine is 1:10-1:30. Considering changing the time to 1:151:40(45). to permit the gymnast to complete all of the requirements?!

TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

• Question to J. Fie - We liked the deductions for the landings, but we have some ideas about a "correct" landing and question secure landing, but in a stride stand (feet slightly apart).

ANS: For landing with the feet apart but no step, this could be up to .05 or considered a "s mall insecurity. " • What about the duration of the Balance Beam exercise? We sugggest that the two mixed series be in different directions.

ANS: A direction change is good, but we should go step by step - this might be something for the future.

Regarding the time of routines, Mrs. Tourscheva believes that the BB exercises are already quite long enough!

23

Coaches Education

-----Dave Moskovitz USGF Coaching Coordinator

USGF COACHES EDUCATION

USGF Professional Development Program Purpose In the effort to continue to provide quality educational programs for gymnastics coaches, the USGF has undertaken the project of developing a coordinated educational effort designed to reach a greater majority of gymnastics teaching professionals. The ultimate purpose of these coordinated efforts is to establish an ongoing educational program to enhance the effectiveness of gymnastics coaches and promote the sport of gymnastics. The current proposal for the USGF Professional Development Program includes a multilevel structure, materials and texts, video tape presentations, lectures, recognition and promotion, and certificates of achievement.

Structure A multi-level structure has been proposed for the program. Each level will incorporate coaching philosophy, sport science information, skill progressions and biomechanics. Following is an overview of the program.

Level I - "Teacher" Designed as an introduction to coaching, this level will incorpora te the basic informa tion needed by new gymnastics coaches, including: an introduction to the sport of gymnastics, tools needed to teach effectively, basic communications, principles of class organization, the importance of safety, sample skills, progressions and sample lesson plans. Skills emphasized at this level are the prerequisite movement skills that should be taught to young athletes first being introduced to gymnastics.

Level II - "Master Teacher" Continuing the educational process, this level will introduce concepts and principles of sports science. Topics in the text will include: philosophy, sport psychology, pedagogy (the science of teaching sports skills), physiology and sport management. The skill progressions introduced at this level will be coordinated with the USGF Junior Olympic Program compulsory routines.

This level will provide accreditation on a discipline specific basis - Men, Women and Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics.

Level III - "Coach" Specific organizational elements necessary for coaches working with competitive athletes will be emphasized in the text, for example: the foun-

24

dation of philosophy, communication, motivation and program building, season and practice planning, performance enhancement, competition, and coaches' evaluation. Skills will include an introduction to the FIG Code of Points, advanced skills progressions as well as elements from USGF and FIG compulsory exercises.

Level IV - "Master Coach" Advanced sports science information will be presented in biomechanics, physiology, sport psychology, injury prevention and evaluation, periodization, and team and personal management with application to gymnastics preparation.

This level will include evaluation and technique of advanced gymnastics skills.

Level V - "Coach Emeritus" This is an honorary level of recognition for achievement in gymnastics coaching.

Content The Professional Development Program will introduce several new publications for gymnastics coaches. Each of the program levels will have texts that specifically address the topics relevant to coaches working toward accreditation at that particular level.

Through the input of many coaches, administrators, club owners and coaching educators we have learned that a primary concern at each level is emphasis on the development of a coaching philosophy. This philosophy is what gives the gymnastics professional direction and motivates him/her to achieve and progress. Philosophy also determines the coaches' attitudes and behaviors in terms of athlete/ coach relationships.

Management - time, money, facility, athletes, and self. Being a good manager is essential to success as a coach. A variety of management topics will be addressed throughout the program in order to assist coaches in becoming more effective and efficient.

Biomechanics, Physiology, Psychology, Sports Medicine are the core sports sciences that are essential knowledge components for athletic coaches. Each component will be introduced and presented at the appropriate level and address the issues and concerns appropriate for coaches working toward accreditation at each level.

Pedagogy, the science of teaching, is a critical area. Survey research indicates that many gymnastics coaching professionals have had little

July-Sept. 1991 TECHNIQUE

or no formal training in the field of education and, therefore, are deficient in many of the skills that contribute to successful teaching.

The Professional Development Program will emphasize recognized teaching methods for effective class/program/team management, goal setting and evaluation, and gymnastics skills progressions.

Recent Developments Several significant accomplishments have been achieved: 1. In March of 1991 the USGF hosted a conference, Coaching America's Gymnastics Coaches, to review and evaluate the structure of the Professional Development Program. Besides USGF and gymnastics leaders, speakers included recognized coaching authorities from other sport disciplines and the United States Olympic Committee. At this conference, the structure and development of the proposed USGF Professional Development Program was modified to reflect the recommendations provided by the attending coaches and administrators.

2. Subsequent to the conference, the USGF Coaches Education Coordinator conducted a series of meetings with a commercial educational materials publishing company. The company, Human Kinetics Publishing, which is well-known for its text, Coaching Young Athletes, is a leader in coaches' education. The American Coaching Effectiveness Program (ACEP) has effectively reached thousands of coaches and is being utilized in various forms by school districts, YMCA' s, ~bd several of the National Governing Bodies (NGB's). ACEP texts, supplemental materials, and certification procedures are now being reviewed and evaluated as possible resources in the USGF Professional Development Program.

3. To date, a substantial portion of the program has been identified and the development of materials is in progress. It is anticipated that the first phase of introduction and implementation of the program will occur in early 1992.

USGFSummer Workshops During the summer and fall of 1991, the USGF Department of Educational Services is conducting a series of six instructor's workshops as well as the annual USGF Congress. The series will provide practical and theoretical coaching sessions for all three USGF disciplines including: presentations of the structure of the proposed USGF Professional Development Program, an overview of coaching philosophy (objectives and style) and sport psychology (communications skills, reinforcement, and motivation). These presentations will assist in the evaluation of material, content, format, and delivery.

TECHNIQUE July-Sept . 1991

Future Delivery Systems The USGF is now negotiating sponsor relationships with various companies that have the potential to provide unique opportunities regarding the development of the delivery system, other support and resources for the Professional Development Program. Production of video tape lectures and skill analysis will allow coaches to have access to greater amounts of information, while providing self-paced instruction.

Computer /Telecommunication links are being explored that have the potential to allow coaches to have direct and immediate access to coaching information, research data, competition results, a calendar of events/activities, trends, etc. Possibilities also include data links with other sports information services and on-line computer bulletin boards for coaches, judges and club owners.

The required record keeping will necessitate the development of a Coaching Database that could permit a whole host of auxiliary opportunities and benefits such as: position/employment searches, credential verification, etc.

Summary To use an Indy 500 analogy, the race for the implementation of a USGF coaches' education program has begun! We have "warmed-up our engine" through nearly two years of research review of existing coaching accreditation programs, dialogue with program administrators, development of basic concepts and needs, and establishment of our personalized basic goals and strategy. Our "pit crew," guided by Mr. Jacki and the USGF Board of Directors, has pushed the program out of the gasoline alley and we are now in first gear. As we prepare to shift to second, there is still the opportunity for YOUR input and guidance regarding strategy and the race plan.

The 500 is a long race that permits continual finetuning of our vehicle and constant review of our strategy and final goal. As we eventually reach the finish line, we expect that the USGF, the coaches, the judges, the athletes and all other participants and supporters will share the rewards of the Winner's Circle.

Please feel free to write me with your comments and concerns. We on the USGF staff recognize that we are working on behalf of the membership and the greater gymnastics community. While we are given a reasonable degree of latitude and discretion for decision making, our primary guidance and direction comes from the USGF Board of Directors, Mr. Mike Jacki, the USGF Executive Committee, the various members of elected/ appointed committees and YOU! For the United States Gymnastics Federation, Dave Moskovitz USGF Coaching Education Coordinator 25

USGF COACHES E DUCATIO N

1991 USGF SUMMER COACHES' EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS

DATES DESCRIPTION 8/2-4 BOYS INSTRUCTOR'S WORKSHOP - This Workshop will be conducted in conjunction with the Jr. Olympic Boys National Team Camp at the United States Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs. Course Directors: Dave Moskovitz, Hideo Mizoguchi and Ron Brant. Clinicians will include members of the Jr. Boys National Coaching Staff and USOTC sports science staff. Classroom sessions will be offered on a wide range of topics relevant to coaching as well as some "hands-on" sessions regarding progressions and spotting. Participants will be able to observe some of the sessions at the Training Camps. CLevel =Class III Optionals and higher) "Addon" courses: USGF Safety Certification and CPR are available.

Location: United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO Host Hotel: Palmer House, 3010 North Chestnut, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 (719) 636-5201 ($40 single, $42 dble)

8/2-4 PRE-SCHOOL/DEVELOPMENTAL INSTRUCTOR'S WORKSHOP - Featured guest clinicans will include Mrs. Kajsa Murmark and Mrs. Gun Stahl from the Swedish Gymnastics Federation representing the General Gymnastics Technical Committee of the F.I.G., and Mr. Terry Exner from GymMarin in California. Classroom sessions will focus on the preparation of developmentally sound curricula and the European approach. Many new and exciting ideas will be offered! There will be opportunity for "hands-on" and observation sessions. "Addon" courses: USGF Safety Certification, CPR, and Skill Evaluator and Meet Director's tests are available.

Location: USGF National Training Center, Indianapolis, IN Host Hotel: Fairfield Inn, 8325 Bash Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250 (317) 577-0455 ($39.95 single or db Ie) 8/9-11 PRE-SCHOOL/DEVELOPMENTAL INSTRUCTOR'S WORKSHOP- This will be a repeat of the Indianapolis Workshop with Murmark, Stahl and Exner as the featured clinicians. While the focus of both workshops is on preschoolers, attention will also be given to the transitional period when the pre-schooler moves into a more pure gymnastics program. "Add -on" courses: USGF Safety Certification, CPR, Skill Evalua tor and Meet Director's tests are available.

Location: Hoot Smith Gymnastics Center, Bedford, TX (Ft. Worth) Host Hotel: Holiday Inn - West, 3005 Airport Freeway, Bedford, TX 76021. (817) 267-3181 ($48,1-4 occupancy) 8/28- RHYTHMIC COACHES AND JUDGES WORKSHOP AND SYMPOSIUM - If you are currently offering art 9/1 RSG program or are interested in adding this to your existing program, this is the Workshop for you! A full curriculum of information will be offered. Since the Workshop will be offered in conjunction with an elite Rhythmic Training Camp, you will have access to observe and interact with the top U.S. RSG coaching/judging professionals as well as special guest clinicians and sport scientists from the USOTC. You will be able to observe Elite athletes in training. Sessions will be offered for both coaches and judges. "Add-on" courses: USGF Safety Certification and CPR are available.

Location: United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO Host Hotel: TBA

Typical Workshop Costs: Basic Workshop fee: $80 for USGF pro-members - ($100 fornonmembers)Thisincludesthebasic2-1 / 2dayworkshopandallhand-out materials. (The fee for the RSG Symposium is $90 for USGF members).

"Add-on" courses: Besides the basic Instructor's Workshop, you or your staff will be able to "add-on" other courses or testing opportunities to augment accreditation as gymnastics professionals.

These include: USGF Safety Certification Course and exam (special Workshop Participant rates: $50.00 for pro-members and $75 for non-members); CPR ($40, includes CPR book); Skill Evaluator's Test ($9 for USGF pro-members or $15 for nonmembers); Women's Meet Director's test ($10 for USGFpro-member).

Transportation, housing and meals will be the responsibility of each Workshop participant. The USGF will arrange for a designated host hotel. Participants may also take advantage of special transportation rates available from USGF Sponsor, American Airlines.

Certificate: All Workshop Participants will receive a special Certificate recognizing their participation in these Workshops.

Video-tapes: All sessions will be video-taped by the USGF. Besides the "highlights" tape, participants will be able to purchase additional session tapes from the USGF Merchandise Dept. at a discount.

26

rr----------------, For More Information: Please send the following to the USGF Department of Educational Services Name_____________________________________ Address ___________________________________ City___ _ _ _ _ __ _ __

St____Zip_____

Please send additional information regarding the USGF 1991 Summer Workshops checked (--J ) below: o 8/ 2 Boy's Instructors Workshop, Colorado Springs, CO o 8/ 2 Preschool Workshop, Indianapolis, IN o 8/9 Preschool Workshop, Ft. Worth, TX o 8/28 RSG Workshop / Symposium, Colorado Springs, CO USGF, Educational Services, Pan American Plaza, Suite 300,

L ___ ~o~. Capitol, Indianapolis, IN 46225 _ _ _ .-J July-Sept. 1991 TECHNIQUE

Congress Information

1991 USGP Congress Update The 1991 Congress will be conducted in Indianapolis during the World Gymnastics Championships.

Dates: Thursday-Saturday, September 12-14, 1991.

