Updates from December, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Rick Mc 3:03 am on December 14, 2022 Permalink | Reply  

    why young gymnasts QUIT 

    Seyram Atubra was the primary researcher in this study of mainly recreation gymnasts.

    British Gymnastics – England commissioned the Institute of Youth Sport to conduct a study to examine the reasons why young gymnasts leave the sport. …

    Over 5000 former gymnasts and their parents were asked to complete a survey and telephone interviews were conducted with 40 former gymnasts and their parents. …

    Key findings:
    • started gymnastics at an average age of 6.2 years and stopped at an average age of 9.9 years

    Most important benefits gained from being a gymnast:
    • Improved strength and fitness
    • Enjoyment/fun

    Most important reason for leaving gymnastics:
    • ‘boring/repetitive’
    • Left to take up a new sport
    • Didn’t like the coaches

    bored gymnast

    For boys, boredom was the biggest reason.

    Here’s the PDF if you want to read the full report. For more information contact name via the Gymnastics England Research page.

    Thank Keith Russell and Meike Behrensen for the link.

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  • Rick Mc 3:03 am on October 28, 2019 Permalink | Reply  

    335 NinjaZone locations around the world 

    Casey Wright wanted to boost the number of boys in her gymnastics program.

    “We then had three gyms with three classes (total) with only 10 boys,” she said. … Originally, it was a way to re-brand and re-market a gymnastics-like program for boys.

    So she developed NinjaZone.

    “It took off with the popularity of ‘American Ninja Warrior’ and emergence of parkour … Ten boys (in the program) went to 365 kids in six months

    NinjaZone helps spur growth of gymnastics among boys

    theninjazone.com

     

  • Rick Mc 8:31 pm on August 28, 2016 Permalink | Reply  

    Building a Rec Boys Gymnastics Program 

    by site editor Rick McCharles

    Many excellent girls Gymnastics clubs underserve boys in their market. Brothers are sitting in the parents seating area – restless – waiting on sisters. That’s a waste.

    The best boys Gymnastics clubs have as high a ratio as 1 boy for every 3 girls. That kind of ratio is possible.

    Ashwad Springer

    First priority for boys coaches is increasing the base. Increasing the numbers of boys trying Gymnastics and other acrobatic sports.

    Once in the Gym many will find they like the sport. It’s FUN. Keep it FUN.

    have fun

    Boys love Games, Contests and Challenges. Most boys love height and flight. Excitement.

    rope block tower

    Once hooked on the sport, next priority is improvement of Physical (Endurance, Stringy, Power, Flexibility, etc.) and Motor (Agility, Balance, Coordination, Spatial awareness, etc.) fitness.

    Skills are lower priority than for girls the same age.

    Role models are important for boys. It’s important coaches and the eldest and most advanced boys in the club be leaders.

    Clubs who do want to increase the size and quality of the boys Recreation program have two major problems:

    • hiring competent, experienced men’s coaches
    • getting boys into the gym to give it a go

    There are far fewer boys coaches available than girls coaches. Some serious effort may be required to recruit and train boys Rec coaches.

    In 2016 Parkour / Ninja classes are very popular with boys. Boys parents are very keen to keep their sons doing Parkour safe.

    Once in the Gym some of those Ninja boys will get interested in the Artistic competitive apparatus.

    I like “bring-a-friend” day, as well. Check the insurance implications of bringing in a friend to your Gym.

    rope swing

    related – Gymnastics Ontario Congress 2016 – BUILDING A RECREATIONAL BOYS PROGRAM – presentation notes PDF

     

  • Rick Mc 2:36 pm on July 16, 2016 Permalink | Reply  

    Gymnastics NINJA obstacle course 

    Cutting Edge Gymnastics in Michigan has greatly expanded their boys programs with parkour training. Motor and Physical fitness is the goal, not necessarily specific skills.

    Click the IMAGE to play or watch it on Google+.

    Ninja course

    That video was produced by Doug Davis at Heart Tech Plus. The goal is to monitor heart rate and other variables while kids “play“.

