Technique Magazine - April 2010

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EVENTS 2010 APRil 10 15-17 15-17 22-24 28-May 2 'lJ.JIu.{2 3IWay2

Women's NCAA Regionals Men's NCAA Championships USA Gymnastics Collegiate Championships (W) Women's NCAA Championships XIV IntI. H. Chmielewski Tournament (AG) Pacific Rim Champs. level 9 East/West (W)

various sites West Point, NY Denton, TX Gainesville, FL Swidnica, Poland Melbourne, AUS Charleston, WV/ Des Moines, IA

12-14 14-26

National Congress and Trade Show Youth Olympic Games (M,W,R,TR)

1-5 18 19-26 T8D

Senior Pan Am Championships (M/W) National Gymnastics Day Rhythmic World Championships Senior Pan Am Championships (R)

17-24

World Artistic Championships (M/W)

SEPTEMBER

Men's JO National Championships Women's JO National Championships Volkov Cup (AG) National Invitational Tournament World Championship Training Camp (AG)

Guadalajara, Mexico Everywhere Moscow, Russia Guadalajara, Mexico

OCTOBER

MAY 4-9 6-9 7-9 9 22-24

Hartford, CT Singapore

Knoxville, TN Dallas, TX SI. Petersburg, Russia Dallas, TX Huntsville, TX

Rotterdam, NED

NOVEMBER 4-7 11-13 17-19

Future Stars Championships/ Coaches Workshop (M) Trampoline World Championships (TI) International Age Group Championships (TI)

Colorado Springs, CO Metz, France Metz, France

JUNE 3-6 23-25 24-27 23-27 27-Ju~2

Acrobatic Gymnastics World Team Trials National Elite Qualifer (AG) u.s. Elite Challenge (TTl Chicago Cup/ Rhythmic JO Nationals Trampoline and Tumbling JO Nationals

Huntsville, TX Kissimmee, FL Virginia Beach, VA Chicago, Il Virginia 8each, VA

201 1 FEBRUARY 4 5

JULY 9-11 10 16-18 17 23-25 23-25 25-28

Acro Gymnastics World Age Group Competition U.S. Men's Qualifier (M) Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships Rhythmic National Qualifier National Elite Qualifer (AG) CoverGiri Classic (W) Aero JO National Championships

11

Visa Championships Annual Business Conference

W= Women R= Rhythmic AG =Acrobatic Gymnastics B=Business

10-13

13-26

Rhythmic World Championships

Hartford, CT Hartford, CT

8-16 14-30

World Artistic Championships (M/W)

10-16

lausanne, SUI

AUGUST Visa Championships

TBD

SEPTEMBER

Pan American Games (M/W/R/TR)

TR = Trampoline M= Men TT =TrampolinelTumbling -

TECHHIQUE' APRIL 10 10

World Gymnaestrada (GG)

lille, France

OCTOBER

NOTE: Dates and events subject to change or cancellation.

2

T8D TBD

JULY

Wroclaw, Poland Colorado Springs, CO Wroclaw, Poland TBD Kissimmee, Fl Chicago, Il Kissimmee, Fl

AUGUST 10-14

Nastia liukin Cup (W) Tyson American Cup (M/W)

GG = Group Gymnastics

Tokyo, Japan Guadalajara, Mexico

TU =Tumbling

APRIL PUBLISHER

Steve Penny EDITOR

Luan Peszek GRAPHIC DESIGNER

2010 • VOLUME 30 • #4

FEATURES 6

Best Practices of Class Management

10

Hall of Fame Inductees

14

Being a Positive Coach: Effective Communication

Grant Glas

USA GYMNASTICS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Choir: Peter Vidmar Vice·Choir: Paul Parillo Secretory: Gory Anderson Treasurer: Morris Jim Notional Membership· Women: Tom Koll National Membership· Women: Steve Rybacki National Membership· Men: Yoichi Tomita National Membership· Men: Russ Fystrom National Membership· Rhythmic: Brooke Bushnell·Toohey National Membership· Trampoline & Tumbling: George Drew National Membership· Acrobatic Gymnastics: Dr. Joy Binder Advisory Council: Mike Burns Advisory Council: Ron Ferris Advisory Council: Mike lorenzen Athlete Diredor . Women: Kim Zmeskal Athlete Diredor . Men: John Roethlisberger Athlete Diredor . Rhythmic: Jessica Howard Athlete Director · Trampoline & Tumbling: Karl Heger Athlete Diredor . Acrobatic Gymanstics: Michael Rodrigues Public Sector: Fronk Marshall Public Sedor: Bitsy Kelley Public Sector: Jim Morris Public Sedor: Mary lou ReHon

CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES: In order to ensure uninterrupted delivery of TECHNIQUE magazine, notice of change of address should be mode eight weeks in advance. For fastest service, please enclose your present moiling label. Direct all subscription moil to TECHNIQUE Subscriptions, USA Gymnastics, 132 L Washington SI., Suite 700, Indianapolis, IN 46204 .

TECHNIQUE is published monthly except bimonthly in Sept/ Oct and Nov/Dec by USA Gymnastics, 132 L Washington SI., Suite 700, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (phone: 317·237· 5050) or visit online @ www.usa-gymnastiu.arg Subscription prices: U.S.-$25 per year; Canada/Mexim-S48 per year; all other foreign countries-$60 per year. If available, bock issue single copies $4 plus postage/handling. All reasonable core will be token, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited material; enclose return postage.

Copyright 2010 by USA Gymnastics and TECHNIQUE All rights reserved. Printed by Sport Graphics, Indianapolis, IN. Member Services 1-800·345-4719

DEPARTMENTS 2

Event Schedule

4

USA Gymnastics Message

16 Children's Miracle Network 22 Biz: Tips 24 Member Services 26 Congress 34 Athlete Focus 36 Club Corner 39 What's New 46 Classifieds

Know your Coaching Philosophy

Unle.. expressly identified to the controry, oil orticles, stotements ond views printed herein ore ottributed solely to the outhor ond USA Gymnostics expre..es no opinion ond o..umes na responsiMity thereof.

COVER PHOTO OF ALE XAN DRA RAISMAN BY JOHN CHENG

www.usa-gymnastics.org APRil 2010 • TECHHIQUE

3

s you may recall, in 2008 USA Gymnastics launched a nationwide marketing initiative targeting the sport's grassroots base. This campaign featured an advertising insert in USA Today during the Olympic Games and the effort was well received by many clubs who ordered an additional 200,000 overruns to distribute in their local communities. This summer, USA Gymnastics will unveil yet another campaign, reinforcing the message that gymnastics is part of our human nature, and gymnastics clubs are the very best place for young people to learn about fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

A

USA Gymnastics has created a media partnership that will specifically target parents and plans call for the creation of another print insert in a nationally recognized periodical. We will once again focu s on the message "Life Needs .... " and build on the notion that some of the most common functional skills for young people are reinforced through the gymnastics environment. USA Gymnastics is funding this effort in partnership with the National Gymnastics Foundation and a few of our corporate partners. The timing is important in the middle of the Olympic quadrennium to bring attention to the ever-present business of the gymnastics community.

ufe Needs Confidence. _'<I .p,.o:r""" ""-""""'"'.' .... ., .• ,.-=0',...

••" ' ....."' ..

' .. USA.(; ................ "'·-"". ,. ".,- ._,~.... <c.. Q.1> .. ~..,.,

The campaign builds on the USA Gymnastics tag line "Begin here. Go Anywhere," and will include posters and the opportunity to purchase overruns for your club. The plan is to publish the insert in the September issue (which comes out in August) to boost fall club enrollment and to tie-in with the celebration of National Gymnastics Day. Space for local club information will be available to personalize the insert for your club.

As gymnastics professionals, we know that when kids get involved in gymnastics they learn valuable life skills such as strength, focus, self-motivation and confidence.

We believe the campaign and its targeted national outlets will get this message out to a mass audience.

Information on club inserts is available by contacting Loree Galimore at 317-829-5654 or 19a1i@usa-gym nastics.org.

We continue to look for ways to build interest and awareness in gymnastics and support your business objectives. In this issue of Technique, Massachusetts USA Gymnastics shares its cooperative efforts that include organizing a breakfast club and sharing resources and ideas. I strongly believe in the notion of cooperative marketing and think this philosophy is a critical component of building awareness about this fabulous sport.

The gymnastics family is strong and when we work together for a common goal we can have a tremendous impact!

See you in the gym ,

Steve Penny President & CEO P.S. Please make plans to attend the Visa Championships and USA Gymnastics National Congress in Hartford, Conn., this summer. It promises to be one of the very best yet.