Times: To avoid conflicting with the evening World Championships Finals competitions, the Congress sessions will be conducted between 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. each day.

Location: All 1991 Congress sessions will be conducted in the facilities of the Indiana Convention Center Hoosier Dome.

Sessions: Presentation sessions will include technical information from the men's and women's program areas, judging, sport science, preschool! developmental, educational gymnastics and even selected business topics.

A Tentative Schedule of Congress Presentations is included on page 28 of this magazine.

Exhibitor's Hall The annual Exhibitor's Hall will be expanded this year to include a retail area open to the general public; a restricted area will be open only to Congress/Club 91 participants as well as members from the international delegations.

Cost/Registration USGF professional members should take advantage of the form below to pre-register for the USGF Congress and Club 91. $91 pays for both!

The cost for non-professional members to attend the Congress only is $150.

Housing There is no one designated USGF Congress host hotel. To reserve accommodations for the USGF Congress and World Championships, you need to contact the WGC Housing Bureau (FAX 317/ 684-2492, Information 317/ 630-1991).

Questions regarding 1991 Congress? Call the USeF. 317/237-5050 Questions regarding the World Championships? Call the wee.

317/630-1991

Airlines American Airlines is the "Official Airline of the USGF." For quotes on special rates, caUl-800-4331790 and ask for Star Number 03Z24R.

,----------------------------------------, Club 91 /USGF Congress

Registration Form

USGF Professional Member Order Form

PRE-REGISTRAnON DEADLINE IS AUGUST 1

Name

NameofClub / Program_ __ _ __ _ ____ 1

Address _ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ City_ __ __ __ __ State_ _ Zip_ __ Phone (day) USGF Pro #

Phone (night) _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ Exp. Date

Soc. Security No._ __ - _ _ - _ _ _

Check (,J) appropriate title(s): 0 Women's Program o Judge

0 Men's Program

1991-USGF CONGRESS

0 Club Owner

0 Coach 0 Administrator Each USGF professional member may purchase one additional Club 91 pass for a spouse or special guest. If you wish to take advantage of this offer, please fill out the form below.

Spouse/Guest (or USGF non-professional member) Order Form

Name

Name of Club / Program_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Address

City

1991WORLD GY MNASTICS C H A MPI ONS HIP S

State__Zip _ _ _

INDIANAPOLIS. SEPTEMBER 6-15

Phone (day) _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ Phone(night) _ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ __

o Club Owner Check (,J) appropriate title(s): 0 Women's Program 0 Men's Program o Administrator o Judge 0 Coach Fee enclosed : 0 I am ordering one CLUB 91 pass for $91 o I am ordering two CLUB 91 passes for $182 o I am ordering one USGF non-professional member "Congress Only" pass for $150 Make check/money order payable to: 1991 WeC/CLUB 91 o VISA 0 MasterCard Expiration Date_ _ __ _ _

L

Mail completed Form to: 1991 WGC / CLUB 91 101 W.WashingtonSt., Suite 1301 Indianapolis, IN 46204 T391

__ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ---.JI Card # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Signature

TECHNIQUE July-September 1991

27

Please note that this schedule is tentative and still subject to change and revision. The Congress planning staff has not yet received all confirmations of Congress Presenters and topics. Congress participants will receive a full and complete schedule upon check-in at the Congress Registration area in Club '91 or outside the Congress Exhibit Hall.

CODE: B (Business topic), ED (Educational gymnastics sessions), PS (Pre-schooVdevelopmental sessions), SS (Sport Science presentations).

THURSDAY - 9/12 9:00-10:15

10:30-11 :45

·· ·

12:00-1:30 1:30-2 :45

3:00-4:00

FRIDAY - 9/13 9:00-10:15 10:30-11 :45

12:00-1:30 1:30-2:45

3:00-4:00

··

··

WOMEN'S SESSIONS

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

CooklMaloney: J.O. Program Update.

Practice Judging: Levels 5-7

PS-Komara: SS-Benardot: Nutrition fundamentals for performance.

Presentation of the '92-'96 Elite Compulsory Routines - (12:00-12:45) Peters: Preparation for winning.

Schweyer: Elite judging.

Basic Uneven Bar Swing Technique.

Mahoney: Organization and administration of the USGF program.

Grossfeld: Fundamental Element Technique.

Practice Judging: Level 9 Faulkenberry: Dance for Gymnastics Pt. I SS-Nassar: Improving gymnasts' kinesthetic awareness through proprioceptive training.

·· ··

·

Elliott: Spacial awareness and visualization in multiple somersaulting.

·

·

MEN'S SESSIONS

Round-off entry vault technique and training.

Maloney: Meet Directors' responsibilities.

Biggs: Floor exercise routine construction.

Mizoguchi, Gum, McIntyre, Watson: '93-'96 J.O. program preview. Skills achievement, age gpoprogram, skills testing, & coaching development (9:00-12:00)

LUNCH and VISIT EXHIBITS ED-Hacker: New Sequential Gymnastics Programs.

B-Biron: A summer day camp: profitable solution for summer income.

PS-Pica: How you gonna keep them off the walls?

B-Sahlein: Duplicating your #1 worker.

PS-Exner: Problem solving - a coach's approach to pre-school psychology.

USGF Athlete's Council.

ED-Allen: A basic tumbling program for all gymnasts.

B-Metzger: Solving a gym club's #1 problemfinding, selecting, and keeping people who care as much as you do.

LUNCH and VISIT EXHIBITS B-Thibodeau: Club management systems.

SS-Starr:Overuse syndromes in children and adolescents.

SS-Crawford: Maximizing Athletic Potential.

SS-Nassar: Plyometric training to improve gymnast's springing and vertical jump performance.

Hitzel: Rhythmic Gymnastics programs in artistic clubs.

.

·

·

Cowan, Gum, McIntyre: Everything you need to know about conducting a men's event but were afraid to ask.

Roetzheim: FIG Code Update

·

Howard, Roethlisberger:'96 Compulsory preview.

·

Mazeika, King: Memative mechanisms for gymnastics clubs.

· ·

Curtin: Physical Preparation of young athletes - a systematic approach.

USGF Athlete's Council Presentation.

·

Beckstead: Judging USGF National Compatitions.

.

SATURDAY - 9/14 9:00-10:15

10:30-11 :45

12:00-1:30 1:30-2:45

3:00-4:00

··

Faulkenberry: Dance for gymnastics Pt II. Practice judging: Level 10.

··

Teaching basic uneven parallel bar skills.

Coaches, Judges and Gymnasts - (Joint session of USGF and NAWGJ.

·

Strength and conditioning gymnastics training programs.

· ·

Kreutzer: USGF Junior "B" element testing program.

Judging for coaches.

28

BIPS- Lulla: Cashing in on the youth fitness explosion.

ED-Moskovitz: USGF Coaching Development SS-Crowe: The effect of visualization on the floor exercise performance of gymnasts.

Witten: The back giant swing on the uneven parallel bars a biomechanical analysis.

ED-Phelps, White, Kimes: A gymnastics renaissance-public gymnastics in Chicago.

SS- Nassar: The influence of gymnastics training on isokinetic strength values of the knee McNitt-Grey: Impact during landings.

Crain: Psychological case study of a live-in gymnastics training center.

LUNCH and VISIT EXHIBITS PS-Komara: ED-Schenk: History of Gymnastics in the U.S. (Update).

SS- Yuen:The back-handspring- Comparison of kinematic variables of the center of gravity following 3 different hand placements.

Sands: Physical abilities tests and norms of the U.S. National Women's Gymnastics teams.

B/PS-Sharlow: Gymnastics on WheelsMegaprofits for the 90's.

SS-3M: Materials for gymnastics surfaces.

·

Eskay Technique: "Stress Busting" massage technique for malelfemale athletes and coaches.

SS-Starr, Nassar. Taping and Bracing of gymnastics related injuries and conditions. (Men! women).

July-September 1991 TECHNIQUE

World Gymnastics Championships Update he Indy 500 isn't the only sport activity in For the first time since 1954, Germany will be Indianapolis that's on a fast track. The路 competing as a unified nation. Team ran kings 1991 World Gymnastics Championship from the 1989 competition in Stuttgart are as Organizing Committee is racing toward follows: September at a record setting pace.

Men Women 1. USSR 1. USSR Hotel rooms are being filled and tickets are 2. East Germany 2. Romania being sold, the media is being accredited, volunteers are being placed and hospitality plans are 3. China 3. China being finalized. In these last few weeks before the 4. USA 4. Japan event begins, every last detail will be completed.

T

Entry List The fierce competition from world champion teams and the importance of the World Gymnastics Championships as an Olympic qualifying event are bringing hundreds of athletes from five continents to Indianapolis September 6-15.

At press time, the number of countries entered in the 1991 World Gymnastics Championships was 50. These entries are pending approval by the International Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

Countries have until July 8 to return definitive registration forms . The "drawing of the lots" will be July 8 in Indianapolis. This draw, which will be administered by the local organizing committee and overseen by the FIG, will determine order of competition for teams and individual athletes.

Countries that have submitted entries to the World Gymnastics Championships Argentina Finland New Zealand Australia France Norway Austria People's Republic Germany Belgium Great Britain of Korea Bolivia Greece Philippines Brazil Guatemala Poland Bulgaria Holland Portugal Canada Puerto Rico Hungary China Iceland Romania Chinese Ireland South Africa Taipei Israel Spain Cuba Sweden Italy Switzerland Cyprus Japan Czechoslovakia Korea USSR Denmark Luxembourg United States Dominican Mexico Virgin Islands Republic Yugoslavia Mongolia EI Salvador Morocco

Of the 50 participating countries, 41 are sending both men and women to compete. Full men's teams are being fielded by 31 participating countries and 32 countries are sending a full women's team. (A full team consists of six gymnasts and one alternate.)

TECHNIQUE July-September 1991

WGC Tickets Before the gymnasts of the 1991 World Gymnastics Championships strive for their goals, World Gymnastics Championships organizers are working to meet their goals of healthy ticket sales.

According to Local Organizing Committee controller, Matt O'Donnell, ticket sales have met exactly with overaH projections set before the sale.

"We met the projections early on. As of the end of May, we have sold 40 percent of our goal. If we haven't sold 60 percent before the final six weeks prior to the event, we can still be optimistic because we have evidence that sales are brisk in the last six to eight weeks," O'Donnell said.

As of late spring, more than 3,000 ticket packages had been sold. In addition, more than 4,000 individual tickets were purchased within the first 72 hours of going on sale after a special celebration at Monument Circle in Indianapolis which fea tured Indiana's First Lady Mrs. Evan Bayh and world-famous magician Harry Blackstone, Jr.

Opening Ceremonies Friday, September 6,1991 Market Square Arena Tickets: $25 All-Session Package Gold Medal/lower level seats-$180 Silver Medal/lower level seats-$125 Bronze Medal/upper level seats-$85 Single Session Tickets: 7 Preliminary Sessions Sept. 7-11 Ticket Prices: $7 and $5 per session 6 Finals Sessions Sept. 10-15 Ticket Prices: $32, $22, $15 per session

Come and Share the Magic!

Tickets available at all Ticketrnastrer outlets including KARMA RECORDS and select L.S. AYRES Stores.

To charge by phone call Ticketmaster.

1-800-359-8383 (Outside Indiana Only)

29

Jennifer Hadley and Anne Lentz wee Media Relations

Club 91 Update Podium Training Policy: There will be reserved seating for a select group of persons who are credentialed for the event and Club 91 members. These people will be allowed entry through an access check at the lower level of the dome. Because Club 91 members cannot pick up their credentials until September 7, a hard copy list will be provided to the security personnel to allow entry.

t has been said that membership has its privileges. The same rings true for Club 91 at the 1991 World Gymnastics Championships.

Club 91 is a special place to share the magic of the Championships with fellow USGF professionals, current and former U.S. team athletes and members of the international gymnastics community.

This unique hospitality package, available only to USGF professional members, includes a clublike setting for event-goers to enjoy food, drinks, conversation and entertainment throughout the event. Located in Pan American Plaza across the street from the competition venue, members will be surrounded by an ancient Olympic Games atmosphere complete with columns, urns and vining plants.

"We selected this festive theme in an effort to re-create the Olympic spirit of ancient Greece," said Susan Baughman, coordinator of Club 91.

Restaurant seating, a game room and dance floor are added features to twist the night away.

