Wow! Great responses! I'm really starting to like it here.
I actually had 2 reasons for asking for your evaluations. The lesser reason was the score he received: 14.1. (You people were pretty close.) His vault has looked very consistent in his other 3 meets this (his first) year, receiving 15.3, 15.5, and 14.9 (didn't stick that last one), so the 14.1 this time, for what seemed to be as good as any he's done, was a bit of a surprise. Having studied up on it a bit myself now, I think the first 3 scores were perhaps unreasonably lenient. To be fair, this last judge was very consistent -- nobody got into the 15's, and my boy's 14.1 took 2nd place.
My primary reason for asking for input stems from the fact that I am now the proud owner of the
"2009-2012 USA Gymnastics Men's Age Group Competition Program Manual", videos and all. I've been frustrated by my lack of knowledge on this stuff, and I'm trying to correct that.
If you are easily bored, you may want to stop here, 'cuz I'm about to go into more detail than the casual reader may want to see.
From here on, anything highlighted in
red is a direct quote from the above-mentioned manual. I get the feeling that there is more to be learned from the actual FIG rules, and I'm not sure how they relate to this manual, so hopefully you coaches can help fill in the blanks.
LEVEL 4 VAULT - STRAIGHT JUMP
Base Score - 15.0
Performance Bonus - 0.5
Stick Bonus - 0.2
Maximum Score - 15.7
The run, as pointed out by ZJsMom and gymdog, is indeed scored and is, in fact, an important part of the L4 routine:
Run must show increase in velocity to sprinting speed and maintenance of velocity or positive acceleration to and through the hurdle.
Like gymdog and ZJsMom, I noted a slight deceleration on his last couple of steps before the hurdle. I can see where the judge could levy as much as .3 deduction.
Distinct lift of the front leg in the stride.
Okay, neither my boy nor I realized that was an issue, but although spelled out in the "Performance Criteria", it is not mentioned under "Run Deductions".
Fixed elbow, bent arm swing with clear elbow movement forward and backward.
We didn't know about that one, either. His elbow was not fixed, however, so maybe another .3 deduction?
Feet must be in front of hips on contact with springboard.
He nailed that one.
Under arm swing must be shown. Arm swing must begin from below the shoulders and lift distinctly through the hurdle.
I'm not at all clear about this under arm thing (I thought that's where deodorant goes
) . Can anyone offer some details on this part? BlairBob? Under "Hurdle Deductions", it lists:
Little or no under arm swing (arm circle or under-arm swing allowed).
Now for the hurdle:
Straight body throughout.
From what point to what point, exactly? He does kinda fold up on his way down. Under "Straight Jump Flight Deductions", it lists:
Arms not held overhead until landing.
That means arms held overhead until contact with the mat? Not sure I've ever seen anyone accomplish that. Anyone got a video that shows it?
ryantroop makes some good comments about his landing being "a little heavy", "chest was low", feet a little "loose". How are these incorporated into the score?
Performance Bonus: Award up to 0.5 for exceptional power and/or efficient blocking action resulting in exceptional rise and height in the vault. It is to be awarded in increments of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 only.
Looked to me like he had plenty of power. The manual doesn't talk about height or distance. I'd like to think he got at least .3 for that bonus.
Seems like he stuck it to me. I'll give him the .2 bonus.
I agree with all of your comments about his body position problems. There's much work to be done.
You all have been fantastic! If all of our kids got this kind of review of their events, we'd all be meeting each other at the Olympics!
- Harv
p.s. Bob - the "other" coach you saw in that p-bar crash video is our gym's fitness coach. Our boys get him one session a week. After he tortures them for a while, he helps them out with their skills.
