DEAR MARY LOU,
• please give me some suggesHow did you make hard • tions so I can get better at and scary moves look easy • vault! Tanya Lynn Fernley when you were competing? Burbank, California Emily Jackson
Winston Salem, North Carolina Dear Emily, I never competed a hard or scary move in a meet unless I was completely confident and comfortable with the skill. Your coach shouldn't let you perform a difficult skill in a competition unless you are completely ready.
DEAR MARY LOU, I'm 8 years old and a Level 5. I am having trouble on the vault. It is because I slow down when I am running to the board. I also bend my legs on my vault. Can you
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. DEAR MARY LOU,
• Dear Tanya, If you want to be a good • • vaulter, you can't slow down • • when you're running to the • • board. Don't be afraid. Just • • make sure your steps are • • right and go for it. Practice • • running to the horse as fast • • as you can and right before • • you hit the board do a big • • leap to the side of it. We did • • this at Karolyi's everyday for • . warm-up. It really helps. • • Now for your legs, why are' • you bending them? Proper • • form and technique on vault • • are crucial elements. Practice • • on the correct form. Keep • • those legs straight.
I'm a Level 8 Optional gymnast. Wejustgotanewcoach and he says that we shouldn't swing our arms before we do standing flip flops . I told my other coaches tha tit's totally messing me up, but all they say is just do it the way he told you. Is the coach right? Rena Fox
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Dear Rena, I suggest you talk to your coach and tell him that you are having trouble with his new technique on standing flip flops. Tell him you learned the flip flop another way and ask for extra help to learn it the new way. He should spend some extra time with you.
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Mary Lou Retton at WGC Opening Ceremonies.
If you would like to ask • Mary Lou a question, write to: USA GYMNASTICS, • Pan American Plaza, 201 S. Capitol Ave., Ste. 300, Indianapolis, IN 46225.
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Psk For The One With The Red Wristband - Reisport! Distributed by P.O. Box 1444 • 10
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USA GYMNASTICS November/December 1991
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