4

TECHHIOUE • APRIL 2010

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n his book, Positive Classroom Discipline, Fred Jones states, "The most widespread management technique at home and in the classroom is nag, nag, nag ." You can avoid making that techn ique your teaching style and create a climate for learning by understand ing student behavior and working to effectively manage your classes .

First, take into consideration your students . Each one is at a certain level, specific to their phYSical, cognitive and emotional development. Each student has a unique personal ity type - aggressive, passive, open, angry, or complacent, etc. Every student also has a preferred learning style, a method by which they best understand and learn - kinesthetically, visually, logically, interpersonally, intra-personally, etc.

Everyone behaves differently in different situations and your job as a teacher/coach is to connect with each student and entice him or her to learn .

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6

TEC HNIQU E' APR i l 2010

This responsibility to lead students in the learning process requires personal discipline and the ability to create a positive learning environment. As always, what works for one does not always work for all. Much research has been done on human behavior and learning (Freud , Jung, Skinner, Piaget, etc.) and we can benefit from th is information to create techniques for effective classes . I offer the fol lowing as best practices of class management.

Choose Your Battles.

Learn to selectively ignore behaviors that are not truly detrimental to your teaching objectives. Many times coaches/teachers complain about behaviors that are completely normal and should be expected but are not teacher directed and a matter of the teacher simply exerting the ir control. Keep you r sense of perspective and your sense of humor.

Create a set of clear and concise needs and expectations.

Student and teacher needs, rights, and expectations should be openly discussed on the first day of class and reviewed periodically. Students have a right to learn without being disrupted by others. They expect the teacher to facilitate learning by setting limits on disruptive student behavior. The student is expected to come to class prepared with a willingness to learn.

The students are expected to behave respectfully to the teacher and to other students. Furthermore, the student is expected to accept the consequences of misbehavior.

A teacher needs the full attention of each student and has the right to establish optimal learning environments.

The teacher is expected to present interesting curricu la which meet the students' needs, to provide stimu lating and useful lessons, and to always ask the students to be the best that they can be. Furthermore, the teacher is expected to use teaching practices that are likely to motivate students to engage in worthwhile learning activities.

Create a warm and nurturing classroom environment.

The gym should be a place where a student feels welcome and at home. Students need to feel safe and accepted, so ridicule and sarcasm are not allowed.

Mutual respect and the Golden Rule is the key for maintaining this climate . The facility should be clean and pleasantly decorated, with equipment arranged to allow students to work cooperatively, as well as allowing the teacher to circulate freely and supervise efficiently.

Each student deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Students should be personally greeted at the door. They should be given as much personal attention as possible during and outside of class. Although there are many causes of team spirit, a teacher's enthusiasm, level of concern for the students, and class involvement all can affect the level of class togetherness. This force can benefit cooperative learning, and make the lesson seem much more enjoyable.

Develop a set of rules and logical consequences.

Teachers and students must democratically create discipline plans, including rules with clear and effective consequences . The rules should be agreed upon and understood by everyone in the class. It should be understood that when rules are broken, consequences will be applied fairly and consistently.

The teacher solicits help to develop a set of class rules and responsibilities . The ideal list would be short and reflect the concepts of mutual respect and personal

responsibi lity. Logical consequences are results which consistently follow certain behavior. They are explained in advance and agreed to by the students. It is hoped that by understanding the consequences of disruptive behavior, that students will make better choices .

Consequences should be related to the misbehavior so the students can see the connection . For example, if a gymnast chooses not to work on his/her assignment, he/ she will stay after class until the repetitions are finished .

Once the class has developed its list of rules, they should be displayed as a reminder to those who may wish to break them. This gives the teacher something to point at when requesting certain behavior to stop.

Enforce these rules consistently and without preferential treatment or emotion.

Develop a comprehensive lesson plan and daily routine, yet remain flexible.

Install class routines and procedures that allow the student to know what is expected of him/her to begin and complete work expeditiously. As part of an effective routine, it is best for students to begin work immediately after class begins. Warm-ups should include fun or interesting activities that meaningfully occupy the student. The activity could lead directly into the day's lesson . Part of the class time should be spent covering the daily lesson . During this time it is understood that only one person speaks at a time. Don't talk too much! Use the first few minutes of class for lectures or APRil 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ TECHNIQUE

7

presentations, then get the kids working.

Students who have questions are encouraged to raise their hands to ask them. Once the lesson has been presented, the teacher is free to answer individual student questions. It is important to be flexible because lesson plans can be affected by conditions beyond the control of the teacher (half the class is absent that day, excess heat, event rotation emergencies, etc.). There may be cases where class activities must be restructured or rescheduled to accommodate the changed conditions . It is possible, with some ingenuity, to make the situation a learning experience, beneficial to all.

Make learning more attractive and fun for the student.

Gymnastics is for the students and not for the teachers . It is important for the teacher to expend every effort necessary to make the lessons interesting, and the activities enjoyable. Remember that students need to be successful 80% of the time! The result will be an engaged and active participant in the learning process. Students respond well to the anticipation of preferred group activities. It is possible to get an entire class on task if the incentive is available to all students, and attractive to the entire group to merit extra effort. The incentive should be both stimulating to the students and educationally valuable .

The teacher can make learning more attractive by giving a coherent and smoothly paced lesson presentation. Getting the lesson going, keeping it going with smooth transitions and avoiding abrupt changes that interfere with student activity are important in maintaining positive student behavior associated with being on task. Coaches should vary the way they present their lessons from day to day.

They may demonstrate, lead a group activity or discussion, or have students work quietly on their own . Repetitions can become ruts without variety to spice things up. Teaching strategies should be congruent with student learning styles. The teacher should help the students develop learning goals that are real, attainable, and a source of pride. Activities should be fun for the students.

Deal with misbehavior, quickly, consistently, and respectfully.

Misbehavior is a disruption to your effectiveness as an educator. The time spent deal ing with misbehaving would be better spent teaching the others. Therefore, misbehavior will be dealt with quickly and consistently with class defined consequences. Body language, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, and physical proximity all can

8

TECHHIOUE. APRil 2010

-I

be effective in promoting se lf-control by the student.

It is important that a teacher be aware enough to recognize when misbehavior may occur, and to have non -verbal methods to prevent escalation .

Often a verbal reminder of class rules and consequences all that is necessary to stop student misbehavior. Upon an act of m isbehavior, a teacher may describe the action to the student and suggest an acceptable alternative action . The student usually only has to be reminded of what he/she is supposed to be doing. For example, "Instead of talking with your friends around the chalk box, I would like you to work on your ankle conditioning for the next five minutes. You can talk to your friends later."

If a teacher ignores an attention-seeking student, the misbehavior usually escalates to a level that eventually cannot be ignored . The refore, it is best if the teacher can redirect the student's behavior and attempt to give the student attention when he/she is not demanding it. This method encourages students to seek motivation from with in, instead of depending on attention from the coach .

CONTINUED ON P. 32

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USA GYMNASTICS NAMES 2010 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ndianapolis, Ind., March 19, 2010 - 1996 OLympic team goLd-medaList Dominique Moceanu of CLeveLand, Ohio, 1992 Olympic team bronze-medalist Wendy Bruce-Martin of ALtamonte Springs, Fla., and OLympians Jennifer PariLLa (2000, trampoLine) of Newport Beach, CaLif., and Kip Simons (1996, men) of Larkspur, CoLo., are among the 2010 class of inductees for the USA Gymnastics HaLL of Fame. The class also includes: 2004 and 2008 U.S. Men's OLympic Team head coach Kevin Mazeika of Houston; 2000 U.S. OLympic trampoLine coach Robert NuLL of Mission Viejo, CaLif.; and for lifetime achievement, Ellen Nyemcsik of Hackensack, N.J. (rhythmic gymnastics).

"We are proud to recognize the 2010 inductees for their accomplishments and contributions to gymnastics," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "The rich history of USA Gymnastics is reflected by those inducted into this

prestigious group. Congratulations to each and every one of our honorees."

The 2010 USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame luncheon and induction ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 13, as part of the USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show in Hartford, Conn., which is held in conjunction with the 2010 Visa Championships. Ticket and other information on the luncheon and induction ceremony will be available at www. usa-gymnastics.org.

The USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 1959. Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and group gymnastics. For more information, go to usa-gymnastics.org.

. .- - - - 2010 USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame Inductees - - -. . â&#x20AC;˘ Wendy Bruce. Bruce, who lives in Altamonte Springs, Fla., and now goes by Bruce-Martin, was a member of the U.S. women's team that won the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain . Bruce-Martin, who trained with Brown's Gymnastics, was also a member of the 1989 World Championships team that competed in Stuttgart, Germany, and placed fourth in the team competition.

