This is a fun and very good drill for level 1 gymnasts that teaches a combination of skills like; springboard usage, lift and roll. This drill is closely related to the “Forward Roll with Block (tuck position)”, but with a couple of differences. The roll is done in the pike position and this drill also includes an optional heel lift to further develop the gymnasts skill when lifting and rotating.
This is a fun and very good drill for level 1 gymnasts that teaches a combination of skills like; springboard usage, lift and roll. Gymnasts seem to learn to do this drill fairly quickly, many gymnasts will learn to master this on the first day. This is one of the few level 1 drills for gymnasts were the gymnast actually runs to the springboard, so it is very important that the gymnast has mastered all prerequisite before doing this drill.
This drill helps the gymnast to improve their rebound which will be used on more advanced skills like back handsprings or whip-backs. This drill is based on the “Rebound Jump Back” and “Rebound Jump Back with Mats” drill articles, with the one big difference being the gymnast will be landing on the mats with a slightly hollow body position. This is a good drill to teach the gymnast what the initial body position is when rebounding and landing on the mat helps to insure that the gymnast is committed when doing the drill.
It is important the the gymnast has a correct rebound body position or else they will loose a lot of their momentum and this usually will result with the skill afterwards being difficult or impossible. This drill is designed as a prerequisite for whip-backs and back handsprings. This is the same drill as the “Rebound Jump Back”, but we include mats to help the gymnast understand that they need to put power into the rebound.
It is important the the gymnast has a correct rebound body position or else they will loose a lot of their momentum and this usually will result with the skill afterwards being difficult or impossible. This drill is designed as a prerequisite for whip-backs and backhand springs.
This drill is designed to teach the gymnast to keep tight at all times. The coach tests the gymnast by randomly letting go of one leg, and checks to see if the gymnast keeps their legs together.
This drill is designed to teach the gymnast to keep tight at all times. The coach tests the gymnast by randomly letting go of one leg, and checks to see if the gymnast keeps their legs together without dropping their leg.
This drill is a close cousin of the “Springboard Straight Jump (straight arm otherthrow)”. The main difference is the wall and this is of course a big difference. The wall has two purposes, the one being to motivate the gymnast to get a good angle of attack on the springboard and the other to work on the timing at which the gymnast should push their shoulders and arms up and forward.
The main purpose of this drill is to teach the gymnast how to land and use the springboard. In the drill we use the “straight arm overthrow” technique and not the arm circle. The arm circle technique is not an incorrect technique, but I find it easier to teach the gymnast to use a straight arm overthrow. I will include a “Springboard Straight Jump (arm circle)” later on. Which technique you use should be discussed with your coach, so you follow the direction and methods your club and coach is working with.
This is a good drill to introduce a complete back handspring. The learning curve for this drill is very short and in no time you will see the gymnasts doing this drill without spotting. The back handspring has a lot of prerequisites and it is very important that the gymnast has worked on those prerequisites before engaging this drill.