Coaches Training - school/xmas Holidays

[Matcha Queen]

The director at our gym (not sports science or gymnastics background) has said the squads will be on summer (Aus) vacation from
20-Dec to 19-Jan!!!!
(Hard close 24/12 to 5/1)

A 4-week break will destroy most of their skill building/development they’ve done this last term and before,
Leaving them unconditioned and more
likely to sustain injury on return. Comps aren’t that far off.

The director doesn’t really have any idea of “training principles”
Does anyone have some good easy access resources or information:
Eg.
- Muscle & strength degradation
- Motor coordination and muscle memory loss
- Cardio & flex reduction
- Initial recovery periods lengthened
- Motivation and mindset reduced

I could do an internet trawl but will take a while.

Most gymnasts will start competing early-mid May (some late March).

Training 9-17hrs p/w.

Kids will have a “home” program but honestly most will dip in/out at best.
That’s not their fault (kids on school holidays)

Any evidence based advice???
Thoughts on this!!??

Thanks coaches!

 

[Gymgirl84]

I'm not sure what level they are, but our gym stops for a month-almost a month every summer. It has not been a big issue usually.

 

[Matcha Queen]

I'm not sure what level they are, but our gym stops for a month-almost a month every summer. It has not been a big issue usually.

Guessing you’re replying with US gymnastics background.
The thing is in US kids return from summer in August to start competing Dec/jan.
in Aus’ calendar it would be only 4-10 weeks before they all complete their new level. Level 3-8.

Many US kids in a squad/team would have opportunity to attend some sort of residential or day camp specific to competitive gym. But that option is also not being allowed.

Our girls would usually train from 5 Jan until school returns from summer break after 26 Jan.

 

[NutterButter]

I'm not a coach but a parent. I would have loved for my kid to have a month off. What a nice break for mind and body and even better for y'all in the southern hemisphere where it's summer and holidays. The level of skills that go with 9/hours of practice should have no problem getting back into the swing of things. Those with more hours also should be fine especially if they can maintain some conditioning while out of the gym and not ramp up again too quickly when they return.

 

[Gymgirl84]

Guessing you’re replying with US gymnastics background.
The thing is in US kids return from summer in August to start competing Dec/jan.
in Aus’ calendar it would be only 4-10 weeks before they all complete their new level. Level 3-8.

Many US kids in a squad/team would have opportunity to attend some sort of residential or day camp specific to competitive gym. But that option is also not being allowed.

Our girls would usually train from 5 Jan until school returns from summer break after 26 Jan.

I'm in Europe. Usually the girls don't do any gymnastics in those weeks (well aside of playing at home,...) as camps are pretty rare here. I was a gymnast long time ago and it was the same, I usually went on vacation, swam, played and also did conditioning and played gymnastics a lot. In fact, most of the times I came back in a better physical shape than before, lol.
My daughter has had those month (minimum 3 weeks breaks) and I haven't seen much deterioration in her gymnastics. Some of her teammates have even had longer periods.
Maybe the upper levels might need a little bit more, but I think it is not so horrible, is they are able to keep up with conditioning, which I think is perfectly possible.
4 weeks might be a bit too short of time to come back from a big break if they're at a kind of higher level (like level 8+ US system). Lower levels should be fine anyway.

 

[raenndrops]

Guessing you’re replying with US gymnastics background.
The thing is in US kids return from summer in August to start competing Dec/jan.
in Aus’ calendar it would be only 4-10 weeks before they all complete their new level. Level 3-8.

Many US kids in a squad/team would have opportunity to attend some sort of residential or day camp specific to competitive gym. But that option is also not being allowed.

Our girls would usually train from 5 Jan until school returns from summer break after 26 Jan.

Our team gymnasts were off June 30-August 4, and will be off again December 12 (with a party/open gym on December 15) - January 4.
Some of them had meets starting in September. The rest had meets that started November 8. Upon returning from Christmas break,, meets resume January 10.

 

[Sebastian12]

I have never heard of such a long break, surprisingly it seems so common acc to the chats here. We’ve taken off 3 weeks for vacation, the gym takes off 10 days max in summer. My daughter wouldn’t know what to do with herself not going to the gym for a month. Try to find camps, if not gymnastics, at least sports camp. Depending on her age, do personal training, strength training, athletic ability training at a local workout gym. During our yearly 3 week vacations, we always try to find a local gym for her to practice or condition 3-4 times so she doesn’t feel struggling coming back to her regular practice.

 

[Matcha Queen]

I guess the hardest part being these gymnasts aren’t being offered the choice of supplemental training.
2-weeks off for Xmas & NY. Thats understandable. With a home program,
R&R is fine during that time.

But missing a full 4+ weeks isn’t going to benefit them.

Fine if a family chooses to take a long break. That’s on their discretion and the consequences of how that kids comp season goes.
But those who want to achieve well as the start their comp season are missing out of 2-weeks of skill specific training.

Growing up day camps were normal in UK during long breaks.
Evening sessions would often be moved during day time and extended as no school.

Plus knowing that other clubs will be training their squads (competitors) from start of Jan. Then surely these kids would be disadvantaged.

I have good understanding of
HP gymnastics, as a FIG 3 coach.
Just looking for - RESOURCES
to breakdown the specifics to director so they understand training principles in gymnastics, over dance/cheer.

Nick Ruddock, Al Fong, shift movement science?? Other US/Eu based DP to elite programs.?!