Her other accomplishments during her seven-year international gymnastics career included: winning the team title at the USA-Japan event in the Dodge Challenge in 1992; first in the all-around, vault and balance beam at the 1990 USA-German Democratic Republic dual meet of the Pyramid Challenge; tying for fourth in the all-around at the USA-USSR event in the 1989 McDonald's Challenge; and winning the vault, uneven bars and floor exercise and finishing second in the all-around and balance beam at the 1989 Belgium International Gym Masters. Bruce-Martin competed in five U.S. national championships, winning the uneven bars bronze in 1992 and finishing fifth in the all-around in both 1989 and 1991. She also won the all-around and vault, with second on the uneven bars and floor, at the 1992 U.S. Classic. She was sixth in the all-around at the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials. Bruce-Martin is a graduate of Seminole Community College and is a gymnastics coach; a fitness professional and speaker; and an inspirational speaker on women's and sports topics, including mental toughness training. She is married and has two children.

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TECHNIQUE¡ APRIL 2010

• Kevin Mazeika. a native of Houston, began coaching men's gymnastics in 1984 and has served on the National Team Coaching Staff since 1988. He has coached at more than 35 international competitions and has been head or assistant coach at 15 international team events. While he was serving as head coach, the U.S. Men's Team recorded some of the USA's most successful performances in recent history.

For the first time, the U.s. men won team medals in back-to-back Olympic Games - silver in 2004 and bronze in 2008, representing the U.S. men's best Olympic team finishes since they won the team gold medal in 1984. 2004 was the men's first team medal in a non-boycotted Olympics since 1932. Mazeika also was the head coach for the 2007, 2003 and 2001 World Championships Team. The U.S. men earned the team silver medal at both the 2001 and 2003 World Championships. Prior to 2001, the men had not won a world team medal since 1979. Mazeika, who was named the U.S. men's national team coordinator in December 2009, was the men's program manager at the Houston Gymnastics Academy and owner of Mazeika's Elite Gymnastics. He was the personal coach of two Olympians, seven World Championship team members, a world champion, nine World Cup medalists, 52 national team members and 33 national champions. Mazeika is married and has two daughters.

• Dominique Moceanu was a member of the 1996 U.S. Women's Olympic Team, dubbed the "Magnificent Seven" after they won the USA's first women's team gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She also won the all-around title at the 1998 Goodwill Games, becoming the first non-Russian to earn this title. In 1995, she became the youngest woman to win the U.S. senior national allaround title (age 13); helped the USA to a team bronze medal at the World Championships, where she was the only individual American medalist (silver on balance beam). Among her many accomplishments are: youngest member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team (14); youngest person featured on a Wheaties box (14); won the U.S. junior national all-around, vault and floor exercise titles in 1994; and five-time medalist at the 1992 Junior Pan American Games. She was inducted as a member of the 1996 Olympic Team into both the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1998 and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2008. Currently Moceanu, who is married and has two children , is

involved with camps, clinics, speaking engagements and appearances across the country, as well as writing a gymnastics children's book series for middle-school students that is scheduled for release by Disney*Hyperion in 2012. She graduated from John Carroll University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in business management.

• Robert Null of Mission Viejo, Calif., coached Jennifer Parilla, who became the first U.S. trampolinist to compete in the Olympic Games when the sport made its Olympic debut in 2000 and qualified for her second Games in 2004.

He currently coaches Logan Dooley, who was the alternate for the 2008 Olympics and, in 2009, became the first U.S. man to win a World Cup event in individual and synchronized trampoline. Null has coached at 28 national championships, 13 World Championships and the 2000 Olympic Games. A coach since 1970, his accomplishments include: 2000 Olympic coach; coach of more than 40 national champions (Level 10 and above); coach of seven medalists at World Age Group Competitions; 10-time U.S. trampoline coach at World Championships; Milton Davis Award for senior level coaches; and'three-time National Trampoline Coach of the Year (1989, 1997, 2000). In addition to coaching, Null was an international trampoline judge who worked World Team Trials, national championships and various international events. He also has held positions on several senior technical committees. He was a member of the California State University at Fullerton's gymnastics team from 1970-72, which won the NCAA Division II national title in 1971-72. He earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education and a California teaching certificate from CSUF. • Jennifer PariLLa, a native of Newport Beach, Calif., was the first U.S. gymnast to compete in trampoline in the Olympic Games. Trampoline made its Olympic debut in 2000, and she represented the United States in both the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, finishing 9th and 14th, respectively. From 19932004, she won five U.S. individual and five U.S. synchronized trampoline titles, along with two double mini-trampoline national crowns. She also has five World Age Group medals, finishing first on trampoline and second on double mini-trampoline in 1994. At the World Championships, she was a member of bronze-medal trampoline team in 2005 and the double-mini squads that won the team title in 1994 and the bronze medal in 1998. Parilla won the individual double-mini silver medal at the 1998 Worlds. She finished in the top seven at eight trampoline World Cup events, including a second place finish in 1996. At the Olympic Selection event for the 2000 Olympic Games, she was ninth, and at the 2000 Olympic Test Event, she finished 6th.

APRIL 2010 • rECHHIOUE

11

â&#x20AC;˘ Kip Simons, a native of Bloomsburg, Pa., competed on the 1994 and 1995 World Championship teams and was a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Men's Gymnastics Team. He and his teammates won team gold medals at the 1995 Pan-American Games and the 1994 Pacific Alliance Championships, where he also earned the silver on still rings.

At the 1996 nationals, he won the still rings title, was second on parallel bars and fourth in the all-around. During a successful college career at Ohio State, .

Simons earned numerous honors throughout his four years, including the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the Nissen-Emery Award, which is given to the nation's top senior gymnast. He was a four-year member of the All-Big 10 team, while earning four Big 10 Conference titles on the parallel bars (1992, 1994), still rings (1992) and high bar (1993). He graduated from OSU in 1996 with a degree in exercise physiology. In 2006, Simons was one of 12 Ohio State alumni inducted into the OSU Athletics Hall of Fame. He currently is the head coach of the Air Force Academy men's gymnastics team . Prior to his appointment at the Academy, Simons spent five seasons with the University of California - Berkeley Bears. He was an assistant coach from 2001-05 and then held the title of associate head coach for the final year of his stay in Berkeley. He received the West Region Coach of the Year Award in 2008 and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year in 2006. Simons is married.

See HaLL of Fame order form on page 28

â&#x20AC;˘ Ellen Garlicki Nyemcsik, lifetime achievement. Nyemcsik of Hackensack, N.J ., has been instrumental in the growth and organization of U.S. rhythmic gymnastics. She has been involved at all levels (athlete, administrator, coach, judge) . In 1973, Nyemcsik became the first rhythmic Region 5 chairperson when rhythmic officially became a discipline of the U.S. Gymnastics Federation (now doing business as USA Gymnastics). In addition to organizing the region, she started a member newsletter about the region's activities. She was also competing, coaching and judging rhythmic. She attended her first international judge's class in 1976 and went on to earn her international Brevet status. Nyemcsik, who served on several national rhythmic committees, proposed developing written rules, which resulted in rhythmic's first operating code and rules and policies in the early 1980s. She has judged many domestic and international events, including the 1996 Olympic Games. An artistic gymnast in high school and college, Nyemcsik first learned of rhythmic gymnastics in 1971, while she was both competing and teaching artistic gymnastics. She decided to switch to rhythmic and competed in the first National Championships in Downers Grove, Ill., in 1973.

Nyemcsik became a member of the first USA Group National Team, competing in both the 1978 Pan Pacific Championships and 1979 World Championships. After performing in exhibitions for a year, she retired and established her own business selling rhythmic gymnastics apparatus. Nyemcsik graduated from William Paterson College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts in health and physical education.

She continues to be very involved as a judge and is a technical representative to the National Rhythmic Administrative Committee. 1(

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Being a Positive Coach: Effective Communication with Young Athletes St.Vincent Sports Pelformance Chris Ca rr, PhD .

Counsel ing Sport Psycholog ist St. Vin ce nt Sports Perfo rm ance

n my work with elite coaches (from the 10 years I spent with the u.s.

Men/s Alpine Ski Team and the five years I worked with the USA National Diving Team), I have found the majority of successful coaches adopt a "positive" coaching style in their interactions with athletes. For 20 years I have worked as a sport psychologist in collegiate, Olympic, and professional sport, and for the majority of those years, I've done coaching workshops and consultation. It is essential who a coach that desires excellence from his or her athletes develops a "positive" approach to coach-athlete communication .

