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  1. ryanolympian

    Women Toe Hecht half turn

    It’s a common transition for getting from the low bar to the high bar when you want the routine to face backwards, so it’s not specifically mentioned as a feature in videos. Adding the 1/2 is tricky because it eats away momentum unless it’s a blind change to handstand. In this video of...
  2. ryanolympian

    Parents Rip advice

    Sorry, but the path here is just work straight through the pain with more chalk to soak up the blood-it’s only for a couple of more turns if absolutely necessary, like finishing a gymnastics meet. The rip can’t heal if she’s still working on it. Tape tricks will just fall off, make for a clumsy...
  3. ryanolympian

    Women Laser beam - feedback please?

    It’s not worth it. If you already have a floor beam, then a strip of grip tape does the same. We also use tape on a floor mat. A roll of tape is $3. If it’s for a present, I always recommend a good sized cheese mat (if you have the room). It’s great for lots of skills for years to come and it’s...
  4. ryanolympian

    Women Fear

    Have you climbed onto the beam to see what she is facing? Have you tried a handstand or a cartwheel on a low beam at home? It’s the stuff of Jedi, what she is facing. The best you can do as a parent is to remind them that you believe in them and trust them to do their best, and then always have...
  5. ryanolympian

    Women Coach search

    Howdy! Texas has produced some awesome gymnasts over the years, but it is such a big state that the gyms are few and far between. There’s a number of reasons for the lack of qualified coaches. In a nutshell, the pay is low, the work is hard, and melodrama is all over the gyms. Imagine, after a...
  6. ryanolympian

    Women Quitting

    I’m here to let you know that getting discouraged and seeking new things is part of growing up, and there will be many more times you feel this way no matter what sport or hobby it is. This is a magic time for growth and development- whatever you apply yourself to over the next 2-3 years will...
  7. ryanolympian

    Coaches BHS shoulder mobility

    I’m positive that the psychologist is not needed unless they’re also Olympic gymnasts. The key to the shoulder flexibility in dynamic training is in bridges and the back limber, making sure that the hands lead and not the head. It sounds like the gymnast might be focused on one hand and not...
  8. ryanolympian

    Gymnasts back tuck mental block

    Mental blocks happen everywhere in gymnastics. The back handspring and backtuck are just the first view into this. It’s a gateway. Have you done your conditioning? Are you doing your v-ups and frog jumps at team standards? Can you see your height in the mirrors as to do a straddle jump? The...
  9. ryanolympian

    Anon Coaches smoking?

    My best Olympic coach was a guy from Bulgaria who smoked outside the gym. He also drank a noxious brew of espresso from a baby food jar! Anyways, he never smoked around us and he never even began smoking until after his own Olympic career was long over. It never impeded his ability as our coach...
  10. ryanolympian

    Coaches Kips

    Talking and explaining the kip never really worked for me either. It is really just pulling on the pants upside down, but strength and timing are the key- like trying to teach timing in hip-hop. I don’t spot heavy but a well timed spot to show the movement corrects their movements. I hold their...
  11. ryanolympian

    Gymnasts Bars struggle

    Bars are tough to condition at home, and you are not “tall” at 5’4”. Actually, longer gymnasts (5’7” to 5’9”) can nicely dominate the bars due to their long lines and elegant timing, but some coaches are quite intimidated by gymnasts larger than a 10 year old because of their increased force- it...
  12. ryanolympian

    Coaches Discouraged in job search

    Male coaches are needed in gymnastics to do the heavy lifting and spotting. Lower levels usually don’t require as much so they can get by with high school gymnasts and even gym moms. It’s an imperative that you can at least demonstrate your ability to perform the skills and tougher spotting...
  13. ryanolympian

    Women Help! Are my grips too big!?

    They aren’t tight and they need to be broken in. The grips will not prevent blisters or skin tears, and the wrists should develop callous spots just like your hands. The buckles need to be very tight and should notch right into the lowest point on your wrist-even with wristbands. The dowels need...
  14. ryanolympian

    Off Topic Introductions Thread (2025 Version)

    Hi! I’m a former national team member, coaching in the Southwest now for just over 20 years. I toured the world with Cirque du Soleil as an aerialist for 5 years and then performed with various circuses. I didn’t intend to just be a lurker when it came to this forum, but this is my first post...
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