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~GYMNASTICS JAN,fFEB.1981 VOL. X, NO.1

"The Official Publication of the United States Gymnastics Federation"

CONTENTS---Athlete Representatives Involvement in ' USGF Management (Editorial by Roger L. Counsil) 5

Why They Are Better ... (Guest Opinion by Don Peters) 7

Report to ,China

Why They Are Better pg.7 (Mens report by Abie Grossfeld) 8

China Diary (Report by Don Peters) 12

Austrian Exhibition Tour (by Women 's Gymnastics Coach-Fritz Reiter) _ ____________ 14

See How They Fall (Bio Mechanics Corner by Gerald S. George) _____________ 16

Chunichi Cup &. Tokyo Invitational (by Mrs. Delene Darst) _ ___________________ 18

Coca Cola Invitational in London (by Ed Zimmer f, Chuck Ehrlick) _________________ 22

A mericans in London pg. 22 Second Four Continents Championships in MRG (by Andrea B. Schmid) ____________________ 24

National USGF Modern Rhythmic Gymnastics-UPDATE (by Andrea B. Schmid) ____________________ 26

Disorders of the front of the Thigh and Knee in Gymnasts (Sports Medicine View by Dr. Neal Small) ______________ 28

USA vs China Gymnastics Judge's Report (by George Beckstead f, Mike Milidonis) ______________ 30

Women's Elite Program Report (by Ed Zimmer) _____________________ ---"'34 Classifieds ______________________ 36

Women's Elite Program Report pg. 34 USGF Calendar &. Notes 38

United States Gymnastics Federation MEMBERS: Amateur Athletic Union; American Sokol Organization;

American Turners; Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women; National Association for Girls and Womens Sports; National Assocation of College Gymnastics Coaches; National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women; National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics; National Association of Women Gymnastics Judges; National Collegiate Athletic Association; National Federation of State High School AssQCiations; National Gymnastics Judges Association; National High School Gymnastics Coaches Association; National Jewish Welfare Board; National Junior College Athletic Association; United States Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs; United States Gymnastics Safety Association, Young Men's Christian Association.

USGF GYMNASTICS

ON THE COVER: Colorado Springs artist and gymnastics coach Dave Black (noted for his original sports art) highlights Rhythmic Gym­nastics to commemorate the addition of the sport as an Olympic event starting in 1984,

PAGE 3

Photos courtesy USGF

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Editorial by Roger L. Counsil

ATHLETE REPRESENTATIVES INVOLVEMENT IN

USGF MANAGEMENT

Recentl y through a mandate of the United States Olympic Committee, the USGF Board of Directors has added a group of athlete representati ves . These representati ves are athl etes equall y representing the men's and women 's segments of the sport w ho have been competitors on national tea ms w ith in th e las t ten yea rs. The group of athl etes has already participated in one Board of Directors meeting and I must say, have added a brea th of fresh ai r to the proceed ings. It is very refreshing to hear the v iewpoints of those w ho have so recently parti cipated in compet iti ve gymnast ics, and the insights they have to offer, often times clarify the issues w hich are being debated in the board meeting.

The mandate from the Un ited States O lympic Committee was to include twenty percent of all boards of all national sport governing bod ies as athletes. The procedure that we fo llowed in the USGF office was to hold an elect ion of these board members by their peers - all of the athl etes had parti cipated on international teams w ithi n the last decade . In thi s manner of se lection, we felt there could be no man ipulation of personnel onto the board by any person or persons w ith vested interest. The representat ives on the board are true representa ti ves of the athletes and are making every effort to open lines of ongo ing communica tion w ith the athlete's com munity.

The athl etes have now, since taking their place on the board , become invo lved in other committees of the USGF Boa rd of Directors. The Executive Committee of the USGF now has one ath lete representati ve as do the men 's and women's fore ign re lations committees. Aga in , the athletes' v iewpoint has been very helpful and I am sure w ill continue to be.

We, in the USGF, need input from the ath letes and we need an avenue by w hi ch th e athletes ca n make th eir fedings kn own . Th e athl ete representati ves have provided us w ith thi s avenue and are very effecti ve in making the w ishes and needs of the athletes know n. At the present time, the athlete representati ves to the USGF Board of Directors are as fo llows: Mr. Bart Conner, member of 1980 O lympic Tea m; M r. Peter Korman , member of 1976 O lympic Team; Mr. Wayne Young, member of 1976 O lympic Team; Miss Kathy Johnson, member 1980 O lympic Team; M rs. Linda Mulvihill , member 1972 O lympic Team; Miss Nancy Thies, member 1972 O lympic Team and M iss Li sa Cawth ron, member 1977 World Cup Tea m. These athletes compri se twenty percent of the USGF Board at thi s time.

• " The following statement on the role of the athlete representati ves to the USGF was prepared by Peter Korman for presentation to the Gymnasti cs Comm unity . As a w ho le the USGF Office enco urages athl etes to commu nicate w ith their representat ives shou ld they fee l the need ari se. The statement is as fol lows:

NEW USGF CONSTITUTION BY-LAW

In November, 1980, a new by· law was added to the USGF Constitution concerning athlete's ri ghts. It reads:

Athlete's Rights: The Un ited States Gymnastics Federat ion w ill provide any athlete w ho

may believe he or she has been denied an opportunity to compete, for reasons other than those ruled by the Nationa l office for reasons of proven profess ionali sm, w ith a properl y conducted hea ring. Normal procedures are as follows:

USGF GYMNASTICS

(1) Athlete is not ified of hi s/her suspens ion or den ial of opportunity to compete in a given event or season. Thi s notification must be in w riting and should be sent to the athlete via registered mail. Notificati on shall provide the athlete w ith reasons for such act ion and ind ica te the USGF Committee w hich took that ac tion as we ll as the member's names w ho compri se that USGF Committee.

(2) Athlete may then wri te the USGF Nat ional Office to request a hearing if he or she fee ls the ac tion in question is unfair. If the hea rin g befo re th e appropria te USGF Fore ign Relat ion s Committee fail s to sati sfy the athl ete, he or she may ask that the issue be brou ght before th e USGF Executi ve Comm ittee for appea l. As a final area of appea l, the athlete may ask that the USGF Board of Directors consider the matter.

The Athlete's Associa tion is one of the many organ iza tions represented on the USGF Board of D irectors. Thi s assoc iation, w hich all USGF ath letes are members, has the right to be represented by not less than 20% of votin g st rength of the USGF Board of Directors. The Athletes Assoc iati on is therefor represented by 7 voting members, and one member of the USGF Executi ve Committee :

Bart Conner 2325 Westwood Dr. Norman, Oklahoma 73069 (405) 325 -1739

Brent Si mmons 622 Monrow Aurora, III. 60505

Wayne Young Gymnastics Coach B.Y.U. Provo, Utah 84601 (80 1) 378·49 11

Nancy Thies 2870 Chateau Springfield , Or. 97477 (503) 746-8367

Peter Kormann (Executi ve Committee) Gymnastics Coach U. S.N.A. Annapolis, Md. 21402 (301) 263·5368 / 267-3 153

Ka thy Johnson 58 12 O ld Stone Mountain Rd. Stone Mountain , Ga. 30087 (404 ) 923 ·8174 / 938· 1212

Linda Mulv ihil l 148 W. 12th Ave. Eugene, O regon 9740 1 (5 03 ) 344·2001 / 344·2000

Li sa Cawthron 1403 Country Club Rd . Arlington, Texas 76013 (8 17) 265·5415

It is the responsibility of these 7 athlete representat ives to refl ec t the viewpoints of the USG F athletes to the rest of the Board of Di rectors. If an issue or topic should ar ise concerning an athlete's ri ghts, or a poli cy dec ision w ith reference to an athlete, co ntacting one of these seven representat ives would be the avenue for an athlete to follow:

Th e Foreign Re lat ions Comm ittee (F RC) is a standing comm ittee established by the USG F. There is both a men's and a woman's FRC. These committees work c lose ly w ith the USGF Executi ve D irector, (Roger

Cant. an pg. 34

PAGE 5

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Effective, Monday, February 2, all activities of the USGF Member· ship Program will be conducted at:

USGF/Membership Program clo Bayly, Martin & Fay/San Antonio P.O. Box 17800 San Antonio , Texas 78217 Telephone: 1-800-531-7205

1-800-531-7224 1-800-292-5721 (Texas only)

All records and functions of the Tucson office have been transferred to our above San Antonio office.

'.

Zheng Zhu Chu

by Don Peters In the U.S.A. vs . China dual meet held on

October 21 st in Peking our women's team fared pretty we ll. We lost by 2.4 points, andl . 7 of those points were lost on va ult (a n event that we beat the Chinese on ea rli er thi s year in Hartford ). Th is was due to our team's probl ems in adjusting to a wooden boa rd. Had thi s problem not occurred, the meet would have been very c lose and quite poss ibl y we could have won. We had onl y one major break on bars and onl y one fa ll from the bea m. Souncis like we' re almost on a par wi th the Chinese - doesn' t it ? Well , I' ll not delude you; we are not on a par w ith the Chinese. In fact. they are much better than we are ri ght now, Jnd three years from now they w ill have left us fJ r behind. So w i ll th e Ru ss ian s, Ea st Ge rm J ns and Romanians unless we make some seri ous changes in our program now.

When you watch our girls here at home, they look pretty good. W hen you see them in the same training gym w ith the Chinese, you immediately see that we have one very obvious weakness. Execution . We do not stri ve hard enough for perfection w ith each indi v idual element of our girl s' rou tines. We have made difficulty a higher priority in our training systems and as a result we Jre no t spending th e tim e to per fec t eJc h movement , and it shows itse lf in the form of sloppy, unstable routines. Those coJches w ho have tri ed to emphas ize executi on w ith their

USGF GYMNASTICS

gymnasts find their efforts thwarted by a judging system that places a higher emphasis on difficulty and fails to deduct the many executi on errors that our gymnasts make. Many of these coac hes have g ive n up and jumped o n th e diffi c ult y bandwagon ; and mark my word , our national team w il l suffer for it in the years to come.

I predi ct that if nothing is done about thi s problem we w ill not place higher than sixth in Mex ico C ity. It w ill no t be be ca use th e international judges wi ll deduct more severely than our judges, because they w ill not. They use the sa me scoring system. vVe w ill lose to the Ru ss ians, the Romanians, the Chinese, the East Germans, and the Hungarians because we w ill not " hit" as well and at least two of our best gymnasts w i l l be in jured at the time of the competition !

In recent yea rs (s ince the pu sh for greater d ifficulty started) we have always had at leas t two key injuri es o n o ur tea m at eve ry majo r competition. In Fort Worth , our bes t gymnast mi ssed th e co mpet iti on co mpletely, one girl dropped out after compu lsor ies, and three others competed w ith painful injuries. You know the result. Thi s yea r our dual meet w ith China was scheduled six months in advJ nce and all the girls trained very hard for thi s meet. Two of our top four mi ssed th e meet due to injury and one did wa tered -dow n ro utin es beca use she was recovering from a serious injury that occurred two

months ea rli er. Our national tea m has an annual injury ra te that exceeds one hundred percent (counting only injuries that interrupt training for three weeks or more).

These injuries often occur because we do no t train our gymnasts well enough on basics and we all ow them to compete w ith movements that are in many CJses marginal at best. Many times Ihey have no " reserve" w ilh a dangerous ski ll. There is no margin for error to prolec t them if Ihey are having a bad day. We shouldn ' t all ow a gymnast to do a skill unl ess she does it so we ll that if she does a "bad" one she ca n still make it.

We have gal to ease the pressure for more d iff iculty and force our gymnasts to execute better by improving Iheir basics. I am not suggesting thai we change the rul es. The rules are fine. I am suggesting that we strictl y appl y the execulio n deducti ons so th at sloppy work does not get rewa rded. O ur girl s have to be shown th rough

. Iheir scores, the most meaningful way Ihat we have ava ilable to us, th at a low double back loses .3 (even if they make itL and if they have to "cowboy" they lose .3 , and if their toes aren 't pointed on every tri ck they lose .1 each time, etc. Then, and onl y then , w ill we effeci a meaningful change towa rds better execution in the individual programs throughout our country.

I hope that I don' t sound like I think difficulty is not important, or that I think execution is more important than difficulty . I do not. Both are equa ll y importanl to a better team score. I do, however, think a greater emphasis on executi on w ill , in Ih e long run , res ult in bO lh belte r execution and grea t diffi culty. Here is why. In order to execute better you have to improve your

.2 bas ics, and better basics all ow for more di ffi culty. ~ Take the fo llowing example: Presentl y, none of .Q. the girls on the nati onal team ca n do a fu ll-in on

fl oor. I'm sure most of them ca n do the movement on trampoline oroff mini-tramp, so it 's not the skill that is hold ing them back. They ca n' t do il beca use Ihey don' t tum ble well enough. Their rou nd-off fli p-flops aren ' t stron g enough. If our judges required high double backs w ith legs together and

Can t. on pg. 21

Wang Ping Chn

PAGE 7

USA & China gymnastics teams prior to competition. photo by Abie Grossfeld

Chef de M iss ion: Frank Cumiskey Men's Team: Matt Arnot , Ph il Cahoy, Ba rt Conner, Dennis Hayden,

"Va llace M ill er and Kev in Prady. Men's Coaches: Abie Grossfeld and Mas Watanabe Men 's judges: George Beckstead and M ike M ilidonis Women's Team: Marc ia Frederi ck, Ke ll y Garri son, Beth Kline, Amy

Koopman , ju lianne McNamara, Tracee Talavera and Li sa Zeis

Women's Coaches: Don Peters and Kathy G. Tibbets Women's judges: Linda Chenc inski and Sharon Va lley Trainer: jack Rockwell

Men's Report By Abie Grossfeld Our group assembled in Sa n Francisco where Sadao Hamada and Jackie

Wa lker brought the teams to Stanford Uni versity fo r a workout. Sadao and Jackie were wonderfu l hosts and made ou r layover pleasant. We left Sa n Francisco on November 13 and after 30 hours of traveling arri ved in Peking on November 15. After stops in Honolulu, Guam, Mani la, Kwangchow (Ca nton) and finally Pek ing, the Earth seemed small. not to mention that it seeilled to me like World War II revis ited.

tn Peking we stayed at the Evergreen Hotel and had three interpreters­M rs. Chen, M iss Chen and Miss Chou - ass igned to us. M r. Chen Sheng Jin of the Pek ing Gymnast ics Associat ion of China was constantly w ith us and proved to be Illuch help inforilling us about the cOlllpetition format and the Ch inese gYlllnastics program. Mr. Chen was most cooperati ve and pl easant.

