technique - aug. 2011 - vol. 31, #8

USA Gymnastics Certification

Program_____________The Obstacle Course,

Building the Basic Skills of

Accomplishment

AUGUST 2011 – VOL. 31 – #8

USA GYMNASTICS UNIVERSITY DOORS ARE OPEN!

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2 T E C H N I Q U E • A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

EVENTS

W = Women, R = Rhythmic, TR = Trampoline, M = Men, GG = Group Gymnastics, TU = Tumbling, AG = Acrobatic Gymnastics, B = Business, TT = Trampoline/Tumbling NOTE: Dates and events subject to change or cancellation.

2011 AUGUST5–7 Region 6 Congress Boston, MA

9–12 Junior Olympic Optional Levels Training Camp (W) Huntsville, TX

17–20 Visa Championships (M/W/R) Saint Paul, MN

18–20 USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show Saint Paul, MN

25–28 ODP Selection Camp (TT) Huntsville, TX

26–28 Region 1 Congress Santa Clara, CA

SEPTEMBER9–11 Region 2 Congress Everett, WA 13–26 Rhythmic World Championships Montpellier, France15–18 State and Regional Chairman’s Workshop (M) TBD17 National Gymnastics Day various locations17 Handstand World Record Attempt (everyone) various locations 23–25 Region 5 Congress Indianapolis,IN

30–Oct. 2 National TOP Testing (W) Huntsville, TX

OCTOBER 1–3 National TOP Testing (W) Huntsville, TX

7–16 World Artistic Championships (M/W) Tokyo, Japan13–16 JO Team Coaches Course (W) Huntsville, Texas

14–30 Pan American Games (M/W/R/TR) Guadalajara, MX

22–25 JO National Team Training Camp (W) Huntsville, TX

27–30 Level 9/10 Training Camp (W) Huntsville, TX

NOVEMBER 10–13 Fut. Stars Champs./Coaches Wrkshp.(M) Colo. Springs, CO

16–19 T & T World Championships Birmingham, ENG

20–26 World Age Group Championships (TT) Birmingham, ENG

30–Dec. 4 National TOP Team Training Camp (W) Huntsville, TX

DECEMBER4–8 TOP B Training Camp (W) Huntsville, TX

8–18 National Rhythmic Open Camps (R) Huntsville, TX

2012JANUARY 10–18 Olympic Test Event London, ENG

FEBRUARY 2–4 Winter Cup Challenge (M) Las Vegas, NV

MARCH 2 Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup (W) TBD

3 AT&T American Cup (M/W) TBD

16–18 Pacific Rim Championships (M/W/R/T) TBD

23–24 USA Gymnastics Collegiate Champs. (M) TBD

APRIL TBD Acro Gymnastics World Championships & World Age Group Competition TBD

MAY 3–6 Level 9 East/West Championships (W) TBD

7 USA Gymnastics Special Olympics Championships (M/W/R/GG) Marietta, GA

7–13 JO National Championships (M) Cincinnati, OH

10–12 JO National Championships(W) TBD

13 JO–NIT (W) TBD

24–26 CoverGirl Classic (W) TBD

31–June 3 Open Championships (W) Orlando, FL

JUNE

7–10 Visa Championships St. Louis, MO

28–July1 USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show San Jose, CA

28–July1 U.S. Olympic Team Trials–Gymnastics (M/W) San Jose, CA

JULY 5-11 T&T Junior Olympic Nationals Long Beach ,CA

2013MAY 2–5 Level 9 East/West Championships (W) TBD

9–11 JO National Championships (W) TBD

12 JO–NIT (W) TBD

31–June 2 2013–20 JO Compulsory Master Workshop – East (W) Orlando, FL

JUNE7 – 9 2013–20 JO Compulsory Master Workshop – West (W) Reno, NV

M A R C H 2 0 1 1 • T E C H N I Q U E 3

PUBLISHER Steve Penny

EDITOR Luan Peszek

GRAPHIC DESIGNERJeannie Shaw

USA GYMNASTICS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair: Peter Vidmar Vice-Chair: Paul Parilla Secretary: Gary Anderson Treasurer: Jim MorrisNational Membership – Women: Tom KollNational Membership – Women: Steve Rybacki National Membership – Men: Yoichi Tomita National Membership – Men: Russ FystromNational Membership – Rhythmic: Brooke Bushnell-TooheyNational Membership – Trampoline & Tumbling: George DrewNational Membership – Acrobatic Gymnastics: Dr. Jay BinderAdvisory Council: Mike BurnsAdvisory Council: Ron FerrisAdvisory Council: Carole IdeAthlete Director – Women: Terin HumphreyAthlete Director – Men: John RoethlisbergerAthlete Director – Rhythmic: Jessica HowardAthlete Director – Trampoline & Tumbling: Karl HegerAthlete Director – Acrobatic Gymanstics: Michael RodriguesPublic Sector: Frank MarshallPublic Sector: Bitsy KelleyPublic Sector: Jim MorrisPublic Sector: Mary Lou Retton

CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES: In order to ensure uninterrupted delivery of TECHNIQUE magazine, notice of change of address should be made eight weeks in advance. For fastest service, please enclose your present mailing label. Direct all subscription mail to TECHNIQUE Subscriptions, USA Gymnastics, 132 E. Washington St., Suite 700, Indianapolis, IN 46204 .

TECHNIQUE is published monthly except bimonthly in Sept/Oct and Nov/Dec by USA Gymnastics, 132 E. Washington St., Suite 700, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (phone: 317-237-5050) or visit online @ www.usagym.org Subscription prices: U.S.–$25 per year; Canada/Mexico–$48 per year; all other foreign countries–$60 per year. If available, back issue single copies $4 plus postage/handling. All reasonable care will be taken, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited material; enclose return postage. Copyright 2011 by USA Gymnastics and TECHNIQUE. All rights reserved. Printed by Sport Graphics, Indianapolis, IN. Member Services 1-800-345-4719

Unless expressly identified to the contrary, all articles, statements and views printed herein are attributed solely to the author and USA Gymnastics expresses no opinion and assumes no responsibility thereof.

TECHNIQUE

an official publication of USA Gymnastics University

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 • V O L U M E 3 1 • # 8

www.usagym.org

Cover: Center photo of 2010 Congress session by John Cheng.

DEPARTMENTS 2 Event Schedule

4 USA Gymnastics Message

20 Congress Information

21 Congress/Visa Championships 2011Schedule

31 What’s New: Banned Members List

33 Spotlight

38 Women’s Committee Minutes

46 Classified Ads

F EATURES 6 USA Gymnastics University Doors are Open!

12 The Obstacle Course, Building the Basic Skills of Accomplishment

30 Handstand World Record Attempt 12

6

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 • T E C H N I Q U E 3

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INSIDEINSIDEINSIDEThe Visa Championships and the USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show are

here! I really look forward to this event every year – it is a true celebration of our sport, and the line-up of events and activities in Saint Paul this year are an indication of just that. In ad-

dition to amazing gymnastics and outstanding educational opportunities, other activities range from an expanded Taste of the Visa Championships to a variety of exhibitions, post-event fun at the Visa Fan Fest, and, of course, don’t forget to bring your workout clothes for Morning Fitness. This year’s “Go Green!” effort will bring some new and innovative initiatives to our annual gathering.

Our athletes continue to embody the very best the sport offers. With returning Olympians and eager newcomers, the competition is already intense because the London Olympics are only a year

away. You will see some of the world’s top athletes showcased at Xcel Energy Center and Roy Wilkins Auditorium in men’s, women’s and rhythmic gymnastics.

More than 200 sessions are planned for this year’s Congress, plus certifications, an exhibit hall, raffle, Hall of Fame luncheon, and hospitality for every credentialed participant. Congress attendees are invited to pre- and post-event hospitality on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 317 on Rice Park, which is adjacent to the RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium and just steps away from Xcel Energy Center.

For four days, Rice Park will become the site for the Visa FanFest and host Morning Fitness, gymnastics demonstrations, Painting in the Park and the post-event celebrations.

This year, 14 downtown Saint Paul restaurants are participating in the Taste of the Visa Championships.

Everything will kick-off at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 17 at Rice Park with a street renaming and the official start of Painting in the Park. To see all of the activities and opportunities available championships week, go to page 18 for an overview and schedule.

We are also very excited about our efforts to make this year’s event the “greenest” Visa Championships and Congress to date. More information about the competition, Congress and ancillary activities will be at your fingertips than in past years via our traditional and mobile websites and in the venues. For the first time, the Visa Championships program will be available digitally; we are reducing the amount of paper disseminated to support the competition and Congress; Windsource® is offsetting our energy demands; recycling is in place for paper and plastics; and we are finding techno-logical solutions for information access on the field of play. We hope you will embrace these efforts while you are in Saint Paul and when you return home.

The 2011 Visa Championships and National Congress and Trade Show are shaping up to be an incredible week of gymnastics and opportunity.

See you in the gym,

Steve Penny


http://www.tumbltrak.com


APPLY NOW atwww.usagymnasticsuniversity.org

Based on previous education and experiences, you may apply for

accelerated placement in the university.

EXPERIENCEDCOACHES!

CERTIFICATIONS

INSTRUCTOR

DEVELOPMENT TEACHER

ADVANCED TEACHER

DIRECTOR

CERTIFICATIONS

ADMINISTRATOR

MANAGER

DIRECTOR

EXECUTIVE

CERTIFICATIONS

WOMEN’S JUDGES http://usagym.org/pages/women/pages/judging.html

MEN’S JUDGEShttp://usagym.org/pages/men/pages/judges_information.html

WWW.USAGYMNASTICSUNIVERSITY.ORG

UNIVERSITY DOORS

ARE OPEN!

SCHOOL OF JUDGING

SCHOOL OF RECREATIONAL

GYMNASTICS


http://www.usagym.org/pages/women/pages/judging.html

http://www.usagym.org/pages/men/pages/judges_information.html

http://www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org


A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 • T E C H N I Q U E 7A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 • T E C H N I Q U E 7

CERTIFICATIONS

ADMINISTRATOR

MANAGER

DIRECTOR

EXECUTIVE

WWW.USAGYMNASTICSUNIVERSITY.ORG

Please go to our website for more information on specific course requirements for each school.

WOMEN’SARTISTIC

MEN’SARTISTIC

TRAMPOLINE&

TUMBLINGGYMNASTICS

FOR ALLRHYTHMIC ACROBATIC

SCHOOL OF COMPETITIVE GYMNASTICS

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

CERTIFICATIONS

INSTRUCTOR

JUNIOR OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT COACH

JUNIOR OLYMPIC

TEAM COACH

NATIONAL COACH

For course descriptions, visit www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org




Continued on pg. 10...

