KORMANN: When you broke your ankle and had to watch your team compete, what did you do about your training? ROETHLISBERGER: I did everything I could do without being on my ankle. I did a lot of pommel horse, a lot of parallel bars, a lot of upper body strength. I did everything I could to keep my body in shape and be prepared for when my ankle did heal so that I could jump in as quickly as possibly on all the events. KORMANN: So you used it to your advantage? ROETHLISBERGER: Yes, definitely. It gave me an opportunity to work on some things that were weak for me like parallel bars and pommel horse. KORMANN: What do you think USA Gymnastics should be doing to help you? ROETHLISBERGER: One thing that's happened a little more in the last couple of years is that gymnasts have taken the initiative, and USA Gymnastics has helped out, with getting athletes together to train. Whether it's a couple of guys like Blaine and I going to OSU, or it's the national team going to the USOTC, I think it's very helpful. Each of us has great programs where we train, but it gets monotonous. It's good to have someone push you. Also, it's good to hear another coach say the same thing your coach has been saying. It just may sink in when you hear it from another voice!
ROETHLISBERGER: Yes, I think sometimes you don't even realize you need a break. But if you hit one of those periods where you're not getting anywhere, it's good to rest up, and then when you come back, you're that much more fresh. KORMANN: Describe what makes a great coach in your opinion. ROETHLISBERGER: A coach who doesn't expect his gymnast to get a skill on the first or second try but who realizes you have to put in the time in the gym day-in and day-out. KORMANN: What piece of advice would you give to coaches to help their gyrrmasts succeed? ROE TH1I SBERG ER: Coaches should tell their gymnasts there is no substitute for hard work and, along with that, the guy who works the hardest is going to be the most successful. I've seen hundreds of unbelievable talented guys fall by the wayside because they didn't know how to work hard. If yOl.: work hard, I promise you, no matter what happens, you will be happy with your gymnastics career-whether that means you are an Olympic champion or a collegiate gymnast. If you work hard, you'll never regret your gymnastics career.
KORMANN: Most guys who do gymnastics go through a period of time where they get stale. They are not making any progress. What do you do? ROETHLISBERGER: I've definitely had those times. One thing you can do is take some time off. Whether it's just working out a couple of hours a day or taking a week off. Although, I don't think I've ever run into a time where I've needed to do that because of the scheduling. Other things you can do is train with a friend at a different gym or bring in a visiting coach. Also, do some crosstraining like biking or swimming-something that will keep you in shape, but not gymnastics. KORMANN: We have a lot of young guys out there working probably harder than you, and certainly harder than I did at that age. So they hit peaks and valleys and sometimes the harder they work the more they plateau. Do you feel this is true?
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