Parents Pullover struggles

[PurpleButterfly]

Please share stories of your gymnast who struggled with pullovers in a JO team environment but still went on to be successful at higher levels. (Or that it’s not possible. either way)

My daughter has struggled with her pullover - the other girls on her team have these beautiful straight leg pullovers and she just can’t seem to get there. We’ve been at it a year now, conditioning at home, practicing at home and just now have worked the jump out of it, but still not there yet. I’m trying to keep encouraging her but I can tell she’s getting discouraged and with competition season in August, I’m worried.

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

Age would help.... under fives usually have massive heads in comparison to their body which makes it harder to do the second half.

How long can she hang in a chin up position

How long can she hold a pike/L hang.

 

[PurpleButterfly]

Age would help.... under fives usually have massive heads in comparison to their body which makes it harder to do the second half.

How long can she hang in a chin up position

How long can she hold a pike/L hang.

She is 7! She can do 10 second chin up and 5 second L hang. I’m wondering if at this point it’s a mental thing and not a strength thing? Because she has the other events nailed.

 

[Gymgirlsmomma]

My daughter is only level 2, but struggled with pullovers for the last 2 years in pre-team. She would get it and then lose it. I think she just didn't understand the mechanics of continuing to pull while getting your legs over the bars. It finally clicked in the last few months and bars is now her best event and she got a 9.6 on bars at her last meet. Things I had her work at home were assisted pull ups, chin ups( 10 assisted or as many as she could do unassisted), staight leg leg lifts and L hangs, and candle holds.

 

[PurpleButterfly]

My daughter is only level 2, but struggled with pullovers for the last 2 years in pre-team. She would get it and then lose it. I think she just didn't understand the mechanics of continuing to pull while getting your legs over the bars. It finally clicked in the last few months and bars is now her best event and she got a 9.6 on bars at her last meet. Things I had her work at home were assisted pull ups, chin ups( 10 assisted or as many as she could do unassisted), staight leg leg lifts and L hangs, and candle holds.

Thank you! This give me hope! I’ll add candle holds to our home routine!

For leg lifts, any advice on how to work up to full straight leg lifts? She can go 60% of the way straight legs and then we can’t seem to work up to all the way.

 

[Gymgirlsmomma]

We would work on bent-leg leg lifts, trying to get them straighter as she got stronger. Make sure she is not just using momentum to swing her legs up. She did like 10 second hangs from bar with toes touching the bar. We also lowered the bar down where she could sit on a mat in front of the bar while holding the bar with straight arms behind her. Then lift legs completely strait to touch toes to bar. This helps with keeping the shape without requiring as much strength. You could also have her to V- ups and other ab strength exercises. We didn't do these things all the time, maybe once a week, only if she wanted to. Most of the strength training she should be getting in the gym. Most important thing is to keep it fun! Good luck!