Club 91 participants are able to attend podium training sessions free and also have access to USGF Congress special events and the closing banquet of the 1991 World Gymnastics Championships," according to Mike Jacki, Local Organizing Committee President.

I

Club 91 membership also includes admission to the 1991 USGF Congress which is being held concurrently with the 1991 World Gymnastics Championships. This is a valuable opportunity for members to attend educational seminars led by the finest coaches and technicians in the sport and exhibits by the leading manufacturers.

The USA Team Reception will be hosted in Club 91 where past World Championship team members, invited by the USGF Athlete's Council, will join current U.S. team members to celebrate the sport. Club members will relax and recap the day's events at daily cocktail hours available between event sessions.

The Club will be open daily starting September 7 at 8:00 a.m. Members may pick up their nontransferable membership cards anytime the Club is open. This card must be presented upon each entry into the Club facilities. The Club will open before competition begins each day and will close 90 minutes after each day's sessions end. Startlists for each session will be available at the Club.

Enhance your trip to the World Championships by becoming part of the memory of spectacular competition through membership in Gub 91. The $91 membershipcanbeordered. by phone, call: Susan Baughman at 317/630-1991, extension 5020.

Tentative Schedule of World Championships Activities M-Th, 9/ 2-5 Fri.,9 / 6 Sat.,9/7 Sun., 9/ 8 Mon., 9/ 9 Tue., 9/ 10 Wed .,9 / 11 Thu., 9/ 12

Sat.,9 / 14 Sun., 9/ 15

30

9 am - 10:00 pm daily Hoosier Dome Podium Training* 7:30 pm Market Square Opening Ceremony 8 am Club '91 Opens* 9 am - 3:30 pm Men's Compulsories / Team (round 1-3) Hoosier Dome Women's Compulsories/Team (round 1-3) 5 pm -10:15 pm Hoosier Dome Men's Compulsories / Team (round 4-6) Hoosier Dome 9 am - 3:20 pm Women's Compulsories/ Team (round 4-6) Hoosier Dome 5 pm - 10:05 pm Women's Compulsories/ Team (round 7-9) Hoosier Dome 9 am - 2:05 Men's Optionals/Team (round 1-3) 4 pm - 10:30 pm Hoosier Dome Hoosier Dome Women's Optionals / Team (round 1-3) 9 am - 2:15 pm Hoosier Dome Men's Team Final (round 4-6) 4 pm - 10:35 pm 9 am - 12:20 pm Hoosier Dome Women's Optionals/ Team (round 4-5) Hoosier Dome Women's Optionals/Team (round 6-7) 1:30 pm - 4:50 pm Hoosier Dome Women's Team Finals (round 8-9) 7 pm -10:35 pm Convention Ctr. USGF Congress* 9 am - 4:30 pm Presentation of Women's 92-96 Compo routines* 12 noon - 1:00 pm Hoosier Dome State Capitol 9 am -1:00 pm FIG Medical/Scientific Symposium Hoosier Dome Men's All-Around Finals 7 pm - 9:45 pm Convention Ctr. 9 am - 4:30 pm USGF Congress* 9 am -1 :00 pm State Capitol FIG Medical / Scientific SympOSium USGF Awards Presentation* 5 pm - 6:00 pm Club 91 Awards Reception* 6 pm - 7:00 pm Club 91 Women's All-Around Finals 7 pm - 10:00 pm Hoosier Dome Convention Ctr. 9 am - 4:30 pm USGF Congress* Hoosier Dome 6 pm - 8:15 pm Men's and Women's Event Finals Men's & Women's Event Finals 2:45 pm - 5:15 pm Hoosier Dome 8 pm - 12:00 midnight Union Station Final Banquet* *Open to members of Club 91/USGF Congress

July-September 1991 TECHNIQUE

SI ..... RE I I IE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• .va.a.c.IC_ OFFICIAL ORDER FORM Gold

SCHEDULES AND PRICES FOR INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS Fri. Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies (Market Square Arena)

Number of Bronze tickets X Price

Silver

= Total

___ x ---- - - -J

$25

Sat. Sept. 7,9 a.m.-10 p.m .(EST)

Men's & Wome n 's Compulsories

$5

$5

$5 ___ X - - - - - - -J

Sun. Sept. 8, 9 a.m.-1 0 p.m

M en's & W omen's Compulsories

$5

$5

Mon . Sept. 9, 9 a.m.

Women's Compulsories

$5

$5

Men 's Team Competition

$7

$7

$5 ___ X ___ - - - -l ___ X ___- ___) $5 $7 ___ X ___ - - - -l

Tues . Sept. 10, 9 a.m.

Women 's Team Competition

$7

$7

$7 _ _ _ X _ _ _= - --il

Tues. Sept. 10, 4 p.m.

Men's Team Finals=

$32

$22

$15 _ _ X _ _= __-:l

Wed . Sept 11 , 9 a.m.

Women's Team Competition

$7

Women 's Team Competition

$7

$7 $7

X - -'= ---1

Wed . Sept 11, 1 :30 p .m.

$7 $7

Wed. Sept 11, 7 p.m.

Women's Team Finals=

$32

$22

$15

X--'---~l

Thurs. Sept 12, 7 p.m.

Men's All-Around Finals=

$32

$22

$15 ___ X ___ -- __r '_ l

Fri. Sept 13, 7 p.m.

Women's All-Around Finals=

$32

$22

$15

X - -,,=-- - - - -l

Sat. Sept. 14, 6 p.m.

Individual Event Finals

(M&W)=

$32

$22

$15

X ---= - -.. .J

Sun. Sept 15, 2:45 p.m.

Individual Event Finals

(M&W)=

$32

$22

$15

X ---= - - -l

Mon. Sept. 9,

4

p.m.

X __=__

1

Denotes Championsh ip A service/convenience charge will be added to each ind ividual session tic ket sold through TicketMaster outlets and those tickets charged by phone .

Competition start times s ubject to change. =

~

Handling

$3.00

........................................................

Total

DlSAP.EARI~ ~cr_

CHAMPIONS-ALL PACKAGE

Number of Packages

(includes one seat for each of Hie 13 sessions, subject to availability) Gold Medal Package (Premium Seats)

$180

X

Silver Medal Package (Lower Deck Seats)

$125

X

Bronze Medal Package (Upper Deck Seats)

$85

X

Opening Ceremonies (Market Square Arena)

$25 (all seats)

X

Total

Handling If the desired Package is not available, would you accept the next best available seating?

Yes No The difference will be refunded to you.

If Opening Ceremonies are sold-out, you w ill receive a refund , or you may donate your refund to the National Gymnastics Foundation. _ _ _ Yes, donate my refund to the National Gymnastics Foundation.

Total

Name Address City/State _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Zip _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Daytime phone number Visa

Evening Phone _ _ _ _ __ Mastercard

E xp . Date _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Account N u m b e r - - - - - - - - - - If you're ordering tickets by mail . this official order form or a photocopy of it , must be ,sed. Payment without official application ::>rms will not be accepted.

Each comp leted form must include a

TECHNIQUE July-September 1991

$3 .00

No mail orders will be accepted after August 23, 1991 .

No mail orders from outside the continental United States wil l be accepted after May 31, 199 1 .

Make check or money order payable to "1991 WGC" and maillto: 1991 WGC P.O. Box 7091 Indianapolis, IN, USA 46207-7091 (in U .S. currency only) No refunds allowed. All sales final.

Signature - - - - - - - - - - -

personal check or money order for the correct amount, payable to: "1991 WGC," or complete and valid VISA o r MasterCard information with Signature.

A $3.00 handling charge for each order

must be included in the payment for each application. In cases of event cancellation, this fee will not b e refunded. All ticket orders must be paid in U.S. currency. Do not send cash.

Your cance ll ed check or credit ca r d statement wil l be con firmation that your order has been received and processed.

Ticke ts wi ll be mailed to all applicants beginning on or about July 30, 1991 .

31

WHO'S WHO IN u.s. GYMNASTICS Mark Your Place in History!

The 1991 edition of Who's Who in U.S. Gymnastics is being compiled and edited right now! The United States Gymnastics Federation has previously published two editions of resumes of various gymnastics personalities. The last one was published in 1977. In the past 14 years, the U.s. community of gymnasts, coaches, judges, educators, administrators, volunteers and contributors has greatly expanded.

Now YOU can be a part of history! We're encouraging those of you who have contributed to our great sport, to mark your place in history and be recognized by participating in the 1991 Who's Who project.

Your involvement will assist in promoting the growth of U.S. gymnastics. A portion of the proceeds from this publication will be distributed to the USGF State and Regional accounts - based upon the number of "participants" in the book representing these localities.

To be included in the 1991 USGF Who's Who in U.S . Gymnastics publication, call or write the USGF Who's Who Project Coordinator to receive the Registration Form and Data Sheet. The Resume Participation Fees are: $29.95 (For Basic listing and one copy of the book) or $34.95 (for Basic listing, Biographical Sketch, plus one copy of Who's Who). The regular purchase price of Who 's Who is $22.50.

Call Now ... there is still time! The deadline for submission of the Biographical Forms has been extended.

Who's Who Submission deadline extended We have had numerous requests to extend the deadline for submission of biographies to Who's Who in U.S. Gymnastics. But act now, the publication deadline is fast approaching.

We need your help!

office and request additional Forms or provide us with the names and addresses of people whom you think might want to be included in the publication.

Remember that USGF State and Regional accounts will receive a portion

these localities. Each USGF State accoun t will receive $2.50 for every Who's Who participant listed as a current resident of that state. Each USGFRegional account will receive $1.50 for every Who's Who participant listed as a current resident of a state in that region.

The USGF is offering comWe realize that there are plimentary listings for any numerous other participants past gymnastics contributor Contributor's Name Birth date and contributors in the greater who is deceased. There will Current residence address and telephone number. gymnastics community who be no charge to submit a listOccupation title. Company or organization where employed . might not be current meming for a former coach, athlete Company address and telephone number. bers of the United States Gymjudge, educator or adminisCategories - A :(athlete) . C :(coach). E :(Educator) . nastics Federation, but who Ad :(Administrator) . V:(Volunteer) . J:(Judge). O:(Other) . trator. The submitter will be Education - HS :(Name and City). UG:(Undergraduate school might want to be included in given credit in memory of the and city). PG :(Post-graduate school and city). the 1991 edition of Who's Who deceased. If you would like to Competitive Background - Listing of Year/Achievement, from in U.S. Gymnastics. Weencoursubmit an individual into the earliest to most recent. age their participation. Marie Who's Who in U.s . Gymnastics Honors/Awards: Listing of year/honors or awards from earliest Roethlisberger, Who's Who book, you can either send in to most recent. Eg. 1985:State Coach ofthe Year. 1986:ComProject Coordinator, has been the Who's Who application munity Service Award. 1989: USGF Service Award . working hard to identify non1990:Elected to the Gymnastics Hall of Fame . form or submit the name and Biography: Biographical sketch written by the contributor. 100 USGF Professional members their achievements in a writword limit. who might desire to be inten format. cluded in the publication.

Also, some are too modest Please feel free to photocopy to submit their own resumes. the Who's Who information and pass of the proceeds from this publication You are welcome to prepare a listing it along to your friends and associates based upon the number of participants for a friend, associate, past coach, etc. in gymnastics. You may call the USGF in the book who currently reside in In this case, there will be a charge.

32

Sample Who's Who Entry

July-September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Information

Immigration Act of 1990 his may be the best of times and the worst of times for gymnastics clubs desiring to hire foreign gymnastics coaches. Distinguished foreign coaches seem to be more readily available to U.s. gymnastics clubs than ever before. This is a time of uncertainty, however, as to the best strategies for obtaining work authorization from the INS. The problem is the lack of reliable guidance from the INS regarding the qualifications and procedures for obtaining the nonimmigrant and immigrant statuses relevant to foreign gymnastics coaches under the Immigration Act of1990 (the "1990 Act"). Most of the provisions of the 1990 Act that are relevant to U.s. employers do not become effective until October 1, 1991. The INS has been feverishly preparing regulations to implement the 1990 Act. As of June 11, 1991, however, no regulations applicable to foreign coaches have been published. Proposed regulations are expected in the near future . This article briefly discusses a few important matters that should be considered by U.S. gymnastics clubs desiring to employ foreign coaches.