Here are some basic "tips" for effective communication with young athletes.

Know your Coaching Philosophy Why do you coach? What is your goal for your athletes? Most coaches would not state their goals as "crushing my athlete's ego" or "making them feel bad about themselves" ; in fact, most coaches see their profession as a chance to develop, enhance and optimize an athlete's potential (athletically as 51. VIi/celli Hospital alld St. Villcmt Sporls PeiforlllallCe ill Illdiallapolis, Illd.,

14

TECHNIQUE路 APRIL 2010

O/~

well as personally) . If your philosophy is based on "enhancement," then recognize that a positive approach favors that outcome better than a critical / negative approach.

Reinforce Desired Behaviors (vs. critiquing undesired behaviors/ mistakes) A comment I share with coaches is based on "Psychology 100" principles . ...The best way to achieve a desired behavior is to reinforce that

Know your Coaching Philosophy

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Use a"Sandwich"

approach to making corrections

behavior when it occurs . So, if a Leve l 8 gymnast hits her beam series for the first time, make sure to reinforce it immediately when it occurs. I encourage coaches to keep a note card in their pocket that reminds them to watch for correct skills and reinforce them ... minimizing the mistakes (which often receive the majority of attention and thus become harder to overcome).

Use a IISandwich" approach to making corrections The sandwich approach is based on the following: When an athlete makes a mistake (technical), FIRST .... praise the effort the athlete is giving ("Hey Cindy, you are working hard .. . great job ... keep up the hard work") ... SECOND ... make the correction, using positive (e .g . "Your legs should be straight ... like this ... ") language vs. the language of "don'ts" (avoid using statements such as "Don't bend your knees ... " or "Don't release the bar when you're here") . Remember that for every "don't do this" correction there is an even better "Do it this way .. . " reinforcement. THIRD ... praise ongoing effort ("I know you can do it, just keep working") .

Remember that mistakes are a IInormal" and expected process of developing skills

control what a parent or teammate says to an ath lete after a tough practice or competition; however, the coach CAN contro l how he or she communicates with the athlete in moments of learning and growth (especially in adversity) . If the coach creates an environment that recognizes that mistakes will occur, but that a positive, focused and composed approach will be the response to mistakes, ... then he or she may generate the most optimal environment for growth.

Every gymnast is going to experience a form of frustration, doubt, and hesitancy as they develop their skills. It may appear early in their development or later in their development (e.g. Leve l 8), but challenges and mistakes will occur. An effective coach will have a strategy to assist each gymnast in his/her ability to overcome mistakes and improve her performance . Being a positive communicator, especially in managing mistakes/errors, is a key component to being an optimal gymnastics coach .

Good luck! J(.

Dr. Carr is the sport & performance psychologist for St. Vincent Sports Performance in Indianapolis, Ind. He 's currently the consulting sport psychologist for the Indiana University Athletic Department. He is on the USOC Sport Psychology Registry and was the Team Sport Psychologist for USA Men 's Alpine Skiing (1992-2002) and USA Diving (2004-08); he was on the USA Olympic Teams at both the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake, Utah , and the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. He also has a daughter who is a Level 9 gymnast.

Mistakes are "normal" and expected

It is important to recognize that athletes rarely "intend" on making mistakes or having bad meets; it is just part of sport. A positive coach allows his/her athletes to learn from their mistakes without "beating themselves up" in the process. A coach cannot

APRIL 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ TECHHIOUE

15

he Tyson Fitness Challenge has two goals: helping today's kids become more physically active through fun activities and raising money to help kids who are fighting illness at Children's Miracle Network hospitals around the country. One-hundred percent of the money raised during the Tyson Fitness Challenge goes to the Children's Miracle Network hospital in each gym club's local community. Raising money for Children's Miracle Network benefits children

T

of all ages nationwide and is a great way to end your summer schedule and/or kick start your fall season!

Clubs can approach raising funds to benefit Children's Miracle Network in two ways: voluntary participation in fundraising activities in conjunction with hosting the Tyson Fitness Challenge or hosting a Tyson Fitness Challenge as part of its celebration of National Gymnastics Day. Clubs that choose to hold the Tyson Fitness Challenge in conjunction with National Gymnastics Day may feature the more traditional gymnastics elements of cartwheels and back flips, along with fitness activities. For example, participants pledge to do up to 100 skills or elements (push-ups, handstands, pull-ups, walking a certain distance, etc.) in a specified period of time.

In addition to helping children in your area, participation in the fundraising component of the Tyson Fitness Challenge also qualifies the gym and individual participants for great prizes sponsored

by Tyson Foods and AAI.

When is National Gymnastics Day? The official National Gymnastics Day is Saturday, Sept. 18,2010. To accommodate local schedules and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate, clubs are welcome to hold their Tyson Fitness Challenge activities on or before National Gymnastics Day.

I AM RAISING MONEY FOR CMN, .

CAN YOU HELP? What are your club's plans for NGD?

Ways to raise money for Children's Miracle Network • Children enrolled in the Tyson Fitness Challenge ask for flat donations before the end of the eightsession Tyson Fitness Challenge for completion of skills on National Gymnastics Day. • Children enrolled in the Tyson Fitness Challenge can sign up to do fitness skills on National Gymnastics Day and solicit pledges for the amount of skills they complete .

• Participants can execute the traditional cartwheel -a-thon or f1ip-a-thon as part of the Tyson Fitness Challenge on National Gymnastics Day and seek either flat donations or pledges based on the number of skills completed.

Online giving Children's Miracle Network ha s developed a simple online giving program that provides an easy way for you and your club members to collect and track donations. This cuts down on

16 TECHHIQUE· APRi l 2010

the paperwork for club coordinators and allows children to raise money using familiar technology. Participants can e-mail friends and family throughout the world and ask for donations through a secure web site.

Visit http://usagym childrensmiraclenetwork.org to create a club account. Remember your members cannot fundraise online if your club doesn't have an account! Children can personalize their pages by uploading their favorite picture. Your members can also raise money without participating in online giving.

What is Children's Miracle Network?

Children's Miracle Network is an international, non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals. Countless individuals, 90 organizations and 400 media partners unite with Children's Miracle Network hospitals to help sick and injured kids in local communities. Donations to Children's Miracle Network create miracles by funding medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of 17 million children each year. The funds raised benefit the CMN hospital in that area or community. To learn more go to www.ChildrensMiracieNetwork.org. X

The to p three clu bs and top three individuals that raise the most money for Children's Miracle Network th rough the ir participa tion in the Tyson !=itness Challenge will receive some great prizes,

INDIVIDUAL PRIZES*

pend ing fu lfi llment of ad ministrative requi rements.

The top three individua ls who raise the most

CLUB PRIZES* Th e three cl ubs that raise the most money for Ch ild ren's Miracle Network wil l receive the fo llowing pri zes.

Second Place AAI I-leavy Duty !=oam Trapezoids (retail value: $899) $150 in Tyson coupons to host a Tyson Protein

Party at your gym

First Place O lympia Deluxe Tumb ling Mats (retail va lue: $1,318) $250 in Tyson coupons to host a Tyson Protein

Party at your gym One·yea r USA Gymnastics Member Club Membership (value: $160) C lub photo featured on a USA Gymnastics promotional poster in 2011

18

TECHNIQUE. AP Ril 1010

One·year USA Gymnastics Member Club Membership (value: $160)

money for Children's Miracle Network wil l recei ve the following prizes: • Round·trip airfare for two to the 2011 Tyson Ame rican Cup · Two tickets to the 2011 Tyson American Cup · Two pre-event V IP hospitality passes · One·night stay in the USA Gymnastics host hote l

Third Place

Party at you r gym

In addition to the prizes listed, the individual who raises the most money for Children's Miracle Network will be featured on a USA Gymnastics promotional poster in 2011. All monies must be sent to Children's Miracle Network in Utah by

One·year USA Gymnastics Member C lub

Nov. 9, 2010, to qualify for prizes.

AAI Colorful !=oam·filled Wedges (retail value: $529) $100 in Tyson coupons to host a Tyson Protein

Membership (value: $160)

Options include: • Part-time or full-time • Tuition-free public schooling in many states • An accredited online private school available worldwide • Over 185 individual courses, including foreign languages, AP and electives available for direct purchase

Learn more at K12.CDM/BYMNASTICS. Or, call us at 866.968.7512.

ONLY IN GYMNASTICS DOES EXHIBITION SEASON COUNT THIS MUCH. today's economy, it's vital for yOUT club to improve its retention rate.

