I was at a competition last weekend, the team that was on vault had 2 coaches present. The first coach was at the vault table, however sneakily had her hand holding the front corner of the top mat. The second coach was leaning on the mat at the back. This was all to keep the mat from moving while their gymnasts compete.
After the first 5 or so gymnasts competed, and nothing was said by the judge, the first coach was now holding onto the front strap of the mat, and now the second coach had her knee jammed into the first 8" mat with her body weight leaning into the top 8"mat. Both were obviously pulling or pushing on the mat during landing. I have been a mens judge for 12 years, I don't know if womens rules are different, but this did not seem proper to me.
Main question
Can coaches hold a mat on vault for a handspring to back vault during a competition?
After the first 5 or so gymnasts competed, and nothing was said by the judge, the first coach was now holding onto the front strap of the mat, and now the second coach had her knee jammed into the first 8" mat with her body weight leaning into the top 8"mat. Both were obviously pulling or pushing on the mat during landing. I have been a mens judge for 12 years, I don't know if womens rules are different, but this did not seem proper to me.
Main question
Can coaches hold a mat on vault for a handspring to back vault during a competition?