T

Nonimmigrant VISa Statuses Under current law, most foreign gymnastics coaches initially obtain work authorization in the United States by acquiring H-18 status. From the perspective of foreign coaches, the 1990 Act, however, makes significant negative changes to the H18 visa category. The 1990 Act changes the H-18 standard from "aliens of distinguished merit and ability" to aliens employed in "specialty occupations." Alien entertainers, athletes, artists and other "prominent" aliens who under current law qualify for H-18 status now have their own categories, "0" and "P". Specialty occupations are those that require highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, which means that the new H-1B category will in most cases apply to those aliens who are professionals under the current H-1B category, e.g., engineers, architects, lawyers and teachers. In addition, the 1990 Act imposes a yearly cap of 65,000 on the number of aliens who can be granted H-1 B status.

It is too early to determine what effect the cap will have on the availability of H-IB visas.

Probably the most negative change affecting the H-1 B category is that, under the 1990 Act, the prospective employer of an H-1 B alien must file the equivalent of a labor attestation, also referred to as a labor condition application, with the Department of Labor. The attestation must indicate that the employer will pay at least the local preTECHNIQUE July - September 1991

vailing wage and offer prevailing working conditions to the prospective H-18 alien and to all U.S. workers in the same job at the employer's facility.

The labor attestation procedure also involves other burdensome requirements. Many fear that this procedure will significantly lengthen the period of time required to obtain H-1B status. The regulations are expected to provide guidance with respect to this new procedure.

The 1990 Act creates another nonimmigrant category, 0, that may apply to some foreign coaches. It describes aliens of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. The statutory provisions and legislative history relating to the a category do not provide sufficient guidance as to whether the a category will be preferable to the H-1 B category for foreign coaches. As soon as the regulations are issued, the advantages and disadvantages of the a category should be considered with respect to obtaining work authorization for gymnastic coaches after October 1, 1991. One probable advantage will be that no labor attestation will be required to obtain a status. On the other hand, the documentation required to qualify for a status may be difficult for foreign coaches to provide.

The H-1B category should be considered, before and after October 1, 1991, for a foreign coach who has a formal educational background equivalent to tha t of a person holding a bachelor's degree in physical education, sports administration or coaching from a United States college or university. Prominent foreign coaches who have no formal educational background and less than 12 years of experience should definitely consider the a category after October 1. If a U.S. club has already identified a foreign coach, it may be advisable, in some cases, to consider commencing the H-1B application process before October 1, 1991, to avoid the negative changes to the H-1B category under the 1990 Act. To obtain H-18 status, it must be demonstrated to the INS that the foreign coach is a professional and that the position for which the coach is being hired requires a professional level person. The best way to make these demonstrations is to provide evidence (1) of the coach's relevant educational background (if the coach has a foreign diploma, it must be evaluated by a professional educational credential evaluating firm), (2) that the position's job description is complex in nature and similar to that of an educator, and (3) that the analogous positions in other similarly situated U.S. gymnastics clubs also are filled by professionallevel persons. The benchmark for whether 33

Clay Robbins Baker and Daniels Indianapolis, Indiana

a person is professional is whether he or she has a bachelor's degree in a relevant area. If a coach has no bachelor's degree, but many years of experience, it may be worthwhile to attempt to obtain H1B status. The INS regulations provide basically that three years of experience is equal to one year of college. It is conceivable that a coach having 12 years of high level experience and no formal educational background could obtain H-1B status. With respect to demonstrating that the decision requires a professional level person, the survey conducted by Dr. William A. Sands, the results of which are published in the January-March 1990 issue of Technique, can be very useful as it clearly shows the impressive educational background of most elite coaches of U.S. gymnastics clubs.

Permanent Residence The 1990 Act is much more favorable for foreign gymnastics coaches desiring permanent resident status than is current law. The 1990 Act almost triples the number of permanent resident visas offered to employment based immigrants under the current law. Therefore, waiting periods for the various employment based permanent resident categories should be significantly shorter than under current law. A detailed discussion regarding the qualifications and procedures for permanent resident status is beyond the scope of this article. In most cases, it would be advisable for the alien to obtain a nonimmigrant status, such as H-lB or 0, first and then, while the coach is working under such classification, to seek permanent resident status.

The 1990 Act's first preference category, which is for priority workers, is very attractive because no labor certification will be required for these

I!!~. ~

....

..

4

u.s. GYMNASTICS

FEDERATION

• • • • •

aliens to obtain permanent residence, and there will be virtually no waiting period. This category, however, will apply only to a small handful of foreign gymnastics coaches. Only those who have risen to the very top of their field will have any chance of qualifying for this category.

Many gymnastics coaches, however, may qualify for the second preference, which applies to aliens having advanced degrees or their equivalent in professional fields. The waiting period for this preference category should also be very short.

Labor certification will probably be required for second preference foreign gymnastics coaches.

Therefore, the labor certification process will be what delays the obtaining of permanent resident status for such persons. In many areas, the labor certification process is taking more than one year to complete. For purposes of this category, an advanced degree or its equivalent means a master's degree or a higher degree or a bachelor's degree plus at least five years progressive experience in the profession.

The remaining foreign coaches should be able to qualify for the third preference category, which is for skilled and unskilled workers. Labor certification will be required for this category. There should be a waiting period, although not as long as the current third preference waiting period of approximately 15 to 20 months.

As indicated at the beginning of this article, this is a very dynamic time for U.s. immigration law. It is important for gymnastics clubs considering employing foreign gymnastics coaches to consult immigration law practitioners before taking any steps to hire a foreign gymnastics coach.

It will be important to monitor the regulatory developments that are relevant to foreign coaches to determine the best strategies for obtaining work authorization for these coaches.

1992 NATIONAL WORKSHOPS May 28-31 and June 4-7

Exciting NEW floor exercise music Be the first to see the new Level 10 compulsory routines All materials updated with the newest changes and clarifications Dance Workouts Levels 4 and 5 USGF Safety Certification and new Skill Evaluators' and Meet Directors'Tests

Mark your calendars now!

34

July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Research Results

USGP Boy's Coaches Survey J.O. Skills Testing Program The survey was sent in February to the State and Regional Chairmen for distribution to their gymnastics constituents. In addition, the survey was published in the April-June, 1991 issue of Technique magazine.

Responses began to arrive within two weeks of distribution of the survey and continued to come in through mid-May. There have been 24 responses to date. The commentaries were very beneficial and ranged from praise to criticism to aggressive pedantics.

The results are as follows :

Start too late ... Newcomers not encouraged ...

Coaches not encouraged.. . Work basics instead ...

Need more time on competitive routines.

Robert Cowan

USGF Men's Program Administrator

10.Suggestions for improving program as regards motivation and visibility?

Various levels, Why? ... Better explanation of purpose ...

Motivate coaches ... Reward coaches ...

Reward athletes ... Allow to test down .. .

Greater understanding of benefits ...

More national exposure ...

Closer monitoring of guidelines ...

Insure National Staff all say the same thing ...

Have competitions instead of just test.

AVERAGE RANGE 1. Number of boys in program a. Class b. Competitive

59.8 21.04

12-130 4-55

2. Number of boys per age group in competitive program.

Average Range Ages 5-6 0.15 4.9 7-9 1-15 7.7 10-12 0-30 7.5 5.04 13-15 0-25 3.05 16-18 0-15 3. Number of boys who participate in testing 5.14 0-15 4. Number of boys per age group in testing 6-7 3.0 2.9 8-9 10-11 2.5 12-13 2.6 14-15 1.0 16-18 1.6

0-6 0-6 1-5 1-6 0-2 1-3

YES NO 5. Is there a correlation between participating in the testing program and success in the competitive season?

11 11 6. Is there a correlation between testing success and level of motivation?

4 16 7. Is there a correlation between lack of success in testing and athlete drop-out?

4 16

11.Suggestions for changes and/or additions in specific skills?

Require Manna position... Straight handstands ...

Require 3 second handstand and increase to one minute ...

Videotape or pictures ofexactly what is desired, including degrees of angles ...

Arabesques out of tumbling moves .. .

Kicks into FX moves. .. It is the USGF's fault .. .

Test down in age.. . Make skills a little easier .. .

Hollow body handstand... No one arm giants.

YES NO 12. Do you use testing skills in your gym, even if you do not take athletes to testing?

5 17 13. Is testing a valuable tool in progress and motivation of talented athletes?

18 4

Many respondents emphasized TALENTED. 14.ls the testing program necessary?

61 %

39%

15. Does the testing program have a place for athletes who are not of a high level?

77% 23% The completed forms will be scrutinized by the Junior Coaches Staff. Much of the information has already been incorporated into the philosophy of the 1993-96 program, including allowing athletes to test down one age group, providing more incentives for athletes and coaches, testing basic skills and other useful information.

For those who took the time to respond, thank you very much for your time and your in pu t io the program.

8. Do athletes understand the purpose of testing?

12 10 9. Why do athletes not participate in testing?

Do not understand the purpose ... Lack of time ...

Too young... Too expensive ... Not talented enough ...

TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

35

RSGMinutes

Junior Olympic Program Committee June 22, 1991

III.RHYIHMICPROFESSIONALMEMBERSSURVEY Hitzel distributed a preliminary draft of the professional member survey. When finalized, it will be distributed to all professional members.

Miami, FI Members Present: Reg. I Reg. II Reg. III Reg. IV Reg. V Reg. VI Reg. VII Reg. VIII Athletes Rep. Judges Rep. RPA

AlIa Svirsky Jan Williamson Jackie Scheerer Debbie Grainger Gwen Hilliard Maureen Broderick Cathy Harrelson Marina Davidovich Karyn Lyon Diane Massad Nora Hitzel

The Chairman, Debbie Grainger, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND USGF REPORTS A. The 1990 Athlete Membership data was distributed.

B. Hitzel announced that the Safety Certification mandate will be in effect at the 1992 Rhythmic National Championships for all participating coaches and judges.

C. Grainger gave a report regarding the USGF coaches accreditation planning session that was held in Chicago in April.

D. Hitzel announced that based upon the results of the East/West J.O. Championships, 20 athletes (10 from East and 10 from West) were invited to attend the USGF Development Training Camp August 15-20 in Colorado Springs.

F. Hitzel announced that 20 athletes were invited to the Elite Training Camp August 24-30 based upon the results from the National Championships.

G. Hitzel announced that the Rhythmic Symposium will be held August 28 - September 1 at the OTC in Colorado Springs. This symposium will serve as an alternative to the annual USGF Congress in 1991.

H. Hitzel announced that elections for Regional Chairmen from Regions II, IV, VI and VIII are in progress.

II. 1992 COMPETITION SCHEDULE March 28-29 Region VI, II April 4-5 Region I, VII April 11-12 Region VIII, IV April 25-26 Region III, V May 15-17 National Championships (Colorado Springs) June 13 J.O. East Team Championships J.O. West Team Championships June 20 Compulsory Clinics introducing the new 1993-96 routines will be held for coaches and judges following each of the ].0. Team Championships.

36

IV. REGIONAL MEETINGS Regional Chairmen were reminded that scheduled regional meetings should be held at all regional competitions with minutes sentto the RPA for approval by the J.O. Program Committee.

V. 1992 EASTIWEST TEAM COMPETITION The following format was approved: Regional team entries will be composed of four Class I athletes, four Class II athletes and four Class III athletes from each region. Qualifying athletes will be determined by combining the athletes highest State Score from within the region plus her Regional Score.

There will not be a J.O. Class I competition held at the 1992 National Championships.

Each Region will supply a jacket, with common logo, and a leotard to each athlete from Regional funds.

Williamson will design the logo and Massad will coordinate leotard selections.

VI. 1992-93 RULES AND POLICIES Motion that at State and Regional competitions, athletes who are not USA citizens are eligible to receive the guest awards according to place and rank within the competitor guest categories.

Motion - Harrelson Second - Massad PASSED 00-0)

Motion that for Class IV competitions, the entry fee may not exceed $5 per event or $20 maximum for the competition.

Motion - Lyon Second - Harrelson PASSED 00-0)

VIII. J.O. PROGRAM STRUCTURE Davidovich introduced the proposed structure for 1993-96 J.O. program. With suggested changes from the committee, the concept was approved and work will continue. The new structure will be presented at the August Rhythmic Symposium.