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Pivotal Mistakes You Do NOT Want to Make! Part 2 ast iss ue in Part 1, I wrote of the fo ll ow ing Mistakes You Do NOT Want to Make : failure to answer your pho ne eve ry time it rings; be lieving in Theory X (people are basi cally lazy and dishonest) rather than T heory Y (people are basical ly good, given the right e nvironment); va luing a high lytalented ch ild mo re than a nont ale nted ch ild; fai lure to have a warm, inviting view ing area for the parents; confus ing re legati o n (of t asks) for de legation (of respons ibi lit ies); being po licy-driven rather than proceduredriven; not being fun to do business with. Here is Part 2 of "Mista kes You Do NOT W ant to Make."

L

• Failure to brand programs.

Are your presc hoo l classes cal led 'Gymnastics C lasses for 2 yearolds' o r do yo u have a 'branded' p rogram with a specia l nam e, mark and identity? Proc t or and Gamb le wo ul d not think of marketing ' P&G D iapers' (instead of Pampers) and P&G Toothpaste (instead of Crest) and you shou ldn't e ither. T he brain cannot focus on vapor. G ive your customers something to wrap their minds around : ident ify and BRAND everything.

• Using a hub-and-spoke organizational structure. By this, I mean, when t he 'w heel' revo lves

around one person. In a hub-andspoke o rganizationa l strategy there is one main thinker, one ma in decision maker and one main doer.

T he reason the hub-and-spoke organizational strategy is so ins id ious is because, darn it, at first, it works!

However, once a gym club reaches 500 students and / or three separate prog rams- a hub-and -spoke w ill put a ce iling o n your growth and drive your qua lity of life into t he g round .

(Thi s noti o n is close ly re lated to t he m istake of confusing re legation for de legat ion written about last month.)

• Lack of 'professionalism.' If you or your company appears unprof essional, your clients wil l treat you unp rofessiona lly. Is your faci lity neat, clea n, organ ized? If not , expect treatm ent in kind. Do you have clear, orga nized procedures and fo ll ow t he m yo urse lf? T here is no bett e r way t o teach your clien t s tha t it is OK to ig no re procedures than to igno re them yourse lf. Do you take credit cards? If not, do you th ink t his affects the image of your company (not t o mentio n keeps certain clients from partic ipating)? Do your emp loyees act in a wa rm, accepting, caring manner at all times? If not, you can expect co ld, uncaring treatment in return.

It is a fo und atio nal BOOT CA MP te net and it cou ld not be t ruer..... yo u get treated in life the way you teach

Small B usiness

II e) e)'I' (~1')11) Sin ce

1991

Jeff Metzger President, GymClub Owners Boot Camp President, Kids First Sports Center

people to t reat you."

• Failing to have a defined Leadership Strategy. If there is one thing worse than a bad st rategy, it is having NO strategy. And having no lead e rship strategy is worst of all and guaranteed to cause seve re and ongoing problems. A bus iness that can not clearly art icu late its be liefs about w hat insp iration is and how to stimu lat e it wi ll suffer for its inabi lity to do so .

• Hiring poorly. You cannot have a great business w it h mediocre peop le.

And mediocre people is w hat you wi ll have un less you take hiri ng seriously ... very serious ly. There is no substitute for good hiring : you can do a ll the right th ings running a business and if you b low the hiring aspect, you wi ll RE A LLY b low it. Learn how t o hire we ll. (Hi nt: hi ri ng is 90% d isc ip lin e t o do w hat you know to d o and 10% knowledge .)

Avoiding these m istakes w ill improve your bus iness, w ill improve your life, and that is a wonderful t hing for you and m e. X Make it a great sp r ing !

Jeff M etzger

Hosted in Cincinnati, nOt.,., t~ll)ll) is a life-changing, 4 112 day total immersion leadership, marketing and organizational workshop for GymClub Owners ~

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For a FREE portfolio of information: 513-489-7575 or gymclub@aol.com lifetime solutions for your business... ... business solutions fo r your lifetime

USA GYMNASTICS UNIVERSITY

LIVE COURSE SCHEDULES Live course schedules are updated weekly on our website

www.usa-gymnastics.org please see the website for the most current schedule.

Preschool Fundamentals: Hands on Training (HOT) May 22 June 12 International Gymnastics Camp 9020 Bartonsville Woods Road Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Course code: PF0612201 OPA 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

August 11 (in conjunction with National Congress) Hartford Marriott Downtown 200 Columbus Blvd Hartford, CT 06103 Course code: XX081120 1OCT TIme TBD

Mel Korum family YMCA 302 - 43rd Ave SE Puyallup, WA 98374 Course code: MT05222010WA 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

August 11 (in conjunction with National Congress) Hartfard Marriott Downtown 200 Columbus Blvd Hartford, CT 061 03 Course code: XX081120 1OCT Time TBD

June 17 Manta Marriott 2000 Century Blvd.

Manta, GA 30345 Course code: CC061720 1OGA 6:00 p.m. - 10:30/ 11 :00 p.m. ' Course dates and times are subject to change and/or cancellation.

SAFETV/RISK MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION COURSE USA Gymnastics University is proud to announce the launch of the revised course and handbook.

GYMNASTICS RISK MANAGEMENT SAFETY HAttOBOOK

To register for a course, visit the USA Gymnastics website at www.usa-gymnastics.org. Register online or download the registration form. **Save

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by registering online!**

WUCATIONAL Si;]:IVICES ...,.!

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MEMBER SERVICES

New Educational Benefit for Member Clubs and members USA Gymnastics recently announced its new online educational course, Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction. This course is being provided as a benefit of membership to certain member types as well as to our Member Clubs. Clubs can now access and take advantage of this wonderful educational tool.

As part of membership, clubs will receive one year of access to the Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction online course. The course access will be set-up in the club's name

and allow the club to utilize this educational tool to train staff at all levels. Clubs can use this education in a variety of ways including allowing individual staff to complete the course on their own, using the club's username and password, or presenting the course material during staff meetings and educational training sessions. We encourage clubs to set-up an LCD projector and go through various sections of the course during staff meetings. This is a great place to start a discussion and follow-up with club policies, procedures, and further training tips.

While clubs will have unlimited access to the course for a year and may use the education as they see fit to train their staff, this course access is for educational purposes only and will not provide certification to individuals. If clubs wish for their staff to earn USA Gymnastics Levell Certification through the completion of the Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction course, each individual must be registered

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for the course. Options for USA Gymnastics membership and course registration include:

discounts on all other USA Gymnastics courses and congresses.

1. Professional Membership ($84)

4. No membership

This member type carries the requirements of Safety/Risk Management Certification ($65) and Background Check through NCSI (starting at $21.25), both of which are great credentials for all staff to have, and allows individuals access to USA Gymnastics sanctioned events. With the Professional Membership, the cost of the Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction is free!

Registration and access to the course for individuals who are not members will be available shortly and cost $25.

2. Introductory Coach Membership ($15)

Club access to the online Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction course will be granted with club renewals or new applications. The course access will be renewed yearly as the Member Club membership is renewed. Please contact Loree Galimore with additional questions.

This member type carries the requirements of Safety/Risk Management Certification ($65) and Background Check through NCSI (starting at $21.25), both of which are great credentials for all staff to have, and allows individuals access to USA Gymnastics sanctioned meets at Levels 1-3 and Prep Optional. With the Introductory Coach Membership, the cost of the Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction is free!

3. Instructor Membership ($50) With the Instructor Membership, the cost of the Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction is $ 15! The Instructor Membership also provides educational

As you can see there are many ways for clubs to utilize this new educational tool and allow their staff to become USA Gymnastics University certified! Find out more and start today!

USA Gymnastics Surveys We will be sending out surveys to our clubs and we hope that you will all participate. We are always trying to update our industry statistics for our clubs and find out what our members need. We thank you in advance for taking the survey to help better serve our members. You will be emailed the survey in March. 1\

SAVE TI-IE DATE! 46th ANNUAL USA GYMNASTICS NATIONAL CONGRESS and TRADE SHOW Held in conjunction with 2010 Visa Championships August 11 -14 , 2010, Hartford , Conn.

Who should attend? All USA Gymnastics Professional, Instructor, and Introductory Coach Members. Coaches, judges and instructors of all levels. Recreational and preschool teachers, business managers, administrators, club owners, high school and college coaches.

What is offered? Three days of education with more than 170 sessions. Lectures given by recognized top individuals in the field.