Being in Pek ing three days before the competiti on, enabled us to get wel l accustoilled to the apparatus and environillent at the site of the compet it.ion - Workers Arena. The floor exerc ise area contained coiled springs w hi ch gave good spring but the top Illat seeilled hard to our gYlllnasts. The top

PAGES

REPORT TO CHINA NOVEMBER 13-24 , 1980 carpet shedded its Illateria l so sOllle cOlllpetitors left the FE area w ith bits of green pile on their hair, back or sea t. It made for a good laugh. The high bar and rings had to be ra ised - w ith readil y ava il able "vood blocks under the upri ghts - to accolllillodate Ph il Cahoy, the ta ll est gymnast. The Chi nese did w hat they cou ld to please us. The paral lel bars, pOlllmel horse imd va ulting horse were fine. The vault ing board was a used wooden reuther­type board w hich had considerably less spring than our "super" boards but presented no real problelll to our gymnasts. No top Illat was placed on the fitted pOllllllel horse Illat wh ich left the Illetal base extensions exposed. Fortunately, no one landed on the Illeta l extensions. The rings hung from new unsewn lea ther straps which we taped together just above the rings. During workouts and compet it ion warm-ups, a three inch soft rubber mat was provided to cushion hard land ings. Our gYlllnasts sa id that they went " r ight through" these soft Illats; therefore, they provided I ittl e ex tra protect ion.

The Chinese requested to have the competition onl y for indi v iduals and not a team score. They were concerned about the potential animosi ty that could ari se from losing. We assured them that if we lost, we would still be fr iends.

The Chinese had the Illen's competition set up so there wou ld be two groups. Each group would be composed' of six gymnas ts, three frolll each team. However, the format was changed to just have one group since there were only seven gymnasts competing al l-around. Four other gymnasts split their events and were li ke just two all -around men. In other words, talt Arnot competed on PH , R, PB and HB , wh ile Bart Conner took part on FE and va ulting. To not take unfair advantage, the Chinese had two of their gymnasts work three events each. It was agreed upon to add the four out of five highest scores per event for the team total s. As it turned out , we had to

Cant. on pg. 10

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w ithdraw Denni s Hayden from th e competi t ion j ust pri o r to th e com petiti on. Therefore, all four scores on each event would coun t for us, w hil e the Chinese had the extra fifth score.

The day before the meet Denni s Hayden hurt hi s shoulder w hil e tumbling. Since Dennis could not do even a roundoff w ithout pain just prior to the meet and at the advice of our tra iner, Jack Rockwell , Denni s was w ithdrawn.

Before the entire competition began, we were asked to selec t three of our gymnasts for each event fo r the finals. In other words, the finali sts were not based upon the preliminary competition.

The W orkers Arena seemed to seat about 10,000 people w hich was about one third filled the first day of competition and about half fill ed for the finals. N BC taped the meet w ith Bart acting as the expert commentator.

US Women's Team with coaches going bananas on the Great Wall.

Floor Exercise: Tong Fei, Li N ing and Li Hsiao Ping did full tw isting double back som ies . Xie Ti e Huan did an excellent double layout while Lu M ing used both super " C"S. Conner and M iller started w ith full tw isting doubles . W hile Conner touched on hi s, M iller touched on hi s double tw ist fini sh. Cahoy 's feet slipped outfrom under him on a tw isting dive wa lkover. Pommel Horse: The Ameri cans performed well on PH scoring 9.7,9 .4 , 9.3 and 9.05. The Chinese scores were 9.8, 9.65 , 9.6 , 9.55 and 9.45 . W hile the Chinese diffi culty was superb, the difference in our scores were more in the executi on (amplitude of swing, body extension and pointed feet) rather th an the content of the exerc ises. However, Li Hsiao Ping's (9.8) content was ex traordinary. He is trul y one of the world 's best on pommel horse. Phil Cahoy 's 9. 7 was indica ti ve of his fl aw less performance. Pommel Horse Routines: Li Hsiao Ping: (18 years old ; Nat'l PH Champion of China) Start faC ing end, loop wa lk up to pommel loop, trave l in w ith hand between pommels, immediate moore w ith hands between pommels, back moore travel out on pommel, 180 degree spindle from uphill c irc le, one circle, back moore travel in , half circle, 2 V, flair circ les, 3 leg cuts, 2 front sc issors and 1 back sc issor, 1 c irc le, II , pommel loop, wa lk to reverse loop on end, backward w alk across ho rse (reverse Magyar w alk in 3 circles) to 2 loops on end, V2 circle, wa lk around (uphill moore but w ith hands on horse), V, circ le, loop V2 turn dismount. Phil Cahoy: Uphill moore immediate, front in immediate moore on other pommel , 1 circ le, one pommel Ru ss ion moore, immediate travel out , immediate front in moore, immediate front out, 2 circles, back travel in , 1 circle, back trave l out, ,/ , circle, back stockli in , 1 '/, fl air circles, undercut 1 leg c ircle, 1 back sc issor, 3 front sc issors, 1 circ le, moore, front out immediate loop '/2 turn off. Li Ning: (17 yea rs o ld ; 3rd AA Chinese Nat' l Championships) Start fac ing end , 2 loops, wa lk up to pommel and across to other pommel loop immediate travel, immediate double back moore travel on pommel, '/2 c ircle on end, double back moore travel immed iate kehre in , 3 front scissors, 1 back sc issor, 1 circl e, fl air, flaired moore, immediate flair trave l out, ,/ , circ le, loop, hop , V2 c ircl e, loop '/2 off. Kevin Prady: Center of horse, '/2 circle, Ru ss ian moore, immediate travel out, loop w ith second hand nea r pommel, immediate back stockli in w ith hand between pommels, 1 circle, hand between pommels, front out

PAGE 10

immediate loop, uphill c ircl e 180 degree spindl e, kehre in , 1 c ircle, 1'/ , fl air circl es, 1 back sc issor, J front sc issors, fl air circle, travel out, ,/, circle, loop, ,/ , c ircle, loop '/2 off. Rings: The outstanding routine fo r us the first day of competition was that of Kev in Prady - w ith a so lid 9 .4. In the finals, Phil Cahoy's exce ll ent swing in both directions and good full in double di smount ea rned him a 9.45 and tied him fo r first w ith Li Hsiao Ping and Li N ing. Kevin aga in received a 9.4 and placed 4th . Xie Tie Huan d ispl ayed extraordinary strength and good swing but fell forward on hi s double layout dismount. After wa tching the Chinese, and the Japanese at the Chuni chi Cup, too many of our gymnasts do not rea ll y fulfill the strength requi rement and are given the " benefit-of-the-doubt. " Two Ring Routines Follow: Xie Tie Huan: (19 yea rs old ; 4th in Nat'l s on rings) Pull to inverted hang, kip to cross (held perfectl y leve l), pull out to " L", strai ght body straight arm press handstand, back giant locked arm to handstand , front giant to inverted cross (held high), lower to cross (held level), lower to reverse hang, kip " L", hollow back handstand, bail to double layout di smount. Tong Fei: (19 years old ; Chinese Nat' l A ll-Around Ch ampion fo r 1980; won prelims w ith a 9. 7 - was not in finals) High cast, hi gh inlocate, straight arm back ri se handstand , back giant handstand , fall over to w hippet (Honma), straddle " L", straddle planch (held high), lower to cross (held), lower to reverse hand, kip " L", straddle straight arm press handstand, bail to full tw ist double back dismount. Vaulting: In general, the Chinese had considerabl y more fli ght than our gymn asts. Tong Fei: (9.7) Tsukahara full tw ist piked, Cuervo (handspring ,/ , tw ist back).

Bart Conner: (9 .55 ) Tsuk layed out, Tsuk full tw ist. Xie Tie Huan: (9. 525) Handspring pike front, Tsuk layed out. Li Ning: (9.4 5) Handspring pike front , Tsuk full tw ist. Dennis Hayden: (9. 375 ) Handspring tuck front , handspring full tw ist. Kevin Prady: (9. 20) Tsuk piked , Tsuk full tw ist. Parallel Bars: Phil Cahoy was excellent both days scoring 9.7 both in Prelims and Final s. Tong Fei also scored a 9.7 in the Prelims but was not entered in Finals. Li Hsiao Ping scored a 9. 7 in Finals thu s ty ing Phil fo r first place. Routines: Phil Cahoy: Center o f bars, glide kip reverse cut support , press to handstand, stutz handstand , back somi handstand, forwa rd pirouete, cast, back ri se front somi support , swinging front pirouette, diomidov, layaway, front ri se 1'/2 tw ist fro somi off. li Hsiao Ping: From end , glide kip reverse cut, cast support, sw ing handstand front pirouette, stutz handstand, 1 '/4 tw isting diomidov to single bar (cross) glide overshoot through straddle " L" , press handstand , '/ 4 turn to handstand, diomidov, double back off. Tong Fei: From end of bars, cast to reverse cut, straddle pl anch (hold ), cas t, back ri se fro nt somi support , sw inging front pirou ette, stutz handstand, back somi through handstand, stutz, forwa rd dip swing reverse cut , press handstand , double back off. Zhou li Ming: From end , cas t support sw inging front pirou et te, diomidov, stutz handstand, drop basket handstand , back somi handstand ,

. missed. . double back off. lu Ming: From end , glide reverse cut , cast support pi rouette, stutz handstand , back somi , stutz , cast ,/, turn support, cast, back ri se straddl e cut " L", straddle stiff-stiff press, double back off. Li Ning: Glide kip reverse cut , press out to giant sw ing to support , swinging pirouette, cast, back ri se straddle cut " L", straight arm straddle press handstand, stutz handstand, di omidov, stutz, double back somi di smount. Horizontal Bar: This proved to be the highli ght event of the competition. A ll performers did their routine well. Two of the Chinese did triple somi fl yaways and one did a double tw isting double. A lso these perfo rmers used one arm giant combinations but it was not they that scored a " 10" tw ice for their high bar performance . It was Zhou Li M ing. Tong Fei received a 9.9 in the Prelims and a 9. 8 in the Finals, w hile Phil Cahoy received a 9.8 both days. Phil bea utifully perfo rmed both a pike front somi out of inverted giants and a ve ry high voronin straddled. This coupled w ith hi s fl amboyant, spectacular style earned him a tie for second w ith Tong. However, Zhou Li M ing left no doubt w ho should have won high bar.

USGF GYMNASTICS

':

, "

Tong Fei: Wi th undergr ip, hi gh start to handstand, imilled iate stoop through, shoot to inverted giants, hop pirouette, 1 giant , 2 right arm giants, 1 left arm giant, giant to Tkachev (reverse hecht), svv ing fo rward hop to undergr ip, kip front giant , pirouette , giant to stalder shoot, 2 giants, double tw isting double somi di smount.

Stretching excercises with the hospitable Chinese.

Zhou Li Ming: (10): Still hang w ith overgrip, lift shins to ba r, drop legs and w hip into high cast w ith 'I, tum , swing up high in front. change grip , Endo shoot, immed iate front pirouette , 1 giant , 1 arm giant to another 1 arm giant to a Gienger (fl yaway '/, tw ist ca tch w ith legs together), kip change, front giant, pirouette, giant, stalder, hop, Endo shoot, Y. giant to Jaeger (front somi catch), kip change, giant, stoop through circl e shoot, inverted giants , hop pirouette, 2 giants fu ll twisting double fl yaway. (20 yea rs olel)

The fina l team score was: Chin a 229.30 USA 222.95. vVe performed admirably in li ght of the fact that v,,Ie onl y had one O lympic team member and a junior team member, w hile the Chinese had at least three of th eir top six gymnasts competin g. Phi l Ca hoy's performance was outstanding in tying for first in two events (R and PB) and plac ing second in PH and HB. He was also our top A ll-Around fini sher wi th a 56.05.

USGF GYMNASTICS

The days fol low ing the competition we visited the Peking Phys ica l Culture Institute (started in 1953) and spent two workout sess ions w ith th e Chinese going over compul sory interpreta ti ons and techniques. \Ale also talked about our national programs. It seems that the ir young gymnasts (to 10 yea rs) do only compul sory parts and do not compete. Then, during the next age group, 10 to 12 years , they ca n do optiona ls and compete. Th ey did say that boys sta rt as young as 5 yea rs old but usuall y start at 6 or 7 yea rs o ld. After regular academic school , young gymnasts practi ce at a spec ial "amateur school" from about 5 to 9 pm. Pek ing has about ten such amateur schoo ls. Youngsters showing ab ili ty are se lec ted to their Prov incial tea m which consists of 10 to 15 gymnasts. A male at any age may make their Na tional team. There is no junior nati onal team - onlya nati onal tealll. The Chinese sa id that they have many top 14 and 15 yea r old male gymnasts.

The Institute's gym had all the apparatus for men and women and even a portable overhead spotting belt on an A-frame. There were not any pits or very thi ck mats. However, their quant ity of tripl es, one arm Giengers and related gyration s certainl y indi ca te the use of these training aids in the ir good training cen ters. We did not see them. The Chinese impli ed that they do no sc ientifi c research in gymnasti cs. From talking to them , their nat ional program does not seem too unusual or specia l, yet their gymnast ics is ve ry spec ial. We can see that they work hard and are among the world 's best. Their techniques, di fficulty and gracefulness certainl y indicates that they are doing things ri ght. I might add that the Chinese were most interested in the sc ienti fic resea rch that we might do. They did indicate that the ir coaches do serve a two or three month internship periodi ca ll y .

As for non-gymnastic acti vities, we shopped frequentl y at the Fr iendship store and loca l shops, had a banquet w ith dignitaries at the Peking Duck Restaurant, visited the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace w here we met Kenny Rogers, and the only man-made structure that ca n be seen from the moon - the Great Wa ll.

The Chinese are the fr iendli est and wa rm est people th at I ha ve encountered in 28 yea rs of traveling th roughout many countries. My onl y regret was th at we did not see more of the ir gymnas ti cs programs. •

PAGE 11

CHINA DIARY by Don Peters

11 /13/80 Depart from LAX w ith Beth KI i ne and George Beckstead. Arrive in Sa n Franc isco and are met by Jack ie Wa lker and husband along w ith Tracee and Ju l ianne and are transported to Stanford U . for workout. O ther girl s arri ve 2 hours later. Marcia does not arr ive; seems that she read her ti cket w rong and missed her flight in New York . Linda makes arrangements fo r her to take a later fl ight and meet us in Peking. All the girl s look good in workout. No ma jor problems.

9:00 P.M. depart Sa n Francisco on Pan Am flight to Manil a w ith stopovers in Hawa ii and Guam.

11 /14/80 Th is day did not happen? 11 /1 5/80 Arr ive in M an i la. Very hot, and we four are dressed for the co ld

weather in Peking. Frank books four hotel rooms and we all take turn s tak ing much needed showers. Depa rt Manil a on Phi lippine A irl ines to Canton and Peking. Arri ve Pek ing 9:00 P. M. and are taken to the Evergreen Hotel and checked in . Everyo ne is exhausted and goes stra ight to bed.

11116/80 Breakfast at 8 :30. American style - eggs, sausage, toast, etc. Meeting at 9 :30 w ith Chinese offic ials to dec ide Meet format. Meet to be done w ith two squads (3 USA and 3 Chinese in each squad). Seemed fair, so we agreed.

1 :00 Li ght workout. Appa ratus very good. Bars excell ent, the best I've ever seen. Beam also good. New Chinese spring floor. Harder than AMF bu t good spring. Va ult boa rds very low and not very springy. Girl s had much diff iculty .