VIII. 1992 CLASS II COMPETITION The 1992 competition program for the Class II level will be: Compulsory RFX Compulsory Clubs Optional Hoop Optional Ribbon

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Submitted by: Nora Ritzel Minutes approved: (signed) Mike Jacki

July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Men's Minutes

Men's Program Committee 1991 NCAA Championships Penn State University, State College, PA Apri117, 1991 Roll Call: Members Present: Greg Buwick Sr. Coaches Rep., Chairman Dave Mickelson NCAA Representative, Secretary Brian Babcock proxy for Jim Hartung, Athletes Council Representative Jim Howard Vice President for Men Gene Watson Jr. Coaches Rep. Peter Kormann Sr. Coaches Rep. Kevin Mazeika proxy for Y oichi Tomita, Jr.Coaches Representative Robert Cowan Men's Program Administrator (voice, no vote) USGFMen's Technical Coordinator Mas Watanabe (voice, no vote) Bill Roetzheim FlG/MTC Member Members Absent: NGJA Representative Harry Bjerky Announcements: Robert Cowan conveyed the regrets of Mr. Jacki and Mr. Donahue to the committee that they would be unable to attend the meeting.

I. SUMMER TRAINING REPORT Mr. Watanabe presented the USA Men's National Team Goals, Objectives and Training Schedules for the World University Games, Pre-Olympic Invitational, Pan American Games and World Championships. The plan was well received by the committee. Jim Howard stressed the importance of training the Pan Am compulsories as soon as the Pan Am team is named at the U.S. Nationals in June. It was the sense of the meeting that this would be incorporated into the plan.

Motion to accept the summer game plan.

Motion - Peter Kormann Second - Brian Babcock PASSED - 8-0-0 II. UPDATE ON RECENT EVENTS Jim Howard reported on the American Cup and commended Trent Dimas and Chris Waller on the good work they did. Concern was also expressed with respect to the conduct of the competition with the women warming up while the men's competition was going on.

Robert Cowan reported that the Jr. Team sent to Portugal did a great job and won the competition and also reported that Scott Keswick and Chris Waller did not fare as well at the Moscow News competition as they both had bad meets.

Bill Roetzheim reported on recent developments in the FIG. At the '91 World Championships each team will have one gymnast in each of the six compulsory sessions. He also discussed the first drafts of the 1996 Olympic compulsories. It was felt that the final drafts will be available within a few months. Of note was the revelation thatthe Floor Exercise compulsory would be done to music. Immediate concern was expressed by all committee members and it was the sense of the meeting

TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

thatthe United States should try to kill this aspect ofthe new routines. Also discussed were proposed new methods of evaluating the gymnastics performance. The new code could have significant changes from what we are used to.

III. U.S. OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER ATHLETE REQUESTS Four athletes have requested the opportunity for residence at the Training Center: summer only Tyler Vogt Chris Toy summer only J.D. Rieve permanent Dan Zimpfer trial basis (to be reviewed after the U.S. Nationals) Robert Cowan recommended that all four requests be accepted. It was pointed out that only three of the applicants met the present criteria for acceptance required by the MPC. J.D. Rieve lacks a letter of recommendation from his coach. Discussion followed on the specifics of his situation.

Motion to accept the three applicants that meet all of the MPC's criteria Tyler Vogt summer only Chris Toy summer only Dan Zimpfer trial basis (to be reviewed after the U.S. Nationals) Motion - Dave Mickelson Second - Jim Howard PASSED - 8-0-0 Chairman Buwick directed Robert Cowan to convey to J.D. Rieve and family the necessity of fulfilling the present criteria of the MPC with regard to resident athlete status at the Olympic Training Center. Chairman Buwick also directed Robert Cowan to develop a proposal regarding criteria to be used to evaluate those athletes at the Training Center on a trial basis.

IV. ALTERNATE CONGRESS PLAN Due to the request of Mike Jacki that no organizations conduct meetings at the 1991 World Championships in Indianapolis it has been proposed that a "meetings only" congress be held in San Antonio, TX the first weekend of November, 1991. Input will be solicited from the appropriate coaching and judging associations.

V. COACHES SUPPORT PROGRAM Chairman Buwick and Kevin Mazeika both presented proposals for changing the structure of the Coaches support program. The Buwick proposal showed a graduated scale of payments based on the rank of the gymnast placed on the Senior National Team and no money for placing a gymnast on the Senior Development Team with no changes in the Junior program. The total monies awarded would rise by $3,200.00.

The Mazeika proposal showed no overall change in the allocated monies, but a smaller award for placing a gymnast on the Senior National Team due to its expan37

sion to 18 members.

Discussion ensued with regard to the relative merits of the Senior Development Team and the Junior Elite program.

Motion to accept the Greg Buwick proposal for recommendation to the Executive Committee.

Motion - Dave Mickelson Second - Greg Buwick PASSED - 6-2-0

VI. ROMANIAN MEET UPDATE Robert Cowan reported that due to the loss to Romania by the Women's team; interest in the Men's competition is sky high! The Romanians are sending their best team and the U.S. is using rank order on the national team. It was stressed how important it is for us to win this competition in order to continue the success we have had in recent months and to build momentum to carry us through the summer and on to the World Championships.

MISCELLANEOUS Before the meeting was adjourned Chairman Buwick wished to comment on a situation that had arisen with regard to the upcoming Senior Elite regional competitions. With one of the sites being the United States Olympic Training Center, Chairman Buwick felt that the Center had an unfair advantage in attracting competitors by offering free room and board. Specifically, Oklahoma has lost competitors from Texas, New Mexico and Nebraska that are choosing the USOTC over.Oklahoma because their costs will be less at the Center.

Oklahoma has therefore lost the entry fees of these athletes (approximately 15) and will have a more difficult time covering the costs of hosting the competition.

In bidding to host the competition these athletes figured into the financial estimates of hosting the meet. No motion was presented.

Motion to adjourn.

Motion - Dave Mickelson Second - Passed PASSED - 8-0-0

The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 am The above is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

(Signed) David R. Mickelson , Secretary, Men's Program Committee Approved: (signed) Mike Jacki, Executive Director

Jope Meeting May 6, 1991 Roll Call Members Present: Reg. I Proxy - Tim Klempnauer Reg. II Scott Morrow Gil Elsass (elected new Region III ChairReg. III man) Ralph Druecke Reg. IV Reg. V RayGura Reg. VI Tom Fontecchio Reg. VII Gene Watson Reg. VIII Ron Clemmer Reg. IX Raleigh Wilson Ath. Rep. Tim Daggett

1. Each Regional Chairman passed ou t wri tten reports to the Board.

2. New State Chairmen's names were handed in.

38

3. Frank Cumin sky Award no nominations as of yet.

4. 1992 - J.O . Nationals Date and Site.

A. Austin, Texas - Gil Elsass B. May 7-10,1992 Motion to accept J.O. National date and site.

Motion - Ray Gura Second - Tim Klempnauer PASSED

5. 1993 - J.O. National Date and Site (Mid East) A. Bid - Chicago, by Dennis McIntyre B. May 7-9, 1993 6. Sub-committee Reports - Gene Watson A. 1993 Basic Skills Achievement Program 1) Video Tape done thru Level IV 2) Wording done for skills B. 1993 Skills Testing Program - Dennis McIntyre 1) Award System - Patch and Certificates C. 1993 Coaching Manual- Ray Gura 1) Try to accept Fred Turoff's Manual of the 6 Olympic Men's events with an add on supplement D. 1993 Compulsories - Hideo Mizoguchi 1) Levels VII, VI, and V are finished 2) Class I routine will be in line with the current Elite Compulsory, but much shorter. They will pull out developmental skills.

7. Alternative Congress- Friday,November1-Sunday, November 3, 1991 A. San Antonio, Texas B. Meeting Saturday evening, November 22, 1991.

8. World Championships-coordinated by LOCnot USGE A. Club '91 - there will be presentations, no meetings.

9. J.O. Nationals Format A. Robert Cowan's recommendations 1) Keep the same format.

2) Change qualifying scores to: Class III 94 points Class I 96 points 3) Regional Team will count 5 scores.

4) Rotate day 2 in traditional team fashion.

Drop one place for the non Reg. Team competitors.

5) Require color team jersey for Reg. Team Members.

Motion to accept Mr. Cowan's recommendations regarding J.O. National format.

Motion - Ralph Druecke Second PASSED

10. New Business A. USGF Office 1) USGF Safety Certification will be REQUIRED at all National Levels in 1992- (judges, coaches, etc.)

2) Cheryl Grace has resigned from the USGF (effective after the World Championships).

B. Code of Points is going to change in 1992.

C. Feb. 1992 - Winter Nationals 1) Proposed that all teams be re-named.

D. Tim Daggett 1) Judges be more cordial and aware of gymnasts.

2) Judges acknowledge gymnasts before and after routines.

E. Score Inquiry (Ray Gura) - only at National level.

1) George Beckstead's idea - not to be done again!

Meeting Adjourned at 11 :00 am (signed) Tom Fontecchio, Sec. JOPC July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Men's Minutes

Mens Program Committee U. S. National Championships

May 21, 1991 Greg Buwick, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 9:01 p.m.

Roll Call: Members Present: Greg Buwick Dave Mickelson Jim Hartung Jim Howard Peter Kormann Kevin Mazeika Bill Roetzheim Harry Bjerke Robert Cowan Mas Watanabe Members absent: Gene Watson

Senior Coaches Representative Chairman NCAA Representative -Secretary Athletes Council Representative Vice President for Men Senior Coaches Representative Junior Coaches Representative FIG / MTC Member NGJA Representative Men's Program Administrator (voice, no vote) USGF Men's Technical Coord inator - (voice, no vote) Junior Coaches Representative

I. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes of the Winter Nationals MPC Meeting.

Motion - Jim Howard Second - Bill Roetzheim PASSED - 8-0-0

Motion to approve the minutes of the January 29, 1991 conference call.

Motion - Greg Buwick Second - Dave Mickelson PASSED - 8-0-0

Motion to approve the minutes of the NCAA MPC Meeting.

Motion - Greg Buwick Second - Dave Mickelson PASSED - 8-0-0

Motion to approve the minutes of the May 21, 1991 conference call.

Motion - Jim Howard Second - Bill Roetzheim Passed - 8-0-0

II. REPORTS 1. F.I.G. (Bill Roetzheim) -The new Code of Points is in the works with major revisions revolving around the" American" system and the "German" system.

A combination of the two systems is likely, but major changes for the next quadrennium should be expected. An Intercontinental Judges Course will be held in Manchester, England in December of 1992. The issue of music as part of the FX compulsory has been tabled, it will not be a part of the 1996 compulsory.

2. J.O.P.c. (Kevin Mazeika) - The number of qualifiers for the Junior National Championships was very high this year. To bring the numbers to a more mana gable level the qualifying scores have been raised for 1992.

TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

3. J.C.S. (Robert Cowan) - There will be major changes in 1992 for the Junior program, new compulsories, 7 competitive levels, and reevaluation of the skill testing program.

4. Executive Committee (Jim Howard) - Jim will be unable to attend the Executive Committee meeting prior to the U.s.G.F. Board meeting on June 14, 1991 due to the late change in the date of the meeting. Mr. Howard requested that Robert Cowan, U.s.G.F. Men's Program Administrator be present at the meeting to represent the interests of the Men's Program Committee. Mr. Jacki felt itwas inappropriate for and office employee to attend the meeting and denied the request. Greg Buwick is also unavailable to attend the meeting. The MPC will therefore be unrepresented at the Executive Committee meeting.

III. PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS CRITERIA FOR THE USOTC Concerns were expressed regarding a conflict of interest and unfair competition with clubs and training opportunities at the training center. Approval of the criteria will be tabled until review by the J.O.P.c. and the U.s.E.C.A. IV. PETITIONS FORMAT After much discussion and thoughtful consideration the following motion regarding qualification to the national championships was made: Motion that: 1. All current Senior National Team members are automatically qualified to the next national championships.

2. The remaining 30 slots of the 48 available will be filled by gymnasts competing in approved qualifying meets.

3. The MPC will consider petitions from members of the Senior National Team from either of the previous two national championships.

(Winter Nationals or U.S. Nationals) 4. No qualifiers will be bumped from the field by a p~titioned athlete. (The petitioned athletes will compete in addition to the field of 48. ) Motion - Greg Buwick Second - Peter Kormann PASSED - 8-0-0

V. WINTER NATIONALS FORMAT PROPOSALS Motion to create an additional division at the 1992 Winter Nationals and the 1992 U.S. Nationals.

1. 1996 Compulsory Division a. The top 24 qualifiers from approved competitions will compete. b. A minimum qualifying score of 95.00 c. A 40% compulsory/60% optional weighting of scores will be used for qualifying and for placement onto "TEAM A TLANT AU 2. "TEAM ATLANTAU will consist of: a. The top 6 in rank order at the nationals. b. The next 6 age 18 and under (as of the first day of the competition)

39

Motion - Greg Buwick Second - Dave Mickelson PASSED - 8-0-0

4. Deadline for applications must be a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the event.

Motion - Greg Buwick Second - Dave Mickelson PASSED - 8-0-0

It was the sense of the meeting that the weighting of

the compulsories will be gradually increased to the present ratio of 60 /40.