Sessions are provided on coaching, judging, business, preschool, recreational, sports science, fitness , and cheerleading. The opportunity to learn from leading experts from all six disciplines, Women's, Men's, Rhythmic, Acrobatic, Group Gymnastics and Trampoline and Tumbling. Along with the sessions, the Trade Show Exhibit Hall will feature 200 booths of products and information from more than 90 different Industry Member vendors. Special events, such as the USGSA Mega Raffle will take place in the exhibit hall daily.

Congress attendees will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the GO Hartford program. The GO Hartford program is being developed so that your time in the city will be well spent. As a benefit of your Congress Registration you will be able to enjoy discounts on entertainment, food and drink during National Congress and the Visa Cham-

26

TECHNIQUE· APRIl 20 10

pionships. A listing of the participating businesses will be available prior to the event. Your Congress credential or Visa Championships ticket is all you need to enjoy this program!

Pre-Congress: August 11 • Business Conference • Certification Courses Trade Show: August 11-14, 2010 Congress: August 12-14, 2010

Where: Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Conn. Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. Five sessions offered per day.

Registration: Please visit www.usa-gymnastics.org for more information Special discounted group registration for Member Clubs. Special Early Bird Pricing available through May 15.

HotellTravel Reservations: National Travel Systems: 888-603-8747 Email: sportsinfo@nationaltravelsystems.com Website: www.ntssportstraveJ com

Visa Championships: August 11-14, 2010 Men's and Women's Artistic events at the XL Center -Rhythmic, Acrobatic Gymnastics and Trampoline & Tumbling venue information will be available at a later date. ~

August 12-14, 2010 • Connecticut Convention Center - I-lartford, CT

EARLY BIRD INDIVIDUAL

REGISTRATION FORM I-Ield in conjunction with the

2070

VISA

Visa Championships

CHAMPIO SHIPS H."ford. (T

PL~ AS ~ S ~L~ C T A LL TH AT A PPLY. Payment in full is required at time of registration. Minimum age for all Congress attendees is 15·

Early Bird Congress Costs

~a r ly Bird Congress Registration

$199 $505 $381 $305

~arl y Bird Congress Registration and Gold All -Session ticket package Early Bird Congress Registration and Silver All -Session ticket package ~ar ly Bird Congress Registration and Bronze All-Session ticket package

Individual registration fee includes: Credential for entrance to Congress sessions, Aug 12-14. Credential available at check·in Aug 11.

2. One ticket to the Congress Dance Party on Sat., Aug 14. Must be 18+ to attend. Additional tickets for spouse/ guest are $35 each, available at on-site registration.

Registration & attendance earns 15 individual USA Gymnastics University cred its.

4. Trade show admission.

1.

Introductory Coach Pricing D D D D

$229 ~arl y Bird Congress $535 ~arl y Bird Congress $411 ~a r ly Bird Congress $335 ~ arl y Bi rd Congress

Additional

2010

Registration Registration and Gold All -Session ticket package Registration and Silver All-Session ticket package Registration and Bronze All-Session ticket package

Visa Championships All-Session Ticket Packages

Please indicate total # of packages. All-Session tickets are NON-R£FUNDABL£.

Special ticket pricing for Congress Attendees.

D Visa Championships Gold All-Sess ion ticket package x $306 D Visa C hampionships Sil ver All-Session ticket package x $182 D Visa C hampionsh ips Bronze All-Session ticket package x $106

Ticket details -

all ticket packages include $7 facility fee

• GO LD: $306 - lower level sides (first 5 rows) • SILV ER: $182 -lower leve l si des (low rows) • BRO NZ E: $106 - si de seating (mid to high rows) Special ticket rate for All Sessions is for purchase for Congress attendees.

Prices reflect a discount of up to 40% off public prices. Tickets will be mailed to address on registration form approximately 4 weeks prior to event. All-session tick· ets are NON·ReFUNDABLe. email: tickets@usa-gymnastics.org with any questions.

Non-Members & Other Member Types D D D

Augu,llO'14

(must be postma rked by May 15 to receive early bird discount)

Professional, Jr. Professional, Instructor, I=oreign Instructor and Athlete Members (age 15+) D D D D

(.~

$300 ~arly Bird Congress Registration (Ends May 15) $335 Congress Registration (~nds July 15) $400 On-site Registration

Visit www.USAGymnasticsNationaICongress.org for registration and complete details regarding Nationa l Congress schedules, activit ies and po licies.

Name_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ USA Gymnastics Membership No. _ __ Email Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ Date of Birth _ _ _ _ __ _ __ Mailing Address. _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ City _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __

Telephone _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

State_ _ _ __

Zip _ _ _ _ _ _ __

C lub Name _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Club# _ _ _ _ _ __

PAYMENT TOTALS Make checks payable to USA Gymnastics

Registration (package) total: $ _ _ __ __ Additional ticket package total : $_ __ __ Ticket Shipping and Handl ing f=ee:

$5.00

PAYMENT INFORMATION

D

Visa

D

Other_ _ _ _ _ _ _ Card #_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __

Exp. Date _ _ _ __

TOTAL PAYMENT $ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ authorized / enclosed

Signature _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ Print Cardholder Name _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Email Address for credit card receipt _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

VISA Proud Sponsor

Return completed form and payment to: USA Gymnastics, 132 E. Washington St. Ste. 700, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or by fax: 317.692.5212 Attention: Member Services

f=or Your Hotel and Travel Needs, Contact NATIONAL TRAYI;l SYST(;MS sportsinfo@nationaltravelsystem.com Or call 1.888.603.8747 or 806.7943135 www.ntssportstravel.com

~TS

1\

US A GYMN ASTIC S

USA Gy m nastics welcomes you to pay with your Visa@card

SUBSTITUTION POLICY: To transfer registration to another person, the new Congress attendee must also have a USA Gymnast ics Congress-eligible membership. Afte r July 15, $30 fee per substitution.

Office Use Only

CANC(;LLATION POLICY: All ca ncellations must be in wr it ing. Before July

Payment _ _ _ _ __

15, refu nd of registration fee less $30 service fee per person cancelling. After

Jul y 16, refund is 50% of registratio n fee per person cancel ling.

NO REf=UNDS Af=TER AU G. 30 . Submit all substitution and cancellation @guests IN WRITING to USA Gymnastics.

Postmarked _ _ _ __

Check/Reg #- . 1 __ Auth

Date

2010 I-IALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY AND LUNCHEON I=riday, August 13, 2010, Marriott Hotel Ballroom Hartford, Connecticut 1 0:30 a.m. -1 :00 p.m.

Hall of I=ame Class of 201 0 for: Wendy Bruce, Kevin Mazeika, Dominique Moceanu, Robert Null, Jennifer Parilla, Kip Simons and ~lIen Garlicki Nyemcsik - Lifetime Achievement Award

Please print and submit email address. Confirmation will be sent via email.

Name_________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________ City_______________________________ State___________,Zip _________________ Email Address (required for confirmation) _____________________________________ Phone(da~ime)----------------------------------

Credit Card Type Number _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ Exp. ______ Name on card _______________________________Signature ___________________ # of tickets _______@$45eachor#oftables@$400each(10pertable) Donation to Hall of Fame _______________ Total Amount Due ---------------------Table(s) reserved in name of _______________________________________________ Tickets will be mailed out to the address provided on the order form. Orders must be received NO LATER than June 15 to ensure proper delivery time. *AII donations of $50 or more will be listed in the Hall of Fame program, Congress Information Guide, and Technique magazine. Must be received by June 1 in order to be in publications.

Fax form with credit card information to 317-692-5212 or mail form and check (made out to USA Gymnastics) to: USA Gymnastics, Erica Koven Hall of Fame Ceremony 132 E. Washington St., Ste. 700 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Hall of Fame Sponsorships available: Gold: $ 5,000 Silver: $ 2,500 Bronze: $1,000 Contact Kathy Feldmann at kfeldmann@usa-gymnastics.org or call 317-829-5625

28

TECHNIQUE路 APRI L 2010

J(

YouTube, Facebook and Twitter Check out all the places to get gymnastics news, photos, and videos.

I

facebook

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.... 1

USA GVMNASTICS ANNUAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE When: August 11, 2010 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Where: Hartford Marriott Downtown Cost: $125 early bird discount What: The USA Gymnastics National Business Conference is always a great event and will inc lude special Key Note speakers and top leaders in our industry. This event is a wonderful add-on event to the USA Gymnastics Nationa l Congress and Trade Show fo r all club owners and directors .

See our web site for more details and to register online. www.usa-gymnastics.org 1\

Balanced The Tumble Time insurance program offers the perfect balance of comprehensive coverage and affordability with quality service from knowledgeable sports insurance professionals. Coverag e is avail able nationwide for gymnastics clubs, cheerl eadin g gyms and preschool or mobil e programs.