USA Gymnastics Certification Program

Redefining Gymnastics Education!

USA GYMNASTICS UNIVERSITY STRUCTUREUSA Gymnastics University is a collection of resources for gymnastics education. The University provides greater educational opportunities for coaches, instructors, teachers, judges, and administrators at all lev-els and in all of the disciplines and areas of gymnastics. Included as a part of the University are educational courses and programs, technical materials and publications, and a professional certification program.

There are four “Schools” of study within the University:

COMPETITIVE

RECREATIONAL

BUSINESS

JUDGING

Each school is divided into several different tiers to which one may achieve certification. Certifications are progressive and completion of one tier is required prior to obtaining next certification. Coursework for the next certification tier can be pursued at any time.

UNIVERSITY GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Regardless of what area of study one chooses, everyone within the University must ...

Be a current USA Gymnastics Member (Professional, Jr Professional, Introductory Coach, Jr Introductory Coach, Instructor)

Successfully complete U100: Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction Course (online)

UNIVERSITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAMThe goal of the certification program is to organize the educational offerings of USA Gymnastics into the University and provide a means to achieve logical progressions, a well-rounded knowledge base, and recognition of professional education and experience levels.

Certifications can be earned by completing designated “core” course work and school specific courses. Courses and other requirements vary depending on the school of study and tier of certification.

ACHIEVING CERTIFICATIONUSA Gymnastics recognizes that a vast majority of our members have completed and are actively involved in many of the educational opportunities the University has to offer.

USA Gymnastics is actively working to place all members who have completed educational courses into at least one of the Schools within the University.

Placement within the schools will be based off of USA Gymnastics course work completed.

COURSE CATALOG:SCHOOL OF COMPETITIVE GYMNASTICS

__________________________________________________________________________________

WOMEN’S ARTISTIC

U100: Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction

U101: Safety & Risk Management

U102: First Aid U103: USA Gymnastics Fitness

U200: Development Coaches Course: Sports Science NEW

U310: Regional Congress

U410: National Congress

W200: Development Coaches Course: Hands On Training Course (HOTD) NEW

W202: Women’s Meet Director Course

W300: Women’s Junior Olympic Coaches Course NEW

W310: Regional Junior Olympic Compulsory Workshop

W311: National Junior Olympic Compulsory Workshop

W312: TOPs B Training Camp

W313: National TOPs Training Camp

W314: TOPs Invitational Camps

W315: Junior Olympic Regional Training Camp

W316: Hot Shot camp- Beginning Optional (Level 6/7)

W317: Intermediate/Advance Optional Camp (Level 8-10)

W400: Women’s Advanced Coaches Course

W410: Development Training Camp

W411: Junior Olympic National Team Training Camp

W412: Junior Olympic 9/10 Camp

W413: National Training Camp

W414: Elite Zone

COURSE CATALOG:SCHOOL OF COMPETITIVE GYMNASTICS

__________________________________________________________________________________

WOMEN’S ARTISTIC

U100: Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction

U101: Safety & Risk Management

U102: First Aid U103: USA Gymnastics Fitness

U200: Development Coaches Course: Sports Science NEW

U310: Regional Congress

U410: National Congress

W200: Development Coaches Course: Hands On Training Course (HOTD) NEW

W202: Women’s Meet Director Course

W300: Women’s Junior Olympic Coaches Course NEW

W310: Regional Junior Olympic Compulsory Workshop

W311: National Junior Olympic Compulsory Workshop

W312: TOPs B Training Camp

W313: National TOPs Training Camp

W314: TOPs Invitational Camps

W315: Junior Olympic Regional Training Camp

W316: Hot Shot camp- Beginning Optional (Level 6/7)

W317: Intermediate/Advance Optional Camp (Level 8-10)

W400: Women’s Advanced Coaches Course

W410: Development Training Camp

W411: Junior Olympic National Team Training Camp

W412: Junior Olympic 9/10 Camp

W413: National Training Camp

W414: Elite Zone

http://www.americanathletic.com


This course is required to enter USA Gymnastics University. The course covers basic fundamental principlesof coaching and teaching gymnastics, including topics such as safety and risk management,

communication, athlete development and techniques for teaching gymnastics skills and much more.

Gymnastics professionals new to the sport will find this course provides a valuable foundation on which to build their education and skills. Experienced professionals can use this course as a

self-assessment to fine-tune their own skills and coaching philosophy as well as align with industry best practices.

The Online course covers all five gymnastics disciplines: Women’s, Men’s, Acrobatic, Rhythmic and Trampoline & Tumbling. Videos of fundamental skills are presented in the Coaches Clinic section at

the end of each unit.

This course is FREE of charge to current Professional, Jr. Professional, Introductory Coach and Jr. Introductory Coach members (individual registration still required)

Instructor, Foreign Instructor, Athlete pay just $15Non-members pay $25

www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org

ENROLL NOW!U100 Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction

WW

W.U

SAGY

MNA

STIC

SUNI

VERS

ITY.O

RG Information regarding certification placement will be accessible to members soon.

Please note: Those that are interested in achieving certifications within the University will also have the opportunity to be pre-placed at a higher level than the entry level. These applicants must have vast work experience/achievements as well as received higher education through USA Gymnastics University. If interested in pre-placement, please visit www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org for detailed instructions.

GET EDUCATED! In order to fully understand the university schools and certification programs, please take a moment to visit the new University website. Visit www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org for complete details regarding USA Gymnastics University.

If you have not yet done so, complete U100: Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction Course. It’s free to current Professional members and only $15 for all other member types.

USA Gymnastics believes that education is an investment in the future of the sport of gymnastics. We believe that all of those who have and will participate in all the University has to offer can achieve gymnastics excellence through education!





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Humans move before learning to think or speak. We reach for our mothers, we seek to see, we reposition our bodies constantly to explore and understand our

environment. Any obstacle that appears grabs our attention, and before we have words to describe our motion, we use it to over-come the obstacle. As we grow, our motion is more specifically prescribed, but just as integral to being human. The obstacles we face grow exponentially more challenging, and we begin to perceive each as the challenge to surmount a personal goal. This response to each obstacle measures our ability to stay engaged.

The dictionary defines an “Obstacle Course“ as a military training area containing obstacles such as hurdles, ditches and walls, that must be surmounted or crossed in succession, or as an event, situation, course of action, or the like, that presents many challenges or difficulties.

The universal obstacle course is made up of the daily tasks a person must complete to be active in the world. These

tasks challenge an array of abilities; the

degree of difficulty experienced in meeting them is dictated by the individual’s mental acuity, physical strength, skill level, and the ability to execute a plan. Regardless of the starting point, however, as the obstacles are met and overcome, the individual begins to create a cognitive scaffold upon which future challenges might be accomplished.

This article will explore how the use of a physical obstacle course in a gymnastics setting significantly ignites the ability of both typical and special needs children to meet the challenges and obstacles of everyday life.

Recently, I watched a men’s gymnastics squad warm up on tumble track (a modified trampoline, created for lengthy tumbling passes. It has a long, narrow bed with minimum to moderate spring for repulsion). The leading gymnast rehearsed the same pass over and over. As an elite athlete, his tumbling pass

was intricate and presented sig-nificant obstacles for successful completion. Each skill was


by Gene Hurwin

multi-stepped – moving just the needed part(s) while maintaining the shape for dynamics and demanding great air sense during intense gravitational pull. Yet, the gymnast appeared almost ca-sual as he moved with such speed and g-force, flowing from one skill to the next. He seemed unaware of the level of difficulty, yet cognizant of the need to complete the pass precisely, as he combined the necessary power, speed and timing to hit each mark and punch it. Rotation of the head, or left shoulder, or the forearm at just the right moment allowed him to set up for the next movement, which altered his body’s shape while maintaining or increasing the required speed and inertia to flow into the following task.

I asked him what he thought about as he rehearsed and practiced his skills in the tumbling pass. He replied, “Nothing really, school stuff. I don’t think about anything, but a lot of stuff passes by when I’m tumbling. It’s only when something goes wrong that I think about what I’m doing.”

The brain meets challenges and overcomes obstacles by experiencing and learning specific functions. Repeating these functions affords a degree of familiarity and expertise. The human develops at the rate the brain permits development. The brain acts like a computer where information is acquired and stored; an individual file for everything; learned, tasted, seen, felt, smelled, touched, sensed, heard, experienced, is logged in to this computer and as the files interact, new files are created. As the brain develops higher functional interactions, it increases its potential. The human computer constructs systems that cross reference, schematize, color-code and multi-filter, files for everything at a speed measured in nanu-seconds.

Banks of qualified/quantified information are created and a scaffold series of experiences are stored and drawn upon for future use. This is defined as “active memory” and exemplified by the gymnast’s response about what he is “thinking” as he tumbles. When nothing “goes wrong,” his brain simply pulls up information from the acquired files. The overwhelming majority of time, human existence is lived in active memory. It is what makes us creative and musical – able to memorize a melody from a song from our youth and recall where we were when

we first heard the song decades later. Humans develop active memory in order to respond

to novel situations with an appropriate balance of problem-solving and

rehearsed understanding. Active

memory is on-going and develops on a continuum; riding a bicycle with dad sets the brain to understand changing directions and distance (aka; topographical memory), speed, gravity, which 18 years later, allows the same person to drive a car from one location to several more and back to the start.

A key to helping students learn more effectively is in defining the difference between the state of ACTIVE MEMORY and WORKING MEMORY, which the gymnast will engage the

moment something “goes wrong.” Think of driving on the freeway, making lane changes and noting traffic flow, music coming from the speakers, while simultaneously planning for your day, or engaging in another separate task; this is using active memory. When, however, a pickup truck swerves into your lane, what is already known (active memory) will not suffice. The driver must now engage in WORKING MEMORY, as the gymnast will when something goes wrong.

WORKING MEMORY is the ability to be present in the moment which is currently unfolding. It requires an alert awareness of the environment and a reflexive, active participation in problem solving. An individual will most likely be able to recall in vivid detail what occurs during this time.

Learning occurs in working memory. Thus, as the gymnast began the obstacle course of learning his tumbling pass, he engaged his working memory. But the rehearsal of the entire tumbling pass, regardless of each

component’s difficulty, was done in active memory; One sub-skill to the next, to the next and so on. Only when something had changed, or went wrong, did he need to engage working memory.

