Women Half Sole

[Gymnastics15]

My daughter is asking for a half sole, because doing turns on the floor and beam burn her foot. Should I get one for her, no one else at her gym has one. But she tells me she needs it?​

 

[raenndrops]

Would you want to burn your foot regularly??? Rugburn sucks. I know I wouldn't.

Maybe the rest of her team has hard soles that are impervious to rugburn. Or maybe they just don't know there is a way to prevent it.

Somebody has to be the first.

My OG was one of the first one in her gym to get Tiger Paws ... because she needed them. She and another girl got theirs in the mail the same week.
She was the first to get a stabilizing ankle brace ... because her PT said she couldn't practice or compete without it even AFTER completing PT. Later on, other girls who needed them actually got them (YG and LSS included).

 

[trackandfield6]

I'm a big fan of them.... I coach and I would love it if the kids all had them!

 

[NYGymfamily]

I would get them for her. Similarly to raenndrops, my DD was the first to get Tiger Paws and Cheetah cups at her gym, and her teammates who also needed them followed soon after.

 

[InMyGymMomEra]

Newer gym mom here — can someone share what each of these are (half sole, tiger paw, cheetah cup) and at what level/stage kids typically start needing them (if they end up needing them)? Is there any rule of thumb (like “no grips before kips” or are these more of a feel it out thing)? Thank you so much!!

 

[NYGymfamily]

Newer gym mom here — can someone share what each of these are (half sole, tiger paw, cheetah cup) and at what level/stage kids typically start needing them (if they end up needing them)? Is there any rule of thumb (like “no grips before kips” or are these more of a feel it out thing)? Thank you so much!!

Sure.

Half Sole- Typically used by dancers, but some gymnasts use them too. The best way I can describe them is half of a jazz shoe covering the toes and ball of the foot, with a strap that goes around the heel. Typically used on beam and floor for turns. If your gymnastics is getting burns/blisters on their feet from doing turns (like OP) that might be a sign that half soles could be good.

Tiger Paws- Very commonly used wrist supports. Used by gymnasts, cheerleaders, sometimes even divers! Think of a wrist splint, but instead of metal inside, it's a foam insert, sometimes accompanied by a plastic insert as well. Depends on the gymnast, everyone is different. Tiger paws are helpful in making sure the wrist doesn't hyperextend while tumbling/vaulting. My DD got hers to help when she started getting wrist pain from tumbling. My advice would be, unless your gymnast is experiencing immense pain (in that case speak to a doctor), don't get them at least until your gymnast starts doing BHS/RO-BHS. If a gymnast starts using tiger paws too early/too much, she's never going to develop the wrist strength to not use them. I've heard some say use it like a crutch. If you need it, use it, but don't overuse it.

Cheetah Cups- In my experience/opinion, these are for a little bit of a more specific issue than tiger paws. If a gymnast is suffering from heel pain associated with severs/plantar fasciitis, cheetah cups can sometimes provide a little relief. Cheetah cups are a pretty much a compression sleeve with a heel cup sewn to it. They definitely get mixed reviews, and won't work for everyone. My DD uses them for PF and hasn't had issues with them, but her teammates have had issues with the heel cup slipping, and the stitching coming undone. If your gymnast is experiencing heel pain, I'd recommend speaking to an orthopedist and/or a podiatrist, who can diagnose the issue and suggest an appropriate solution. I cannot stress enough- if your gymnast comes to you complaining of heel pain, don't rush to buy these. They will not work for everyone.

If anyone wants to add/correct anything I said, please do!!

 

[InMyGymMomEra]

This is incredibly helpful — thank you so much!!