Coaches Level 4 Floor Straddle Jump

[sevenatenine2]

I was reading the text yesterday and it seemed to indicate that the legs should be straddled at a down angle (like a straight jump with legs apart), but then later it seemed to indicate it should be a straddle pike (with knees turned up). Can anyone clarify?

Thank you!

 

[hammy1207]

I believe either one is accepted, but if have to read it again to be positive. I teach my kids knees up.

 

[fuzi]

Both are acceptable.

 

[Nicole19]

Is there any benefit to a gymnast's development in teaching straddle with knees forward? I don't teach knees forward but have seen some gyms compete it.

 

[raenndrops]

Is there any benefit to a gymnast's development in teaching straddle with knees forward? I don't teach knees forward but have seen some gyms compete it.

Benefits to development - not that I can thing of... but sometimes, it could be because it is easier to keep the legs straight. A lot of our girls tend to bend their knees in a "true" straddle jump, so there is less of a deduction with the "X" jump.

 

[coach.e]

Let them take the deduction in level 4 for having a imperfect (but progressive) straddle jump. The X jump encourages no hip roll..bad habits are hard to break..and the X jump in my opinion looks ridiculous.

 

[raenndrops]

Let them take the deduction in level 4 for having a imperfect (but progressive) straddle jump. The X jump encourages no hip roll..bad habits are hard to break..and the X jump in my opinion looks ridiculous.

I agree it looks ridiculous... only the girls who don't have a good straddle jump do it in competition. In Practice, they try the straddle jump... but until they have qualified for Y Nationals, we do what we can to maximize their scores. There are only 7 regularly scheduled meets in the season in which to qualify. AFTER they qualify, we can focus on improving the straddle.

 

[saddlupasb]

Haha. I call it a starfish and don't like them because they are not at all progressive. A lot of my girls tell me the real reason they don't go for the straddle is that "it hurts".

 

[BlairBob]

If you have a girl who can do a horizontal straddle-pike jump, I could see doing it. Going for below horizontal or way below horizontal isn't worth it IMO. It'll look lame and might as well just do the star jump.

 

[sevenatenine2]

Mine are getting close to 180 degrees with the X jump but the straddle pike isn't anywhere near as split. We will keep working this summer.