Motion to eliminate the Senior Elite Development Team.

Motion - Greg Buwick Second - Bill Roetzheim PASSED - 8-0-0

Motion to qualify to the 1992 Winter National OPTIONAL session, a gymnast must post a 9.7 or better at an approved qualifying competition. That gymnast must win the OPTIONAL session at the 1992 Winter Nationals to be considered for one of the U.S. positions at the 1992 World Championships.

Motion - Bill Roetzheim Second PASSED - 8-0-0

Motion to eliminate the Senior Elite regionals in 1992; qualification will be by approved competitions during the year. The following are suggested qualifying events: NCAA National Championships All conference championships, including independent Rocky Mountain Open Windy City Invitational Big Eight Invitational UCLA Invitational National Boy's Invitational Parkette Invitational Any large invitational approved by the MPC Motion - Greg Buwick Second - Jim Hartung PASSED - 8-0-0

VI. SANCTIONING PROCEDURES ADDITIONS Motion that: 1. Participants in meets must be from a minimum of 4 different dubs (teams).

2. All officials must be nationally certified and recognized Elite judges and approved by the Men's Program Administrator 3. The MPC will consider petitions from members of the Senior National Team from either of the previous two national championships. (Winter Nationals or U.S. Nationals)

Frank Edmonds President, FIG Media Commission

New F.I.G. Magazine These are exciting days for the FIG: we have set up ournew headquarters (in our own building in Moutier), experienced novel changes in the competition programme (as decided at the 1990 Frankfurt Congress) and now have the first publication of the official FIG magazine, World of Gymnastics.

It is the wish of the Executive Committee and the aim of the Editor, that World of Gymnastics should be something more than a record of international compe-

VII. LONG RANGE PLAN Mas Watanabe presented his latest version of the long range plan. The committee commended Mas on the clarity of the new format.

Ham) Berke left the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

VII. NEW BUSINESS Motion that the team for the Junior Pacific Alliance be chosen by rank order from the 1991 Junior Elite Division and rank orderfrom summer testing if the Junior Elites cannot comprise a full team. ( Age restrictions must be taken into account) Motion - Kevin Mazeika Second - Bill Roetzheim PASSED -7-0-0

Robert Cowan informed the committee of a Master Coaching Clinic at ASU this summer.

A question arose regarding ties at the national championships, it was the sense of the meeting that all ties will be broken according to F.I.G. protocols.

The following motion was presented with the intent of simplifying the structure of the MPC by removing the voting privileges of two organizations whose contributions to the MPC are basically advisory in nature.

Eliminate the positions on the Men's Program Committee of the NCAA and the NGJA. Motion - Dave Mickelson Second - Jim Howard Passed - 7-0-0

Motion to adjourn.

Motion - Kevin Mazeika Second - Greg Buwick PASSED - 7-0-0

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 pm The above is true and accurate to the best of my knawledge.

Respectfully submitted, (signed) David R. Mickelson Minutes Approved (signed), Mike Jacki

titions. The new magazine will, of course, report on major competitions accompanied by high quality photographs. In addition, the magazine will be a lively and useful medium for the exchange of news and views from all parts of the world of gymnastics and serve as a source of information on FIG matters .

It is the earnest desire of the FIG Authorities that World of Gymnastics should be available to all those interested in and participating in gymnastics. Federations are asked to do their utmost to bring this new magazine to the notice of their clubs and members.

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July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Women's Minutes

T.O. Program Committee May 10, 12-13, 1991 Provo, Utah Roll Call: Members Present: Region I Darla Franz Region II Mike West Region III Billy Booth, proxy (5110) & Steve Snow(5/12-13) Region IV TomKoll Mary Lee Tracy (5/10) & Kathy Koeth Region V (5/12-13) proxy for John Geddart Region VI Kelli Hill Region VII Frank DeFrancesco & Bob Colarossi (5/10 & 12) Region VIII DJMilem Chairman Mark Cook WTCrep Cheryl Hamilton ABC Mary Ann Mahoney NECC Roe Kreutzer JOPCoord.

Connie Maloney WPA Kathy Kelly (5/12-13)

Fri. May 10: Meeting called to order by Chairman , Mark Cook at 8:15 am I. EQUIPMENT Recommendation to the Safety Committee that a base mat (1" 1/4) be allowed in addition to the 24 cm of matting that is allowed. (effective immediately).

MOTION - Frank De Francesco SECOND - Billy Booth PASSED

Motion that J .0. athletes may set the bars to their own preference with the stipulation that the Low Bar may not be set lower than 155 cm. (effective immediately) MOTION - Frank DeFrancesco SECOND - DJ Milem PASSED In order to afford an added measure of safety for spotting uneven bar release skills, one manufactured landing pad having a maximum thickness of eight (8) inches may be employed and/or positioned on the floor in the area of perceived risk without penalty of deductions provided that the following conditions are met: 1. That it not be used in either the mount and/or dismount phase of the routine.

2. That it not be used to encourage performers to attempt skills beyond their current ability levels.

3. That it be removed immediately following completion of the skill. (effective Aug. I, 1991) MOTION - Mike West SECOND - Frank DeFrancesco PASSED II. MODIFICATION OF FIG DEDUCTIONS That a coach be allowed to stand between the board and the horse with no deduction for LevelS vault. effective Aug. 1, 1991) MOTION - Darla Franz SECOND - Tom Koll PASSED Recommend to the WTC that for Level 10 the long TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

hang kip, cast handstand be considered one compulsory element when counting compulsory element sequences in an optional routine.

MOTION - Tom Koll SECOND - Kathy Koeth PASSED 'Approved by the WTC 5/23/91 III. REGIONAL REPORTS ON COMPULSORY ELEMENTS Each RJOPC reported ideas for changes in the present Level 1-7 elements.

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 am Meeting reconvened Sun. May 12 at 8:30 am A copy of the "Coaching America's Coaches" Certification Program that is being developed by the USGF was distributed. Discussion followed .

IV. ROUND-OFF ENTRY V AUL TS Discussion was held regarding the past motions of this committee in regards to the round-off entry vaults.

As documented in the October 1, 1987 minutes, a motion was made to allow the round-off entry vault with saltos in the post-flight for Class I level, beginning Sept. 1988. Action on this motion was taken by the administrative staff that amended the motion to allowing round-off entry vaults with longitudinal twists in preflight be allowed for Class 1's for the 1987-88 season.

In June, 1988, action was taken by the USGF Board of Directors requiring a review and evaluation of the use of round-off entry vaults for the Jr. Olympic program and until such time that more education and research on the training of this type of vault could occur the vault would not be allowed. In November of 1990, the Board of Directors placed the responsibility and gave the authority of how and when to implement these vaults to the Jr. Olympic Program Committee. The following motions regarding the implementation of these vaults were made: Recommendation that the Director of Education and Safety provide the Junior Olympic Program Committee with a course syllabus for the teaching of the Round-off entry vault, complete with video tape, criteria for coach/athlete competency, and method of identifying those who have met these requirements.

MOTION - Tom Koll SECOND - Kathy Koeth PASSED That effective August 1, 1992, the following roundoff entry vaults be allowed, provided that the coach has met the requirements as determined by the J.O. Committee: 1. Pre-flight or post-flight twisting vaults without saltos 2. Saltos without twisting in pre-flight or post-flight MOTION - Frank DeFrancesco SECOND - Darla Franz PASSED - (2 opposed) That the above listed round-off entry vaults be allowed for Levels 9 & 10. (effective Aug. 1, 1992) MOTION - Mike West SECOND - Steve Snow PASSED - (2 opposed)

41

Recommendation to the Safety Committee that: 1. Up to 8 inches of manufactured matting be allowed in addition to the FIG specification for Round-off entry vaults when performed by Jr. Olympic athletes. (effective Aug 1, 1992).

2. The Safety Zone mat be REQUIRED when performing round-off entry vaults at the J.O.levei.

MOTION - Steve Snow SECOND - Darla Franz PASSED

V. REVISION OF VAULT VALUES A list of vault values was proposed by the J.O. Program Committee to be effective 8/1/91. See attached chart of proposed J.O. Vault Values.

The Women's Technical Committee is requested to give input by May 23.

MOTION - Mike West SECOND - Darla Franz

* The WTC responded in support of the proposed changes in values.

VI. J.O. PROGRAM SURVEY Connie reported on the results of the questionnaire that was published in Technique magazine. A total of 194 responses were received.

Developmental Levels I-IV - 89% of the professional members responding replied that this program provided good skill foundation. No immediate change was recommended; however, minimal changes may be made for the next quadrennium.

Level 5-10- 66% indicated that the number of compulsory levels is oka y; 78 % indica ted that the number of Optional levels is okay. Majority of responses indicated that the community did not want any changes in mobility scores. 89% of the respondents wanted the dance program to be non-competitive.

The complete results of the survey will be published in Technique magazine.

VII. DIFFICULTY RESTRICTIONS FOR OPTIONAL LEVELS 7 AND 8 Motion that Natural "C" gymnastic (dance) and "aero-strength" elements be allowed at Level 7 Optional, and that Natural "D" gymnastics (dance) and "aero-strength" elements be allowed at Level 8.

(Effective 8/1/91) MOTION - Mike West SECOND - Frank DeFrancesco PASSED

The Committee requested tha tthe Women's Technical Committee prepare a list to clarify these elements and at which level they are appropriate.

VIII. LEVEL 9 AND 10 NAT'L CHAMPIONSHIPS Motion thatthere be ONE combinedJ. o. National Championships for Level 10, which would include both Junior and Senior age divisions. The present number of qualifiers will be maintained (112 ChlJr and 112 Sr.).

MOTION - Frank DeFrancesco SECOND - Darla Franz PASSED

Recommendation that the Women's Administrative Board review the Level 10 National Meet entry fee, based on maintaining 4 four-judge panels.

MOTION - Frank DeFrancesco SECOND - Tom Koll PASSED

Discussion was held concerning inclusion of the Junior liB" Elite Level into the J.O. Program, as suggested by the Elite Program Committee.

Motion that a National Championships be conducted at Level 9 for three age divisions at one site.

42

MOTION - OJ Milem SECOND - Darla Franz PASSED

That the qualification system to the Level 9 National Championships be: a. 4 Children per region constitute the Reg. Team b. 7 Juniors per region constitute the Reg. Team c. 7 Seniors per Region constitute the Reg. Team d. An additional 32 Children/Jrs as Individuals e. An additional 64 Seniors as Individuals MOTION - Mike West SECOND - OJ Milem PASSED

Format of the Level 9 and 10 National Meets was discussed.

The format will be induded in the Rules & Policies.

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 pm .

Meeting reconvened on Monday, May 13 at 8:00 am IX.MISCELLANEOUS The committee requested that the office provide the State Boards with a letter written by USCF legal counsel, which could be sent in the event that there are infractions in the responsibility of the Skill Evaluators.

Request that the Technical Committee design a plan for judges' education in regards to the evaluation of vaulting (especially the Level 5 handspring and round-off entry vaults).

A request was made for assistance from the USCF office in regards to media relations with the dubs hosting USCF meets. Kathy Kelly indicated that press releases for Regional and above Meets can be obtained through the USCF office.

Meet Directors should call for assistance.

CLARIFICATION: State team competition is allowed at Level 8 Regional Meets at the discretion of the Regional Boards.

CLARIFICATION: That effective Jan. 1, 1992, EVERY COACH at a National level competition (Elite, Level 10 or 9) MUST BE SAFETY-CERTIFIED. X. COMPULSORY ROUTINES FOR NEXT QUADRENNIUM An ad hoc committee comprised of Mark Cook, Darla Franz, Roe Kreutzer, and Tom Koll will meet with Connie Maloney in Los Angeles on July 19-21 to finalize any changes in the present compulsory routines for the next quadrennium. Any additional suggestions from the committee members must be submitted to Mark Cook with a copy to Connie Maloney no later than July 1st.

The committee requested that the office submit at least two proposals for new music for all compulsory levels.

Assignments for Ad Hoc Committees to review elements for Levell 0 routines for the next quadrennium: Vault Bars Beam Floor -

Geddart, Snow, Milem Cola rossi, West, Geddart Franz, Hill Koll, Franz, Hill

New Junior Olympic Level 10 Routines will be completed and demonstrated at a National Compulsory Workshop in the spring of 1992. Dance Workouts 4 & 5 will also be demonstrated. Minor element changes in Levels 1 through 7, including new floor music, will also be designed by this date.

