Coaches Teaching double back hip circle

[estamey21]

In our rec program and XCEL, our coaches teach students to do two back hip circles in a row. My understanding is that this combination teaches students to rotate their wrists and keep their body hollow. My thinking is that I would much rather teach a back hip circle ending with a strong cast. Maybe I should be teaching both? At least with my students, they can barely make the second back hip circle thus killing any potential for a final cast. Am I reinforcing bad habits by teaching this combo? Are there alternative drills that can achieve the same outcome as a double back hip circle?

 

[JBS]

I never have liked double back hip circles. We do "infinite back hip circles" instead. So no cast or a very small cast and then hip circle over and over by "pumping" the bar. Like doing a very small free hip motion... but never leaving the bar.

 

[estamey21]

Oooh. That makes way more sense.

So with "infinite back hip circles" it sounds like the students should be entering their nth skill with shoulders over the bar (thus simulating a freehip)?

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

I like double back hip circle from little or no cast as a lead in to back hip circle undershoot, since that's basically 1.5 back hip circles

 

[Aussie_coach]

I do teach double back hip circles as a drill for the backward shoulder drop for clear hip circles. It’s never been a problem, we don’t do it all the time, just now and again.

 

[superNova08]

Our Xcel Golds compete a double back hip circle. It has created fewer deductions with the rule of needing 2 circling skills. If they are killing momentum for a cast afterward, there's something wrong with the form. I'd need to see it - but my best guess is either throwing the head out/back or piking/arching.

 

[estamey21]

Hi I'm back! Excellent advice from the community as always.

I think what's happening with my students is that they are attempting the second back hip circle before perfecting the first back hip circle. As @Xcelgymnast_Lynn predicted, they are breaking their form (some pike, some arch, some pike and arch). I'm going to slow down and focus on the fundamentals before adding elements.

I also appreciate the connection that @JBS made to free hips. If multiple free hips makes sense, then multiple back hip circles should also make sense. THANKS FOR HELPING ME SEE THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES <3

 

[KineticChris]

I do teach double back hip circles as a drill for the backward shoulder drop for clear hip circles. It’s never been a problem, we don’t do it all the time, just now and again.

I do this also for similar. If you want clears to handstand they need a bit more speed than backhips. The second circle allows them to get used to and "tame" the extra speed before they start to extend the clear to handstand. Not as a skill or endpoint in itself.