Children love to play; play is a child’s primary occupation, one which supports the learning of specific life skills. In our program, young gymnasts play “dragonball” on the trampoline. As the gymnasts bounce, one or more large therapy balls are introduced. Gymnasts must avoid the ball while performing skills. Clear enough, but as gymnasts bounce, they depress the bed which creates a gravitational pull of the ball’s weight towards the lowered surface. In essence, the dragonball follows the bouncer. Gymnasts must attend to their movements as well as the therapy ball(s) while performing the skill(s). This develops multi-sensory awareness and processing; essential for advanced gymnastics. As gymnasts’ spatial awareness grows, they are able to increase their skill set,



changing the body’s shape and position, maintaining bounce and performing the skill(s) and avoiding the incoming moving ball. Novice gymnasts first learn to avoid the ball, more seasoned gymnasts are doing sequential, multi-progression skills while avoiding the balls. Novel tasks were mastered by the gymnast in working memory; being present until novelty turned to skill. As the gymnast develops, skill connected to skill is learned in working memory, yet the rehearsal is in active memory.

If children are intrigued by climbing, they will be drawn to a ladder, leading to other ladders. If children love trampoline bouncing, they will be drawn to springboards, mini-tramps,

tumble tracks and pits. Children are constructing their own sensory wish list, and the obstacle course is a tool to satiate children’s sensory-seeking by “doing.” Through a predictable process of engaging working memory, children problem-

solve the novelty of the ladder. By continuing

the process of scaling ladders via repetition, children demonstrate mastery and experience success. Success for all people is

part of the internal construct which creates our individual scaffold. From small successes, the

structure on which further skills are built is strengthened. The process, not the product, helps define self-worth and self-esteem.

For recreational gym coaches and recreational programs, the use of the obstacle course allows a motivated instructor a functional method to engage the child in developing working memory.

It should be known that human beings can shift from active to working quickly, yet each person has a limited tolerance to being in working memory. Some can sustain long periods of extremely focused attention while others have difficulty with even brief moments. Regardless of anyone’s capacity to tolerate duration is that we, human beings, cannot live

in prolonged working memory, it’s too intense, hence we live the vast majority of our lives in active memory. Working memory demands great energy resource, and our brain is constructed to store so much input and information which must last a lifetime.

The shape and make-up of a course should be rectangular, in order to include changes in direction. In order for the gymnast to develop sequential thinking, the course should include six to 10 connected steps, which allows for sequential motorplanning development as well. Each step of the course should be connected to the previous one and following apparatus (so the children never touch the ground) interspersed with random gym equipment (mats, shapes, ladders, bars, ropes, swings, trampolines, etc.) so the gymnast becomes familiar with the environment on a developmental scale. One or more unstable surfaces (trampoline, see-saws, bounce houses, etc.) should be introduced in order for the child to develop tolerance for random gravitational challenges.

The selection and placement of each obstacle in combination with the previous and following obstacle should challenge working memory as novel problems occur and must be solved. Though at times randomly selected, each component of the obstacle course demands attention to motor planning, sensory processing and organizational thinking by the instructor and the results from the child should address function via sequential motor planning, developing praxis, and the coordination of the brain’s visual-perceptual systems together with the developing motor cortex. Constant changes in the environment allow the brain to rehearse novel motor planning sequences while perceiving visual sensory input. In combination, both lead the child to the luxury of considering what choices are possible and assemble a response to the changing environment.

The obstacle course a three-year-old faces in the gym is as intense as a 13-year-olds optional routine. Obstacles exist on a continuum which enables us to face challenges and create, invent, and engage a plan of action. As the elite gymnast did, it’s only when something goes wrong that we engage working memory.

Developmental gymnastics, perhaps the most vivid sensory environment constructed on a progressive scale, has taken the

obstacle course from its elementary baseline; the Mommy and Me gymnastics, to the international

arena; the Olympics.

Gene Hurwin, MA, OTR/L is owner/director of BIG FUN Therapy and Recreational Services in Los Angeles, California. His company, BIG FUN, provides gymnastics and recreational services to children with diagnosis. Hurwin lectures nationally for several organizations as well as presentations for USAG. BIG FUN offers certification in teaching special needs gymnastics coaches how to teach gymnastics to children with special needs. Currently, BIG FUN Method is used in over 40 gyms and in 6 states. Mr. Hurwin can be heard twice a month as host of Autism Streets, on Autism One Radio.

...CONTINUED

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A number of activities and opportunities are scheduled around the Visa Championships and USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show. This will give you a quick overview of what’s

available and when. We hope you will take advantage of them!

MORNING FITNESS Start your day off right, Thursday, Aug. 18, through Saturday, Aug. 20, with a 60-minute workout that includes exercises

for strength and cardio conditioning and flexibility. The 6:30 a.m. sessions will be hosted by Olympian John Macready and Denise Brumsey, with local trainers to assist with the cool down.

LUNCH-TIME ACTIVITIES From Aug. 17-19 from 11 a.m-1 p.m., gymnastics demonstrations and Painting in the Park are scheduled during the lunch

hour at Rice Park.

PAINTING IN THE PARK Come and help create an original painting presented by Art of the Olympians that will become a part of the legacy of the 2011 Visa Championships. Interested individuals will have the opportunity to dip their hands and/or feet into paint and do handstands, cartwheels or other gymnastics skills across the canvas, developing a communal piece of art. Painting in the

Park will be available to the public from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on Aug. 17-19 and from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Aug. 20.

TASTE OF THE VISA CHAMPIONSHIPS, PRESENTED BY ST. VINCENT SPORTS PERFORMANCE The Taste of the Visa Championships features 14 Saint Paul-area restaurants that have created a special, healthy entrée that will be judged during Visa Championships week. The goal is to produce a tasty, but nutritionally sound dish that

will dazzle a panel of judges led by legendary gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi. The restaurants are American Burger Bar, Cork’s Irish Pub (Embassy Suites), Eagle Street Grille, Great Waters Brewing Company, Headwaters Café (RiverCentre),

Kincaid’s, Liffey Irish Pub, M St. Café (Saint Paul Hotel), Pazzaluna Urban Italian, Restaurant 11 (Crowne Plaza), Sakura, Senor Wong, St. Paul Grill (Saint Paul Hotel), and Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub. Karolyi will officially announce the contest winner during the Visa Fan Fest at Rice Park on Saturday, Aug. 20. The Taste of the Visa Championships is a joint effort between Visit Saint Paul, USA Gymnastics and St. Vincent Sports Performance to promote healthy eating in conjunction

with the 2011 Visa Championships.

USA GYMNASTICS FITNESS ZONE Kids can have fun and gain knowledge about the importance of fitness through the interactive USA Gymnastics Fitness Zone.

The zone features activity in building strength, flexibility and cardiovascular exercise, along with teaching a handstand in recognition of the Year of the Handstand (including a world record attempt for simultaneous handstands on National Gym-

nastics Day, Sept. 17, and as a possible fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network). The Fitness Zone will be featured on the concourse at Xcel Energy Center and at the Visa Fan Fest on Saturday, Aug. 20.

VISA FAN FEST Fans can gather for fun between the women’s gymnastics sessions on Aug. 20 and post-competition on Aug. 19-20. Follow-ing the competition on Friday and Saturday nights, the Visa Fan Fest will be a great place to mingle and enjoy interviews,

food, music, fun activities; and celebrate the great competition earlier in the evening. Rice Park will be the place to be after the chalk dust has settled in the arena. Also, on Aug. 20 at 3:30 p.m. at Rice Park, fans can enjoy music, autographs, food, Painting in the Park, the USA Gymnastics Fitness Zone and other fun activities, as well as buy merchandise, during the break

between the junior and senior women’s competition.

ACTIVITIES LINE-UP FOR THE 2011 VISA CHAMPIONSHIPS

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2011 NATIONAL CONGRESS & TRADE SHOWAugust 18 – 20, 2011 Saint Paul, MN

What tO ExpEctiN SaiNt pauL!

As the 47th Annual USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show approaches, USA Gymnastics would like to remind you of the great

educational opportunities this event has to offer. The event will take place Aug. 18-20, and is held in conjunction with the 2011 Visa Championships. National Congress provides a unique opportunity to attend more than 200 presentations, demonstrations, certifications and educational seminars on a variety of topics within the sport – all in one location. NATIONAL CONGRESS REGISTRATION SCHEDULE – SAINT PAUL RIVERCENTRE

• Wednesday, August 17 –12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.• Thursday, August 18 –7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.• Friday, August 19 – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.• Saturday, August 20 – 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

DAILY PRESENTER LIST Please refer to this issue of Technique for the daily congress schedule

Or visit www.usagymnasticsnationalcongress.org.

NATIONAL TRADE SHOW HALL The 2011 National Trade Show, proudly sponsored by the United States Gymnastics Suppliers Association, will feature more than 160 booths of products and information from more than 65 vendors in the gymnastics community. Special events such as the USGSA Mega-Raffle will take place in the Exhibit Hall. The National Trade Show Hall, is definitely a location no Congress attendee should miss!

TRADE SHOW HALL HOURS Wednesday, Aug. 17 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.Thursday, Aug. 18 7:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19 9:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

GET UP & GET FIT! Start your day off right and join us for Morning Fitness at Rice Park during your stay in Saint Paul. Improve your strength, cardio and flexibility skills. Morning Fitness will be held from 6:30 – 7:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. This workout will be hosted by Olympian John Macready. NATIONAL CONGRESS ATTENDEE PRE/POST EVENT HOSPITALITY Credentialed National Congress attendees will have complimentary access to the 317 on Rice Park Hospitality Center located outside of the Saint Paul River Centre. It will

be the place to gather and socialize. 317 on Rice Park will be open to credentialed Congress attendees on all three days of Congress.

USA GYMNASTICS HALL OF FAME USA Gymnastics is pleased to announce that we are partnering once again with the National Gymnastics Foundation, to induct the 2011 USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame Class. The 2011 Hall of Fame Class includes, 1972 Olympian Jim Culhane of Tomball, Texas (men’s gymnastics); six-time world tumbling champion Jill Hollembeak of Chicago; 1992 Olympian Tamara Levinson of Los Angeles (rhythmic gymnastics); 2000 Olympic team bronze-medalists Kristen Maloney of Dover, N.H., Elise Ray of Reisterstown, Md., 1988 Olympian Chelle Stack of Clermont, Fla. (women’s gymnastics); and coach Stacy Maloney of New Berlin, Wis., who coached 2004 Olympic all-around champion Paul Hamm and his twin brother Morgan, both of whom competed in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games.

Held as part of the National Congress and Trade Show, the 2011 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, August 19 from 11:00 a.m –1:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel. Individual tickets and table seating are still available for this very special event. For ticket information visit the National Congress registration booth.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. National Business Conference RiverCentre

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Opening Event/Gym Club Demos Rice Park

1:00 p.m. Jr. Men’s Competition – Day 1 Xcel Energy Ctr.