6:00 Depart fo r Peking Duck Restaurant for welcome banquet. Served " Pekin g Duck", ate everythin g but the feathers. Li nda and Kathy got sick on each other afterwards. Maybe they don' t l ike duck?

11 /17/80 5:30 A.M. Awake to sounds of running feet in courtyard. Students and workers do ing morn ing PT . Take cold shower (no hot water at thi s hour; later in the morning they turn the boiler on).

USGF CHINA DELEGA TION: (L to R ) Front Row-J ulianne McNamara~ Beth Kline, Tracee Talav era, Lisa Zeis, Amy Koop­man, Mm'cta Fred erick, Abie Grossfeld. Back Row-Mik e Mili­do nis, Don Peters, Kelly Garrison, Wally Miller, Dennis Hayden, Phil Cahoy, Matt Arnot, Kathy Tibb etts, Sharon Va lley , Linda Chencinsk i, George B eckstead.

8: 00 Breakfast Ameri ca n style. No one is brave enough to try a Chinese breakfast.

9:00 Visit the Forbidden City. Very impress ive palaces of the emperors of the M ing and Q ing dynasties. Built in 1400 AD. Outstand ing art ohjects. Was espec iall y impressed w ith jade ca rvings.

1 :00 Train ing at tile arena w ith the men's tea m. Bars and beam went we ll . Vault - young girl s stil l having problems w ith board . M arc ia is fine. Jul ianne is doing better but ,·vill not do piked front '/ 2, w il l do tuck '/ 2 instead . FX - did dance th rough rout ines w ith layouts for tumb l ing. Marc ia and Kel ly also tumbled. Kelly and Amy stil l having some probl em adjusting to the fl oor.

11 /18/80 8: 30 Breakfast 9 :00 Coaches and Offic ials went shopping at the Fri endship

Store. Very good buys on art works, jewelry, cloissenet, jade, etc. Gymnasts stayed at hotel to rest.

1 :00 Training at arena . Bars - Light workout. I only requ ired one routine. Beam - Everyone looks good, but Ke ll y is hav ing some problems w ith her punch front mount off of the reuther boa rd. She's hitting about 50 % but she's very experienced w ith the skill so, I think that we' ll go w ith it. We've dec ided to take out Amy's ga iner wa lkovers to back tuck. Marcia's new dismount (double pike) looks solid . Floor - Amy and Kel ly still having tumbl ing problems. We've dec ided to take out the second double back in Ke ll y's routine and to do double tuck instead of double pike in the first run. Vault - Saved this event fo r last so as not to upset the rest of the workout if th ings went badly aga in . lulianne and Marcia are gett ing better each day. Amy is also improv ing, but I don't thi nk that the tsuck full is possib le. We w il l have to go w ith piked tsuck. Ke ll y w ill be O K w ith tuck tsuck. Li sa tried a handspring front and landed in a deep squat and injured her gastroc. Not

~

:::l ~ '" '" C> ) ...

Cj

.~ ~

~

I ,

sure how serious; may be a problem tomorrow . Chinese gi rl s look grea t. They are going with their best three and th ree young ones (11 , 12, 13) . Two little ones do fu ll -ins on the fl oor and off the beam. O ne does RO fu ll on the be~m ,md one does RO FF Layout on the beam. Young girls bars are good, but o lder girl s are grea t. All the Chinese are great on the beam.

11 119/80 8:30 Breakfast. Marc ia is sick w ith nausea. M ay have drunk the water? Lisa's leg is stiff but not swollen. lack Rockwe ll is w ork ing on it. He thinks that she' ll be able to go. By the \-vay,

lack is fantasti c! 11 :30 Men leave fo r wa rm-ups.

1 :00 Girl s and I leave to wa tch men's competition. Marcia and Lisa stay at the hotel to get more rest. Kathy, Linda and Sharon stay to make sure they get to the arena on time.

2:00 M en's Competition. 5: 45 W arm-ups. Spirits high. Li sa's a little apprehensive

about her leg. Marcia is feeling better. Vault - Chinese bring a new board . It 's a littl e better. Li sa w ill do a tuck tsuck. Bars - Everyone looks ready. Beam - A little nervous but not bad. Floor - Having trouble w ith double pikes. Everything else is okay.

7:30 Competition Begins. Girl s in good spir its. Li sa is being tough bit ing the bu ll et.

Vault : l eis - 8.5 Tuck tsuck. Talavera - 8.9 Clean handspring full. Garrison - 8.9 Piked tsuck. Fa ir . Koopman - 8.9 Piked tsuck. Frederick - 9.5 Strong layout tsuck. Mc 'amara - 9.5 Handspring front '!, tucked.

Team-45. 75 China-47.45 - 1.7 Bars:

leis - 9.0 Shaky, but no ma jor breaks. Tala vera - 9. 1 One break . M issed back stalder

hop. Garri son - 9.3 Good set. Better than workouts. Koopman - 9.S Good set. Frederick - 9.8 Great set. MCI amara - 9.5 Came short on stem rise and did

cover up routine. Tea m- 47 .20 China- 46.95 +. 05

Beam: leis - 9. 15 a fall s. Talavera - 9.40 No fa ll s.

Fall on mount. Garri son - 8.70 Frederick - 9. 1 0 Koopman - 9.30 McNamara - 9.60

No fa ll s, bu t touch on dismount. o fa ll s. No falls.

Tea m- 46 .55 China- 48.00 Floor Ex:

l eis - 9.30 Clean. Talavera - 9.30 Weak dismount. Garri son - 9.50 Good routine.

- 1.4 5

Koopman - 8.55 Falls on mount and dismou nt. Frederi ck - 9.20 Falls on dismount. McNamara - 9.65 Good routine

Team- 46. 95 China- 46.55 USA - 186.45 China-188.95

All Around : 1. McNamara 1. Cheng 3. Li 4. l ui 5. Frederi ck 6. Yang

Other USA Scores: Talavera - 36.70 Garrison - 36.40 Koopman - 36.25 Ze is- 35.95

USA China China China USA China

11120/80 8 :30 Breakfast

38.25 38.25 38. 10 37.75 37,65 37.45

+. 40

9:00 Depart fo r shopping at the Fr iendship Store 1 :00 Lunch at the Hotel. 4: 45 Depart for Worker's Arena for warm-ups. 5 :30 W arm-ups. Girl s seem down, ve ry lethargic, and not ve ry exc ited about the prospect of competing aga in . Tracee seems psyc hed and determin ed to redeem herse lf for yesterday'S mistake on the bars. Amy's Isuck is improving so we are going to try the ful l .

USGF GYMNASTICS

JULIANNE McNAMARA winner of the All-Around was the high-scoring American on the beam in team competition with a 9,60,

7:00 Vault- Li

lu

Competit ion begins. 9.7 Layout and full 9.4 Layout and front 'I,

Bars-Frederi ck Talavera Cheng l u

Layout and front tuck Excel lent routine Excellent rout ine

Beam- Cheng Wu Talavera

9.70 9.70 9.65 9.80 9. 70 9.60 9.65 9.60 9.55 CHINA

,vluch better than team competit ion Very cl ean routine Floor-

Gold Si lver Bronze

11 /21 /80

tv\cNamara Wang Garri son

USA 2 o 3

8:30 Breakfast.

3 4

Presented very wel l

9: 15 Depart for Great Wa ll . Two hour dri ve, but worth every

minute. The most impressive man-made thing that I've eve ry

seen. 12:30 Lunch at restaurant at the Wall .

1 :30 Depart to M ing Tombs. Very interesting. Got some ni ce pictures of the kids on the stone anima ls that guard the tombs.

5:00 Retum to hotel 6:00 D inner (everyo ne beginning to tire of Chinese food) 9 :00 Dancing at the " Dance Hall ". Tried to teach the

Chinese offi c ials and interpreters how to Disco. We failed. 11 /22 /80 8: 30 Breakfast.

9:30 Depart for shopp ing downtow n. Found a bookstore w ith gymnastics books. Were taken to an art s and crafts store. Prices better than the Friendship Store. Excellent art , glassware and jewelry.

1 :30 Train ing at sports schoo l. Apparatu s poo r. Went through our compu lsori es for the Chinese.

6:00 Di nner "America n style" . 6:45 Depart for shopping trip downtow n.

11123/80 8:30 Breakfast. 9: 30 Depart for Summer Palace . Very beauti ful Pa lace and

ga rdens of the emperors of the M ing and Q uing dynasties . We ran into Kenny Rogers and he posed for pi ctures w ith the kids. Later, at lu nch we were served chi cken complete w ilh heads. That went over big w ith the kids.

3:00 Training w ith the Chinese at the sports sc hoo l . Young Chinese girl s showed us their fl ex ibili ty dri ll s. Chinese coach showed me how to make the grips that the Chinese girl s wea r.

6 :00 Return to hotel to pack. Sharon, Lind a and Kathy went to a Drama Dance performance and ca me back rav ing aboul it.

1 1124 /80 5:00 Wake up. 5:45 Depart for airport and HOME. •

PAGE 13

USGF AUSTRIAN DELEGATION:(L to R) Front R ow-Lyn L edel'er, Brian Meeker, K elly McCoy, Sharon Shapiro, Trina Tinti, Amy Wilson, Breck Grigas, Tracy Curtis. Back Row-Ken A llen, Beth and Kurt Th omas, Carlos Spivey, Mitch GayI01'd, Fritz R eiter, Susie Van Slyk e, R ick Atkinson and Tom Hardin.

by Fritz Reiter Women's Gymnasti cs Coach

In April , when the poss ibility of the Austri an Exhibition Tou r was first di sc ussed it seemed so obvious that I should be going as the US coach. After the first exc itement subsided the rea lity sunk in : W hy me? There are so many qua li fied coaches in the US that it seemed preposterous to assume that I would be se lec ted. Then Kell y Ga ll agher, Gymnasti cs O lympica's El ite gymnast in 1980, fini shed 15th in the Championships of the USA and occupied one of the places w hich were to go to Austria. But the trip was uncertain as it was to be an Exhibition Tour and not a competition. So, when I was in fo rmed of my selection in earl y fall , I was quite thrill ed. The prospect of see ing my famil y after so many years and meeting my fri ends from my gymnasti cs days was overw helming.

As my preparations for the trip proceeded I began to feel an increasing sense of PR I DE to represent my "chosen country" in my " nati ve country"! I was sure that the gymnasts and offic ials of ou r delegat ion would like Austria and her beauti fu l landscapes and the hi stori c bu ildings. But the people­would they li ke the people? In my many trave ls for the sport of gymnasti cs I knew the one real difference between different places is PEOPLE' I shou ld not have been worried because all the people we met were extremely fri endly and always attempted to accommodate our w ishes before we could thank them. I was proud of the people of Austri a.

A few years back, when I had the fortune of being part of the F.I .G. World Team which quadrenn ial ly does a post O lympic promotional Exhibition Tour through Bra z il - I was room ing w ith th e pub li sher of th e " International Gymnast" magaz ine, Glenn Sundby. I still cheri sh this opportun ity of shar ing two wee ks of my li fe w ith Glenn w ho has contri buted so much of hi s energies and resources to the growth of gymnasti cs . One thought Glenn expressed so vividly on our journey made

PAGE 14

quite an impression on me: " WE NEE D TO FIND MORE W AYS TO OFFER OUR YOUNGSTERS THE OPPORTUN ITIES TO MEET W ITH THE YOUTH O F OTHE R COUNTRIES" . Wha t better way can you think of. than in the form of an exc iting Tour of Exhi biti ons.

The group of gymnas ts w hich made up our US team was a good mi x between exper ienced, tra ve l-w ise athletes and eager but timid newcomers. The leadership was made up of our 'chef de mi ss ion ' M rs. Roe Kreutzer from Phoeni x, Ari zona, Mr. Ken A ll en from O shkosh, W isconsin (w here the. is O shkosh, Ken ?) w ho was the coach for our men's te,1Il1 and myself. in charge of the girl s. Roe is a wonderfu l lady and so much responsible for my big break in the Un ited States (she instill ed so l11uch needed CO FIDE CE into my gymnast - Deni se Cheshire - one week before she won the ational All Around titl e). It was a good feeling to share my country w ith Roe. Ken is one of my favor ite persons in the USA. I' ll never forget his compass ioned understanding on our tr ip to the Chunichi Cup, Japan w hen on the day of departu re I contrac ted laryngitis. Sharing l11 y Austria w ith good fr iends was a great pleasure for l11e.

Immed iately upon ou r touchdown in Vienna we were received by an offic ial de legati on headed by M r. Kohun, the president of our host organization, the W AT w ho welcomed us to Austri a and introduced us to our guides, Renate, Peter and Eric. It was here w here I also met my fal11 ily afte 13 years for the first til11e aga in . Much to l11y surpri se all the di stances of va rious places in l11 y l11emory appea red so l11uch shorter, it was hard to bel ieve. A l11er ica - w hat enorl11 ous di l11ensions' Oddly, it was right then w hen I sensed w hy I wanted to be in America, the greatest coun try on Earth ! Austri a is beauti ful and the kids ad l11ired the sights of ancient bu ildings and art s, enjoyed browsing for souvenirs to take home to their fam ilies and fri ends. They also seemed to enjoy the deli cious iood.

The next day we trained at the al l new University Training Center and got to see ou r gYl11nasts fo r the first til11e in act ion. 'VIle were to have an

USGF GYMNASTICS

opportunity to work out on the ac tual equiPlllent to be used at our first performance in the "Stadthalle", on Sa turday afternoon. It soon becaille apparent that the equipment would not be of the quality we are used to in the States. However, after some brief moments of surpri se the girl s adjusted to the conditi ons and showed an exce llent attitude about it. Yet the JET-lag and the rushed conditions haillpered our performance on our first night somew hat, espec iall y on Beam, (we are not used to getting up and performing w ithout wa rill-up illlmediately before the performance). On the overall , however, the girl s cut the mustard a bit better that day than the boys w ho admittedly had worse conditions to cope w ith .

As would be expected of a WO RLD CHAM PION , Kurt Thomas adjusted to the lower qualities of the equi pment best. Kurt had jo ined our group from London w here he covered the Ru ss ian Exhibiti on for ABC-TV.

With thi s one and oth er simil ar tours we have stepped in direc t competition w ith all the superpowers in our sport. The organi zers let us know that we had been invited in an effort to maintain an East-West balance. Last yea r the Chinese National Gymnasti cs Team toured Austria and the Ru ss ians are being asked next year w ith the Japanese to fo llow afterward .

Lynn Lederer, Tracy Curti s, Kell y McCoy and Trina Tinti more than made up for the below par performances of our team on the Beam w ith nothing short of excellent Uneven Bar-sets. The Viennese began to sense the world class level of the Ameri can gymnasts and the rewarding appl ause started rolling in . According to comments from my hometown friends, most of them had never seen some of these movements in person and it ca n be assumed that the audience could grasp the level of difficulty even less. They certainl y did not expect Americans to do such world class gymnasti cs .

