WAG Back Leg in Switch Leap

[Boatergal]

Are there any technique tips, tricks or certain stretches specifically for getting the BACK leg up in the switch leap. Her leap is 180° but not horizontal so it gets deductions and looks like it doesn't meet requirements. Just workings splits is not doing it... losing precious tenths.

 

[JBS]

Here is an older thread...

http://www.chalkbucket.com/forums/skills-drills-forum/32406-split-leaps-split-changes.html

Also...have her put her front foot on a mat or beam at horizontal and practice jumping the back leg up towards a leap position. Start with a spotter or two so she doesn't hurt herself (hold her arms).

 

[Boatergal]

Here is an older thread...

http://www.chalkbucket.com/forums/skills-drills-forum/32406-split-leaps-split-changes.html

Also...have her put her front foot on a mat or beam at horizontal and practice jumping the back leg up towards a leap position. Start with a spotter or two so she doesn't hurt herself (hold her arms).

Thanks so much!!

 

[iwannacoach]

hey JBS, if that's your real name, that's a pretty good drill. I'll offer up this bit of wisdom concerning both switch and regular split leaps. A commonly overlooked problem/habit is the gymnast dominating the leap with their front leg, and that's a problem because it's harder to get the back leg up than the front leg, especially if the front leg gets near or above horizontal while the back leg has barely been set free of the beam. Try having the kids take off/push off quickly, but to slow down the front leg lift. As soon as the push foot leaves the beam they need to kick that leg up behind them. That's going to do two things.....first it will allow the back leg to go higher because it's being "kicked" up.....second the front leg will finish it's lift as a reaction to the kicking back leg, and that's like getting something for nothing. Work on this approach for a bit, like 100 reps over the course of a week before applying it to the switch leap. Just one last bit....the kid's going to split farther than accustomed to, so make sure she can mentally handle an instant change.

 

[JBS]

hey JBS, if that's your real name, that's a pretty good drill. I'll offer up this bit of wisdom concerning both switch and regular split leaps. A commonly overlooked problem/habit is the gymnast dominating the leap with their front leg

Agree...and the name is Justin.

 

[iwannacoach]

Pleased to meet you. As fate would have it....my name actually is Iwanna Coach!!!