1:30 – 6:30 p.m. Safety/Risk Management Course RiverCentre

2:30 – 6:30 p.m. Preschool Fundamental Hands On Training RiverCentre

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Trade Show Hall Opening RiverCentre

6:30 p.m. Sr. Men’s Competition – Day 1 Xcel Energy Ctr.

12:30 – 7:00 p.m. National Congress Registration Hrs. RiverCentre

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18

6:30 – 7:30 a.m. Morning Fitness Rice Park

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. National Congress Registration Hrs. RiverCentre

7:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. Trade Show Hall Hours RiverCentre

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Congress Sessions (15 concurrent tracks) RiverCentre

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Gymnastics Club Demonstrations Rice Park

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. National Congress Lunch Break & Raffle RiverCentre

1:00 p.m. Jr. Women’s Competition – Day 1 Xcel Energy Ctr.

4:30 – 5:45 p.m. Trade Show Reception & Raffle Drawing RiverCentre

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Pre-Event Hospitality 317 at Rice Park

6:30 p.m. Sr. Women’s Competition – Day 1 Xcel Energy Ctr.

9:00 – 11:30 p.m. Post-Event Hospitality 317 at Rice Park

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

6:30 – 7:30 am Morning Fitness Rice Park



9:00 – 5:45 p.m. Trade Show Hall Hours RiverCentre

9:00 a.m. Rhythmic Jr. & Sr. AA Prelim & Event Finals Roy Wilkins 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. National Congress Lunch Break & Raffle RiverCentre

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Hall of Fame Ceremony & Luncheon Crowne Plaza


1:00 p.m. Jr. Men’s Competition – Final Day Xcel Energy Ctr.


CONGRESS AND VISA CHAMPIONSHIPS

2011 SCHEDULE

Bring this coupon to the Registration Booth located in the Saint Paul RiverCentre and receive $50 off your onsite registration fee. As a USA Gymnastics member, you’ll pay only $285!*

Registration opens Wednesday, August 17th at 12:30 p.m. at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.

Don’t miss out on the best educational investment you’ll make all year just because you missed the deadline

We hope to see you there!

Expiration date: 08/20/11

Did you forget to pre-register for the 2011 National Congress & Trade Show?

USA GYMNASTICS HAS A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU!

http://www.usagymnasticsnationalcongress.org


WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. National Business Conference RiverCentre

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Opening Event/Gym Club Demos Rice Park

1:00 p.m. Jr. Men’s Competition – Day 1 Xcel Energy Ctr.

1:30 – 6:30 p.m. Safety/Risk Management Course RiverCentre

2:30 – 6:30 p.m. Preschool Fundamental Hands On Training RiverCentre

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Trade Show Hall Opening RiverCentre

6:30 p.m. Sr. Men’s Competition – Day 1 Xcel Energy Ctr.

12:30 – 7:00 p.m. National Congress Registration Hrs. RiverCentre

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18






11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. National Congress Lunch Break & Raffle RiverCentre

1:00 p.m. Jr. Women’s Competition – Day 1 Xcel Energy Ctr.


5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Pre-Event Hospitality 317 at Rice Park

6:30 p.m. Sr. Women’s Competition – Day 1 Xcel Energy Ctr.

9:00 – 11:30 p.m. Post-Event Hospitality 317 at Rice Park

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

6:30 – 7:30 am Morning Fitness Rice Park



9:00 – 5:45 p.m. Trade Show Hall Hours RiverCentre

9:00 a.m. Rhythmic Jr. & Sr. AA Prelim & Event Finals Roy Wilkins 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. National Congress Lunch Break & Raffle RiverCentre

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Hall of Fame Ceremony & Luncheon Crowne Plaza


1:00 p.m. Jr. Men’s Competition – Final Day Xcel Energy Ctr.


5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Pre–Event Hospitality 317 at Rice Park

6:30 p.m. Sr. Men’s Competition – Final Day Xcel Energy Ctr.

9:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Post-Event Hospitality 317 at Rice Park

10:00 p.m. Visa Fan Fest Post-Event Celebration Rice Park (music, athlete interviews)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20


8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. National Congress Registration Hours RiverCentre



9:00 a.m. Rhythmic Jr. & Sr. All-Around Finals Roy Wilkins

1:00 p.m. Jr. Women’s Competition – Final Day Xcel Energy Ctr.

3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Visa Fan Fest (music, autographs, food) Rice Park

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Pre–Event Hospitality 317 at Rice Park

6:30 p.m. Sr. Women’s Competition – Final Day Xcel Energy Ctr.

9:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Post-Event Hospitality 317 at Rice Park

10:00 p.m. Visa Fan Fest Post-Event Celebration Rice Park (music, athlete interviews)

*All times and activities are subject to change.

All times are Central. Doors open 60 minutes early for each session at Visa Championships.

CONGRESS AND VISA CHAMPIONSHIPS

2011 SCHEDULE


THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 20118:

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SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Trampoline and Tumbling: Your Key to Growth and Retention Susan Jacobson TT Meeting Room 4Basic Floor Exercise for Boys Hideo Mizoguchi M Meeting Room 5Still Rings: Strength Development and Stabilizing the JD Reive M Meeting Room 6Handstand Partner NOT Problems Michael Taylor B Meeting Room 7Welcome to the Land of Lost Skills: Where Did They Go and Windee Weiss SS Meeting Room 8How to Get Them Back USA Gymnastics Fitness Program + CMN Denise Brumsey SS Meeting Room 10How to Start a Special Olympics Program Cindy Bickman SO Meeting Room 12Beam Dance Neela Nelson & Myra Elfenbein WT Ballroom AJO Update Tom Koll & Connie Maloney WJO Ballroom BTOPS Skills and Curriculum for Floor Tammy Biggs WA Ballroom CRunning a Small Gym: Forms, Systems and Marketing Tom Forster B Ballroom DNew! Rhythmic National Team Physical Preparation… Elizabeth Darling HOS Ballroom E/FUnderstanding the Preschool Child Beth Gardner PRE Ballroom GBasic Bars for Recreation Tony Retrosi SA Ballroom H

SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM JO Tumbling Progressions, Skills & Routines Sergio Galvez TT Meeting Room 4Basic Pommel Horse for Boys Hideo Mizoguchi M Meeting Room 5Horizontal Bars: Where's the Top of the Bar, Giants, Nori Iwai M Meeting Room 6Turns and Hops Eliminating Privacy, Involving Parents, Educating Students, Scott Himsel RM Meeting Room 7and Other Steps To Guard Against Sexual Misconduct How to Start a Team Gym Program Martha Lally GFA Meeting Room 810 Key Factors for Championship Floor Exercise Dr. Gerald George SS Meeting Room 10NCAA Collegiate Judging Updates for 2011–2012 Kathy Feldmann WT Ballroom A2013-2020 Women's Compulsories Preview Tom Koll WJO Ballroom BLow Beam: Developmental Skills and Curriculum Tammy Biggs WA Ballroom CGuerrilla Marketing for Gymnastics Schools David Holcomb B Ballroom DPreschool Safety and Spotting Beth Gardner & Cheryl Cupples HOS Ballroom E/FParent Child Classes: Start Confidently Linda Thorberg PRE Ballroom GRecreational Gymnastics Philosophy and Progressions Jeff Lulla SA Ballroom H SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM 100 Combinations Before going Upside Down George Hery TT Meeting Room 4Basic Still Rings for Boys Mike Serra M Meeting Room 5Pommel Horse – How to Hit a Pommel Horse Routine, Michael Ashe M Meeting Room 6 Increasing Routine Stamina and Confidence Dealing With the Media in Crisis Communication Scott Himsel RM Meeting Room 7Increase Artistry & Improve Flexibility From Rhythmic for ALL Lana Lashoff & Elizabeth Darling RHY Meeting Room 8Twisting Mechanics: Influences in Picking a Direction Peter Pidcoe SS Meeting Room 10How To See The Angle Repulsion for Vault Laurie Reid & Linda Thorberg WT Ballroom ASkill Choices for JO Gymnasts – How to Use the Rules to Byron Hough WJO Ballroom BCompete Successfully Bars: Developmental Skills and Curriculum Tom Forster WA Ballroom CGymnastics Business Basics David Holcomb B Ballroom DSchool Age Spotting: Beginner to Level 4 Cheryl Cupples & Spotting Staff HOS Ballroom E/FBest Parent and Tot Teaching Techniques Sandi McGee PRE Ballroom GVaulting, Tumbl Trak and Trampoline Brant Lutska SA Ballroom H SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Trampoline Progressions: Jump High, Have Fun, Stay Safe! Judy Cline TT Meeting Room 4Vault: Arm Swing Technique, Making It Work Tom Meadows M Meeting Room 5Still Rings: Honma and Yamawaki Juha Tanskanen M Meeting Room 6Background Check for ALL! Trish McGonnell RM Meeting Room 7How to Add Cheer to Your Gym Program Jim Lord & Chris Calvert B Meeting Room 8

WT=Women Technical WJO=Women Jr. Olympic WA=Women Advanced M=Men TT=Trampoline & Tumbling RHY=Rhythmic Acro=Acrobatics GFA=Gymnastics for All B=Business RM=Risk Management SS-Sport Science SO=Special Olympics PRE=Preschool SA=School Age HOS=Hands On Spotting

NATIONAL CONGRESS & TRADE SHOW SCHEDULE

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SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Trampoline and Tumbling: Your Key to Growth and Retention Susan Jacobson TT Meeting Room 4Basic Floor Exercise for Boys Hideo Mizoguchi M Meeting Room 5Still Rings: Strength Development and Stabilizing the JD Reive M Meeting Room 6Handstand Partner NOT Problems Michael Taylor B Meeting Room 7Welcome to the Land of Lost Skills: Where Did They Go and Windee Weiss SS Meeting Room 8How to Get Them Back USA Gymnastics Fitness Program + CMN Denise Brumsey SS Meeting Room 10How to Start a Special Olympics Program Cindy Bickman SO Meeting Room 12Beam Dance Neela Nelson & Myra Elfenbein WT Ballroom AJO Update Tom Koll & Connie Maloney WJO Ballroom BTOPS Skills and Curriculum for Floor Tammy Biggs WA Ballroom CRunning a Small Gym: Forms, Systems and Marketing Tom Forster B Ballroom DNew! Rhythmic National Team Physical Preparation… Elizabeth Darling HOS Ballroom E/FUnderstanding the Preschool Child Beth Gardner PRE Ballroom GBasic Bars for Recreation Tony Retrosi SA Ballroom H

SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM JO Tumbling Progressions, Skills & Routines Sergio Galvez TT Meeting Room 4Basic Pommel Horse for Boys Hideo Mizoguchi M Meeting Room 5Horizontal Bars: Where's the Top of the Bar, Giants, Nori Iwai M Meeting Room 6Turns and Hops Eliminating Privacy, Involving Parents, Educating Students, Scott Himsel RM Meeting Room 7and Other Steps To Guard Against Sexual Misconduct How to Start a Team Gym Program Martha Lally GFA Meeting Room 810 Key Factors for Championship Floor Exercise Dr. Gerald George SS Meeting Room 10NCAA Collegiate Judging Updates for 2011–2012 Kathy Feldmann WT Ballroom A2013-2020 Women's Compulsories Preview Tom Koll WJO Ballroom BLow Beam: Developmental Skills and Curriculum Tammy Biggs WA Ballroom CGuerrilla Marketing for Gymnastics Schools David Holcomb B Ballroom DPreschool Safety and Spotting Beth Gardner & Cheryl Cupples HOS Ballroom E/FParent Child Classes: Start Confidently Linda Thorberg PRE Ballroom GRecreational Gymnastics Philosophy and Progressions Jeff Lulla SA Ballroom H SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM 100 Combinations Before going Upside Down George Hery TT Meeting Room 4Basic Still Rings for Boys Mike Serra M Meeting Room 5Pommel Horse – How to Hit a Pommel Horse Routine, Michael Ashe M Meeting Room 6 Increasing Routine Stamina and Confidence Dealing With the Media in Crisis Communication Scott Himsel RM Meeting Room 7Increase Artistry & Improve Flexibility From Rhythmic for ALL Lana Lashoff & Elizabeth Darling RHY Meeting Room 8Twisting Mechanics: Influences in Picking a Direction Peter Pidcoe SS Meeting Room 10How To See The Angle Repulsion for Vault Laurie Reid & Linda Thorberg WT Ballroom ASkill Choices for JO Gymnasts – How to Use the Rules to Byron Hough WJO Ballroom BCompete Successfully Bars: Developmental Skills and Curriculum Tom Forster WA Ballroom CGymnastics Business Basics David Holcomb B Ballroom DSchool Age Spotting: Beginner to Level 4 Cheryl Cupples & Spotting Staff HOS Ballroom E/FBest Parent and Tot Teaching Techniques Sandi McGee PRE Ballroom GVaulting, Tumbl Trak and Trampoline Brant Lutska SA Ballroom H SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Trampoline Progressions: Jump High, Have Fun, Stay Safe! Judy Cline TT Meeting Room 4Vault: Arm Swing Technique, Making It Work Tom Meadows M Meeting Room 5Still Rings: Honma and Yamawaki Juha Tanskanen M Meeting Room 6Background Check for ALL! Trish McGonnell RM Meeting Room 7How to Add Cheer to Your Gym Program Jim Lord & Chris Calvert B Meeting Room 8

SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Ankle Injury Prevention in the Gym: Coach and Therapist, Brandi Smith Young & Tony Retrosi SS Meeting Room 10a Team Approach Floor Acro Char Christensen & Bryon Hough WT Ballroom ALevel 7/8 Bars Brad Harris WJO Ballroom BLeg Conditioning Mihai Brestyan WA Ballroom CManaging Staff Through Systems Steve Greeley B Ballroom DHands on Spotting Tumbling Joy Umenhofer TT Ballroom E/FPreschool Bars… "Pullover Beethoven" Lynn Moskovitz PRE Ballroom GThe Dirty Dozen: Mistakes Teachers' Make Patti Komara SA Ballroom H SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM 100 Combinations Before You Are Ready to Flip George Hery TT Meeting Room 4Starting a Boys Program: Just Do It! Dusty Ritter M Meeting Room 5Vault-Yamashita: How, Why and Where it Leads Tom Meadows M Meeting Room 6Free! Free… Assistance with Hosting an Event! Donald G. Schumacher B Meeting Room 7Helping Athletes Return from Injury: Keeping Their Windee Weiss SS Meeting Room 8Head in the Game Building and Leading Teams in the New Millennium Mike Lorenzen SS Meeting Room 10Evaluating Level 6 Bars Laurie Reid & John Carney WT Ballroom ALevel 5/6 Compulsory Beam and Floor: Are you still Cheryl Jarrett & Tom Koll WJO Ballroom Bdoing it right? TOPS Skills & Curriculum on Tumbling Enrique Trabiano WA Ballroom CMaximize Profits: Creating and Working with Budgets Sean Dever B Ballroom DSpotting Technique for Trampoline: Double Mini and Joy Umenhofer TT Ballroom E/FTrampoline Bounce…Vault and Trampoline for Preschool Annette Thomas PRE Ballroom GMake Warm Ups Fun! Quin Shannon & Mik Nelke SA Ballroom H

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM The X Factor of Twisting, Flip Flop and Front Fly Spring Judy Cline TT Meeting Room 4Parallel Bars-Upper Arm Skills: Basic to Advanced Justin Spring M Meeting Room 5Worker's Compensation Risk Management Michael Swain RM Meeting Room 7Gymnastics for All Programming Cheryl Cupples GFA Meeting Room 8Motor Learning: The Theory of Muscle Memory Peter Pidcoe SS Meeting Room 10Beam: Acro & Mixed Connections Tammy Biggs WT Ballroom ABeginner Vault John Geddert WJO Ballroom BAdvanced Combination Tumbling Valeri Liukin WA Ballroom CHow to Raise Team Tuition: Parental "Buy-in" Jeff Metzger B Ballroom DSpotting Horizontal Bar: Giants and Pirouettes Vitaly Marinitch HOS Ballroom E/F50 Great Rules for Teaching Preschool Gymnastics Linda Thorberg PRE Ballroom GUnderstanding Basic Techniques for Beginning Coaches Dr. Gerald George SA Ballroom H

SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Using Trampoline Progressions for Backward and Joy Umenhofer TT Meeting Room 4 Forward Twisting Technical Sequence Development for 2013-2016 Kevin Mazeika M Meeting Room 5Basic Vault for Boys Juha Tanskanen M Meeting Room 6Insurance Issues – What Question do You Have? Pat O'Conner RM Meeting Room 7Straight Line Handstands and the Tap Rule of 180 Degrees Jeff LaFleur W Meeting Room 8Shocks, Stops, Balks and Blocks: 10 Crazy Solutions for Fear Dr. Allison Arnold SS Meeting Room 10Beam: Mounts, Dismounts and Acro Skills Linda Mulvihill & Carole Bunge WT Ballroom AVault/Bar Side Stations: Drills to Compliment Optional Chris Burdette WJO Ballroom BLevel Workouts Phases of Conditioning John Geddert WA Ballroom CLeadership for Program Managers Steve Greeley B Ballroom DIntermediate Gymnastics Skills: Level 5/6 Cheryl Cupples & Hands-on Spotting Staff HOS Ballroom E/FThe Preschool Handstand Sandi McGee PRE Ballroom GTeaching Progessions: Critical for Safety and Success Jeff Lulla SA Ballroom H


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SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Trampoline Progressions for Multiple Twisting Flips Joy Umenhofer TT Meeting Room 4Sports Physiotherapy for Gymnastics Tyler Yamauchi M Meeting Room 6The Ups and Downs of Alternative Recreation Steve Cook B Meeting Room 7Promoting Athletes for Collegiate Gymnastics Kurt Hettinger ALL Meeting Room 8Strengthening your Core Larry Nassar SS Meeting Room 10Level 7 & 8 Bars - What's the Start Value? Linda Thorberg WT Ballroom ADeveloping a Large Team Program for the Long Term Mike Hunger WJO Ballroom BTOPS Skills and Curriculum for Vaulting Neil Resnick WA Ballroom CHow to Hire the RIGHT Employees Jeff Metzger B Ballroom DKips, Kips, Kips Jason Jarrett & Tom Forster HOS Ballroom E/FSkill Deconstruction Beth Gardner PRE Ballroom GPositive Teaching (Part 1) Steve Greeley SA Ballroom H SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Ready to Fly? Time for a Trampoline and Tumbling Team Shaun Kempton TT Meeting Room 4Floor Exercise – Whip Back, Layout Front, Pike Open Back Joy Umenhofer M Meeting Room 5Functional Assessment and Corrective Exercise: Reducing Rob Schwartz M Meeting Room 6the Risk of Injury and Increasing Longevity Organization + Great Teacher = Success Jeff LaFleur B Meeting Room 7Acrobatic Gymnastics = Athlete Retention Selena Peco & Ronda Francis ACRO Meeting Room 8Facebooking Flippers & Twittering Twisters. The Potential & Dr. Allison Arnold SS Meeting Room10 Pitfalls of Social Networking in the Gym Level 7/8 Beam & Floor – Improving Artistry Kristie Phillips-Bannister WT Ballroom ALevel 4-6 Bars (Part 1) Brad Harris WJO Ballroom BTOPS and Developmental Program Overview Gary Warren WA Ballroom CBusiness Ethics and the Double Coat of Arms Lynn Ledford B Ballroom DSpecial Olympics Artistic Gymnastics plus Certification Cindy Bickman HOS Ballroom E/F(Open Session) Everything I Learned About Teaching, I Learned in Annette Thomas PRE Ballroom GKindergarten Drills and Stations for Any Age Doug James SA Ballroom H

SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Progression Trampoline Training Skills and Circuits George Hery TT Meeting Room 4The Balanced Gymnast – Sports Psychology Robert Andrews SS Meeting Room 5Structural Strength Development for Gymnasts: Specifically Rob Schwartz M Meeting Room 6ages 15 and under College Recruiting 101 Kurt Hettinger ALL Meeting Room 7Introduction to Team Gym Steve Whitlock GFA Meeting Room 8How to Create Confident Competitors David Benzel SS Meeting Room 10Bar Mounts and Dismounts Connie Maloney & Neil Resnick WT Ballroom ALevel 4-6 Bars (Part 2) Brad Harris WJO Ballroom BTwisting Yurchenkos Steve Rybacki WA Ballroom CCatching and Keeping Customers Sean Dever B Ballroom DAdvance Skills: Level 7/8 Cheryl Cupples & Hands-on Spotting Staff HOS Ballroom E/FHundreds of Stations for Preschool Drills Patti Komara PRE Ballroom GActive Participation Games Brant Lutska SA Ballroom H

