Recent content by fuzi

The requirement in level 5 is a cast above horizontal. Many strong bar workers will cast to 45 degrees above horizontal or even to handstand.

I know, I know! But I''m not allowed to answer.

There's a lot to learn! I am not currently coaching, but I still judge levels XB-XD and 2-10 a lot. I'm happy to answer routine construction questions.

I hate to break it to you, but you have a bigger problem here if you are training all your Xcel Silver gymansts to do a glide off a mounting block, and then punch off the same mounting block into a pullover. The mounting block (or springboard) must be pulled immediately after the jump into the...

Assuming you mean USAG Development Program Level 9, B to C indirect salto connection is now 0.1 bonus. So yes, that pass would get 0.1 bonus for B front pike to C-value back 1 1/2. Just make sure it's a front pike and not a front tuck. :)

I coached a gymnast who started diving at the beginning of 10th grade, after a back injury halted her gymnastics career. She took to it super quickly, won state championships on her event in 10-12th grade, and got a full ride scholarship to a D1 school with a very well known swimming and dive...

Hi, this is a great place to ask those questions: 1) Turns can be done in either direction. However, many gymnast will have issues with getting their big toe stuck if the turn en dedans (outside/open/away from the supporting leg/"ballet turn"). 2)Yes, a gymnast in Silver (or any level requiring...

Without knowing your daughter and relying solely on what you described and her age, I bet it's growth. Even a little growth can make skills they already had feel "weird" (e.g. can't do a BHS on high beam anymore), make good form disappear for a bit, and slow or pause progression. If she's...

I got 10/12 "Are you a judge?" I am, in fact, a judge. However, there were two errors in this quiz. I'm happy to send corrections with references to the appropriate person if you'd like to update to reflect correct deductions.

Well, for what it's worth, if I was judging your daughter as an Xcel Diamond or developmental program level 8 or 9 (or 10), I would count it as "C" skill filling whatever appropriate requirement. I've seen it at least a half dozen times in a pike over my decade of judging.

I don't know what code/country you are competing in, but I have seen it done in a pike and, yes, it is a skill.

The other most consequential change I see is that Level 9s can earn +0.1 in bonus for a D/E element on bars or D/E acro element on beam/floor. So they don't have to get +0.3 in connection bonus for the 10.0 start; 0.1 can come from a D/E skill.

Of course gymnasts should talk during practice! Gymnast should be quiet and listen during instructions, be mentally preparing when they are "up next," and be focused when they are actually on the equipment taking turns. Other than that, of course they should chat with each other (and with their...

Yes. The most common entry is a "cartwheel" into the side handstand, and then either step down one foot and then the other, or press down.

I assume you are talking beam. Yes, any handstand that shows hips balanced over hands counts as an "A" skill and the "vertical" requirement on beam. Any entry or exit.