Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tip #4: Being a great gymnast.

Tip #4: Watch your lines. You guys all know this, but it's SO important to keep your legs straight, your body tight, and your toes pointed at all times. I'm sure you've watched Nastia Liukin's bar routine and heard almost every commentator say something about how impressive her clean body lines are. Even if your clear hip or cast doesn't quite reach the height it needs, if you make a nice line with your body, it's going to give a better impression and you just might get away with it. This doesn't apply only to bars, of course, but I think it's most impressive if you can look graceful and polished during a bar routine. It's expected on floor and beam especially, but bring this to bars and vault as well. It looks nice. If you can make the routine look effortless by polishing it up and displaying great form, you've done your job.

3 comments:

  1. Hi.(: Whenever you get a chance, could you answer my question? It is under Tip #3. I also asked it a couple days ago under another one, but you didn't answer so I figured you didn't see it and rewrote it. Sorry if you did see it and just havn't gotten around to it yet, I just wanted to make sure you saw it.(: haha
    Thank you sooo much!
    -gymnastics4ever<3

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  2. Hey, gymnastics4ever<3!
    I did see your question, but it totally slipped my mind, so thank you for reminding me! I've never heard of WPIAL gymnastics before. Assuming it's just like regular high school gymnastics, I'd say you would need to have the basics down - back handspring, walkovers, front handspring, that sort of thing. Unfortunately I can't be 100% sure about that since my high school did not have a gymnastics team. It might help for you to attend a high school gymnastics meet in your area or to watch some youtube videos from high school meets so you know sort of where you need to be. Also, don't hesitate to email the coach!!! Ask him/her exactly the requirements for making the team. They'll be more than happy to help.

    Depending on the pace you progress at and the number of times/hours you practice per week, the length of time it takes to reach the point you need to be at will vary quite a bit. It would also depend on whether or not you plan to compete all four events or just specialize in one or two (if that is an option). I would try to get a practice in at least twice a week for two hours, along with your tumbling class. Based on that, as well as the basic requirements I guessed on earlier, I can only give you an estimate of how long it should take if you want to compete all four events. I think about a year would be a good general estimate, but again, it depends on so many factors that I can't even come close to being sure. And don't get tied down by timelines, either; some girls work a lot faster than that, and some progress a little slower.

    Good luck :)

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  3. Thank you so much!(: My high school doesn't have a team either, but my friend competes as an individual at the gym I'm going to go to. So, I guess I'll try some beginner classes and just work reeeally hard! My mom called about classes and asked about it, but all they said is that you need gymnastics experience. But I did look on youtube, and saw some stuff I can work on.(:

    Thank you!
    gymnastics4ever<3

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