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TimDad,
I have to agree that I prefer the look of the second bridge that you posted. However, I am curious to know where you got the information that picture 1 is not a bridge. I would say it's a bridge, but not a good one.
Actually, the photo's above of are the same gymnast showing the "progression" into a bridge. Photo 1 is the back-bend step. If the gymnast end's here, it's incomplete. Meaning, It's not - yet - "a bridge". (which is really the point i was trying to make above).
The deduction in #1 would be her shoulders are NOT over her hands, other than that there is nothing.You are not required to land like #2, nor is it a deduction if you land like #1 (assuming it's controlled).
Some picky judges even take off .05 0r .1 if their legs are together.
This became a bit of a point of discussion for me on Beth Gardner's Gymnastics Minute video.The national team warm up (divised by the National Elite Coaching staff) has 2 bridges in it. 1 has straight legs feet together- more of a shoulder stretch, one has legs bent, heels under the hips, pressing hips up. I use this warm up w/ my athletes and can see the purpose of a straight leg, feet together bridge for this purpose. The national staff spends a lot of time teaching the 2nd bridge position that I described-as it applies more to tumbling.
Me: Hey Beth,
I should probably go over and pose this question on your blog, as I've already formulated some thought on the matter...
...but have you heard Tammy Biggs in regards to the way we've been teaching the bridge (straight legs together with emphasis on shoulder stretch)?
She seems to think teaching this is reinforcing a bad habit body positioning for flysprings (and tkatchevs) and that more emphasis should be placed on stretching the hip flexors while in the bridge (if I understand her correctly).
I am curious to know your take on this.
Beth: You know what? I haven't heard her talk about that, but I can give her a call and ask her thoughts and get back to you with any sort of clarifications she has.
I am sure we need to make sure our kiddos have good flexibility in their hip flexors, but the purpose of these recommendations for bridging is to keep stress off the lower back to avoid spinal injury as I talk about in the blog. ..and those recommendations were given to us by a consensus of sports physicians and pediatricians.
So, before I would change the configuration of how we teach the bridge position, I would look for other stretches that would do the same thing without adding stress to the lower back and do those in addition to the recommended bridge position.
Let me give Tammy a call and I'll post what I find out on my blog.
Me: Thanks so much for this!
I was thinking the same thing; either way though, one could stretch the shoulders or the hip flexors with other stretches without bridging, altogether...if that's the emphasis.
I also am not sure why it has to be one or the other, rather than both, perhaps dependent upon age and level. Since either way is a static position, I don't quite see the risk in developing neurological confusion as it relates to executing dynamic skills.
Yes, to a degree, the bridge can train body positions for skills. But if you're training for that, is there really a "one shape fits all" for all skills? Shouldn't you just drill the position needed, dependent upon the skill being taught? Training a bridge for level 4 compulsory shouldn't have the same look as for executing a tkatchev, should it?
Also, if one does do a picture perfect bridge (legs together straight, pushing shoulders over the hands), I'm not exactly sure this isn't the body position for a flyspring. Sure, with the hands on the ground, the feet are way ahead of the hips; but the hips are still open in that shape and if one tilts the gymnast holding that shape over onto the feet, aren't the feet now behind the hips?
Beth: That's my feeling on it. For a simplistic example, much like a cartwheel is similar but different than a round-off; they are two different skills with SOME similar components.
Still, I train each as a different skill with specific training to the different elements within each. Ie. Snap downs in round-off..switch leg teeters in cartwheels. I train each skill as a separate skill, and address the different components individually.
Likewise with any other skill set, kids need to understand that similar skills with different elements are STILL different skills. We, therefore, train them for BOTH skills using drills, flexibility, etc for each. Make sense?
Let me say this, however, I completely respect Tammy Biggs. I absolutely believe that she is one, if not THE, best women's coach in the US. I listen to anything she has to say because I know for a fact that she is always first and foremost concerned for the kids. Tammy is one of our diamonds in USAG. I adore her both professionally and as a person.
I left her a voicemail, but as you know, she's on the road pretty much 24/7/365. So, when I hear back from her, I'll post it to my blog.
Me: Oh, I absolutely respect her coaching knowledge as well. I've learned a lot just from her GymSmart videos, alone.
Thanks for sending her the inquiry. I look forward to your blogpost.