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+.
That video was produced by Doug Davis at Heart Tech Plus. The goal is to monitor heart rate and other variables while kids “play“.
I can’t think of another drill where a beginner can work both KIP and CAST HANDSTAND without needing a coach spotting. Thanks Tumbl Trak.🙂
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Gymnast Crossing linked to this video. It features some of the coolest mat innovations by the French company.
Special needs kids are featured.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Doug Davis is energetic in helping instructors teach happy, safe kids. He’s all about building confidence through systematic progression. And repetition.
These progressions are not only for competitive kids. They are for everyone who wants to learn to tumble.
Doug:
“Balking” happens frequently in many gyms across the country. A gymnast attempts a skill, and then STOPS in the middle of the attempt. This can be extremely dangerous with some skills. Or, the gymnast will not go for the skill at all, due to fear. …
One example of a common skill series where students may “balk” is a Round-Off to one or two Back-Handsprings. Students should be taken through a series of progressions …
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Keep in mind, these steps are not all linear. Start developing back-handspring skills at the same time as round off skills. …
It is not all about overcoming fear and preventing balking, it is also about setting up all of your students for repeated success. …
read more – How Progressions Build Confidence and Reduce Fear
Nick Blanton recommends we make them challenging. And change them often.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Check out the great task card graphics on gymtasticsgymtools.com.
Thanks for this Rick! It’s always a big help when you post our stuff. Much appreciated.
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Thank you for this. Hopefully you’ll be able to help gymnasts out.
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End of session at A-Mazing Adventures in Regina, the kids enjoy this mountain climb. Followed by a big slide into the pit.
Here’s another photo of that set-up.
I dropped in on my old friend Darlene Traviss at her new facility, Flip Factory in N.E. Calgary.
Darlene Traviss
Darlene’s that rarity. An entrepreneur in socialist Canada. (Most gyms are parent governed in Canada.)
Her club is staying away from competitive Artistic gymnastics. But they offer just about everything else.
Preschool makes up about 60% of the membership.
Trampoline, Circus, Demo Team (Gymnaestrada), …
When construction is complete, here’s the goal:
5,600 square feet of gym space which houses: 4 full size trampolines, a 40′ tumble track, a 40′ x 40′ sprung floor exercise space, a large foam pit, indoor toboggan hill for preschoolers, 40′ bouldering wall, beams, low tight ropes, slack lines, bars (including a pit bar), lots of climbing ropes, rings and vaulting apparatus.
Typical rotations:
• Mission Impossible obstacle course
• Reverse Bungee: a giant jolly jumper
• Gladiators: semi-combative challenges
• Parkour on a dedicated circuit, complete with tramp wall
Special Needs kids are welcomed:
Down’s Syndrome
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Cerebral Palsy
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Amputees
ADD and ADHD
Autism and Asperger’s
Brain injuries
An additional 2000 square foot mezzanine space houses our Tot Drop-In during the daytime. This area is filled with equipment specially designed for 1 – 5 year olds: Mats of all shapes and sizes, slides, climbing apparatus, ball pits and more. Equipment configuration and pieces change weekly. This gym is well padded and encourages movement and exploration. A seating area for parents built into the space makes it a perfect spot to hang out with friends while letting preschoolers burn off energy! The mezzanine space is cleared and available to other groups in the evenings.
A 750 square foot hardwood dance studio is used for our fitness classes and is also available to other groups.
Two spacious birthday party rooms are available for eats and treats after activities in the gym are finished up.
CONGRATULATIONS Darlene. I’m completely impressed.
Learn more about the gym at flip-factory.com
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 ActivitiesGymnastics 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.
Jan Cerato and 
Dana are discussing. 
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