Lynn's creati ve movements from one bar to the other and her daring piked Comaneci dismount over the low bar, Tracy Curti s' superform and Kelly McCoy's prec ision in hitting the handstand position, and especiall y the li ghtn ess w ith w hi ch Trin a Tinti we nt through her vary in g c ircl e-movements and flowed through the air on her di smount - as if w eight less - fi ll ed our hea rts w ith pride and the "Stadthalle" w ith resounding appl ause . Thanks to the wooden boards our w arm-up sess ion

" The Viennese began to sense the world class level of the American gymnasts and the rewarding applause started rolling in ... "

on the horse vault was di scourag ing. Th e perfo rm ance during the Exhibition on the other hand was a smashing success . Vienna's gymnasti cs enthusiasts were excited . They had never seen such a barrage of handspring 1 '12 front vaults by tiny girl s.

Without question, the girl s miss the "Springfl oor" a lot more than the boys. Perhaps "AMF" could ship its excell ent fl oor along to meets and exhibitions abroad and write it off, (j ust kidding, Larry) ! What we did not

have in tumblin g we made eas il y up in dance, choreograph y and orchestrated music. As usual wOlllen's floor is one of the highlights of any gymastics show and so were the routines presented by Susie Van Slyke, Amy W il son, Trina Tinti , Lynn Lederer and Tracy Curti s w ith her brand new arrangement.

Our Exhibition in Vienna was part of a program w hich spotlighted va riou s forms of gymn astics. We enjoyed the performances of hundreds of children and adults including mother and baby demonstrations and a jazz-group performance choreographed by an old fri end of mine from the fo lkdance group I used to belong to. She is now a teacher in one of the three Sportsgymnasiums Austri a has instituted to foster thei r sportsm inded youth . The Show was M.C'd by one of Austri a's foremost TV personalities, Kurt Votava .

My fri ends had arranged a get together at one of Vienna's popular " HEURIGEN" (places w here peopl e go to get together to have a good time,

USGF GYMNASTICS

Tracy Curtis photo by Fritz Reiter

sing, laugh and li sten to accordion and violin music). I arranged that our w hole delegation was able to attend this pl ace of " GEMUETLICHKEIT". The typica l Hungarian style musicians pl ayed to the honor of the America n athletes w ho joined in w ith rhythmica l clapping of their hands.

O n Monday our guides, Renate and Eric sa fely brought us to Linz, our second stop on the tour. Peter brought Kurt Tho illas and hi s love ly w ife Beth in w hat was reported as an incredible recordbrea king dri ve in someone's Mercedes Benz that evening. Generall y Linz is known for its industrial sites and it comes closest to producing L.A. 's Smog. Not even I was aware of its lovely old tow n or the hospitality of its peoople.

In retrospect Linz was the gymnasti cs highlight of our tour. We had somewhat adapted to the time and the organization of the show was superb . With the exception of the floor and the boards the equipment was excellent. If I ever felt the effect of a positive attitude towards the outcome of one's work it was here in Linz. As in Vienna, vaulting provided some problems. However, dri ven by a need to please the audience as well as themselves Sharon Shapiro and Tracy Curti s who both had mi ssed their vau lts asked for another turn to make up for it. Both were rewarded with a thunderous appl ause after their hits. Kelly McCoy slipped off the Bar on her di smount after performing nearly fl aw less up to that point. She jumped up and performed the d ismount tei the pleasure of the audience. We used a printing mistake in the program to show the peopl e that our girl s are also at home on the " Hori zontal Bar."

That evening we celebrated the success of our perforill ance with our Lin ze r fri end s, exc hanged gifts, expressed our gratitude over th eir hospitality and fo rgot the fact that the youth hostel we were staying at didn ' t have any elevators.

The weather had not graced our v isit to Austria yet , but it did so by opening up just as we were in the midst of the Alps. Spectacular views opened up and snow conditions were good enough to sense the might of th e Alps and to slide down the mountainside on our backs. (The more mature

Cant. an pg. 3 1

PAGE 15

BIO-MECHANICS CORNER

Uneven Parallel Bars ... Overgrip Giant Swing ...

The Descent Phase ...

HSEE HOW THEY FALL" By Gera ld S. George, Di rec tor

U.S.G.F. Bi omechanica l Task Force

Just as in the men's Horizontal Bar Event, the basic objective in executing an O vergr ip Giant Swing on the Uneven Paral lel Bars is to circl e about the upper rail w ith as ful ly extended a body shape as is mechanica lly poss ible. However the precarious, yet necessary, proximity of the upper to the lower ra il of the Unevens poses a unique phys ica l constraint on the gymnast, the effects of wh ich beconie particularly obvious during the ascent phase of thi s skill. More often than not, the performer is seen having to compensa te by undu ly altering and/or misaligning her body shape in order to marginally complete the giant swing or otherwise suffer w hatever consequences lay hidden for fa ilure to comp lete! In either case, ma ximum techn ica l execution is se ldom, if ever, rea l ized.

Since swing-oriented gymnastic ski lls are essenti all y governed by the same set of mechanica l princ iples, it would be to the advantage of all concerned not on ly to understand the nature and function of such pri nc iples but also to know how to best max imize their effect. In so do ing, execution of an Overgrip Giant Swing becomes an asset rather than a liabil ity to the aspiring performer.

In skills cha racterized by a pendu lum sw ing Illotion (Figure I), most of us are well aware that the cont inuous dow nwa rd pu ll of gravity ca uses a performer's body to accelerate (speed up) throughout the entire descent and that the greatest ve loc ity (most speed) is attained at or very nea r the exact bottom of the swing. During the ascent phase of the swing, it is aga in that inev itab le nagging fly, grav ity, w hi ch c laims respon sibi lity for the correspond ing decrease in ve loc ity (s low down).

It is interesting to observe, however, that the alllount of swing rea lized in the ascent phase is always sOlllewhat less than in the descent phase. The stopping force of fr iction, created main ly by the hands circ li ng about the bar ra il (and to a much lesser extent by air res istance), reduces the alllount of upswing that otherwise (friction-free state) might have been atta ined. In spite of this re lative difference in sw ing alllpl itude between the descent and ascent, there exists an illl portant relat ionship :

I The greater the swing amplitude attained in the descent phase, the greater the potent ial for increased ampl itude in the resulting ascent phase.

Figure 1. BASIC PENDULUM SWINGING MOTION

PAGE 16

Figure 2. OVERGRIP GIANT SWING DESCENT PHASE

.,P==========

A

Of course, the ease with wh ich a body can c irc le about a bar is directly re lated to its shape. If, for example, increased impetus is needed to complete the ascent phase of a giant swing, the performer must begin to shorten quickly her rad ius of rotat ion at, or immediately after the exact bottom of the swing. This matter of " tradi ng off" rad ius length for increased rotat iona l impetus, " a robbing of Peter to pay Pau l" so to speak, further substantiates the critical illlportance of the descent phase: For:

II Neither the amount, tilll ing, nor quickness of shortening the body's turning radius ca n adequately increase the performer's rota tional rate without a lread}! having generated a sufficient

quantity of c ircular Illotion prior to the ascent phase. Conseq uent ly it is the descent phase itself that must be considered as the

primary source, the causa tive factor, the controll able va riable sett ing the

USGF GYMNASTICS

,

"the precarious, yet necessary, proximity of the upper to the lower rail of the Unevens pose~ a unique physical constraint on the gymnast ... "

uppermost l imits for w hat can potentially occu r in the ascent phase of any circular swinging skill. And since a maximum quantity of swinging motion is requi red to successfully complete the ascent phase of an Overgrip Giant Swing on the Uneven Parallel Bars, the necessity of carefu ll y examining the unique nature of the descent phase becomes patently obvious.

There are at least two important mechan ica l factors which serve to regulate (and in thi s instance maximize) descent swi ng amplitude. The fi rst, and perhaps most obvious, vari able deals w ith the starting height of the swing. As depicted in ill ustration A of Figure 2, the gymnast initiates the descent phase of the giant swing from a region of hi ghest poss ible loca tion relat ive to the bar, i.e. , a full y extended handstand pos ition. Such a starting position means that the performer can cover the greatest poss ible distance during the descent phase . This is a distinct advantage in that it allows gravity to act upo n (acce lerate) th e body fo r a longer durat ion of t ime. Consequent ly, a greater quantity of motion can be made ava ilable to help maximize amplitude in the oncomi ng ascent phase .

A second and equally important consideration for max imizing swing amplitude is distance, i .e. , the di stance between the body's mass center (located at or near the perfo rmer's waist) and the ax is of rotation (bar). Thi s di stance, common ly referred to as the " radius of rotation", shou ld be as great as is mechanica ll y possible throughout the entire descent phase. However such a consideration reads eas ier than it l ives because the gymnast is also confronted w ith the task of having to clear the lower bar of the apparatus.

It is obvious that , by decreasing sufficiently one or a seri es of joint angles at the proper time, a performer can manage to avo id str iking the lower bar rail. What is perhaps not qu ite so obvious centers about how to accomplish this wh ile still insuring the largest possible rad ius of rotation throughout every point in the descent swing.

Fi gure 3 provides us with an interesting compar ison of how to obtain the best of both world s. In each of these conceptual models, a se lected joint angle is decreased sufficiently enough so as to allow only a most minimal " tota l body clearance" from the lower rai l. Although the phys ica l distance between the ax is of rotat ion and each of the performers' feet is prec ise ly the same, the resultan t change in their respecti ve radii of rotat ion is dec idedly different.

Rather than bending at the shoulder joint angle, the performer in the second example chose instead to decrease the hip joint angle. Thi s resu lts in a comparati ve ly smaller percentage of body weight being pu lled inward toward the ax is of rotation (upper bar rail ). Consequent ly a comparati ve ly longer radius of rotation is achieved in the second example.

Expanding these basic concepts in terms of maximizing the descent phase of the actual Overgrip Giant Swing (Figure 2). the aspiring performer would be wise to consider the following suggestions:

Illustration A 1. The ski l l should be in iti ated from a fully-extended, vertica l

handstand position . 2. Parti cular emphasis should be placed on ma inta ining both

complete protraction (hol low-chest) and full elevat ion of the shoulder girdle .

3. The straight-line shape observed in the arm-trunk angle, as we ll as the aforementioned shoulder gird le position , should be steadfastl y maintained throughout the entire descent phase.

Illustrat ions A-8-C 1. Every attempt should be made to retain the fully-ex tended shape

of the total body unit for as long as possible during the initial aspect of the descent phase .

Illustrations C-D-E 1. Note that the requ i red body shape changes occur in a

progress ive, sequenti al fashion and are initiated from a point of

USGF GYMNASTICS

greatest distance from the axis of rotation , i.e ., the hip joint. 2. Decreas ing the hip joint angle serves as the cue to beg in

decreasing the lumbar angle (lower back). 3. Decreasing the lumbar angle then serves as the cue to begin

decreas ing (bendi ng) in the thoracic (trunk) area. 4. Each body shape change progressivel y bui lds upon the other

sufficiently enough to permit minimal clearance of the lower bar rail.

S. This progress ive sequence of decreasing first the hip joint, then t he l umbar area and fina ll y the trunk area ca nnot be overemphasized.

Illustrations E-F 1. Just as the total body un it approaches the lower bar rail, the legs

are quickly stradd led (latera ll y) as w ide as is mechanicall y possible and then are instantaneously returned to thei r or iginal feet together posi tion .

2. Note that the perfo rmer rap id ly unfo lds from th e deep ly hol lowed body shape such that a ful ly extended (yet slight ly arched) total body shape is attained we ll before arr iving at the exact bottom of the swing.

Since the mechanica l characteri sti cs of the descent phase set the stage for al l that is to fo llow, it should begin to become somewhat c lea rer to us th at seemingly minor d ifferences in descent swing techn ique, more often than not, resu lt in major differences in total performance. The descent phase therefore is the very genesis of all swing-oriented gymnastic ski ll s. Who was it that once sa id .. ?

. Everyone likes to swing, And those w ho engage in the sport of gymnastics

love it, Yet champions w ho border the lunatic fr inge

of exacting execution live it. And that's the simple truth .

Figure 3. EFFECT OF BOD Y SHAPE ON RADIUS OF ROTA TlON

PAGE 17

CHUNICHI CUP & TOKYO INVITATIONAL November 28 & 29, 1980 December 4, 1980

By M rs. Delene Darst

USGF Delegation Delene Darst- Chef d'Mi ss ion & W omen 's judge Paul Tickenoff- Men's judge Bill Sa nds- W omen 's Coach Francis A llen- Men's Coach-only for Chunichi Cup Amy Koopman- Gymnast Tracee Talavera-Gymnast jim Hartung-Gymnast-only for Chuni chi Cup Phil Cahoy-Gymnast-o nly for Chunichi cup

Mas Watanabe-Men's Program Director, USGF Chunichi Cup-Nagoya, japan

A ll-Around Competiti on-Competiti on II Finals Competition-Competition III

Tokyo Inv itational- Tokyo, japan Finals Competition-Competition III

Countri es Parti c ipa ting: Canada China Czechoslovakia-Women only Hungary japan

German Democrati c Republi c Romania-Women onl y Korea-Women onl y USA

Age of Gymnasts: 14 and over for w omen Men were probably all over 20 Steffi Kraeker was one of the o ldest women

N umber of Gymn asts:

Chuni chi

Tokyo

Women 17 plus 2 extra japanese for score only 17 plu s 2 extra j apanese

Men 13

11 -Ameri ca n men had to go home

The competition format for Chuni chi was all invited gymnasts competed the first day for all -a round awards as well as top 8 quali fy ing in each event for finals the second day. The first day's scores were added to the final score fo r pl acement. It was all opti onal competiti on.

In Tokyo each co untry dec ided w hich gymn asts would enter w hi ch event. In general each gymnast was in onl y 2 events. If a country onl y had one gymnast, fo r example DDR, onl y had Steffi Kraeker, so she entered all four. This was a finals (Competition III ) only w ith no scores being carri ed. IV.A. Evaluation of Events Vault

1. M ost vaults performed were Tsukahara in tuck, pike, and layout. Front 1 '/, Sa ito in tuck Tsukahara w ith full (1/l) tw ist

Since I was judging another event ca nnot comment on frequency . Unevens

1. & 2. A ll gymnasts had more than enough d iff iculty for Competi tion II requirements. A ll bu t five competitors had CK requirements as well. Seven gymnasts rece ived 2 tenths in ori ginality and six rece ived 1 tenth

PAGE 18

Trac ee Talavera photo by Rich Kenney

in originality. Six gymnasts had no originality in their routines. All but one gymnast had an extra C for 1 tenth under bonus.

3. M ost of the exercises were well composed w ith variety in movements. A couple of routines had repetition of movements and worked on one bar to the max imum allowed. I saw no new moves on the bars during any of the competition.

4. Onl y one gymnast had a fallon the di smount, one had a 3 tenth hand touch, and there w ere no other serious faults in preliminari es . In finals there were no serious faults. In the Tokyo competition three gymnasts had only 2 " C" elements, one gymn ast fell tw ice and one fell once.