     

  • Rick Mc 3:03 am on November 16, 2013 Permalink | Reply  

    why parents take kids to Gymnastics 

     

  • Rick Mc 5:03 am on April 19, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Rec Gymnastics – 90% reregistration 

    That’s the goal for the best programs in the world.

    … I’ve only achieved it once, program wide.

    Here’s some good advice on how to reach that high number:

    • Keep Students Using Their Time Productively
    • Minimize Waiting
    • Make Sure They Learn and Are Successful
    • Vary the Classes for Interest and Excitement
    • The Eight Second Rule
    • Use Supervised Side Activities

    Gymnastics Zone – Methods of Reducing Gymnastics Class Dropout

    We want NO LINE-UPS with our Rec kids. Especially with boys who will invariably end up wrestling.

    In my program I have a ‘no wrestling’ rule. The boys (especially) are not allowed to touch any of the other kids in the group, unless it’s required of the game or activity.

     

  • Rick Mc 5:05 am on April 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    How to Make Gymnastics Boring 

    That’s Coach Howard. … he’s just KIDDING.

    We know that boredom is one of the main reasons kids quit gymnastics.

    … This should be a wakeup call to your gymnastics class coaches as well as gym coaches and owners everywhere. Gymnastics is a naturally fun sport of nearly infinite variety. If your cannot keep your classes interesting, you are definitely not doing your job. …

    It is, in one sense, very easy to make gymnasts, and kids in general, happy. If they are learning something new, they are happy. So job one for a coach is to make sure gymnasts learn something every class. …

    At every level, there are hundreds of skills you can do. Just putting together two and three skill combinations on beam, floor and trampoline gives you a virtually infinite lesson plan that never has to be the same. And that variety alone makes the class fun. …

    read more – How to Make Gymnastics Boring

    Don’t put TOO MUCH EMPHASIS on REPORT CARDS. That’s the fastest way to bore and frustrate children.

    Less than 20% of class time should be used for ‘progress evaluation’.

     

  • Rick Mc 5:03 am on March 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    trampoline board $100 

    JumpSport® Trampoline BounceBoard Extreme™

    soft, flexible foam …

    $99.95

    Great for advanced Rec trampoline. … But how durable is it?

    Mismo runs a class called Snow Style:

    … a ski and snowboard air awareness class. During class students will learn how to flip and twist in the air in a structured, safe environment. Strength and flexibility are also incorporated into these great classes.

    Ages 8 on up

     

  • Rick Mc 5:03 am on March 10, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Olympic Champion on boys Rec 

    James S. Fell:

    … Kids need at least an hour of exercise every day to maximize health …

    According to Olympic gold-medalist Kyle Shewfelt, “Every little boy should be put in gymnastics,” regardless of size. …

    … “It is the best place to teach kids what they need to exceed at other sports because they learn how their body works,” he said. “It develops speed, power and strength, as well as discipline and time management, and it’s really a shame that they don’t teach it in schools anymore.” …

    … It’s like going to a gigantic playground, and it’s the perfect place for a crazy little boy to get his energy out,” he said. …

    read more on Chatelaine – Why you should enrol your son in gymnastics

     

  • Rick Mc 5:03 am on January 22, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: boys   

    Recreational Boys Gymnastics 

    A presentation by site editor Rick McCharles given at the USA Region 2 Gymnastics Congress, 2005, in Seattle, WA.

    Tips for coaches wanting to improve & build their boys gymnastics programs.

    Click over to Gymnastics Coaching to watch that slide show.

     

    • KiWi 12:33 pm on January 22, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      When I was running a club I had a lovely 80 year old coach who ran a boys only recreation program me (though some girls ended up in there as well). The class was always packed to the rafters with a waiting list of boys wanting to get in. Mike (coach) knew the magic of how to keep boys going. The class was noisy, busy, with lots of laughter. There was always plenty of games and the favorite was when the class was split into two teams and two boys of similar size/strength competed in an obstacle course. I once got noise complaints from the neighbors! Sadly, Mike retired and I was unable to find anyone with his skill to replace.

      Like

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