Tweet Yesterday I was reading Al Fongs latest blog entry “My Coaching peers remember when…“. It made me think about all of the things that I have told my gymnasts about how I trained and they laughed at me! So I made a list like Al Fong. You don’t realise how good you’ve got it girls!

When I first started gym my club had only wooden benches to work on, after three years in the club, we bought a high balance beam. So yes, we used to enter competitions having never …

Tweet I’m enjoying reading some old coaches blogs on Gym Smarts, tonight I read Tony Restrosi’s post on Injuries
Andy Thornton of American Gymnast writes about What are the most important qualities to look for in a potential competitive gymnast?
I love this video that Rick linked to today

Tweet She’s such a beautiful beam worker. I don’t mind that she fell, it was a graceful fall!

Tweet

I’ve begun doing “star charts” with my group again, whereby they have a list of moves on each piece that they are to work to achieve.  Some are long term and some are short term goals. For each move that they achieve by themselves and can continue performing, they earn a star. Stars are also earned for hard work and effort in class and also when for working hard at their flexibility and conditioning. We have agreed on the end of the summer when we take a months break …

Tweet The official website for the 2010 Artistic World Championships has posted their second article on how gymnasts across the globe are preparing for the competition later this year. They cover Dutch gymnast Yuri van Gelder, Italian gymnast Igor Cassina, Australian women’s head coach Peggy Liddick, British Gymnastics performance director Eddie van Hoof, Dutch coach Gerben Wiersma about his pupil, Celine van Gerner and German gymnast Oksana Chusovitina. It’s an interesting read and nice to be kept up to date in the run up to the Worlds.

You can read Straight from the Horse’s Mouth Part 2 …

Tweet Help Shawn Johnson again on Dancing With The Stars
Key Hydration and Nutrition Tips for Competitive Sports
Article on Australian gymnast Larrissa Miller being “back on her feet”
I see Beth Tweddle is a lot more active on her Twitter account. Wish she’d fix up the way it links to Facebook also, looks rather messy

Tweet Yesterday Rick linked to a post and discussed whether gymnastics coaches must be fit. You can see from the comments in response to the post that readers tend to agree.

Personally I think it is a good example to set to your gymnasts if you are physically fit yourself… if you are overweight/unfit it doesnt mean you are a worse gymnastics coach but perhaps not the best role model for kids in later life.

A coach should practice what they preach.

I definitely agree that a coach should practice what they …

Tweet This article from February was posted on Shannon Miller’s new Facebook fan page. It’s short and sweet, I enjoyed it.

Tweet
London 2012 have put out details of ticketing for the 2012 Olympic Games. Tickets are not yet on sale but you can register your interest for tickets here

Tweet Volunteers needed for European Gymnastics Championships
Tickets are on sale for the 2010 Artistic World Championships in Rotterdam

Unfortunately Full Twist didn’t make it as a finalist to for the Irish Blog Awards. Congratulations to everyone who did and thanks to those who voted for Full Twist. Considering the number of blogs nominated, Full Twist did so well to make the short list. My money is on Kevin and the guys for BackPage Football , good luck!

Tweet I just read Bart’s latest post. He’s right, when working on Cast to Handstand, my gymnasts definitely have a fear of leaning their body weight over the bar. Funnily enough I just did this exact spotting method with my girls this evening before seeing the video! It really is a great way to help gymnasts learn to control their body shape in handstand on the bar.
Watch it below or on YouTube. Thanks Bart!

Read more from Gymnastics Skills here.

Tweet
Hula Hoops are trying to make it into the Guinness World Record Book for the most amount of people Hula Hooping at the one time. There are a total of 17 Hula Hooping Events taking place in the UK & Ireland. The Irish Event will take place as follows:
Where: 3 Spencer Dock, Mayor St, Dublin 1
When: Arrive at 10am , Sunday 21st March to register
What: We will give you a Hoop to participate with, a Trainer to teach you and then up to 200 people will participate in the …

Tweet Ankle Injuries: Recovery and Prevention Tips
I’ve just come across Chelsea Hobbs blog (Emily from MIOBI)
Singapore 2010 unveils Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame Torch design
Shannon Miller inducted into the National Association for Sport & Physical Education
Australian Gymnastics Blog has started a petition to encourage the National Sports Museum to feature more gymnasts

Tweet
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you all from Ireland!
Since I’m off to celebrate today, I thought I would leave you with a short little Irish themed post for the day that’s in it!
Five Facts about Gymnastics in Ireland
Full Twist has been shortlisted to receive an Irish Blog Award in the Best Sports/ Recreation Category. Finalists should be announced on Friday so keep your fingers crossed please!
And just to round this Irish themed post off, here’s an old routine from Dominique Moceanu to music from Riverdance

Tweet USA Today on Vulnerability to ankle sprains varies with age

GymNiceTic is celebrating it’s First Birthday – Congratulations!

Shannon Miller has started a lifestyle blog. You can join and discuss baby tales, fitness etc.

The Science of Sport Blog have two new posts Barefoot running and shoes – the Q & A Part 1 and Part 2

Since David Beckhams injury there have been numerous blog posts appearing about Achilles Tendon injuries. I like this one I received by email from Sports Injury Clinic.