The new trend of Gymnastics today - the rise of difficulty over artistry and the emergence of young, pre-pubesent gymnasts and the phasing out of the mature, elegent woman. This trend has many implications for our level of gymnastics. Will we be losing more and more potential high school gymnasts because they are considered " too old. " ? How many women coaches are there tooday ? Have they been losing out because they dont spot double backs and triple twists ?
At the World Championships the new style on Beam included very little dance - just the obligatory full turns and safe transitions - otherwise it could have been a tumbling event . On Floor the tumbling of the finals was very predictable. open with double back, second pass double twists, lass pass another double back. Not very interesting when you consider the different passes they could be using.but the safety factor in performing double backs mandates execessive practise time. Does this time spent , on perfecting dangerous skills take away from time that used to be invested in dance ? Are these children old enough to be able to use dance expressively ? Old enough to accumulate the knowledge and experience necessary for good dance technique ?
Did you see anyone out on the floor able to enjoy their routine ? Did you see anyone smile during their free exercise routine ?
I believe the coaches on the school level have the potential bring joy and elegence back to " artistic " gymnastics. We work with the mature gymnast; the one who knows how to add the little spark to her routines that, perhaps, the new, very young gymnasts may never experience.
HAPPY GYMNASTICS ALWAYS
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