The USCF office is accepting bids for the National Workshop, as well as for Level 9 & 10 National meets.

XI. JR. OLYMPIC DANCE WORK-OUT PROGRAM The committee requests that Mary Faulkenberry make suggestions for a new list of Level 1 and 3 dance skills chosen from Workout One and submit them to Mark Cook, with a copy to Connie Maloney no later than July 1st.

July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Motion that an athlete MUST pass Dance Levels 1 and 3 in the present program or selected skills from Workout 1 in the New Dance Program (list of skills to be available July 1) in order to enter Level 5. Also, an athlete MUST pass Levels 1 and 3 in the present Dance Program or selected skills in Workout 1 in the New Dance Program in order to enter LevelS. (effective 8/1 /91) MOTION - Torn Koll SECOND - Kelly Hill PASSED

The National Office is offering to assist the Regions by paying the honorarium and flight for any of the dance committee personnel (Mary Faulkenberry, Shirley Tranquil! or Vicky Clarkson) to demonstrate the new program to the coaches and/or athletes at Regional Clinics /Congresses. Regional Chairmen must submit a request for dates to Kathy Kelly as soon as possible.

Regional and State Boards are encouraged to designate dance personnel to assist the dance program in their areas.

Additional creative dance ideas for publication and/ or distribution through Techniquemagazinemay be submitted to Connie Maloney at the USCF Office, who will forward them to the Dance Committee (Mary Faulkenberry, Shirley Tranquill and Vicky Clarkson) for approval.

XII. CONCERNS FROM THE USGF BOARD OF DIRECTORS The USGF Board of Directors had requested tha t Jeff Metzger, the Women's Program Board Representative, present his concerns on the Compulsory Program to the J.O. Committee. Kathy Kelly attempted to set-up a speaker conference call with Jeff and the committee.

Unfortunately, the hotel tele-communications could not accommodate the phone. Kathy distributed Jeff's written information on designing a management system to coincide with the developmental and safety needs of the program. The Committee reviewed Jeff's material and together with the findings from the National Survey decided to remain consistent with the existing program and to continue to encourage the USGF to develop a Coaches' Certification program.

The committee thanked Jeff for his effort and interest.

After much discussion, the committee requested that the Administrative Board work with the State Chairmen for creative methods for state management. The committee believes good state management will alleviate any administrative difficulties with the new program.

XIII. JR. OLYMPIC COMPETITION CALENDAR Level 10 State: Level 9 State: Level 10 Regionals: Level 9 Regionals: Level 10 Nationals: Level 9 Nationals:

March 21-22 March 28-29 April 4-5 April 11-12 May 1-3 May 8-10

Within the Regions, the calendar may be adjusted, with this guideline: 1. There must be a minimum of two weeks between the State Meet and the Regional Meet, and 2. There must be a minimum of three weeks between the Regional Meet and the National Meet.

Recommendation to approve the calendar as designed.

MOTION - D. J. Milem SECOND - Darla Franz PASSED

XIV. CHANGES IN RULES & POLICIES Recommendation to the Women's Administrative Board that the Women's Rules and Policies be approved as amended.

MOTION - Frank De Francesco SECOND - Darla Franz PASSED

TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

NOTE: The following decision was made in regards to mandate scores at all levels: There are no mandate scores at any level.

Rationale: The committee believes that each child has the right to determine the amount of commitment she makes to the sport. Because "moving up" usually means more hours, more money, more difficulty, etc., the decision to advance should not be dictated by the evaluation of the officials. The committee recommends that the State Boards devise systems that insure a fair competitive atmosphere, such as divisions for 1st year competitors or Team meets held separate from the Individual state meets.

XV. ACTIVE STATUS FOR JUDGES Recommendation to the WTC that completion of active status requirements (both judging and clinic! practical hours) be included in the criteria for assignment of judges ... and, Recommendation to the JCI: Coaches who also judge at the same level at which they coach would receive active status credit. (The number of credits to be determined by JCI).

MOTION - Frank DeFrancesco SECOND - Darla Franz PASSED

Next meeting is scheduled for 10/11-13, Indianapolis.

Meeting adjourned at 12:00 pm. - (signed: Mike JackO

List of Vault Values for the J.O. Program Group 1: Handspring/Cartwheel/Yamashita

(Effective August 1, 1991) No. 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.60 1.61 1.62 1.63 1.64 1.65 S1.66 1.90 1.91 S1.92 S1.93 S1.94

VAULT HSP / Yami CTWL -1/4 turn HSP/Yami-l/2turn 1/2 on - 1/2 off CTWL - 3/4 off CTWL -1 1/ 4 HSP / Yami - 1/1 1/ 20n-l /10ff HSP / Yami - 1 1/2 1/1 on - HSP 1/2 on -11 /2 off 11/2 on -1 /2 off 1/1 on -1 / 1 off (H/Y) 1/4 on - side salto 1/4 1/1 on -1 /2 off HSP /Yami - 2/1 11/2 on -1/1 Off 1/2 on - 2/1 off 1/1 on -11 /2 HSP - 21/2 off

Old New Value Value 8.8 8.4 8.8 8.2 9.0 8.6 9.2 8.6 9.3 8.6 9.0 9.4 9.5 9.1 9.5 9.0 9.6 9.4 9.6 9.3 9.8 9.4 9.8 9.6 9.9 9.6 9.9 9.7 9.7 9.4 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 9.8 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

Group II & III: No changes Group IV (Effective August 1, 1992) 4.30 RO, FF on - Back Salto Tuck 4.31 RO, FF on - Back SaIto Pike S-4.33 RO, FF 1/2 on- HSP 1/ 1 off 4.60 RO, FF on - Bk. Salto Layout S-4.65 RO, FF 1/2 on -HSP 1 1/ 2 off

9.4 9.5 9.5 9.7 9.8

9.4 9.5 9.1 9.7 9.4

Any additional twisting vaults must be submitted to the Women's Technical Committee for evaluation. The J. O. Committee recommends that the vaults be valued the same as the traditional entry counterpart, ie. a FF on would be equal to a traditional approach with a half twist on and a FF 1/2 on corresponds to the traditional handspring approach.

43

Women's Minutes

WPC Administrative Board and will be presented at National Workshops in the spring of 1992.

Results of the J.O. Survey will be printed in the next issue of Technique magazine.

Indianapolis, IN June 1-2,1991 Roll Call: Denise Porrazzo Laurel Tindall Carol Hillenburg (absent) Nancy Fischer Kathy Koeth Kathy Feldmann Jan Greenhawk Hoylene Noble Mary Ann Mahoney Roe Kreutzer Marilyn Cross Mark Cook Kathy Kelly Yvonne Hodge

Region I Region II Region III Region IV Region V Region VI Region VII Region VIII Chairman, ABC Chairman, EPC Chairman, WTC Chairman, JOPC Program Administrator NAWGJ

Meeting called to order at 9:00 am. by Chairman Mary Ann Mahoney.

I. RULES AND POLICIES The committee reviewed the Rules and Policies and made changes to reflect all committee actions.

Recommendation to accept the Rules and Policies as amended.

Motion - Fischer Second - Porazzo PASSED

II. LEVEL 10 NATIONALS Recommendation to the J.O. Committee, to reconsider the two regional team concept for the Level 10 Nationals. It was suggested that a "team concept" could be maintained through a percentage of percentage system of "All Star" teams. * Recommendation that each region has two (2) judges at Level 9 and 10 National Meets.

Motion - Kathy Feldmann Second - Kathy Koeth PASSED

* Recommendation that each region contribute $200.00 toward airfare for the 2nd judge for National Meets.

Motion ~ Fischer Second - Tindall PASSED

* The above two recommendations were NOT APPROVED by USGF Executive Director, Mr. Mike Jacki.

The selection process for officials at National J.o. Competitions was discussed. Marilyn Cross requested that if a Regional Board wishes to "rank" the order for selection, that the list of eligible judges be presented to her in thatorderand that the Region make dear their requests. Regional judging selections are to be submitted to MC by December 1.

III. JUNIOR OLYMPIC REPORT Mark Cook presented the J.o. Committee Minutes from May. Perceived infractions of the Skill Evaluators should be submitted in writing to the USGF Office with a copy to the State Chairman. A letter will be sent to the Professional Member reminding him/her of responsibilities as Skill Evaluators and informing him/ her of the report.

The new compulsory exercises are being developed 44

IV. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Mary Ann reported that because of an increase in insurance costs, there will be an increase in Athlete registration fees. The cost for Athlete Membership will be $30.00. Discussion on financial issues was held.

Mary Ann reported that the National Office has made clinicians available for "fund raising" through educational clinics. Other new programs available include: Recreational/Optional competitive program, Sequential Gymnastics, Dance Workout Program, etc.

V. ELECTIONS Election res~lts are not completed in all Regions.

Regional Chairmen were requested to send their updated list to the office by June 15. Election procedures were reviewed. The following changes in the Operating Code were recommended: 1. No signature will be required on ballots. Ballots will be randomly numbered and mailed.

2. Election shall be verified in writing by the Election commission.

3. Only official (valid) ballots will be counted (no copies) 4. Ballots will be sent to the Chairman of the Election Commission.

5. The Election Commission Chairman shall be a non-USGF member.

6. Election Commission shall consist of no less than three persons.

7. Members of the Election Commission should be identified and published with the request for nominations.

8. All eligible candidates for each officewillbe placed on the ballot. A run-off election will be held if no one candidate receives 51 % of the votes cast.

Due to National elections being conducted in 1992, all Committees MUST schedule their spring meetings between Feb. 16 and June 1, 1992.

WTC - (scheduled for March 7, 1992) J.o. - (at Level 10 Champs., May 3,1992) VI. NA WGJ REPORT Yvonne reported that the new Administrative Assistant is Judy Smith. The new symposium director is Renee Nicollai. The NA WGJ National Symposium will be held in Maine followed by the 5th Annual Judges' Cup. The competition agreement between the USGF and the N AWGJ is in its final stage and will be finalized

by July 1, 1992.

VII. OLD BUSINESS Construction of State Boards: State Boards shall determine the term of office, the number, positions, and responsibilities of each member of the board, with the approval of the Regional Board.

Request that the J.O. and Elite Program Committees set a definite date for acceptance of bids for National Meets. Better planning time for both the clubs and the Meet Directors would be beneficial.

July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

Request that the USGF Code of Ethics include statement on all convicted felons. The committee expressed concern with convicted felons holding Professional Memberships.

Elite Gym-Kin apparel- The committee discussed the outfitting of the Level 9 gymnasts.

Recommendation to the J.O. Committee to review and determine minimum standard for apparel and when it is to be worn at the National Meets.

Motion - Noble Second - Fischer PASSED

Mary Ann informed the committee that Elite Sportswear had requested that the leotards provided not be color coded each year by region. The committee agreed that Elite Sportswear could provide whatever colors or combinations to whatever region. It was requested that no orange be used and that each Regional Chairman be notified by Jan 15 as to the color selection.

Kathy Koeth presented copies of a computer program on a variety of gymnasts' statistics. The "tracking" was very interesting.

Discussion on the tracking of Mobility Scores at the State Level.

Mary Ann commended Nancy Fischer on her many years of unselfish service and dedication to our sport and for her tremendous contribution to the committee's work. (signed) Mike Jacki, June, 1991

Women's Elite Program Committee June 16, 1991 Indianapolis, Indiana Meeting convened at 9:05 am by Chairman, Roe Kreutzer.

Region I Region II Region III Region IV Region V Region VI Region VII Region VIII Adm. Board Chair Elite Tech Chair J.O. Prog. Chair Worn Prog. Chair

Nancy Roach (absent) Brad Loan Jim Jarrett Jim Schlott Gary Warren Gary Anderson Kip Reed (12:00) Kevin Brown Mary Ann Mahoney Audrey Schweyer Mark Cook Kathy Kelly

I. REGIONAL ELITE PROGRAM

Problems with the Elite Clinics and competitions were discussed. The committee wishes to coordinate the Regional Elite and J.O. Competitions with the Regional Board and make the best usage of the National Office Program available to them.

Recommendation that deadlines for bids for Elite Regional Competitions be defined and published.

The recommended deadline be 90 days prior to the scheduled date for the competition/clinic. (Copies must be sent to the R.E.P.C, R.T.C. and the R.C.) If no bids are received, the Regional Elite Board must determine the site and conduct the competition/clinic.

TECHNIQUE July - September 1991

This decision must be made 60 days in advance of the scheduled date.