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2011 SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Arabians and Twisting Salto's Judy Cline & Tammy Biggs TT Meeting Room 4Motivating Boys - Practical Application Dusty Ritter M Meeting Room 5Women J.O. Compulsory Tumbling Larry Goldsmith WJO Meeting Room 6Themes, Tactics, Tips for Successful Camps Patti Komara with Brian Foster B Meeting Room 7How To Maximize Revenue With Apparel Sales Michelle Weaver B Meeting Room 8Credible Coaches Create Fearless Competitors David Benzel SS Meeting Room 10Bars: Casts, Circles and Pirouettes Connie Maloney & Tom Forster WT Ballroom A



http://www.usagym.org/visa


SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2011 ...CONTINUED

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SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Games for Warm Up on Bars John Carney & Laurie Reid WJO Ballroom BBig Bar Releases Neil Resnick WA Ballroom CThe Why's Have It Lynn Ledford B Ballroom DSpotting Parallel Bars – Support Skills Jeff Robinson HOS Ballroom E/FPreschool Warm Ups and Stretch Beth Gardner PRE Ballroom GRecreational Beam Tom Koll SA Ballroom H

SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM The Trampoline and Tumbling Talent Development Pipeline Shaun Kempton TT Meeting Room 4Basic Horizontal Bar for Boys Mike Serra M Meeting Room 5Reducing Injuries with Jump Landing Training Wendy Ebeling, PT & SS Meeting Room 6 Dr. Heather Cichanowski, MD Saint Paul Medical CenterThis Old Gym Michael Rizutto RM Meeting Room 7Backhand Spring Clinic Michael Taylor SA Meeting Room 8Hey That's Cool! New cutting edge gadgets that help Dr. Allison Arnold SS Meeting Room 10your athletes get into the ZONE! NAWGJ Open Forum Evelyn Chandler WT Ballroom AFloor Level 1–3 Great Drills for Great Skills Tom Koll WJO Ballroom BBeam and Floor: Training Advanced Leaps Tammy Biggs WA Ballroom CHow to Get the Most Out of Full Timers Tom Forster B Ballroom DSpotting Advanced Skills on Parallel Bars: Peach Basket, Jeff Robinson HOS Ballroom E/FMorise and Belle New Ideas for Bars and Beam for Preschool Linda Thorberg & Brant Lutska PRE Ballroom GTeaching Boys – "Need I say More!" Beth Gardner SA Ballroom H SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Tumbling through Big Skills Sergio Galvez TT Meeting Room 4Horizontal Bar– In Bar Skills: Endo, Stalder and Jam Brett McClure M Meeting Room 5Pommel Horse: Circle Development – Side Support, Cross Xioping Li M Meeting Room 6Support, Single Pommel and Flair 5 Sure Ways to Get Sued! Michael Swain RM Meeting Room 7Special People in Our Gyms: Opening the Doors to Beth Gardner ALL Meeting Room 8Special Needs Wrist Injury and Prevention in the Gym: Coach and Brandi Smith Young & Tony Retrosi SS Meeting Room 10Therapist, a Team Approach Judging Level 1,2 & 3 Marian Dykes & Char Christensen WT Ballroom ATeam Retention – How to Handle the Teen Years Bryon Hough & Mike Herd WJO Ballroom BBars: Invert Skills and Development Tom Forster WA Ballroom CGrowth Strategies for Any Business Patti Komara B Ballroom DCheer Stunt Technique Jim Lord HOS Ballroom E/FPreschool Theme Week April Sawyer PRE Ballroom GPositive Teaching (Part 2) Steve Greeley SA Ballroom H

SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM Gymnastics Physics: 10 Simple Rules to Learn George Hery TT Meeting Room 4Pursuit of Perfection – What and Why Kevin Mazeika M Meeting Room 5Basic Parallel Bars for Boys Jeff Robinson M Meeting Room 6Staff Development vs. Staff Training Michael Taylor B Meeting Room 7End of the Year Show Choreography…Now your doing GFA Cindy Bickman GFA Meeting Room 810 Key Factors for Championship Vaulting Dr. Gerald George SS Meeting Room 10Q&A USA Gymnastics Member Services Erica Koven ALL Meeting Room 11Bar Releases Marian Dykes & Tom Forster WT Ballroom AThe Progressive Motivation Cycle Mark Folger WJO Ballroom BAdvanced Tumbling Enrique Trabiano WA Ballroom CThings I Used to Know, That Just Weren't So… Jeff Metzger B Ballroom DLet's Get Spotting! Level 4/5 Pair/Group Selena Peco & Ronda Francis HOS Ballroom E/F101 things To Do On…. Annette Thomas PRE Ballroom GBasic Floor for Recreational... including the Backhandspring Tony Retrosi SA Ballroom H


SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2011 ...CONTINUED

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SESSION PRESENTER TRACK ROOM The Take Off Position: The Key to Altitude and Amplitude Joy Umenhofer TT Meeting Room 4Interactive Judging: Why is that a 0.3 Deduction? Doug Hills M Meeting Room 5Parallel Bars: Support Swing, Bail for Long Hang Swing and Gene Watson M Meeting Room 6Basket Swing Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points 2013: A Preview! Caroline Hunt R Meeting Room 8Shoulder Injury and Rehabilitation Peter Pidcoe SS Meeting Room 10Explaining USA Gymnastics University Lynn Moskovitz ALL Meeting Room 11Floor Dance Neela Nelson & Myra Elfenbein WT Ballroom AMeet Preparation Bryon Hough WJO Ballroom BElite Conditioning Neil Resnick WA Ballroom CFacility Design and Efficiency: Think Inside the Box Jeff LaFleur B Ballroom DLet's Get Spotting! Level 6/7 Pair/Group Selena Peco & Ronda Francis HOS Ballroom E/FToys, Toys, Toys Doug James PRE Ballroom GFun Vault Drills for Class Quin Shannon SA Ballroom H

http://www.a-1awards.com


Nine gymnastics clubs from across the United States participated in this year’s event including Biron Gymnastics from Houston, Texas; Carolina Gymnastics Academy from Wilmington, N.C.; Chattooga Gymnastics and Dance in Marietta, Ga.; Columbia Gymnastics in Columbia, Md.; DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics in Fishers, Ind.; La Jolla Y in La Jolla, Calif.; Skyview Gymnastics in Mt. Airy, Md.; West Bend Gymnastics in West Bend, Wis.; and Westport-Weston Family Y in Westport, Conn. USA Gymnastics was honored to have the Biron Gymnastics Show Team represented at the FIG Gala.

2011 WORLD GYMNAESTRADA

continued on pg. 44

More than 300 individuals represented the USA at the 2011 World Gymnaestrada, July 10 –16, in Lausanne, Switzerland.

An estimated 20,000 participants of all ages from around the world and representing 55 national federations performed as part of the World Gymnaestrada, which is held every four years.

http://www.aegroup.com


2011 WORLD GYMNAESTRADA

http://www.ceetex.co.uk

http://www.gymcert.com

& HANDSTAND WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

Right now, you only need to decide to participate and spread the word. Send an email to [email protected], and we will send you more detailed information, including the template for the timeline and activities. Please join together and help USA Gymnastics celebrate the Year of the Handstand and National Gymnastics Day by breaking the world record!

Who: Gymnasts, families, friends and enthusiasts from gymnastics clubs across the country.

Why: To celebrate National Gymnastics Day and build awareness of gymnastics by attempting to break a world record. The handstand initiative is also a fun way to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network, which benefits children battling illnesses in each club’s local community.

What: As part of your National Gymnastics Day celebration at your gym, organize all interested students, families and friends to perform a handstand at the designated time to break the record for the most simultaneous handstands. It also provides a fun way to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

Where: Gym clubs may host their activities at the gym, a local park, the local Children’s Miracle Network hospital, or as part of a community event. This is a great chance to be creative and involved in your community.

When: Saturday, September 17, at 1 p.m. ET. It is important that all handstand participants have “feet up” at the same time across the country. Activities can be planned leading up to and after the attempt,

but the actual handstands must be done on the dot.

How: Spread the news to your club’s students and families, share the information with the local media, schools and children’s groups. Don’t worry about how to organize it. Member Club Services will have sample action plans that may be used as a template. It really can be as simple as having your students show up 30 minutes before the event; practice the simultaneous inversion of the handstand a few times; and right before the attempt, have cameras ready, start the countdown and have them perform the handstands for the world record attempt. You will need to count how many gymnasts successfully do a handstand so we can let everyone know if we broke the record. We need your club to email the number of successful handstands, the name of your club and your city and state by 2:00 p.m. ET on September 17 to [email protected]. Also be sure to submit any photos and video clips!

Success: We will announce if we broke the world record on our website at usagym.org and we’ll send participating clubs an email with the news!

2011 is the Year of the Handstand, and USA Gymnastics hopes gymnastics clubs across the country will join forces to break the world record for most handstands done at one time! This is a fun and easy way to build interest in gymnastics in your community, generate excitement with your gymnasts, and be a part of breaking a record! Here’s a quick snapshot of this year’s plan.


Name State Name State Name State

IMPORTANT NOTICEThe following Membership Statement has been adopted by the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors:

•Membership in USA Gymnastics is a privilege granted by USA Gymnastics. That privilege can be withdrawn by USA Gymnastics at any time where a member’s conduct is determined to be inconsistent with the best interest of the sport of gymnastics and of the athletes we are servicing.

The following former professional members are permanently ineligible for membership within USA Gymnastics:

Julian Amaro CA Charles Theodore Bates MN James Bell WA Phillip Bishop MI Patrick Bogan MD Douglas Boger CA Joseph Bowers OH Shawn Bowlden IL Vince Brown SC Edward Trey Coniff TX James Craig III CO Thad Cypher MI Steven Elliott TX Anthony Engelke PA Matthew H. Erichsen WA Rick Feuerstein CA William Foster AL Joseph Fountain MD Roy Larry Gallagher PA Robert Allen (Bob) Garner TN Sean Gilham CA Timothy Glas NE Ricardo “Chico” Goddard NY Marcelo Guimaraes TX Vernor Gumila ILPaul Hagan MI

Robert Dean Head KYTed Hicks TN Michael Hinton TN Nicholas Hitchcock MI Robert Hoefer FL Frank Hohman, Jr. PA Milos Hroch CA Steven L. Infante (197212, 197213, 197214) CT Dana Koppendrayer FL Ronnie Lewis AR William McCabe GA Robert Mollock OR John S. Moore WV Gregory Muller IDWilliam Munsinger MN Jeena Nilson UT Paul O’Neill CA Patrick Okopinski WI Marian Penev NY William M. Permenter FL Timothy Picquelle CA David Pyles AZ Jeffrey Richards FL Rudy Rodriguez CA John H. Row DE Gabriel Salazar TX

Mark Schiefelbein TN Robert Shawler CA Steve Shirley MO Steven Todd Siegel CO Blake Steven Starr UT Paul Summers OK Mark Swift FL Freddie Eugene Tafoya, Jr. CAJay Thomas LAJon Oliver Kenneth Thomas VABrent Trottier WAJon Valdez IL Anthony Van Kirk CA Joel Velasquez OR David Paul Waage OR Chris Wagoner TXJeremy Waldridge ORRussell Wallace CT Brooklyn Walters IN Steve Waples TX Donald Watts KY Mike West WA Jonathan White CA Lyf Christian Wildenberg MN Bill Witthar MO Joel Woodruff TX

WHAT’S NEWNEWNEW

& HANDSTAND WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

http://jackrabbitclass.com


SAFETY/RISK MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION COURSE

Safety/Risk Management Certification is required for all Professional, Junior Professional, Introductory Coach, and Junior Introductory Coach Members. *Course dates and times are subject to change and/or cancellation.

aValuable risk management information for everyone in the gym, from administrators & owners to coaches & athletes,

aCertification is valid for four years a2009 Handbook available through the online

technical materials store

Course Description: The primary goal of this course is to increase safety and risk management awareness. The course has been designed for a variety of audiences – gymnastics coaches, teachers, instructors, club owners, meet directors, judges, athletes and others. The course addresses the two basic areas of risk in gymnastics – risk of injury, which is the primary risk, and risk of a lawsuit. Education, preparation, and vigilance are the primary tools gymnastics professionals need to deal with risk and uncertainty in the sport of gymnastics.