Visit our website to submit an application for an insurance proposal.

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It is important that the coach not engage in power struggles with students. It is best to redirect a powerseeking student's behavior by offering some position of responsibility or decision making . Address the behavior, not the character of the student. The teacher has the power to build or destroy student self concept and personal relationships. Good communication addresses the situation directly, letting the student decide whether their behavior is consistent with what they expect of themselves.

To be effective, consequences must be applied consistently. They should never be harmful physically or psychologically to the student. When they are invoked, the student should understand that he has chosen them by misbehaving.

Sometimes students are unwilling to listen to the teacher. At this point, a teacher can help prevent misbehavior from escalating by talking (and listening) with the student privately and rationally discussing the problem behavior. The privacy enhances the possibility for a constructive discussion . Confrontation with an unwilling student could make the teacher appear weak in front of the class. Know when to ask for help. Make parents your allies.

Call early and often, using the word "concerned ." Wh en communicating a concern, be specific and descriptive .

When all else fails, respectfully remove the student from the class.

Continued disruptions will not be tolerated in class.

They are detrimental to the overall objective that all students will become active and effective learners.

Therefore, such students will be respectfully removed from class and dealt with unconventionally. If a student does not accept the consequence for breaking a class rule, then he or she will not be allowed to remain in the class until the consequence is accepted. This rule should be made clear to the students on the first day and sho uld be strictly enforced (with the gym owner's approval, of course) .

Th ere are a lot of resource s available to help teachers manage their classes and it is not an easy task to keep a dozen active children focused and on task. Keep your perspective and sense of humor and remember that you are there for the kids. I always remind coaches of a favorite quote of mine from Plato, "Suffer not to te ach a child, for knowledge acquired under compulsion hath no bearing upon the mind. Rather, find the natural bent so that the chi ld may learn ." Don't beat yourself up trying to keep th e students in line and obeying your rules as you try to "teach;" it is more important that they are actively engaged in learning Gymnastics. 1(

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lexandra Raisman is f rom Needham, Mass., and trains at Brestyan's Ameri can Gymnastics with her coach Mihai Brestyan . This is her first year at the senior level and she took full advantage of her opportunity to compete in the Tyson American Cup, placing second in the all-around to Rebecca Bross.

Alexandra, nicknamed Ali, had the highest score of the competition on vault, where she performs a Yurchenko double full.

Raisman is 15 years old but turns 16 in May. She's the daughter of Lynn and Richard and is the oldest of four children, her brother is Brett and her sisters are Chloe and Madison. She's a 10th grader at Needham High School.

She says floor is her favori t e event and from the looks of her tumbling passes it's also one of her strongest events. Her mount is a one-anda-ha lf twist to double Arabian. Her second pass is a triple full, and she finishes the routine with a double tuck and a double p ike. She also takes advice from Olympic and World medalist Alicia Sacramone, who trains at her gym. Raisman said, "Alicia is a good role model. She's like an older sister to me."

Raisman also has a very nice beam routine with a flip flop to layout series that she lands on two feet, a front tuck to back tuck combination and she dismounts with an impressive double Arabian.

At the Tyson American Cup Raisman said, "I'm just honored to be here. I' ve only been an elite for one year so it's great to be competing at this prestigious event . " Last year Raisman finished third all-around at the Visa Championships in the junior division and was also second on beam and fifth on vau lt. Also in 2009 she was a member of the gold medal team at the Junior Pan American Championships in Brazil, and also took first on vault and floor and third in the all-around.

I'm su re we'll be seeing a lot more of Alexandra Raisman in the future! X

A

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first met Chris Deck, owner of Flying High Sports & Recreation Center in Countryside, III., in 2009, when the Tyson American Cup was held in Hoffman Estates, III. Chris was one of the many voluntee rs who helped out with all aspects of the event. It was evident from the start that Chris was organized, hard working and generous in donating her time and gym . Thank you Chris .

I recently learned of some new developments in Chris' life and it is such a great story I asked Chris if I could share it with you in our Club Corner.

Chris is a single gymnastics club owner and wanted

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to have children . She started out being a foster parent and decided she really wanted to adopt . She began the process with River of Hope orphanage in Haiti. She read about this new adoption agency which was located in her hometown . After much research and discussion, she decided to go with this new company, even though she knew she was its fi rst case!

"I'm always rooting for the underdog, after all, who would have thought I'd open my own gymnastics school at age 19," said Deck .

The adoption process was moving along smoothly and it was nearing the end of the process when the

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earthquake hit Haiti . She had no idea what that would mean to her situation.

Later she would learn that it meant three weeks of pure chaos. She had to rush forms here and there and did a lot of praying . She learned in late February that there was a possibility that the Department of Homeland Security would be answering her very soon.

A few days later she received notice that the children were approved and were scheduled on a flight the next day headed to Miami. This was sooner than Chris had planned for or even thought was possible.

Chris bought a plane ticket and flew to Miami where she greeted her new children in the Miami airport. This

gym club owner now has two children Tyler Evenson, 15 month old boy, and Emerlyn Dayana, a 4 month old girl.

She said, "Although things have been a little crazy getting the kids settled and starting this new chapter in my life, it has been a true blessing . I want to thank my club - the gymnasts, parents and coaches for their support and understanding during these last couple of months. They've definitely embraced the kids and made them feel a part of our gymnastics family. It has been a whirlwind but well worth the efforts." Chris Desk is definitely Flying High! 1\

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"At Buckeye Gymnastics, with over 2, 700 students enrollment, we require a class management software that can handle a huge load, adapt to a variety of situations and circumstances, and generate the reports we need. We looked for over a year before we settled on Jackrabbit. It has exceeded our expectations and I would recommend Jackrabbit for anyone in the youth sports industry. "

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2008 Olympic team bronze-medalist Justin Spring is the number-two Illini athlete of the decade according to The Daily Illini, the University of Illin ois newspaper.

Three gymnasts made the publication's top 20 ranking of IIlini ath letes of the decade (from 2000-2009). Paul Ruggeri and Wes Haag ensen made the list along with Spring.

Spring, a member of the Illini men's gymnastics team from 2003-2006, is a 12-time al l-American and a four-time individual NCAA champion.

He helped the U.S. men's team earn an Olympic bronze medal in Beijing in 2008. Now retired, Spring is the associate head coach at Illinois.

Current Illini team member Ruggeri was eighth on the Illini of the decade list. The seven-time all-American and a three-time indi vidua l NCAA champ ion is only a juni or. He was named to his first U.S. Men's National Team in February 2010. Ruggeri is from Manlius, N.Y. 2009 World-team member Ha agensen, who was ranked 18, competed for the IIlini from 2005-08. He was a seven-time all-American and the 2007 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year. Haag ensen currenly trains at the U.S. Olympic Tra ining Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. 1<

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ey Club Owners -- Ha ve you ever felt like you were on an island, running your gymnastics club with little or no knowledge of how others are running their clubs?

Kathy Ostberg, the women's National Administrative Committee Chairman, had a great idea to start a Breakfast Club for gymnastics club owners in her area. She suggested the idea to the USA Gymnastics Massachusetts State Committee, which ran with it.

The Breakfast Club, started in mid-November 2009, provides an opportunity for gym club owners to network about the gymnastics industry with other area gym club owners. The first meeting was supported by Massachusetts USA Gymnastics, which paid for the initial expense. The first event was held at a hotel and Ostberg invited Patti Komara to present a webinar on increasing enrollment, followed by an hour-long session

H

of sharing ideas for promoting growth in the gymnastics business .

"We had 30 people at our first Breakfast Club meeting," said Ostberg. "We invited club owners (one per club) . We have about 100 clubs in Massachusetts and about 60 of those clubs are really active. So, we had about half of the club owners present at the first meetIng. " She added, "It was a fantastic first meeting. We opened discussion and people started sharing things.

Some really good ideas were exchanged."

One of the ideas from th e first meeting was creating a state-wide commercial to promote gymnastics. The club owners are planning to use a USA Gymnastics commercial and tag it with messaging to visit a club in their area. It will be a month-long campaign in the summer to promote fall registration.

The Breakfast Club has met three times since the initial meeting, and each meeting features a speaker or education component, along with sharing information.

Frank Sahlein gave a webinar on increasing enrollment.

And, the group discussed a project to share expenses for a booth at the health and wellness fair in Boston.

The fair is run by NBC Channel 7, which shows the

expo and demonstrations. The club owners believe they'll receive great TV exposure by participating in th is opportunity.

