Recent content by CoachPow

DON'T LURK... Join The Discussion!

Members see FEWER ads

Join Log in
  1. C

    Anon Does your gym allow athletes to go to camps?

    Depending on the host/level of the camp, what bad habits are they really going to be learning? If you're going to hold a successful camp, the last thing you want to do is send kids home worse off than they came! We were of the mindset that a reputable camp is always worthwhile. More often...
  2. C

    Injury Ankle taping (front of ankle pain after sprain)

    That makes sense. We occasionally have kids get pinched ankles when they kick out early or throw low flips on the beam. If its not going away even with rest and ice, it is likely time to go get it checked out. We thankfully haven't had anyone break or tear anything there, but we also haven't...
  3. C

    Injury Ankle taping (front of ankle pain after sprain)

    My guess is that you landed short on something? That's typically when you get that nagging pain in the front of the ankle. I was able to improvise a taping method that helps a little bit-I would ask your coach if they have something that can help. I didn't watch the videos provided above, but...
  4. C

    Off Topic Introductions Thread (2025 Version)

    I teach and coach in rural MN. I have two middle-school age boys. I've been coaching track and football for 21 years, and I spent 19 years coaching high school gymnastics. (MN has a sizeable high school league gymnastics program where you will find gymnasts from all levels across the state) I...
  5. C

    Parents Home bar

    Hey, if it works, you'll have a hard time finding a coach that will argue-especially with kips! Heck, you should videotape and share. (We found a way to utilize orange Home Depot refrigerator moving straps to help learn kips, so no judgement there!)
  6. C

    Injury ACL tear

    After 21 years coaching gymnastics, track and football, I've been around more ACL's than I want to remember (Just lost my best boys' sprinter to a pick-up basketball ACL injury-surgery was Wednesday...) As long as the meniscus is intact, it might not hurt all that much, but it is still...
  7. C

    Gymnasts HS Gymnastics

    That depends on the HS program and the club. Many times it is more hours per week during the HS season, then considerably less in the off-season. Factor in a couple of night-time meets and a Saturday invitational each week, and it can be pretty grueling.
  8. C

    Gymnasts HS Gymnastics

    In MN you are not supposed to compete both during the HS season. Most teams practice every day. We go 13-14 hrs per week before competitions start, then 9-10 hrs per week once comps start (usually 2 duals per week, with a few Sat invitationals mixed in) and back to 13-14 hrs in the two weeks...
  9. C

    Parents Is Competitive Gymnastics different at each club?

    Twenty one years of coaching, played college football, and I couldn't do a cartwheel. Glad I haven't been judged on that scale!!
  10. C

    Coaches Rotation schedule

    Hard to do without knowing exactly what you have in your gym. In ours, number of coaches is often the limiting factor in how we group/rotate. Depending on space, we can set up a rotation of effective drills for any event to train 20-25 kids, as long as we have coaches/spotting. Floor is where...
  11. C

    Parents Coach dress code

    Lots of good points, but my first instinct is to tell you to be cautious- in this day and age, people can work anywhere and make decent money. If a dress code is going to cost you a good worker, is it worth the fight? Put it this way: if given the choice between a good coach walking over a...
  12. C

    Parents Full ACl + meniscus tear

    I've had numerous athletes (gymnastics, track, and football) return from ACL and/or meniscus tears and be very successful. Timelines will 100% depend on the surgeon and PT. The meniscus can be much longer due to the physiology of the knee. Finding a surgeon that has real experience with...
  13. C

    Gymnasts I need help with my back handspring

    For those struggling with standing BHS, I will have them stand tall, then swing down and squat-then pause with a spotter supporting them. At this point, they should not be able to stand back up. You should slightly fall back into your BHS as you jump. Often, the connection from round-off to...
  14. C

    Coaches Teaching bhs with minimal spotting

    I second this. The "cheese" mat is invaluable for BHS. I also agree that there is no perfect replacement for spotting (I'm increasingly thankful that my body is holding up after 20 years!) We will typically do stations in our beginner classes where they go over the boulder, down the cheese...
  15. C

    Anon Question for proven coaches of level 8-10 gymnasts... how long did it take to become a good 8-10 level coach?

    Depends where you are located. In my neck of the woods (MN) most of the colleges and many of the top club and HS programs will hold camps in the summer. Any camp you can work alongside seasoned coaches will help you gain experience. I had to learn quick, fast and in a hurry after being...
See more

New Posts

Back