5. In general for all competitions the technique o f execution was good. w ith a few being outstanding. Even those w ho got into trouble showed good technique.

6.( lt appea rs from the scoring on the wea ker gymnasts that judges d id not take into account virtuosity and that there were no deducti ons for " lack

of" . Beam-Could no t see . Fl60r Exercise 1. ~ n the preliminary competition all gymnasts had all the necessary

~i ff i c ulty. In finals at the Chunichi Cup all had max imum diffi culty, but i:\the Tokyo meet one gymnast had onl y 2 "C" elements and repeated a double full tw ist seri es for no credit the second time. She also fa iled to perf orm a large leap or dance pass. The judges fa iled to score the routine corr~tl y as she received a 9.25 average. Fourteen gymnasts had at least one C\ skill , all coming from a double back sa ito.

2. O riginaNv most often came from : (1) double jump turn, (2) 1 '/2 tw isting sa ito bacl<ward (3) handstand double pi rouette. O ne gymnast rece ived

.2 in ori g i ~a lity fo r a 1 '12 front sa ito to a front support. 3. In general most gymnasts lacked in dance and connections. There were

routines that had wa lk or run into the corner and wa it for the tumbling pass . O ne gymnast di smounted w ith an "A" skill and three were lac king a natu ra l gymn astic " B" skill. The scores did no t reflect the lack of such.

4. Most execution mi stakes came from fa ll s in tumbling. There were 3 fa lls on doub le backs and several gymnasts should have received at least .2

fo r leg separation on the double back. There was also lack of v irtu osity in some routines that was not deducted . I personall y fe lt the fl oor scores in general were too hi gh by .2 to .3 tenths and on the weake r routi nes by

Cont. on pg. 27

USGF GYMNASTICS

j

[ y

r

CHUNICHI CUP & TOKYO INVIT. cant. from pq. 18

more than .3. B. Evaluation of Organization of Competition 1. Apparatus was excellent and very well maintained. The lack of a spring

floor was an adjustment forthe girls w hich they made. The ad justment to the hard , less springy board took longer and probably affected the girls' vaults more than the floor. By the last day they seemed to be adjusted to the board.

2. The facilities were good in all aspects. In Tokyo the gym was sma ller but big enough for sufficient room in all events. The athletes section was on the floor, off to the side w hich made for some confusion and a feeling of a lack of organization.

3. Scoring was done manually at the Chunichi Cup. It was very well organized and clearly presented. The length of time the scores were flashed cou ld have been longer. It was hard to catch the average if you weren't looking as soon as the score was flashed. In Tokyo the Seiko timers that were used in Ft. Worth were used. Again the average was not shown long enough.

4. Scoring personnel were excell ent and very efficient. 5. Result sheets were hard to find in Tokyo. No one was informed of where

or when they would be available. In Tokyo they were given to each delegation at the banquet. It was much better organized there.

6. The audiences were rather sparse. The lack of enthusiasm probabl y reflects the japanese culture. The best and most enthusiastic audience was at the exhibition in Sabae.

7. The banquets and Sayanara parties-there were four in all -were most outstanding. The food was plentiful and excellent. At one of the banquets there was traditional japanese entertainment which was excel lent. Also at each party except the last one, each delegation sang a song. Also in Fukui they planned two tours, one to a textile factory and one to a glass frame manufacturer. They were both very interesting. It is unfortunate that the American woman's coach chose to take the girls to workout during the two tours rather than go on them.

WHY THEY ARE BETTER cant. from pg. 7

toes pointed , then these girls would have to work hard on their round-off flip-flops and in time I'm sure that they would improve enough to be able to supply the forces necessa ry to do a full-in. Now, w hen our gymnast gets her full-in but she has to cowboy to make it and maybe it's not very high. Should we deduct for the execution errors? Yes! We must, because if we encourage her to use this trick w hen she has no " reserve" we w ill be asking for an injury to happen. She should be encouraged to use the full-in only when she can safe ly make her bad ones. Remember, our team cannot do well unless all of our team members are healthy and able to perform to the best of their abilities.

It was another experience other than gymnastics w hich wou ld have enhanced the trips for the girls.

V. judging Analysis A. The leve l of judging on bars was approximately the same as USGF. Most

of the scores were fairly accurate. On floor the scor ing was much higher than in the U.S.

B. Scores Vault UB Beam FE Chunichi Cup 9.5-10.0 1-5.88% 5-29.4 1 % 5·29.41 % Preliminaries 9.0-9.45 9-52.94% 10-58.82% 11 -64.70% 10·58.82%

8.5-8.95 4·23.52% 2·14 .28% 6-35.29% 1·5.88% 8.0-8.45 2-11.76% Be low 8 1-5.88% 1·5.88%

Finals 9.5-10.0 5-62.50% 3·37.5% 9.0-9.45 4-50% 3-35.90% 6-75% 5-62.5% 8.5·8.95 3·37. 5% 1·12.5% 8.0-8.45 1-12.5% Below 8.0 1-1 2.5%

Tokyo 9.5·10.0 4-44.44% 2-22.22% 3-33.33% 9.0-9.45 4·50% 3-33.33% 3·33.33% 4-44.44% 8.5·8.95 2·25% 3-33.33% 8.0-8.45 2·25% 2-22.22% 1·11.11 %

C. There were no protests for any of the competitions. D. judges meeting was only for assigning judges and fi lling out score

sheets. There was no discussion of OV or RV moves or anything on the Code. In the first meeting Mrs. Buger did hand out pictures of all the new moves that have been added to the Code. The OV-RV li st was also given out.

VI. The trip went very well with no major problems. Most of this was due to the warmth and hospital ity of the japanese. It was also due to the fact that Mr. Watanabe was w ith us to help with the translation and understanding of procedures, etc.

Everyone was very pleasant to travel with and there were no serious problems. Al l in all it was an excellent trip. If our girls cou ld have performed better it wou ld have been that much better of a trip . •

injuries, greater endurance from the abi lity to " hit" more routines, and greater confidence from the knowledge that you can " hit" your routines even on a bad day.)

If we had a selection system similar to the Russians, our coaches could handle this problem themselves. They cou ld simp ly stick to their guns and demand better execution from their gymnasts . If we had a national coach, he cou ld handle the problem just by ordering the personal coaches to make greater execut ion demands. But we have neither. Our kids make the team based both on how they perform and how they are scored. So, if

?-. the judges are rewarding difficulty, no matter how ~ poorly it's done, then most coaches will permit ~ their gymnasts to do marginal sk ill s if it improves

their chances of making the team. And we do not have a national coach with authority over the individual coaches. Consequently, our only hope is with the Technical Committee and the judges Association. If they emphasize execution in their

~ judging at al l levels, maybe by 1984 we call get ~ this whole thing turned around.

Earlier in thi s article I predicted a poor finish in the World Championships because of injuries and not " hitting" . To hit (to not have any major errors) in a major competition in vo lves technical , phys ical and psychological factors. Technically, you must have reserve on all of your skills (you must be technicall y proficient) so that a minor error does not become a major deduction. Physical ly, you must possess enough endurance to be strong at the end of your routines (reserve endurance) so that if you have to struggle through some minor problems during the routine, you wil l still have enough left to make the dismount. Also, phys ical ly you must be free of serious pain so that yo u do not have to override normal defense reactions (flinching, etc.). Psychologically, you must be confident, both in your ability to perform your routines and in your ability to do it w hen it counts. The former comes from successful

repetitions in training (made possible by technica l proficiency), and the latter is learned through "s uccessful " meet experience, (a lso made possible through technical proficiency) .

P.S. After reading this article, I'm afraid that some readers might take this as a crit icism of the girls who competed in China. I assure you that is not the case . The gir ls who competed in China (Amy, Julianne, Kelly, Lisa, Marcia and Tracee) performed better than any U .S. team in recent years. They were wonderful to work with and I am very proud of them. My article critic izes a trend in U .S. gymnast ics that is making success more difficult for these girls, and in no way reflects nor should it be interpreted to reflect , on the va li ant efforts of these gymnasts. •

USGF GYMNASTICS

A ll of these factors are vital. But the one that is most important and which we as administrators, coaches and judges have the most control over is technical proficiency. And since these factors are inter-related, a sh ift to better technical execution may improve the two other factors involved in " hitting". (Freedom from pain by reducing

PAGE 21

Coca Cola Invitational • In London Wembley Arena-December 12-13

Nobuyuki Kaj itani of japan won the men's all-around, and Romania 's Emilia Eberle tied Zhou Xiaoling of the People's Republi c of Ch ina for the women's title at the 1980 version of the Coca Co la Inv itational in London on the 12 and 13 of December. Lyn Lederer was the sole medalist for the USA, a sil ver on floor exercise. Tracy Curtis, Breck Grigas and M itch Gaylord all made finals in at least one event.

The re lat ive ly inexperienced USA team of Lyn Lederer, Tracy Curti s Breck Grigas and M itch Gaylord were cheered warm ly and loudly in the competition , w hich started ju st a few days after the death of john Lennon on American soil. Not being sure of any reaction aga inst Americans in the homeland of the fa ll en si nger after the tragic ki lli ng, the USA contingent was treated well by all Englishmen they came in contact w ith , and as usua l the USA athletes were beseiged by autograph seekers. However, the USA gymnasts were sensitive to some booing during the competition .

On the competitive side, Olga Mostepanova (learn how to pronounce this name, you' ll see it again), a twelve year o ld Ru ss ian w ho stands no higher than the vaulting horse, showed the crowd that little girls can dance as well as throw big acrobatic skill s. The opinion of severa l observers was, at 12 years of age, Mostepanova can execute her dance elements as well as Nelli Kim ever did! Nelli , by the way, performed exhibition routines on beam and floor. A lthough her rout ines were extremel y watered down, and she is visibl y heavier than her appearance at the Fort Worth World Championships, the English crowd proved Nelli is st ill the Queen of their hearts .

Cheryl Weqtherstone (GB) trains in Conn. w ith Coach Andy Antonelli . Although living in the USA for the past nine years, Cheryl is a British citi zen by birth . A second place in the GB Championship October earned Cheryl a spot on the GB team in the Coca Cola Invitational.

Lyn Lederer

Men's Highlights HB - Morisue (Japan) and Li (China , not the " fireplug" Li) did beaut ifu l triple flyaways off highbar, both of them ki ck ing out and landing w ith relati ve ease . Kajitan i (Japan) performed a reverse hecht, immed iate Ca lifornia hop, immediate sta lder sequence on HB . PB -It was an All-Asian show as the Chi nese and japanese took four of the top five spots. Kajitani 's reverse st raddle-cut was terrific. V - Vern ih (USSR) d id a layout Tsuk that may have not landed yet. Mitch Gaylord made final s with a good full twisting Tsuk (tuck) after having problems adjust ing to the wood vaulting board. R- Breck Grigas swung a strong so lid set for second place after prelims. including a solid iron cross that he hadn' t used since high school. A fa lter on his '/2 in-'/2 out dismount in fina ls cost him the sil ver medal. PH - Pommel Horse took it's toll , w ith on ly six of the twelve gymnasts completing c lean sets . Kajitani proved again that short people ca n swing high. FX - Odorhean (Romania) mounted with a fu ll - in back-out, had a 1 '/ , twi sting Arabian 1314 on hi s third pass, and dismounted w ith a double back ... w ith a broken bone in hi s foot. Popov (USS R) did a Thomas Fla ir to immed iate straddle-up to handstand.

Women's Highlights VAULT - The USA girl s had some trouble adjust ing to the wood reuther board . . . but no complaints. Tracy Curti s did a very good handspring-front va ult to a flawless land ing, but a little short on di stance. Having a stronger second vault in finals may have earned Tracy a medal. The vault that seemed to score best was a " layout Tsuk" . . . in piked position. BARS - Eberle (Romania) did everything to a handstand . . . and a good clear-hi p piked front w / '/2 tw ist dismount. Kono (Japan) surprised everyone. Mostepanova (USSR) may have the best Delchev on unevens in the world ;

USGF GYMNASTICS

,I

(good height and d istance from the bar) but she stood on the low bar, jumped to a front support, then casted to a handstand, (a blatant stop) and still scored 9 .3S! BB - Lyn Lederer hi t solid and made Finals. Mostepanova's strong dance was combined w ith a FF-Iayout (2 foot takeoff) tuck back and tuck front, al l fl awless. Vladarau (Romania) was solid but had stock tumbling. Zhou's leaps were great! FX - Lyn Lederer executed her dance del ibe rately and prec ise ly, combin ing it w ith a RO 1 '/2 tw ist step-out RO FF piked double back - (a tumbli ng pass she confidently hits every time, prac ti ce or competit ion, and never w ith a spotter). Zhou (C hina) mounted w ith a tuck double back, but

US Team to London (L to R ) L ederer, Curtis, Grigas, Gay lord.

dropped out of a trip le fu ll on her second tumbl ing line. Fairly stock tumbl ing from Mostepanova - a piked double, (a RO Arabian-RO-FF-fu ll , and a double full ) was combined w ith absolutely awesome execut ion of her dance .

The Briti sh Amateur Gymnasti cs Association , along w ith the Coca Cola sponsors, were ve ry accommodating and helpful throughout our stay. All the meals were provided for and the same for transportation . Any problems that arose, they worked to so lve it as quick ly as poss ible.

Our last ful l day in London found us touring even though it was another damp and rainy one. One of the athletes, Tracy Curt is, couldn' t rea lly take part as it turned out the next day, the day we left, she had bronchiti s. A doctor had to come to the hotel in order to diagnose and prescribe the necessa ry medication. Oh, was she sick! That Sunday, all of us except for Bill Sands and the gi rl s, had an opportunity to see many of the sights in London . By the time we got back, we were very tired .