Last year many of these same club owners pooled their resources for an ad in the Boston Globe to promote the sport of gymnastics, which directed people to the clubs that partic ipated in the promotion.

Th e Breakfast C lub is a great way to get together with others in your industry and share information, pool resources and grow your business . When gymnastics clubs work together, they can accomplish big things! 1( â&#x20AC;˘ ..... -=-- - --'--- ---'- - - - - - -- -------- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Mahoney founded Jackrabbit, along with his partner, Mike Carper, in 2005 and has led the company to exponential growth and impressive market adoption over the course of its young five-year life. Jackrabbit provides web-based business management solutions for classed-based organizations in eight market sectors.

"This represents the entire Jackrabbit team 's efforts - not mine individually. It has taken consistent commitment from everyone to give us the growth and the customer satisfaction levels that we have and that drive our continued success," said Mahoney. 1(

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INVITATIONAL IS SCHEDULED TO BENEFIT GYM CLUB DEVASTATED BY FIRE he New York gymnast ics community is hosting the Gymna stics "Family " Unites to Rebuild Invitation al, an invi t ational d es igned to ra ise funds for Dyn am ics Un limi t ed Gymna st ics in Dun kirk, N. Y., on April 24- 25.

Dynami cs Unlimited was devast ated by fire o n Wedn esday, Fe b . 24 . Ow ner Carole Cotto n and a cl ass of 36 stud e nts were in the gym at the t ime of th e in cident, but all escaped safely.

The Gymna stics "F am ily" Unites to Rebuild Invitati o na l is being orga ni ze d by man y ca ring ind iv iduals . A big th ank s to the ow ne rs of GC2 and the p arents asso cia t io n o f Dy na mics Un lim it e d and to Cotte n's d aught e r Sh ann o n Hu ss ar. This f undraising co mpetition is b eing organ ized to help Cotton, her gymnasts, coaches and parents rebuild the gym, which is lo cated in a M as on ic Te mpl e building. Th e Family Unites to Rebuild In v itati o nal w ill b e he ld at GC2 in Syracuse, N. Y., o n A p ril 24-25 , 2010.

If you would li ke to volunteer or make a donation, plea se contact Hu ssar at rochhussar@hotmail .com or 585-794 - 1250. X

T

n light of the recent fire that destroyed Dynamics Gymnastics in Dunkirk, N .Y, USA Gymnastics spoke to a firefighter about fire safety tips for gymnastics fac ilities. Captain Brian Burhenn, who is the Public Education Officer, firefighter and EMT at Lawrence Township Fire Department in Indianapolis, Ind., toured a local gymnastics club to understand how a gymnastics facility is organized and the types of activities . Of course, each gymnastics facility is different, but there are similarities, including they all have numerous kids having fun doing gymnastics . Here's a list of tips suggested for gym club owners.

I

A. Practice fire drills with staff only first--there is no stress with a scheduled fire drill. In a real situation the students will remain calm if the instructors are calm . It's important for the instructors to go through a fire drill situation so they know what to do in the event of a real situation .

1) Make sure that the coaches always know the best way out of the gym .

2) Staff need to always know the exact number of students in a group. The staff will need to be able to tell safety personnel if everyone is out of the building . It should be noted that no one should ever go back into a building that is on fire . Becoming a victim while attempting a rescue doubles the problem.

3) Have escape routes posted at several locations in the gym .

4) Have a specific meeting place outside.

42

TECHNIQUE路 APRIL 2010

B. Practice fire drills with students.

1) It is a good idea to assign " safety partners" on a daily basis. It only takes a few seconds . This will help the coaches guide the students out (10 kids in your class become 5 groups of 2) . The students will also have some accountability for each other.

2) Practice the fire drill before the kids have taken their shoes off. It is not practical to have the kids go outside without their shoes on and come back inside to work out with dirty socks . You DO NOT, however, want the kids to get used to p icking up their shoes, coats, or any other items before they exit the building during a real situation .

C. If you hear complaints from parents that you are using class time to go through a fire drill, explain to the parents that taking a few minutes away from practice to learn a procedure that might save their child's life in the event of an emergency is worth the time . SAFETY is our number one concern . This time is similar to the time the athletes spend warming up and stretching out so that they do not get injured.

D. Make sure that the staff is trained in the use of fire extinguishers. This is something we take for granted because we look at them every day. Like the fire drills, practice first when there is no stress.

These suggestions are only guidelines. Every gym is set up uniquely and every emergency situation is different. Like the sport we are training for, knowledge and practice wi ll make us better. X

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providing an opportunity for networking t socializing and building professional relationships .

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REGIONAL CONGRESS EDUCATION Sessions covering the following areas and varied by region Coaches Education - Sessions covering popular topics for the developmental through elite gymnastics coach in all disciplines.

Recreational Education - A recreational track covering programs for tots through teens; be the best instructor in your gym!

Business Education - Sessions covering marketing, managing your business, staff retention and more.

Judges Education - Sessions covering compulsoryt optional and elite judging criteria, technique and more.

Other Education - Sessions covering sports science, psychology and more.

To see a daily schedule for your region or to register, go to www.usa-gymnastics.org/membership/congress/regional.php

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POSITION AVAILABLE FULL TIME COACH NEEDED. North Shore Gymnastics Association is in need of a full time coach. Primory responsibilities would be to coach BOY's Team, Boys classes, open gym, equipment management, and other dasses. North Shore is a well established non-profit organization. Our boys program is growing fast with boys at all levels. North Shore is located just west of Minneapolis, MN near beautiful Lake Minnetonka. We have several boys on Region and National teams. We are offering a full time position with benefits. Pay is hourly 0.0.0. Please contact Dale Bullivant at 763-479-3189 or nsgadale@hotmail.com.

TEAM COACH JOB OPPORTUNITY.

The Gymnastics Training Center of Rochester is looking for a Head Team Coach position, Levels 4-9. This stateof-the-ort facility is located in upstate New York. This long-term committed coach must have a calm demeanor and willing to work with children of all ages.

Salary is commensurate with ability. This con be on immediale job opening but must be filled by September 2010. We are a great company to work for with all your needs at your fingertips. Any questions, please contact Sorah Jane Clifford, President ot 585-388-8686; e-mail: gtc@frontiernet.net; web site: www.gtc-rochester.com.

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GYM CLUB with state of the art equipment & highly successful program to boost! Full time positions available IMMEDIATELY! Seeking the right candidates to join in training our Girls Team consisting of 85+ gymnasts L4-Elite.aualificatians indude: experience coaching Levels 4-6 (compulsory position) Optional coach through Ll 0 (choreography experience a plus), administrative skills, ability to work cohesively with team stoff of 5, motivating &challenging our gymnasts!

Appropriate USAG Certifications a must. Benefits & Salary commensurate with experience. Check out www. napervillegymnastics.com!

Contact Keith Corter at 630-416-7114, resume to: napergymclub@aol.com REGAL GYMNASTICS ACADEMY.

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TECH N I QUE • APR I L 201 0

coach for its competitive girls program, specifically levels 7-10, previous experience in a head coaching role required. Also seeking on optional girls coach for levels 7-10 with advanced spotting skills and training drills. Also seeking a competitive boys team coach to take our boys program to the next level.

Coaching recreational boys dasses would be required. Our gym is a beautiful, dean, well maintained 10,000 sq foot facility which offers recreational gymnastics, USAG competitive girls and boys as well as parties, open gyms and on on-site pre-school. Applicants must be TEAM players looking for long lerm employment.

Compensation is highly competitive based on experience. Relocation assistance is available. Please send resume to regalgymnastics@gmail.com

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SUBMIT

Email your ad and credil card informalion 10: Ipeszek@usa-gymnosli!5.org Orma;IIa: USA Gymnaslics, 132 E. Washinglon 51., Sle. 700 Indianopolis, IN 46204 or fox10 317-237-5069. *Kyou fax, please irdude y... aeGt card number, exp...'ion rlrite and signature.

Pleose designo'e il your od should oppeor in Technique mogOIine or USA Gym.as/its mogOIine. AOS SUBMmED WITHOUT PAYMENT Will NOTBEPUBLISH EO. USA Gymnas1ics reserves the right to vory format. le<hn~ue is received by more Ilion 17.000 USA Gymoostics profes'i",ol members plus thoosonds of view", will be exposed to your ad ",nne. Advertise your employmen' opportunity, product. service, or mmpelition here for greol results. ilueslions? Coli luon P.szek 0,317-819·5646.

FOR INFORMATION an how 10 publislr a classified ad in Technique, go 10 /rttp://www.usa-yymnaslics.org/pub/ic.'ions/ Or call Luan Peszek al 317-829-5646.

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