Straight arm backward roll (USAG level3/4)

[coachmela]

Backward rolls with straight arms I love. It takes time however once the kids have it they look so smooth and easy. I have a number of drills for this.

1. Down a hill (game): as you have already said however I also play games with them. I have two hills and two teams. They are all numbered 1- 5 or however many are in each group. The number 1’s sit down on the hills and the teams are given approx 10-20 seconds to give advice to the gymnasts on how to keep their arms straight. The gymnast then do their backward roll and if they roll with straight arms they get a point. It’s the first to 5 or whatever suits. This is really great as the kids learn by themselves and coach by themselves. You will notice how the children actually do listen to what you have been saying and they will even push down on their arms. Its very cute.
2. I get the gymnasts to start in L when they go down he hill and watch their toes. This keeps their head to their chest and also encourages toes to go over fast.
3. On a small box that’s not to far form the ground I get the gymnast to sit in L-sit and back ward roll putting their arms on the box and feet on the ground. (this is one I usually spot) this gets the girls shoulder strength and also good open shoulder to floor action.
4. Another one which is good is actually starting the girls lying on their backs with their arms ready for a straight arms backward rolls, I then get them to lift their feet over and I pull their feet so they roll over encouraging straight arms. Again good way of strengthening and encouraging.
5. L-sit with small weight and lifting the weight from forward hold to above head with straight arms is building the right muscles directly.

I hope some of that makes sense to you at least and may help.

[coachmela]

Backward rolls with straight arms I love. It takes time however once the kids have it they look so smooth and easy. I have a number of drills for this.

1. Down a hill (game): as you have already said however I also play games with them. I have two hills and two teams. They are all numbered 1- 5 or however many are in each group. The number 1’s sit down on the hills and the teams are given approx 10-20 seconds to give advice to the gymnasts on how to keep their arms straight. The gymnast then do their backward roll and if they roll with straight arms they get a point. It’s the first to 5 or whatever suits. This is really great as the kids learn by themselves and coach by themselves. You will notice how the children actually do listen to what you have been saying and they will even push down on their arms. Its very cute.
2. I get the gymnasts to start in L when they go down he hill and watch their toes. This keeps their head to their chest and also encourages toes to go over fast.
3. On a small box that’s not to far form the ground I get the gymnast to sit in L-sit and back ward roll putting their arms on the box and feet on the ground. (this is one I usually spot) this gets the girls shoulder strength and also good open shoulder to floor action.
4. Another one which is good is actually starting the girls lying on their backs with their arms ready for a straight arms backward rolls, I then get them to lift their feet over and I pull their feet so they roll over encouraging straight arms. Again good way of strengthening and encouraging.
5. L-sit with small weight and lifting the weight from forward hold to above head with straight arms is building the right muscles directly.

I hope some of that makes sense to you at least and may help.

p.s i have no idea if this is posted somewhere else of twice cause i posted it but think it stuffed up, so sorry if its done 2 times.

[hammy]

Thanks for the help everyone! The girls are starting to figure this out--most of it is undoing/reteaching what previous coaches have taught.

[gimnystcoach]

not sure if anyone said this one yet, but down a cheese mat (wedge) helps my little ones.