The fli ght took 16 '1, hours, eight at the airport and 8 '1, on the plane. So, w hen we final ly arr ived at O ' Hare, it was 1 :00 AM - eight hours later than our schedu led arri va l. •

Women's A ll-Around Resu lts Uneven

N ame Country Vault Bars Beam Floor Total Pos Emilia Eberle ROM 9.50 9.60 9.20 9.30 37.60 1T Zhou Xiao li ng PRC 9.20 9.55 9.40 9.45 37.60 1T Yayoi Kano JPN 9.25 9.55 9.35 9.35 37.50 3 O lga Mostepanova USSR 8.95 9.35 9.45 9.65 37.40 4 Mari lena Vlacla rau ROM 9.35 9.15 9.45 9.30 37.25 5 Natalia Ilienko USSR 9. 10 9.45 9.10 9.55 37.20 6 Lyn Lederer USA 9.10 9.10 9.30 9.40 36.90 7 Zhuo Jingl ing PRC 9.30 8.70 9.30 9. 10 36.40 8 Cheryl Weatherstone GB 9.30 9.40 9. 10 8.50 36.30 9 Mandy Gorna ll G B 9.30 9.20 9.00 8.50 36.00 10 Noriko Kondo JPN 9. 10 8.85 8.50 9.15 35.60 11 Tracy Curtis USA 9.30 9.00 8.00 9.10 35 .40 12

M en's A ll-Around Results Porn Par High

Name Country Floor Horse Rings Vault Bars Bar Total Pos Nobu yuki Kaji tani JPN 9.20 9.55 9.50 9.55 9.60 9.80 57.20 1 Andre i Popov USSR 9.40 9.45 9.40 9.25 9.60 9.65 56.75 2 Xu Zhiq iang PRC 9.55 9.40 9.30 9.30 9.40 9.60 56.55 3 Li N ing PRC 9.30 9.25 9. 15 9.50 9.50 9.75 56.45 4 Igor Verni h USSR 9. 15 9.20 9.45 9.65 9.30 9.40 56.15 5 Masao Morisue JPN 9.35 8.30 9.50 9.65 9.45 9.70 55.95 6 Barry Winch GB 9. 15 9. 10 9.00 9.40 9 .35 9 .30 55.30 7 Breck Grigas USA 9.30 8.70 9.45 9.30 8.65 9.20 54.60 8 Mitch Gaylord USA 9.05 8.40 9.25 9.40 9.30 8.40 53 .80 9 Dan Odorhean ROM 9.40 8.45 9. 10 9.40 8. 75 8.55 53.65 10 Keith Langley GB 8.65 8.80 9.20 9.40 8.75 8.45 53.25 11 Aurel ian Georgescu ROM 8.75 8. 15 8.65 9.25 9. 10 9.00 52.90 12

USGF GYMNASTICS

FX 1 Zh iqiang PRC

T2 Popov URS T2 Odorhean ROM

4 Ning PRC 5 Morisue JPN 6 Gr igas USA

PH 1 Ka jitani JPN 2 Zhiq iang PRC 3 Ning PRC 4 Popov U RS 5 Vern ih URS 6 W inch GBR

R 1 Ka j itani JPN 2 Mori sue JPN 3 Vern ih URS 4 Zhiq iang PRC 5 Grigas USA 6 Popov URS

V 1 Eberle ROM 2 Ji ngJing PRC 3 Gorn al l GBR 4 Weatherstone GBR 5 Curtis USA 6 Vlaclarau ROM

UB 1 Eberle ROM 2 Xiao ling PRe 3 Kano JPN 4 Ilienko U RS 5 Weatherstone GB R 6 Mostepanova URS

Emilia Eb erle

Coca Cola Invitational Men's Fi nals

V 18.95 1 Vern ih URS 18.90 T2 Kaji tani JPN 18.90 12 Morisue JPN 18.80 4 N ing PRC 18.50 5 W inch GBR 18.40 6 Gaylord USA

PB 19. 10 1 Ka j itan i JPN 19.00 2 Popov URS 18.95 3 Morisue JPN 18.85 4 Ning PRC 18.50 5 Vern ih URS 18. 10

HB

19. 10 1 Kaj itani JPN

19.00 2 Morisue JPN

18.95 3 Zh iq iang PRC

18.70 4 Ning PRC

18.65 5 Vernih URS

18.60 6 Popov URS

Women's Final

B 18.85 1 Xiao ling 18.625 2 Ka no 18.55 3 Mostepanova 18 .025 4 Jingling 17.775 5 Vladarau 14 .05 6 Lederer

FX 19.40 1 Mostepanova 19.30 2 lIienko 19. 10 3 Lederer 19.05 4 Eberle 18.55 5 Xiao ling 17.75

19.275 19.20 19.20 18.975 18.825 18.65

19.30 19 .05 19.00 18.90 18.55

19.65 19.45 19 .35 19.20 18.65 18.50

PRe 18.85 JPN 18.80 URS 18.75 PRe 18.70 ROM 18.60 USA 17.55

URS 19. 15 URS 19. 10 USA 19.05 ROM 18.75 PRe 18.70

~

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'" Q ?-.

..c o ..., o ~

- _-"':=---==::1 ~

PAGE 23

The SECOND FOUR CONTINENTS CHAMPIONSHIPS MODERN RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS • In

by Andrea B. Schmid

The Second Four Continents Championships in Modern Rhythmi c Gymnasti cs took place December 2-4, 1980, in Rio De Janeiro, Braz il. The young U.S. Team performed far beyond ou r expectations. But let us start at the beginning.

First Day The Championsh ip began w ith th e group competit ion. The young

(average age, 16 years) team performed the routine very well only w ith small execution faults. We fini shed second right after the Japanese team, w ho placed 4th in the last World Championsh ips in London , 1979 , and defeated Canada who finished 7th in the World Championships last yea r, and competed in World Championships w ith group since 197 1 and Braz il w ho competed since 1975. The U.S. entered a group in the World Championships the first time in 1979.

First Round Results : Composition score 9.55 Execution score 8.45

1. japan Total 18.00

Composition score 9.20 Execution score 8.05

2. USA Total 17.25

Composit ion score 9.20 Execution score 7. 50

3. Canada Total 16.70

4th New Zea land 16.70; 5th Braz il 16.30; and 6th Mexico 14.75.

The competition then continued w ith Rope and Hoop alternating. Both of our indiv idual competitors, Sue Soffe and Lydia Crabtree started w ith good routines. Sue competed first wi th rope. At the beginning of the exercise, she dropped her rope for a second, but after that her routine was f law less. She received 9 .0 which p laced her in the prel imin ary competition , second after the Japanese girl , Ota 9.05 . Lydia started w ith an excellent hoop rout ine 8.9 . She placed 5th and made the final s in thi s event. Then, Sue performed her hoop routine, she had a couple of small ba lance fau lts and slightly missed one of her ca tches but overall her rou tine was expressive and well executed. She aga in placed second 9. 15 after Ota 9.25. Lydi a has a very diff icult rope routine. She seemed to lose concentrati on and made several large mistakes - 8.5.

Second Day

All Around Results Rope Hoop

1. Ota, Michiyo (Japan) 9.05 9.25 2. Soffe, Sue (USA) 9.00 9.15 2. Kimura, Kimie (Japan) 8.85 9.00 4. 5antos, Lui za (Brazi l) 8.80 8.80

Clubs Ribbon 8. 75 9. 10 9.05 8.75 9.40 8.70 8.95 8.80

Total 36. 15 15 .')') 35.95 35.35

:::! ~

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~ {§ l=! ~ ;:>, On the second day, the compet ition aga in started w ith group

performance. The group performed very well again, but we placed 3rd this day, one tenth behind Canada. I have to remark here th at Canada and Japan had two brevet judges and they consequently had their two judges judging the group competition , w hi le we sent one brevet judge (myself) and one international judge (Annelis Hoyman). The brevet judges got their judging ass ignment first, and then the internationa l judges shared the remaining places.

__ ::...:..- ..c

Second Round Results: Compos ition score 9.6 Execution score 8.9

1. japan Total 18. 50

Compositi on score 9.25 Execution score 8.25

2. Canada Tota l 17.50

Composition score 9.20 Execution score 8.20

3. USA Total 17.40

4th New Zealand 16.85; 5th Braz il 15.50; 6th Mexico 14.65.

The competition then continued w ith Clubs and Ribbon alternating. Sue Soffe did an excellent club routine, 9.05. Unfortunately she missed two parts in her ribbon routine which is one of her best events - 8.75. Lydia Crabtree did a nice club routine and made the final in thi s event too .

The Japanese gymnasts performed very well , but Sue, our four-time Nationa l Champion strongl y chal lenged them. The two Brazil ian gymnasts were very impressive and one could see that they have a new Ru ss ian coach. Debby Brya nt (Canada) the Al l Around Champion of the first Four Continent Championships placed 6th . Kerry Dougherty of New Zea land had improved sign ificantly since the World Champion ships and placed 7th . Lyd ia Crabtree (USA) placed 9th . Lydia looked good in the workouts but had d ifficu lty handling the pressure of the competition. Thi s was her second international experience as an ind ividua l compet itor. I hope in the future we can give more international competition experience to our gymnasts so they w ill be prepared for a bi g championship like this one.

PAGE 24

Awards for Individual Events/Rope (L to R) Sue Soffe/USA (2nd place), Michiyo OtalJAPAN (1st place) and Luiza Santos /BRAZIL (3rd p lace)-tielJane Lalzor/CANADA (3rd place)-tie.

5. Lopes, Clarisse (Braz il ) 8.90 9.00 9. 15 8. 15 35.20 6. Bryant. Debbie (Canada) 8.80 8.70 8.80 8.80 35 .10 7. Dougherty, Kerry (New Zea land) 8.50 8.60 8.80 8.70 34. 60 8. La lzor, jane (Canada) 8.85 8.90 8.25 8.35 34.35 9. Crabtree, Lydia (USA) 8.50 8.90 8.55 8.20 34.15

Third Day - Final Competition The fi nal competition started w ith the individual events. Sue Soffe did an

exce llent job in both the rope and hoop com petition and pl aced 2nd in both events. In the club and ribbon rout ines, she made a few mistakes but still placed in the top group. Lydia performed a ni ce club rout ine. With her hoop routi ne she cou ld have placed third but unfortunately she mi ssed a catch and the hoop rolled out of the floor area .

Individual Events Results Rope: 1. Ota 18.00 2. Soffe 17.85 3. Lalzor 17.75 3. Santos 17.75

5. Bryant 17. 65 6. Kimura 17. 60 6. Lopes 17.608. Dougherty 17. 15 Hoop: 1. Ota 18. 50 2. Soffe 18.20 3. Lopes 17.95 4. Santos 17.55

5. Bryant 17.40 6. Kimura 17.40 7. Lalzor 17. 25 8. Crabtree 17.00 Clubs: 1. Kimura 18.60 2. Lopes 18. 15 3. Ota 17.904. Soffe 17.80

5. Santos 17.75 6. Bryant 17.55 7. Crabtree 17.25 8. Doughert y 17.20 Ribbon: I . Ota 18.30 2. Kimura 17.65 2. Bryant 17. 65 4. Soffe 17.45

5. Santos 17.40 6. Dougherty 17.35 7. Pereira (Arg) 17.0 8. Duncan (NZ) 16.90

Group competit ion was the c losing event. The exc itement was high as each country had a chance to improve its standing. The competition was

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<::> .... <::>

-<: ~

GYMNASTRUM SPORTSCHOOL'S Classic Boy's Gymnastic Event

America's Most Oustanding Boys' Teams Crown the # 1 Boys Team in the USA

THE NATIONAL BOYS INVITATIONAL

TEAM CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS

April 3-4, 1981

University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

W rite to: LARRY MOYER P.O. Box 1635

Reading, Pennsylvania 19603

espec iall y close between the USA and Canadian team. The teams entered w ith the follow ing scores in the final competition: 1. Japan 27 .82 2. USA 26. 525 3. Canada 26 .325 4. New Zealand 24. 70 5. Braz il 23.995 6. Mex ico 23 .60, but we didn' t have to worry. Our team did a splendid job I They performed the routine w ith elegance and confidence and held on to their second pl ace.

The group performs a total of three times in a championshi p. The group routine is judged by two juries, each jury consisting of four judges and a head judge. Jury 1 judges composition and Jury 2 judges technique of executi on on the first two perfo rmances. Both juries judge execution on the third or final competiti on. Ca lculation of the score fo r the group exercise is a compli cated procedure. The fo llow ing table should clari fy the process : PRELIMINARY COMPETITION 1st Presentation Compos ition (e) Execution (E ,)

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= 10 points = 10 points

= 20 points = 40 po ints: = 20 po ints

Cant. an pg. 27

$7.95 ea. 2 for $15.

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PAGE 25

National USGF Modern Rhythmic Gymnastics-UPDATE Andrea B. Schmid , Chairman, M RG Committee

Modern Rhythmic Gymnastics is one of the new O lympic Sports which w ill be included for the first time at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. With thi s new presti ge of becoming an O lympic Sport, we are recei ving add iti onal attention , financia l help, and encouragement from USGF to promote thi s beautiful sport. The goa l is to e levate MRG to a place along side its counterpart -Arti stic Gymnasti cs. This required us to reform our organization and start developmental programs. At the 1980 USGF Congress in SI. Loui s, M issouri , man y of these new reforms we re establi shed.

MRG COMMITTEE The purpose of the Modern Rhythmi c Gymnasti cs Committee of the

United States Gymnast ics Federation shall be to promote, serve, and administer the MRG program at all leve ls of ability throughout the United States. The M RG Committee w ill have over-all responsibility for the direction of the MRG program of the USGF.

The Comm ittee is now composed of the fo ll owing members: The M RG Committee was en larged w ith the elected new Regional

Chairmen. 1. Charter Members:

Chairman - Dr . Andrea B. Schmid , Phys ica l Educa ti on Department Sa n Francisco State Un iversity, Sa n Francisco, CA 94132 M rs. Helena Greathouse, 4975 S. W. Ange l Avenue,

Beaverton , OR 97005 Mrs. Monika Heilbut, 685 West End Avenue, New York ,

NY 10025 Mrs. Nora Hitzel, George W illiams College, 555-31 st

Street, Dow ners Grove, IL 605 15 Dr. An neli s S. Hoyman, 805 Maines Bl vd. , Champaign,

IL 61820 Mrs. Jane Jurew, 710 Humphrey, Oak Park, IL 60304 M rs. M ildred Prcha l, 24 19 Scovill e Avenue, Berwyn, IL

60402 - Mrs. Norma Zabka , Hunter Co llege, 695 Park Avenue,

New York, NY 1002 1 2. Regiona l Chairmen:

I. Mrs. Barbara Parcher, C.S . U. Sac ramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 958 19

II. Mrs. Janelle Bennett, Oregon Gymnasti cs Academy, 14270 N.W. Science Park Dri ve, #605, Portl and, OR 97229

III. Ms. Patti McCurry, 2044 E. 12 Pl ace, Tul sa, OK 74104 IV. Thi s position is open V. Mrs. Gwendol yn Hilliard , 18085 Fairfield, Detroit, M I 4822 1

VI. Mrs. Jeanne Sa nders, 44 Normandy Dri ve, Sudbury, MA 01776 VII. Ms. Ell en Garlicki , 67 Map lewood Avenue, Bogota , NJ 07603

VIII. This posi tion is open

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Awards for Hoop (L to R) Sue Soffe/USA (2nd place), Michiyo OtalJAPAN (1st place) and Clarisse Lopes/BRAZIL (3rd place).

PAGE 26

SUB-COMMITTEES OF THE MRG COMMITTEE Th e fo ll ow ing sub-committees or deve lopmental program s were

estab lished at the 1980 USG F Congress 1. Age Group Development Committee

Chairman: Mrs. Nora Hitzel Purpose: Th is sub-committee shall have direct responsibilities for

the developmental aspects of the Age Group Program -compul sory program, c lini cs for gymnasts and coac hes.

2. Elite Development Committee Cha irman : Mrs. Barbara Parcher Purpose: Thi s sub-committee shall have the responsibil ity of coo rdi ­

nating the tra ining aspects - clinics, seminars, cam ps­to develop the Eli te gymnast and coaches.