SAFETY CERTIFICATION • August 4 (Boston, MA)• August 17 (St. Paul, MN)• August 25 (Santa Clara, CA)• September 2 (Austin, TX)• September 8 (Seattle, WA)• September 22 (Indianapolis, IN)• October 7 (Kent, OH)

UPCOMING LIVE COURSESPRESCHOOL FUNDAMENTALSHands-on Training (Part 2) • August 7 (Boston, MA)• August 17 (St. Paul, MN)• August 28 (Santa Clara, CA)• September 2 (Austin, TX)• September 25 (Indianapolis, IN)

Preschool Fundamentals Hands On Training (Part 2): Certification:Course Description: This is a live, hands-on training course designed for preschool instructors and teachers. Course topics include fundamental movement for children, class safety overview, games, activities to avoid, manipulatives, lesson planning, inclusion of music, thematic teaching, parent/child teaching, and the use of apparatus. This is a great hands on follow-up to the theory course, with course instructors demonstrating practical examples of many of the concepts taught in Part 1. Completion of Part 1 is recommended, but not required, prior to registering for Part 2. The course is scheduled for four hours and will provide a great deal of hands-on instruction for participants. Participants will be challenged with activities during the course. The cost for the live course is $70 for professional, junior professional, instructor or athlete members; $120 for introductory coach, junior intro coach, and non-members.

LIVE COURSE SCHEDULESLive course schedules are updated weekly on our website www.usagymnasyticsuniversity.org Please see the website for the most current schedule.

To register for a course, visit the USA Gymnastics website at www.usagymnasticsuniversity.org. | Register online or download the registration form. **Save $5 by registering online!**



http://www.gymsupply.com

http://www.gymsupply.com


PRESCHOOL FUNDAMENTALSHands-on Training (Part 2) • August 7 (Boston, MA)• August 17 (St. Paul, MN)• August 28 (Santa Clara, CA)• September 2 (Austin, TX)• September 25 (Indianapolis, IN)

The students and parents of kids enrolled at Fun & Fit Gymnastics Centers in Burbank, Simi Valley and Santa Clarita rolled up their sleeves (and opened their wallets) to raise money for the American Red Cross efforts to assist the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan recently.

Students as young as 12 months performed rolls down soft incline mats while older kids and teens, performing cartwheels and other tumbling skills, asked sponsors to

donate for each skill performed.

“I wanted to provide the kids an opportunity to help others in need”, says Jeff Lulla, President of Fun & Fit Gymnastics. “In

the past we have supported the Children’s Miracle Network, and following hurricane Katrina, we raised thousands for the Red Cross

to support flood victims in New Orleans. It feels wonderful to know that we can help make a difference.”

CHILDREN RAISE MORE THAN $4000CHILDREN RAISE MORE THAN $4000TUMBLING AND

CARTWHEELING FOR THE AMERICAN

RED CROSS TO HELP JAPAN EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI VICTIMS

Aidan Sandova helped Jeff Lulla raise money for the Red Cross.

http://www.funandfit.com/program

Balance Institute of Gymnastics (BIG) in Burr Ridge, Ill., shut its doors over the June 24–26 weekend and turned into a mobile food-packing unit to host their Second Annual

BIG Haiti Project. With approximately 2,000 volunteers, BIG, in conjunction with the Clarendon Hills Men’s Parish and Feed My Starving Children, packed 404,352 meals which will feed 1,108 children for an entire year.

All of the meals packed at this event will be sent to Haiti to help the kids who are still struggling after the devastating earthquake that hit in January of 2010. These meals are “hope” packaged in a box for many children and families who have no where else to turn.

The volunteers who came and participated in this event, worked in two-hour shifts and each shift provided enough meals to feed about 120 kids for a year. At the beginning of each shift, volunteers sat through an orientation led by the Feed My Starving Children staff. This orientation informed the volun-

A BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR BIG HAITI PROJECT


By Lauren Reiken

teers of where their donations go and how the food is distributed around the world.

When packing, everyone was separated into groups where each person had a specific duty to perform. The goal of each group was to pack about 30 meals in the given time. Some people had the task of scooping chicken flavoring, vegetables, soy and rice into pre-labeled bags, while others had the job of weighing each bag, sealing them, and packing boxes.

Bob Elliott, Steve Dockery, and Chris Hughes did an outstand-ing job putting this fundraiser together; they exceeded their goal of raising $77,000. They also were great motivators during the entire event. Every person who came out and volunteered his/her time, saved a child’s life and that is an accomplishment that is well worth some praise. Balance Institute of Gymnastics is proud to say that they were a part of this event and is excited for next year’s event.

will be donated to relief efforts in Japan, which is still recovering from a huge earthquake and tsunami in March.

Stacey Campbell, a founding board member of Handstand Together, was ecstatic that the organization was able to sell more

than 300 tickets.

KIDS RAISE FUNDS FOR JAPANKIDS RAISE FUNDS FOR JAPANGymnastics clubs from around South Texas participated in

a Handstand Together event to raise money to assist the American Red Cross in the relief efforts in Japan. More

than 150 boys and girls participated in the handstand event that took place in Nelson Wolff Stadium prior to a San Antonio Mis-sion’s baseball game. The event earned $2051 and





By Lauren Reiken

KIDS RAISE FUNDS FOR JAPANKIDS RAISE FUNDS FOR JAPAN

MEMBER SERVICES UPDATEMEMBER SERVICES UPDATEMEMBER SERVICES UPDATE

One of the most common questions that is asked by our members is how do I upgrade and/or transfer athletes.

NEW TO YOUR CLUB TRANSFERS When the new season opens clubs often receive a flood of new athletes that have competed with other gyms. It is important to transfer these athletes to your club and not to create a new record.

When a new student joins your facility, you have two options in order to transfer them to your club roster.

• Option 1: Email the Member Services Department at [email protected] and provide the athlete name and member number (if it is known), and the club number they will need to be transferred into. USA Gymnastics will fulfill this request within 24 business hours.

• Option 2: An athlete can personally change his/her club affiliations by following these steps:

o Step 1: Go to www.usagym.org and click on the Login link located in the top right corner.

o Step 2: Click on the Click Here to Register Link

o Step 3: In the first section of the form it will ask the athlete to enter in his/her member number and personal information.

HOW DO I UPGRADE..?? HOW DO I TRANSFER..?? ATHLETES

continued...

http://www.3rdlevelconsulting.com

MEMBER SERVICES UPDATEMEMBER SERVICES UPDATEMEMBER SERVICES UPDATE


o Step 4: Once the user information has been created he/she will then click on Member Services

o Step 6: He/she will click the white My Membership link located on the left hand side. My Membership will allow an athlete to access his/her personal membership information, change club affiliation and print membership card.

o This transfer will be instant and the athlete will appear on the clubs athlete/introductory athlete roster to renew.

NO LONGER INTRODUCTORY ATHLETES Another situation that clubs often encounter is the need to upgrade Introductory Athletes (Level 1-3 & Xcel- PREP Optional-) to Athletes (Level 4 and up). The Introductory Athletes already have member numbers, so they are not considered “new” Athletes. At this time, the option to upgrade them using the online registration system is not currently available. Therefore, you will need to contact the Member Services Department directly.

You may place these requests via email at [email protected] or phone at 800-345-4719.

Please be sure to include the name and member number of the member you wish to upgrade. The request will be processed within 24 business hours. Once the upgrade has taken place they will appear on your athlete renewal roster to renew.

Special Note: For those Introductory Athletes already having paid for a 11–12 season membership, a completed 11–12 Athlete application form must be faxed and/or mailed to the USA Gymnastics Member Services Department with the upgrade fee of $38. This is not a function that can be completed online.

If you have any questions regarding the upgrading or transferring athletes please contact the Member Services Department at 800-345-4719.

http://www.summitamerica-ins.com


http://att.com


WOMEN’S ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

May 15, 2011Long Beach, CA

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am by Chairman Kathy Ostberg.

I. ROLL CALLRegion 1 Jennifer KrauseRegion 2 Meg DoxtatorRegion 3 Cori RizzoRegion 4 Jim SchlottRegion 5 Bobbi MontanariRegion 6 Jen Scannell Region 7 Lynn PerrottRegion 8 Deb Kornegay VP-P Kathy KellyJOCC Tom KollDPA Rachel Brazo

II. KATHY OSTBERG WELCOMED THE COMMITTEE AND THANKED THEM FOR THE WORK THEY DO ON A DAILY BASIS.

III. RULES AND POLICIES

The committee reviewed the 2010 – 2011 Rules and Policies and submitted recommendations to the appropriate committees and made editing suggestions.

A. RECOMMENDATION to the Junior Olympic Committee and Technical Committee to review the number of compulsory gymnasts allowed per session. The committee recommends that the number of competitors per session be reduced to 80 or less.Motion: L. PerrottSecond: J. KrauseNote: No changes were made by the

JOC and TC.

B. RECOMMENDATION that the current judge’s fee for Xcel (Prep Op) only be applied when the recommended entry fee of $35 or less is followed.Motion: D. KornegaySecond: L. PerrottPASSED

C. RECOMMENDATIONS to the Technical Committee to instruct the judges on how to handle infractions if the Rights and Obligations, as listed in the R&P pages 11-13 are not met.

Motion: L. PerrottSecond: J. SchlottPASSED

The Technical Committee reviewed this sectionand made recommendations to the NationalOffice for changes in the R & P.

