split leap leg change to ring

LasswadeCoach · #1 03-23-2008, 05:02 AM

One of my gymnasts is performing a split change leap to ring, the problem being that she cannot bend her back leg! She has hyper flexibility in her hip flexors, and her back, and has very square & flat splits, even when raised at up to 60cm. However her hamstrings are quite tight, she has done alot of work on them but they are still tight, could this be affecting her bending her back leg?

Also, is there a penalty for not bending the leg, she is past splits in the leap, and her back is almost bent completely onto her back leg, but she just can't seem to bend it!!

Any advice?

lannamavity · #2 03-23-2008, 10:12 AM


Quote:
Originally Posted by LasswadeCoach One of my gymnasts is performing a split change leap to ring, the problem being that she cannot bend her back leg! She has hyper flexibility in her hip flexors, and her back, and has very square & flat splits, even when raised at up to 60cm. However her hamstrings are quite tight, she has done alot of work on them but they are still tight, could this be affecting her bending her back leg? Also, is there a penalty for not bending the leg, she is past splits in the leap, and her back is almost bent completely onto her back leg, but she just can't seem to bend it!! Any advice?

It's all here in black and white:

http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/women/...hnique2008.pdf

This was recently posted for judges. I don't have a code in front of me, but I believe a "switch Bo" or switch leap past 180 with head release is an element on floor. The back leg is not bent.

I would guess that the inability to bend the back leg would have to do with her quads being extremely tight and her hamstrings being weak. It's sort of the opposite scenario from the one you described.

KBT · #3 03-24-2008, 12:41 PM

Can she do the splits on the floor and bend the back leg up?

LasswadeCoach · #4 03-25-2008, 12:46 AM

Yes, with her foot pointing directly to the ceiling, she can also bend the leg to her butt in splits

I am beggining to think its a lack of understanding which is preventing the bending of the leg! Im not sure she knows where she is!

However we already have a Yang Bo in her beam routine, so the split change to Yang Bo is a great option, thanks for the suggestion!!

lannamavity · #5 03-25-2008, 01:27 AM


Quote:
Originally Posted by LasswadeCoach Yes, with her foot pointing directly to the ceiling, she can also bend the leg to her butt in splits I am beginning to think its a lack of understanding which is preventing the bending of the leg! Im not sure she knows where she is! However we already have a Yang Bo in her beam routine, so the split change to Yang Bo is a great option, thanks for the suggestion!!

Um...wait...you are talking on BEAM??? It didn't even occur to me you were talking about beam.

I have a strong suspicion that the reason her ring isn't very good has nothing to do with understanding the position...there is a reason a switch ring is an E on beam...as is a switch Bo: it's very scary and difficult. Few elites can even pull them off. Most who do them cheat in the same way you described.

If she's not a Level 10 with a great swich-ring on floor, you may re-think the skills she is attempting, or at least give her some time to become comfortable.

LasswadeCoach · #6 03-25-2008, 03:12 AM

No, her switch to ring is not on beam, it is on floor.

She already competes a Yang Bo on beam, which has a straight back leg with the head bent back, so I think she is getting muddled up and doesn't understand the bent back leg in the switch ring.

She is an elite, but I'm not from the US, so I don't know what the equivelant of a level 10 is!

lannamavity · #7 03-25-2008, 01:43 PM


Quote:
Originally Posted by LasswadeCoach No, her switch to ring is not on beam, it is on floor. She already competes a Yang Bo on beam, which has a straight back leg with the head bent back, so I think she is getting muddled up and doesn't understand the bent back leg in the switch ring. She is an elite, but I'm not from the US, so I don't know what the equivelant of a level 10 is!

Okay...sorry. For a second, I thought you were super ambitious and had a kid trying a switch ring on beam way before she was ready!

Yeah...it sounds like weak hamstrings. Bungee curls on her stomach and roll-in roll-out with her feet on the ball will get her stronger.

LasswadeCoach · #8 07-01-2008, 08:23 AM

Im still having some trouble getting this gymnast to bend her back leg enough, i have attatched a picture of her doing the skill, does any one else think it is just a bit too straight to be credited? I have also put some photo's of her doing flexibility exercises to demonstrate that she does have sufficient range, does any one know what else it could be?

KBT · #9 07-01-2008, 09:12 AM

If I were judging, I'd give credit that leap credit as a yang bo. Depending on what rules you're competing under, it might even be worth more!

Can she do ring jumps? I think it's easier to get the concept of bending the back leg when jumping so you could try some of those as a drill.

LasswadeCoach · #10 07-01-2008, 01:44 PM

I have looked for the Yang bo switch leap and cannot find it in the code of points :S however I will look again!

As for the ring jumps, she seems to be able to do those correctly, its really stra nge!!

Thanks for the help

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