3. Coaches Deve lopment Comm ittee Chairman: M rs. Jeanne Sanders Purpose: Thi s sub-com mittee shall have the direct responsibility of

training coaches at the Age Group level. 4. Judges Training Comm ittee

Chairman: M rs. Norma Zabka Purpose: This sub-committee shall have the direct responsibil ity of

The USA Team at the Hotel Nacional

training and certi fy ing judges through the USGF certifi ca­ti on process.

5. Public Relations Comm ittee Chairman: Mrs. Gwendolyn Hilliard Purpose: This sub-com mittee shall have the direct responsibilities

for promot ing and introducing the spo rt in order to enhance the growth and deve lopment of MRG in the entire country.

All the above fi ve sub-committees w ill work in close cooperati on w ith the MRG Committee and w ill be guided by the MRG Committee deci sions .

FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE A Foreign Relat ions Committee for MRG was established at the 1980

USGF Congress. The F. R.C. consists of five elected representati ves from the M RG Committee and coaches and athl etes represen tati ves . The elected positions are as fo llows: 1. M RG Committee Chairman (Chair of F.R.C. ) 2. Elite Development Committee Chairman 3. Judges Training Committee Chairman 4. 'Coaches Representati ves 5. * Ath letes Representati ves

' Positions #4 and # 5 are open to non-MRG Comm ittee members onl y. Purpose : To deve lop guide lines for the se lect ion, training, and

responsibili ties of gymn asts, coaches, and judges in preparation for International Competiti on.

First Meeting of the FRC w ill be held on February 22, 1981 , Oakland, Ca lifornia.

USGF GYMNASTICS

?, ..0 o

~~::~~~~~~"~!!~~~~~iI~ ~ L to R Individual Competitors Lydia Crabtree, Sue Soffe rhy thmically pose in Rio.

1981 MRG NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Date: The 198 1 M RG Nati onal Junior and Senior Championships w ill be

held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 4-6, 798 7. Qualifications:

Juniors 12-1 4 years of age - quali fying score 30 poin ts AA Seniors 14 and up - quali fying score 32 points AA

Events: 1. Ind ividual : Rope, Hoop, Clubs, Ribbon 2. Group Exerc ise: 3 ba ll s and 3 ri bbons w ith opti onal music

Note: Gymnasts wa nting to try out for the Nati onal tea m in group exerc ise must either compete in " M ini-routine" to com­pul sory mus ic or have the " M ini -routine" w ith the com­pul so ry music included in their group exercise. Film and text fo r the mini-routine may be purchased from :

Mrs. Barbara Pa rcher C.S.U. Sacramento 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA 95819

(Regional MRG Meets w ill be held four weeks prior to the Nati onal Championships)

NATIONAL MRG CLINICS Date: The Nati onal M RG Championships w ill be fo llowed by a Judging,

Coaching, Elite, and Age Group Compulsory Clini cs on June 7, 8, and 9, Tul sa, O kl ahoma, 198 1. The c lini cs w ill be conducted by Elite coac hes, International judges, and authors of the compul sory routines. It w ill be open to gymnasts, coac hes, and judges. For further info rm ati on on both the Nati onal Championships and Clini cs, contact:

Ms. Patti McCurry 2044 E. 12 Pl ace Tul sa, OK 74104

The Nat ional M RG Champi onshi ps and Clini cs w ill be followed by the Junior and Senior Arti stic Gymnasts National Championships, w hi ch begin June 10-13. Thus, Tul sa w ill be the Gymnastic Capital in June of 198 1.

National June 4-6, 198 1

July 24-29, 198 1

International March 14-1 5, 198 1 May , 198 1 May 15- 17, 198 1 June 19-21, 198 1 June 27-28,198 1 October 16-1 8, 198 1 October 21-24, 198 1

' December, 1982

MRG CALENDAR

National Junior and Senior M RG Championships Tul sa, O kl ahoma National Sports Festi va l, Syracuse, New York

Czechoslovak Invitati onal Bulgari an Invitati onal Corbeil Inv itat ional Princess Grace Cup, Monaco Israel Invitati onal Hungari an Inv itationa l Wor ld Championshi ps, M unich, Germany

Four Continents Championshi ps, Auckl and, New Zea land

' October, 1983 Wor ld Champ ionshi ps, France 'Competi tion ind iv idual exercise: rope, hoop, clubs, ribbon

- group exercise w ith 6 ba ll s

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MRG RESOURCES 1. Moder n Rh ythmi c Gymnas ti cs 1980-84 Compul sory Rou tin es

($5. 00lbook plus $1.00 postage fo r 3-5 books) 2. Code of Po ints fo r Modern Rhyth mic Gymnasti cs w ith supplement

($2.50) 1 and 2 order from : USG F, P.O. Box 7686, Ft. Worth , Texas 76111

3. Schmid , Andrea, Modern Rhythmic Gymnasti cs . Mayfield Pu bli shing Company, 285 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto , CA 9430 1 ($11 .95)

4. ' Hoctor Records, Wa ldw ick, N .J. 07463 5. * Kim bo Educa tional, P. O . Box 477, Long Branch, N.J. 07740 6. 'Statl er Record s, Inc. 1795 Express Drive, North Smithtown, N Y .

11 787

*4, 5, and 6 Compani es have books or pamphlets in M RG w hich are accompanied by a LP record . W rite for a 1980-81 catalog. •

USA Team: Barbara Parcher, Assistant coach/manager, Sue Soffe, Lydia Crabtree, Selena Woolery, Sandra Shannon, Mi­chelle Beruba, Wendy Hilliard, Valery Zimring, Nancy N ew­field, Karla N ew ell, in front, coach Alla Svirskiy .

SECOND FOUR CONTINENTS cant. from pg. 25 2nd Presentation Composition IC,) = 10 porn ts = 20 po rn ts Execut ion IE,) = 10 porn ts FINAL COMPETITION 18th finali sts) Composit ion IC, + C,) Execut ion IE, + EI )

= 20 poi nts = 20 poi nts

= 40 points: 2 20 poi nts

FI NAL SCORE = 40 poi nts Group Competition Results

1. Japan 36.995 2. USA 34.4 75 3. Canada 34.100 4. New Zealand 32.4 75 5. Braz i l 31.645 6. Mexico 30.400

We all were ve ry proud of the good performance by our girl s and are greatl y encouraged about our prospects in the future. Many peopl e contributed to thi s success. First of all our National Coach A li a Svirski y, the choreographer of the grou p routine. The routine is interesting, d ifficul t, and ve ry ori ginal and surely deserved the ni ce high compos ition mark 9.2. She also did an excell ent job to make the girl s work in uni son and w ith good technique - both dance and handling the apparatus. This was a great accompl ishment cons idering the limited ti me the girl s worked togeth er compared w ith the other teams w ho all li ve in one city and have a national coach hired to work w ith them. In our team four girl s came from Los Ange les (Va lery Z imring, Nancy Newfi eld , Sandra Shannon, Selena Wool ery) and three from Detro it (Wendy Hilli ard , Karl a Newell , and M ichelle Berube). The three Detroit girl s had to move to Los Angeles in September to work w ith the group. Wendy li ved w ith her aunt. Selena's famil y offered their home to Michell e, and Valery's famil y offered the ir home to Karl a. M ary Mount Catho li c High Schoo l contri buted their gy mn as ium fo r team wo rko ut. Barbara Parcher helped the team tremendously as manager and assistant coach, along w ith Shiela Simpson, our musica l accompanist. Espec iall y grateful acknowledgment is extended to Norma Zabka, past chairman of Modern Rhythmi c Gymnast ics who behind the scene organi zed and made all these things poss ible.

I would like to mention one other grati fy ing thing, and that was our USA cheer ing group. Zina M ironov (Coach of the Detro it girl s), Gwen Hilli ard (Region V chairman), Jeanne Sa nders (Region VI chairman), and Hanna Christie (Ca lifornia North chairman). These people shared their ga ined know ledge in the form of workshops and cl inics and thu s encouraged different pa rts of the country to take part in thi s beauti ful sport.

We are off to a good beg inning w ith thi s new O lympic Sport ! •

PAGE 27

SPORTS MEDICINE VIEW

DISORDERS OF THE FRONT OF THE THIGH AND KNEE IN GYMNASTS

by Dr. Nea l Small

Because of the frequent leaping and squatting in gymnast ics, the knee extensor mechanism is often ca ll ed upon to work overtime. The knee extensor mechanism is in the front of the leg and extends from above the hip joint to the tibial tuberc le w hich is the knob just below the knee. The upper portion of the extensor mechani sm is the quadriceps muscle. Thi s four part musc le covers the front of the thigh and is ent irel y responsible for pulling the knee joint from the flexed (bent) position to the extended (straight) position. The quadriceps attach into the upper border and both sides of the patella (kneecap). The patella moves up and down in a groove formed by the condyles of the femur (thigh bone). At the lower border of the patell a the patel lar tendon or iginates. This runs from the patell a to the tibial tubercle.

-Strains (Grades 1- ill) -Contusions -Hematomas

",.- : " '. :

Quadriceps

Femur

--=-... --~==

PAGE 28

Di sorders of the quadriceps musc les themse lves are common injuries in gymnasts. These inc lude musc le strains of various grades from grade I (mi ld pull ) to grade III (rupture of all or a portion of the muscle). Other problems ari sing in this area include musc le contusions and hematomas. The treatment of musc le strains (other than grade III), muscle contusions and hematomas is symptomatic. The mu sc le is strapped or supported with a compress ion w rap. Ice is applied for the first 48 hours fo llowed by heat until the swelling and soreness have resolved. Ultrasound and w hirlpoo l are helpfu l. A rubber thigh sleeve for support has also proven to be usefu l both during recovery and after return to competition. The gymnast should not stress the leg in practice or competit ion until v irtuall y all the swelli ng and pain have reso lved . The severely swoll en and tender thigh may represent a grade III stra in (musc le rupture) and should be eva luated by a ph ys ician as soon as possible. Signifi ca nt quadriceps ruptures are best trea ted by surgica l repa ir.

-Chondromalacia - Patellar dislocation - Recurrent patellar

subluxation

-Jumper's knee

\

-Sindig-Larsen­Johannson disease

Patellar tendon

,\\I. ·-'-'"-Tibial tuberosity

-Osgood-Schlatter's disease

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~GYMNASTICS The Official Publication of the United States Gymnastics Federation

USGF Gymnastics as of January, 198 1 is printed and distributed to over 5 ,000 subscribers ,

off icers and officials of the USG F, member nations of F.I. G., the USGF Women 's Committee

and other administrators , coaches and judges of influence in the gymnastics community.

Presently published six times per year by the

United States Gymnastics Federation , the

internationally recognized nation governing

body for gymnastics in the United States.

USGF GYMNASTICS endeavors to be an

"Your Direct Line To Gymnastics

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dissemination of information and ideas

whereby athletes, coaches . judges and

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developments. techniques . news. rules . and

results pertaining to all vit al phases of

gymnastics . Each issue will be designed to

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Cable Address: USGYM Telex 792895 Please enter my subscription to USGF GYMNASTICS, enclosed find my check for $8.00 made payable to the USGF.

Patell ar di sorders in gymnasts are quite common. In recent years, a broad spectrum of disorders result ing from instability of the patella in its groove during fl ex ion and extension of the knee have been described. The most severe extreme of this spectrum is acute dislocat ion of the patella. Thi s is a relati ve ly uncommon cond ition and is man ifested by an acutely painfu l and swo llen knee wh ich is sometimes locked in flexion. Occasionally the patella is visible far over to the lateral (outer) side of the knee. The athlete shou ld be taken to a phys ician immed iately. M ilder degrees of patellar problems are more common. They include recurrent subluxa tion of the patell a and chondromalac ia. Recurrent subluxations are actually partia l dislocat ions w ith the patell a sliding back into the groove spontaneously. The gymnast w ill interpret thi s as the knee "going out of socket " or "something ca tching uncler the kn eecap". The trea tment for this degree of patell ar instability is usually a program of quadri ce ps rehabilitation stress ing the vastus mediali s portion . Thi s port ion of the quadri ceps pull s the pa tell a towa rd the med ial (inner) side and ca n keep it from sli ding out latera ll y if strengthened. Also helpful temporar ily is a knee sleeve or brace w hich surrounds the patel la and supports it. Thi s brace ca n ~ s u a ll y be d isca rded w hen the quadriceps have been rehabilitated .

Chondromalac ia of the patella is a condition of softening and irregularity of the joint surface (undernea th surface). The ca uses are obsc ure but may result from recurrent subluxa tion, from a fall on the front of the knee or a d irect blow to the patel la. The conserva ti ve trea tment of chondroma lac ia inc ludes th e same measures used fo r rec urrent subluxa tion . Both chondromalac ia and recurrent subluxa ti on of the patell a may require

USGF GYMNASTICS

surgical treatment if they do not respond to quadriceps rehabilitation and patell ar bracing. Arthroscop ic surgery has been very usefu l in trea ting these di sorders and has allowed a rapid return to practice and competition.

Beca use of the frequent leaping and squatting during various routines, the patell ar tendon is pulled and stretched both at its upper end where it ori gi nates from the patell a and its lower end w here it inserts into the tib ial tubercl e. Infrapatellar tendoniti s (also ca lled jumper's knee) may occur w here the tendon attaches to the patell a. A bon y projection or loose bone fragments may result. Thi s condition is known as Si ndig-Larsen-Johansson disease. Tendonitis, bony projections and loose bone fragments may occ ur at the lower attachment of the patellar tendon as we ll. In thi s area the condit ion is known as Osgood-Schlatter's d isease.

Jumper's knee, Sind ig-Larsen-J ohansson disease <l nd O sgood-Schlatter's disease are treated conserva ti ve ly in the majority of cases. The gymnast need not be removed from practi ce or competition except in very rare instances. Treatment consists of oral anti-inflammatory medi ca tions, heat and ice contrast therapy, exercises to strengthen the quadri ceps and padd ing to protect the tender area . Treatment in years past included casting, injections and surgery. It is now generall y accepted that these conditions are self- limited and w ill result in no permanent di sability even if the athlete is allowed to compete. Casting and surgica l trea tment are used now, on ly very rarely. There is probab ly no place for injections in the trea tment of th ese prob lems, beca use inj ec tion s of stero ids such as corti sone can wea ken tendon tissue and eventua ll y ca use a tendon rupture.

• PAGE 29

USA vs CHINA GYMNASTICS JUDGES'REPORT

by George Beckstead & M ike M ilidoni s

The USA Gymnastics Competition with the Peoples Republic of China was an extremely rewarding experience for all delegation members. The

delegation members included: Delegation Leader-Frank Cum is ke y Men 's Team Coaches-Abe Grossfeld Judges- George Beckstead

Mas Wa tanabe Mike M ilidonis

Men 's Team-Matt Arnot Phil Cahoy

Dennis Ha yden Wally M iller

Bart Conner Kevin Prad}' Women 's Team Coaches-Don Peters Judges-Linda Chencill5ki

Kath y G. Tibbets Sharon Va lle y Women 's Team-Marcia Frederick Julianne McNamara

Kell y Garrison Tracee Tala vera Amy Koopman Lisa Ze is

The Chinese were exce llent hosts during the entire tour, compet ition and sightseeing. We were fortunate to see the Great Wall , M ing Tombs, Summer Palace, Forbidden City, an Acrobatic Show, and enjoy a wonderful Peking Duck Banquet.