D. RECOMMENDATION to the Technical Committee to review the Rights and Obligations section (R & P, page 12 ; D; 5) to be consistent with the Technical Committee’s November 2010 minutes regarding use of cell phones on the field of play.Motion: C. RizzoSecond: M. DoxtatorPASSED

E. RECOMMENDATION that an athlete is officially entered in a USA Gymnastics competition only after valid entry fees are received (R&P pg. 37 F).Motion KornegaySecond PerrottPASSED

F. RECOMMENDATION regarding Injury/Illness petition (R&P page 52); (Move III. a. to D.I.), the intent to petition must be sent to the respective Regional Technical Committee Chairman by the Monday following the State Meet and documentation is due to the RTCC by Wednesday following the meet. Motion: C. RizzoSecond: D. KornegayPASSED

G. RECOMMENDATION to accept the following amendments to the Rules and Policies. Motion: B. MontanariSecond: M. DoxtatorPASSED

p. 15 Athlete & Club Eligibility

B. Residency

1. change – the physical location of the gymnast’s training facility determines the residency of the gymnast.

2;a;1. change – the state in which the training facility is physically located.

3. change – a club must compete in the State Meet[s] of the state in which the training facility is physically located.

MINUTESMINUTESMINUTES


http://facebook.com/secret


p. 29 Jr. Olympic National Championships – Level 10

G; 1; ADD

d. The Regional Administrative Committee will lend financial support to the J.O. National Championships. Each Region will contribute $300 to the Meet Director. Effective May 2011.

p. 38; F; 4; CHANGE – Entry fees for the Junior Olympic Nationals [Level 10] and Eastern/Western Championships [Level 9] will not exceed $125.00.

p. 38 II. Pre Meet Organization

3. Spectator admission fees for Level 9 East/ West and JO Nationals/JO-NIT change to

1 session 2-daycompetition

3-daycompetition

Adults $15.00 $25.00 $35.00

Children/Seniors $10.00 $20.00 $30.00

p. 63 Penalties for Violations

First Time …$100.00 for one violation plus $100.00 for each additional violation

Second Time … $500.00 for one violation plus $500.00 for each additional violation

Third Time… $1000.00 for one violation plus $500.00 for each additional violation.

p. 63, B.

1. A letter from USA Gymnastics will be sent to the USA Gymnastics member and/or Meet Director and host club accused of violations. The accused individual and/or organization will have 30 days to respond.

7. Letters may be sent to the individual who is accused of the violation and/or the Meet Director and the host club, but fines apply only to the

individual who is accused and/or the Meet Director. Hosting institutions may also be denied sanctioning privileges if violations are repeated with multiple Meet Directors.

IV. STATE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN HANDBOOK

The committee reviewed and updated the State Administrative Committee Chairman Handbook.

V. OPERATING CODE

The committee reviewed and updated the Operating Code and submitted the following recommendations to the Women’s Program Committee.

p. 9

6. Election Procedures

Call for nominations for Regional Officers shall beby the RACC.

Include the following statement: Nominations for theposition of RACC will be sent to the NationalAdministrative Committee Chairman.

p. 10

h. Change to:

Regional officers shall be elected by a majority [1 over 50%] of the votes cast.

n. Election results will be posted on the USA Gymnastics website.

p. 11

e… has submitted a brief resume/statement of purpose [no more than 300 words]. Endorsements should not be included. Any incumbent should not use non-public e-mail or mailing labels for campaigning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES p. 22 Q; Use the accounting office of USA

Gymnastics to add to and access regional funds.

DELETE – R; S; TADD: shall be accountable for all regional funds and publish each year the financial statement reflecting activity as of July 1 – June 30.

...continuedMINUTESMINUTESMINUTES


http://www.usagym.org/visa


p. 23

J. Attend state Championship meets or send a state committee member as a representative.

p. 24

delete N

VI. CALENDAR JO LEVEL 9/10 COMPETITION DATES

2012 2013 2014

State March 24–25 or March 31/Apr. 1 March 23–24 or March 16–17

March 22–23 or March 15–16

Regionals

April 13–15 L10 only Apr. 20-22Exception– R4 has L9/10 on 4/20-22

April 12–14 L10 only–April 20–21

April 11–13L9 only April 5–6

East/WestMay 3–6 East: tentative Landover, MDWest: tentative Boise, ID

May 2–5East: Region 5 or 8West: Region 1 or 3

May 1–4

Nationals/NIT May 10–13Tentative-Hampton, VA

May 9–12Tentative: Minneapolis, MN

May 8–11

NCAA DATES 2012 2013 2014Conference March 24 March 23 March 22Regionals April 7 April 6 April 5

NationalsApril 20–22

Univ. of GA –Gwinnett CenterDuluth, GA

April 19–21

UCLA –Pauley PavilionUCLA

April 18-20Site TBD

VII. NEW BUSINESS The committee discussed the current system they used for room blocks at JO Nationals.

The committee also discussed the spreadsheet that was used this year for East/West and JO Nationals. They requested that a coaches’ tab be added to the spreadsheet that includes all info on the hard copy entry.

Meeting Adjourned at 5:00 pm.

...continuedMINUTESMINUTESMINUTES


http://www.sanjose2012.com

http://www.sanjose2012.com


The performances ranged from small to large, with some groups having as many as 1,100 members. The Opening Ceremony had approximately 1,900 participating gymnasts, while 16 groups performed over a four-night period, leading up to the closing ceremony. The Pan American Gymnastics Union participated in the Closing Ceremony, with the USA contributing approximately 120 performers.

Participating countries included: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Great Britain, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, and the United States.

Six U.S. clubs participated in three evening performances: Chattooga Gymnastics; La Jolla YMCA; Skyview GymDancers; Westbend Dance and Tumbling; DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics; and Westport-Westin YMCA.

The next Gymnaestrada will take place in 2015 in Helsinki, Finland. For more information on Gymnastics for All go to www.usagym.org/group.

2011 WORLD GYMNAESTRADA ...continued

http://www.usagym.org/group

http://www.usagymstore.com

2011 WORLD GYMNAESTRADA ...continued

http://www.hhonors.com/usagymprofessional

http://www.hhonors.com/usagym


f o r s a l e • p o s i t i o n a v a i l a b l e • s e e k i n g e m p l o y m e n t • e d u c a t i o n • c o n s i g n m e n t

C L A S S I F I E D S

POSITION AVAILABLE GYMNASTICS COACHES/INSTRUCTORS WANTED.Great with kids? Head Over Heels Gymnastics is looking for enthusiastic, positive and motivated people to join our team. Class instructors and prep-op coaches needed and program director positions available. We are also looking for team players to work with our Men’s and Women’s JO team programs. Part time and full time positions available . Full time benefits include health, retirement, dental, and sick/vacation days. Salary is based on experience. Visit us at headoverheelsma.com. Email resume’s to [email protected] or call Patricia at 781-659-3378.

GIRL’S ARTISTIC TEAM DIRECTOR. Premier Gymnastics in Omaha, NE is looking for a full time position with the responsibility of overseeing the entire girl’s artistic team (80 girls - Pre Team through Level 10). Coaching responsibilities include: Level 7-10 vault, bars and tumbling. Supervisor responsibilities in-clude: maintaining/building a strong cohesive staff, ensuring all levels are working toward set goals and standards, setting meet sched-ules, staff education, lesson plans and more. Applicants must complete forms found at: www.premier-gymnastics.com/positions.php Club information found on website.

Nashoba Gymnastics Academy at One Stop Fun, Westford, Massachusetts is looking for an enthusiastic, experienced, highly motivated TEAM COACHES FOR PRE-TEAM, compulsory and optional teams. Ideal candidates are team players, mature, career-minded, energetic and have a positive attitude. Compensation based upon experience. Benefits available to full time coaches. Send resume to Glen Mair: [email protected]

INSTRUCTOR/COACHES. Paragon Gymnastics of Norwood NJ (Bergen County), is looking for instructors and coaches, P/T – F/T. Require-ments: Positive attitudes, responsible, reliable, and love of children. Position available for COMPETITIVE TEAM COACH LEVEL 4 AND UP with flexible hours. Also preschool through in-termediate instruction/cheerleading. Company sponsored certifications (safety, CPR, First Aid). Benefits available, paid vacations & sick days. Salary commensurate with experience. NEW facility, state-of-the-art approx. 11,000sq ft. Located in the NY/NJ Metropolitan area, eas-ily accessible from all major highways. Contact Dot: email: [email protected], 201-767-6921 or fax to 201-767-6693 or at 49 Walnut Street, Suite 4, Norwood, NJ 07648. www.paragongym.com

FOR SALE

SCORE MASTER – SCOREKEEPING SOFTWARE interfaced to many different score boards: EliteScore, BetaBrites, TV’s & Projectors. Download team rosters from the USAG website. Features include: random draws, create rotations, assign #’s, the most comprehensive reporting and results can go directly to your website. Supports: womens/mens, individual/team, artistic/rhythmic/trampoline, compulsory/optional. Download a FREE demo at www.Score-Master.com

GK RISK FREE PROGRAM: Get with the program! It’s better than ever, with a terrific assortment of NEW styles and fabrics and incomparable sales potential. Plus, it’s easier than ever to order, sell and return your RISK FREE garments. We offer customized packages for your pro shop, meets and summer camp. You only pay for what you’ve sold and may return the rest, there is absolutely NO RISK! If you haven’t tried us lately, it’s time you started earning extra profits with our RISK FREE merchandise. Call 1-800-345-4087 for more information on how you can get started today! Email: [email protected]

EDUCATION Available now! The NEW GYMCERT Gymnastics training manuals (Levels 1, 2, 3, & the NEW Skills & Drills for the Compulsory Coach Level’s 4, 5 & 6) a must for training your staff; cut your lesson planning time significantly; use to coordinate class progressions and skill training methods; and, best of all have a quick reference that is easy to use which includes Lesson Planning Forms and Class Evaluation Forms by level. The GYMCERT manuals provide concise instruction, clear illustrations, and several coaching, spotting, and safety tips. Will your staff be ready for your fall students? Order direct by calling toll free: 1-866-591-8500 or online: www.GYMCERT.com.

FOR INFORMATION on how to publish a classified ad in Technique, go to www.usagym.org/publicationsOr call Luan Peszek at 317-829-5646.

http://www.usagym.org/publications

http://visa.com

USA Gymnastics132 E. Washington St., Suite 700Indianapolis, IN 46204

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. PostagePAID

Indianapolis, INPermit No. 7867

http://www.internationalgymnastics.com

technique - aug. 2011 - vol. 31, #8

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