Motion - Jim Jarrett Second - Jim Schlott PASSED

II. PRE-ELITE QUALIFICATION Recommendation that gymnast(s) may petition directly to the Regional Elite Meets into the Pre-Elite Division.

Motion - Gary Anderson Second - Gary Warren PASSED

Recommendation that pre-elite gymnasts competing at the Regional Elite Meet are not eligible for Regional Elite Awards.

Motion - Jim Jarrett Second - Jim Schlott PASSED

Recommendation that Pre-Elite gymnasts who achieve the National Elite Qualifying Score at the Regional Meet may qualify directly to the Oassic Meet Motion - Jim Jarrett Second - Jim Schlott PASSED

Recommendation that the entry fee for Classic Competition must be paid to the designated USGF Regional Official at the Regional Meet.

Motion - Jim Jarrett Second - Brad Loan PASSED

Recommendation that, following the Pre-Elite/Regional Elite competition, Elite cards will be given ONLY to those gymnasts who have met the recommended Regional or Classic score requirement and signed an Elite Commitment Form.

Motion - Kevin Brown Second - Gary Anderson PASSED

III. ELITE AGE DIVISIONS

Age 7, 8,9, 10 11

12 13-14 15

Talent Identification Level- (must have reached their 7th birthday and be fully registered athletes) T.LL or Junior B or Junior A Junior B or Junior A Junior A Sr. Development or Senior

Talent Identification Level will use current Junior B testing program. No optional competition will be conducted.

Jr. B will use current Junior B testing program and optional competition (Comp. II rules except vault) Recommendation that Junior B testing will be weighted 40%/60% with a 68.80 qualifying score to the Classic meets.

Motion - Jim Schlott Second - Jim Jarrett PASSED

Sr. Dev. will use Compulsory Element testing plus optional competition (Comp. II rules except vault).

(40% Comp - 60% Opt) Junior A Division will use 1996 Compulsory Element testing plus optional competition (comp II rules except vault). (40% comp - 60% opt) Senior Division will use '92 compulsory routines plus optional competition (Comp. III rules except vault).

(60% comp - 40% opt) Recommendation that Talent Identification Testing may be conducted at the Regional Level. Gymnasts who qualify from this testing will be invited to

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attend, at their own expense, a training camp at the National Training Center. (personal coach attendance is required) Motion - Jim Schlott Second - Brad Loan PASSED

IV. CLASSIC COMPETITION FORMAT Recommendation that the facility for Classic Meets be available one day prior to the competition for training. Structured workout will be assigned by region with consideration for geographic location and time change. The warm-up and competition must have identical equipment (tumbling strip is acceptable for FX in the warm-up gym).

Day One Training Senior and Junior Day Two Compulsory Jr.!Sr. Day Three Optionals Jr.lSr. Day Four Jr. B ISr. Dev Optional Day Five Jr. B Testing/Sr. Dev. Testing Motion - Gary Anderson Second - Kevin Brown PASSED

Recommendation that the Jr B ISr. Dev. Optional Competition may be evaluated by a two judge panel of a minimum of Elite rated officials.

Motion - Jim Schlott Second - Brad Loan PASSED

Recommendation that Jr. B/Sr. Dev. Testing/Compulsory competition may be conducted in a separate facility and may be evaluated by a minimum of an Elite rated judge and one Expert.

Motion - Gary Warren Second - Kevin Brown PASSED

V. SCORE REQUIREMENTS Recommendation that the following score requirements to Classic be used for the 1991-92 season: Senior Division Jr. A Division (fall)

73.00 AA 36.60 AA (optional only) (minimum of 24 gymnast will qualify, provided the score does not drop below 35.60) 70.40AA路 Jr. A Division (spring) 70.40AA Sr. Dev. (spring only) 68.80AA Jr. B Motion - Gary Anderson Second - Brad Loan PASSED

Recommendation that a fall Elite Regionals and Classics will be conducted for Senior (comp and opO, Junior A (optional only) and Jr. B (testing/opt).

Motion - Jim Jarrett Second - Kevin Brown PASSED

Recommendation that all Jr. A gymnasts must requalify at Regional competitions in the spring to the U.S. Classic Meet with c;ompulsory testing and optional combined score of 70.40 AA. Motion - Gary Anderson Second - Gary Warren PASSED

Recommendation that the top 24 Junior A gymnasts in rank order from the U.S. Classics will qualify to USA Championships 1992 .

Motion - Gary Warren Second - Jim Jarrett PASSED

"As per Conference Call 7 /1/91, qualification score for Seniors to Classic is 73.60 AA.

Recommendation that any gymnast from the 1991 USA Championships who scored a 73.00* AA or better is eligible to enter directly to the Classic competitions.

Motion - Brad Loan Second - Gary Anderson PASSED

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Recommendation that Senior gymnasts will qualify to USA Championships 1992 as follows: Top 6 from the American Classics Top 18 from the U.S. Classics Plus the 1991 World Championships Team (8) Motion - Gary Warren Second - Kevin Brown PASSED

CLARIFICATION: Replacement procedures for USA Championships: 1. Qualified gymnasts from Classics will be replaced if injured prior to the competition.

2. Petitioned or waived athletes will not be replaced unless the total number drops below 32.

The committee requested that a representation of coaches and all judges who are assigned to the Classic competition review video tapes ofthe competition after the meet for the purpose of improved development of the athletes and education of the judges.

Recommendation that open scoring be utilized at Elite Regional Meets, and continue with open scoring at the Classics and USA Championships.

Motion - Brad Loan Second - Gary Anderson PASSED

The committee, with the assistance of the National Training staff, designed the Compulsory Elements Testing for the Junior A and the Senior Development divisions. The program will be finalized and available through the EPCC by July 1, 1991.

Recommendation that Jackie Fie request the FIGI WTC to reconsider the handstand pirouette immediate stalder circle sequence in the new compulsory exercise be altered to pendle kip, cast handstand, stalder handstand.

Motion - Kevin Brown Second - Jim Jarrett PASSED

Recommendation that eight inch skill cushions be allowed for compulsory dismounts for Junior A's and Senior Dev. for uneven bars and beam, and vault landing.

Motion - Brad Loan Second - Gary Anderson PASSED

VI. J.O. REPORT Mark Cook gave a report on the activities of the J. O. Program. The committee is working on the development of the new Compulsory Exercises. Master Workshops will be held in the spring of 1992.

VII. WOMEN'S ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD Mary Ann gave a report on the concerns of the Administrative Board. The AD is responsible for the cohesive development and administration of the regional programs. The Regional Boards under the direction of the Regional Chairman should unify and work together with the National Office in order to meet the objectives of the Women's Program Committee. Any difficulties should be reported to the appropriate Committee Chairman.

Roe Kreutzer commended Jim Jarrett for his many years of hard work and service on the committee. Jim will continue to serve the Elite Program on Ad Hoc Committees as requested.

Meeting adjourned. (signed) Mike Jacki, June, 1991

July - September 1991 TECHNIQUE

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: @\YM@[J~©l ©llil®~~O@ITil@M~@@ : I D¥U@[J@[}u@IT11cQ]O@@ ©@llil[p)@IT11 I I THIS COUPON GOOD FOR $5 OFF PURCHASES· OF $30 OR MORE I I .. excluding shipping/handling charges I I OFFER APPLIES TO MAIL ORDERS RECEIVED PRIOR TO August 1, 1991 I L.:: ____ OY~/~~O~m~t~cco~~:.::.~r= :~~~es~~~_ _ _ _ ~

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3171 237-5060 A. WGC LOGO T. 100% cotton. Sizes Youth Large, Adult S-XL. • 5261-5 ......................................... 12.00 •

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G. WGC BLACK JACKET. Taslon nylon shell with polar fleece lining, zip front and snap closure.

Embroidered logo. Adult sizes S-XL. 5291-4 ......................................... 95.00

C. WGC SWEATSHIRT. 50/50blend, w hite 9 oz. set-in sleeves, • crewneck. Sizes Youth Large, Adult.

S-XL. 5281-5 ......................................... 21.00 •

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4210 ............................................... 3.00

1991 WORLD GYMNASTICS £!:i AMP I ONSH IP S INDIANAPOLIS . USA

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F. WGC POLO SHIRT. 100% cotton. Lacoste knit, embroi- • dered logo. Adult sizes S-XL. 5211-4 White ............................. 30.00

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Shipping & Handling Cha'l:es

Pu rchases 510. & under =52.00 Pu rc hases 510.01-550.00 = 53.50 Purcha ses over S50.00 = S4.50

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PAID Permit No. 7867 Indianapolis, Ind.

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CERTIFICATION Scheduled Courses

Thursday, July 11, 1991 St. Louis, MO - 1O:00am-5:00pm Course Dir.: Ray Overmann (314) 297-4485

Friday, July 12, 1991 Billings, MT Billings Gymnastics School, 240 S. 8th St. w.

Billings, MT 59102 Course Dir.: Yvonne Sandmire (208) 385-1657 Saturday, July 13~ 199~ Fortuna, CA - 9.00-3.00pm Gymnastics Express, 751 10th St., Fortuna, CA 95540 Course Dir.: Ruth Sandoz (503) 246-0818 Local Contact: Robin Grant (707) 725-2632 Sunday, July 14, 1991 Springfield, MA -10:00am-5:00pm Springfield College, Physical Eaucation Complex, Springfield, MA Course Dir.: Robert Beach (203) 397-4485 Local Contact: Steve Posner (413) 739-5009 This course will be conducted in conjunction with

Saturday, August 10, 1991 Woodward, PA 1:00-7:00pm Woodward Gymnastics Camp, Box 93, Rt. 45, Woodward, PA 16882 Course Dir.: Michael Rizzuto (814) 238-8995 Local Contact: Ed Isabellle (814) 349-5633 Saturday, August 31, 1991 Colorado Springs, CO* - 9:00am-2:30pm U. S. Olympic Training Center, 1776 E. Boulder St., Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Course Dir.: Dave Moskovitz (317) 237-5050 Local Contact: Ron Brant (719) 578-4500

This course will be held in conjunction with the USGF RSG coach/judge Symposium.

Sunday, September 22, 1991 Rockaway, NJ -10:00am-6:00pm GANJ, Rockaway, NJ 07866 Course Dir.: Cathy Finkel (201) 586-1808

the Technique Gymnastics Camp Coaches' Clinic.

Thursday, August I, 1991 1. Indianapolis, IN* - 4:30-1O:00pm Site: TBA Course Dir.: Steve Whitlock (317) 237-5050 This course will be held in conjunction with the

USGF Preschool/Developmental Instructors' Workshop .

2. Colorado Springs, CO* - 4:30-10:00pm U. S. Olympic Training Center, 1776 E. Boulder St., Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Course Dir.: Dave Moskovitz (317) 237-5050 Local Contact: Ron Brant (719) 578-4500 This course will be held in conjunction with the USGF BOlJS Instructors' Workshop.

Friday, August 2, 1991 Toledo, OH - Toledo Hilton, 3100 Glen Dale Ave., Toledo, OH 43614 (419) 381-6800 Course Dir.: Bobbi Montanari (614) 457-1279 Local Contact: Martha Miller (614) 654-0616 This course will be held in conjunction with the

Great wkes Zone YMCA Gymnastics Clinic.

Saturday, August 3, 1991 Stroudsburg, PA - 1O:00am-5:00pm International Gymnastics Camp, Golden Slipper Rd., Stroudsburg, PA 18360 (717) 629-0244 Course Dir.: Gerald George (318) 988-1220 Thursday, August 8, 1991 Ft. Worth, TX* - 4:30-1O:00pm Course Dir.: Steve Whitlock (317) 237-5050 Local Contact: Jerry Milan (817) 237-5183

This course will be held in conjunction with the USGF Preschool/Develop. Instructors' Workshop

Thursday, October 31 & Sunday, Nov. 3, 1991 San Antonio, TX Thurs .. 3:00-8:~Opm Sun. 9.00am-2.30pm Course Dir.: Dave Moskovitz (317)237-5050 This course will be held in conjunction with

the Men's Program committee meetings.

Sunday, May 17, 1992 Columbus, OH Course Dir.: Bobbi Montanari (614) 457-1279 • These courses are USGF National Courses, therefore, participants will be charged the group rate of $60 per person.

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. Certification is good for four years.

4. The Course fee is $100.00. USGF members and second cycle recertification is $75.00.

Retest cost is $25.00. For groups of at least 5, contact the USGF Department of Safety and Education (317) 237-5050.

r------------------------, Participation Registration Form

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