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Dear Coach
This section has been created to help all gymnasts answer questions
about their sport one-on-one with a trained coach. Email
our coaches your anonymous questions and we'll post our answers so
that we can help you and your fellow gymnasts!
QUESTION:
Dear Coach,
I have trouble with my back hand spring every time I try doing one (with a
spotter ) my left arm gives out and like folds, and I keep falling.
Could you help me with this?
-- Thanks, Trouble with my backhandspring
ANSWER:
Dear Trouble with My Backhandspring,
When my kids are having trouble with their back handsprings, I try to look at the basic elements of the trick. It will be hard to tell you exactly what to correct without seeing your backhandspring; however, I will list some key elements and drills that need to be done well for your backhandspring to come together. You can then check off the ones you do well and work on the other ones. The following list of elements is designed for the standing backhandspring:
Continue Reading Complete Answer
QUESTION:
Dear Coach,
I am fourteen years old and would like to join gymnastics. I have no experience of the sport besides two years of
ballet I don't even remember. So, what I was wondering was, should I start
straight with a class in gymnastics or should I take a few classes of tumbling and ballet first and if so for how long? I would also like to know
what weight and height would be appropriate for my age.
-- Thanks, Hadassah Nagy
ANSWER:
Dear Hadassah,
It is great to hear that you are interested in joining gymnastics. Gymnastics is a great sport regardless of when you decide to start. It would be good to start with a beginner gymnastics class. There are beginner classes at every gym. Find a gym in your area and sign up for a beginners class. Most gyms will have new students come in to do a skill check to determine you ability and then place you in the appropriate class. Keep in mind that many kids start gymnastics at a younger age so there will be some young kids in you class. This can be a real good thing because you will give them someone to look up to.
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QUESTION:
Dear Coach,
I am having trouble on doing a hand spring on the vault. I mean,
whenever I do it, my legs aren't straight. I get super
frustrated and end up doing it wrong and wrong again and again.
--
Thanks, Anonymous
ANSWER:
Dear
Anonymous,
I can understand your frustration -- not having straight legs will
really affect your score. One thing to always remember is to do
all the drills and exercises your coaches give you to do, with good
form. For example, when doing v-sits on the floor your legs
should be straight and toes pointed. This will develop good
habits for all your gymnastics skills. Another good thing to do
is to squeeze all your muscles from your butt down to your toes.
Try this while standing-up and you will find yourself rising up onto
your toes. When you hit the springboard, push your toes to the
floor and squeeze all those muscles and your legs will go straight.
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QUESTION:
Dear Coach,
On the bars I am sooo scared to do my squat-on, I hate them, and I can
never get my feet on the bar. How
can I get my feet on the bar?
-- Thanks, Cay
ANSWER:
Dear Cay,
You’re probably not the only person in your gym who has trouble
doing a squat-on onto the bar. This
is a skill you need to progress in gymnastics.
Many times if your having a problem doing a skill you need to
go back one skill in the progression to fix the problem.
One skill back in the progression for the squat-on is a good
“hollow body” cast above horizontal.
If you can do a good “hollow body” cast then getting the
squat-on will be much easier.
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