Kips and Grips

[audra]

Grips are something that take time to get used to. Do not give up so easily, and talk to the coaches. Kips are a skill that when first learned come and go very easily- and it may have nothing at all to do with the grips. Once a gymnast has decided to wear grips we make it a rule that they must wear them every time they are on bars- whether it is Open Gym or practice. Going back and forth only makes it more frustrating. Decide with her coaches what is best and stick to it!

[littlegymchampsmom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by audra Grips are something that take time to get used to. Do not give up so easily, and talk to the coaches. Kips are a skill that when first learned come and go very easily- and it may have nothing at all to do with the grips. Once a gymnast has decided to wear grips we make it a rule that they must wear them every time they are on bars- whether it is Open Gym or practice. Going back and forth only makes it more frustrating. Decide with her coaches what is best and stick to it!

I agree completely with Audra.

Also, I noticed a great deal of mention on wearing grips to avoid rips and tears. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that the grips main purpose was for gripping the bar for higher level skills and to allow more working time on bars... the dowel does - depending on the size of the hand - also protect from some blisters/rips/tears but gymnasts usually still get some even with the dowel grips. I think that off season is a great time to get used to grips if a gymnast plans on using them.

[9bob8]

i still can't get my kip

[hammy]

I also agree with Audra--kips are skills that come and go while they're being learned; many skills are this way. Working with grips is frustrating, and I agree that it is probably a good idea to stick with continuing to use the grips once you've started--if you want to use them. Grips are weird at first, and they will be until we get used to using them. It's kind of like eating something werid at first and you're not sure if you like it, but then once you keep doing it you realize that it's not so bad (i'm not sure if that was a good example, but it was the only one that i could think of off the top of my head).

Many times when it comes to skills, making them or not making them consistantly can often be attributed to mental things. Somtimes subconsciencously we think things which in the end make us frustrated because we can't figure something out.

[gym law mom]

LGCM--My understanding from our coaches also is that grips are not to prevent rips(geez--rips, kips and grips--ought to write a rap). They are intended to help the gymnast with skills when they have to completely circle the bar and catching the bar on releases. One coach told me some of the worst rips he ever saw were on girls that had grips on. Some girls will get rips on their wrists and palms using grips.

One reason our kids don't use grips until after the L6 season is that the coaches feel many have small hands and they just don't want an extra layer of leather between the hand and the bar. My daughter had a few rips as a L5, but alot more as a L6. Some came from doing the clear hip to handstand and they were also training some giants during meet season.

At least now, she seems quite used to the grips and for her I think it was more about confidence doing a giant with grips---then frustration with the kip not happening like it had been. Gymnastics really seems to be about 90% mental.

BTW--congrats to your daughter on her kips!!