The Chinese delegation coordinated all schedules w ith Mr. Frank Cumi skey. The training sess ions prior to the compet ition were we ll organized at the competition site, the Workers Gymnasium. The USA delegation members traveled to, and participated in all training sess ions prior to and after the competitions. The Chinese coaches, gymnasts,

judges, and officials were present at all training sess ions. The attendance of both delegations at these sess ions provided an excellent opportunity to exchange concepts of training, judging, coaching, and organi zat ion of programs w ith the coaches, judges, gymnasts, and offic ials.

The discuss ions w ith the Chinese officials related much information concern ing their interpretations of the 1979 FIG Code of Points. Topics of interest i ncl uded:

A Comparison of award criteri a for ri sk, ori gi nality and virtuosity. The USA and China interpret the Code similarl y. The Chinese award ri sk according to the guidelines in the Code as long as there are no major execution faults , in excess of 0.3 points. Originality is recognized for a period of one year or until commonl y performed. Virtuos ity means flaw less exec ution .

There tends to be a leniency in execution deduction for the w ide straddling of the knees in multiple sa ito work on all events.

The Chinese work w ith much difficulty on all events. Floor Exercise - The Chinese are excellent tumblers. They work w ith much speed and quickness w hich yields great speed in rotation and height. Pommel Horse - The difficult elements and combinations show n by the Chinese were amazing. Spindles, Magvar travels forward and backwa rd . Russian wa lkaround between the pommels, much travel and back moore work on the horse body, and much " one pommel" work. The sc issors were generall y weak in execution, however the flair combinations were well executed w ith moores and travels. They swing fast, stretched and high. Still Rings - The Chinese show a strong composition in their routine composi tion, usua ll y two to three additional strength elements. One gymnast performed ; kip to inverted cross, giant to planche, straight straight press out, giant, bail to L cross, pull out, straight arm press, bail to doub le layout, 9.6. There was a wea kness in the lower back in the final positions from swing work. And as in most fo reign countri es, lea ther straps were offic ial equipment. Vault - We used the old , flat , wooden reuther-type board. The Chinese run fast and are very quick and powerful off the board w hich is placed c lose to the horse. Parallel Bars - This was basica ll y a stock event for competition. There were some interest ing elements shown in the workouts, including: giants to handstand , giant to immediate straddl e cut, etc. High Bar - This was probabl y the best event for the Chinese and they are

PAGE 30

among the best in the world on thi s event. Exampl es of difficulty included: One arm giant to one arm giant to ,/, turn saito ca tch piked. O ne arm giant right arm to O ne arm giant left arm . Wrong way stalder to pirouette over the top. Many types of sa ito catches and release wo rk in the same routines. Two tripl es landed well , and one double tw isting double landed we ll.

Wang Ping Chn photo by David Demanty

We felt very comfortable w ith the judging atmosphere. The judges had opportuniti es to di sc uss techni ca l and interpretat ive areas prior to , duri ng, and after the com petitions. The few confe rences w hi ch were held were quite efficient and objec ti ve . The Ch inese used three differen t judges and one superior judge. We were asked to ac t as superior judges, but chose to act as one of the four co unting judges. The judges were:

Superior - Liu , En Chun 1. George Beckstead 2. M ike M ilidonis 3. Chieu, Shen Lee 4. Chieu, Guon Fen and Liao, Hao Yu

The USA delegation worked well together in the training sess ions and the competiti ons. The competitions w ith the Chinese were very fri end ly, as were the training and entire tour experi ences. The USA did not fi eld their strongest men 's tour tea m, however the team performed we ll.

Fo llowing the two days of compet ition we had the opportunity to train w ith the Chinese team at the Peking Institute of Phys ica l Cu ltu re. The first

USGF GYMNASTICS

da y of tra ining was very rnuch li ke a cornpul sory clinic. 'vVe disc ussed the USA interp retat ions of th e 198 1-84 \No rl d and Ol ympic Games Compul sory Exerc ises, includ ing the GjA and ationa l Team Gu idelines. The gymnasts worked on the diff icult parts together, including: Floor Exercise-

Handspring dive to the handstand , use a quick back lift motion. Back ro ll to a momentary handstand , reverse pirouette. Steps into the last tumbling pass.

Pommel Horse-The rhythm of the routine swing. Single leg connections, pickup from the sc issors into circ le. Back Stock li through to the dismount.

St ill Rings-The back roll (one on ly, in Ch ina) to lever. Dismount , w ith a strai ght hollow body down swing, and qu ick chest ri se on the release, wi thout dowels.

Vault-Be explosive .

Parall el Bars-Straight arm "vork on peach and streuli .

High Bar-Mount wi th the '12 turn at the handstand. The Chinese also prefer the late stoop-in technique. The undergrip kip is performed high w ith almost straight body.

The second day of training was much more an open di scuss ion atmosphere w ith the Chinese delegation. Members of the men's tea m talked w ith the Chinese gymnasts about training techniques, l ife styles, competition, travel, etc. The coaches, judges and trainer further discussed deve lopmen tal programs, phys io logica l testing and athlete se lect ion, biomechan ics, coac hing methodo logy, and rules interpretations. O ur programs are ve ry simil ar in makeup and emphasis.

The Chinese developmenta l program offers gymnasti cs instruction for boys ages five and up. Boys seven yea rs of age and up, w ho show natura l ability and potential , are invited to participate in provincial amateur sports sc hoo l programs. Training emphas izes specific fundamen tal skill s performed flawless ly. Compulsory combinations and then exercises are taught. The equipment is bui lt to fit the students, such as short pommel horses and bucks, small er diameter rai Is fo r the paralle l bars, and lower smaller diameter high bar. Compet iti on on compul sory exercises begins at ages eight to ten. W hen gymnasts have the abi lity and good preparat ion, opt ional skill s and exercises are added to the program, ages ten to twelve. The junior provinc ial teams compete in the junior ational Championships which determines the makeup of the junior Nati ona l Team, age fifteen and under. Gymnasts age sixteen and over compete at Provi nc ial and National meets for placement on the Sen ior National Team.

Boys age ten and over emph as ize " Body Bui lding Training" dail y. Exerc ises inc lude:

Many skill repetitions, fundamenta ls, strength and swing. Power training w ith weights. Gymnastics .Strength Exerc ises: V-ups, handstand pushups, ch in ups,

d ips, crosses, levers, etc. Sprin ts, 20-30-40 meters, for qui ckness. Flexib ility train ing, mostl y the progressive resistence type. A li ght work load ranges 2'/2 to 3 hours. A hard workout day runs 3-5

hours. The Chinese believe that body types are simil ar as is technique, bu t ability development is more related to training and phys ica l development.

The Chinese coac hes, gymnasts and offic ials are highly moti va ted and dedi cated to the developmenta l and competiti ve programs. Their culture instill s much respect and di sc ipline to all program phases . The program appears hi ghl y o rga ni zed, espec iall y w ith th e hu ge num bers of part icipants. The coac hes and offic ials meet at the Nationa l Champion shi ps fo r a two to three month internship to study coach ing and techni ca l methods. They then meet w ith others at the provincia l level for t' .lining. There is a strong cooperati ve re lationsh ip between coaches, offic ials and gymnasts to work together in pract ice, resea rch, learning and instruct ion for better resu lts in tra ining and competi tion. " There is no substitute for hard work."

The trip to Peking was a fantast ic experience fo r the entire delegation. The Chinese are one of the best teams in the world of gymnastics. They train hard , are ex tremely ded ica ted , and enjoy fri end ly competiti on. The cu ltural and gymnasti cs exchanges were enlightening and enjoya ble .•

USGF GYMNASTICS

AUSTRIAN EXHIBIT/ON TOUR can t. from pg. 15

ones among us " had to" carry the ca mera gear, of course.) Before arr iv ing in Vo itsberg, the third and last of ou r Exhibiti on stops, we

passed throu gh th e spectacular mounta in fo rmati ons known as the "GESAEUSE," famous for their excellent c limbing opportunities. Many memori es came to my mind as I had spent many a weekend in these wa lls of rock and the surrounding cabins. It was the most awesome impression of mine. Silent tea rs fill ed my eyes w hen the days of my adventures passed in front of me.

That evening we met " Hubert" the major of Voitsberg and his cabinet of organi zers. I am sure he introd uced himse lf as Hubert because his last name is difficult to pronounce correctly. By now ou r athletes were exhausted from sightsee ing, shopping, soc iali zing, traveling and training in between. So the idea was born to put a little fu n into our presentation. The abso lute highlight was the duo-performance of M itch Gaylord who, complete w ith make-up and " phys ica l improvements", performed Sharon Shapiro's Floor Exercise routine wi th Sharon doing the tumbling.

We finished our demonstrati ons w ith Ke ll y McCoy on Floor, who gave a most elec trifying performance, rad iating to the audience her exuberant joy of being abl e to perform for them. Kell y wa lked off w ith tea rs in her eyes as the audience responded. It also might have been Kell y's las t performance for the USA team as she is consideri ng retirement. Th ank you Kell y for yo ur insp iring example not on ly on the tour but throughout your career.

My THANK YOU also goes to all members of our delegat ion w ho made thi s tour as enjoyable as it was.

To the GYM-KIN corpora tion and Rich Kenney w ho saw us off at Kennedy A irport after outfitti ng the gymnasts and the coaches.

To Lynn Lederer's dad w ho worked behind the scenes (he works for TWA) to make our departure as pleasant as can be. However he ea rned hi s 10.00 pts upon our return w hen he had to perform a miracle as one of our team members from Ca lifornia had misplaced hi s ti cket. •

PAGE 31

RELEASE

Elite Sportswear, Ltd. opens as Newest Addition

Gary S eib ert photo by Barrington

to Gymnastic Apparel Companies

It is w ith great pleasure that Gary Seibert, former pres ident of Gym-Kin , announces the opening of his new company Elite Sportswear, Ltd. After 18 years of affi li ation w ith gymnastics and 7 years of directing a gymnastic apparel sa les company, Gary has fo rmed a partnershi p wi th Sa ll ie Weaver, the owner of a chain of womens hea lth sa lons home based in Hartford , Conn ., and opened Eli te Sportswear, Ltd. Their new company is in the process of bu ying Gym-Kin and w ill con tinue to service the gymnasti c market w ith stock and spec ial order apparel. Although producti on had been shut down for several months during the formation of the new company, Elite Sportswear, Ltd. is now up and runn ing full speed ahead and producing the finest gymnasti c garments ever. Gary and Sa llie are confident their new organi za tion w ill provide styling, quality, service and delivery equal to a perfect " 10" . By having manufac tur ing, wa rehousi ng, sa les, shi pp ing, and service all under one roof and by the use of an in house computer and a sophistica ted toll free wa tt system, El ite Sportswear, Ltd . w i ll revo lutionize the gymn astics apparel business . For any informat ion on how to obtain Eli te/Gym-Kin products ca ll 1-800-345 -4087 .

• For Female and Male Gymnasts, ages 7 and over (all ability levels) 1981 NGI GYMNASTIC CLINICS (Tentative schedule)

LOUISIANA OKLAHOMA • For Coaches, (all experience levels) • Conducted at Universities and Colleges throughout the United States • Superior Facilities/Equipment/and Food at ALL NGI sites • Personalized Instruction in all Olympic Gymnastic Events, and Dance • Instructor to Student Ratio of No More Than 1-10 (usually 1-7) • Experienced/Enthusiastic/and Qualified Instructors

1) Includes: a) International and National Coaches and Judges b) Former Olympians c) Former National Competitors

• Technical Director and Advisor - MR. PAUL ZIERT 1) Head Coach University of Oklahoma Men's and Women 's Gymnastic

Teams 2) NCAA Coach Of The Year 1977 and 1978 3) USGF Coach Of The Year 1979 and 1980 4) Assistant Coach of U.S. World Games Team - Strasbourg, France

-1978 5) Coach of U.S. World Cup Team - Tokyo, Japan - 1979 6) ASSISTANT COACH for the WOMEN'S OLYMPIC GYMNASTICS TEAM

-1980

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND A FREE BROCHURE WRITE: MR. VAN POWER, NATIONAL GYMNASTICS INSTITUTE, P.O. BOX 30674, DALLAS, TEXAS 75230

OR CALL: 1·214-690-0808

PAGE 32

Auburn University Auburn, Alabama Jun 1l 1~19 ARKANSAS Arkansas State University Jonesboro. Arkansas June 29·July3 (Sessi on I) July 6·10 (Session It) Southern Atkansas University Technical Branch Camden, Arkansas AUllust 3-7 GEORGI A

~~~~~jZ~r~i~rg ia !~~~~ ~~:~~ \~:!!\~~ Ih ILLINOIS Western Illinois University Macomb,lIIinois July 20·24 Wheaton College Wheaton, lI linois June 29-July 2 INDIANA Vinctnnes University Vinctnnes, lndiana July 27-31 KENTUCKY Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, Kentucky July 13-17

Northwestern State UniverSity Natchitoches , Louisiana Juty 13·17 MISSISSIPPI MissisSippi University lor Women Columbus , Mississippi June 22·26 University 01 Sout.hern Mississippi Haniesburg . MiSSissippi July 27-31 MISSOURI RockhurstCollege ~~~a;2~~~' Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau . Missouri AUllust10·14 NORTH CAROLINA Appalachian State University Boone. North Carolina June 29-Jury 3 University 01 North Carolina at Charlotte Charlone. North Carolina Jury 20·24 OHIO University 01 Cincinnati Cillcinnati. Ohio August 10·14

Central State University Edmond. Oklahoma AuguSl3-7 PENNSYLVANIA Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana. Pennsylvania July 20-24 SOUTH CAROLINA Furman University Greenville, South Carolina July 6-10 TENNESSEE University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee July 19·23

~~i~r~~~~~e~~~~essee at Martin July 13·17 TEXAS The Hockaday School Dallas, Texas June 15·19 Southwest Texas State University San Marcos , Texas June 22-26 Texas Christian University FonWonh, Texas June 9-12 VIRGINIA James Madison University

~~r':i~~~~1ur~'II~~I~i~ if) AUIIUSI 3-7 ~S ll sslon III

USGF GYMNASTICS

f J USGF PROGRAM SOUVENIRS

THE DIAL-AMERICAN CUP 1978 March 11-12, 1978 New York, New York

ROMANIAN PROGRAMS

Romania 1977 conta ins ex­tensive bios on Nadia Comaneci and Teodora Ungureanu as we ll as an oversize Nadia poster. Also enc losed is a pictorial and facts on the American team . Romania 1978 is the rare program on the Romanian tour that was cance lled. Thi s is the first time it's avai lab le to the public and USGF re­grets having a limited supply. Contains a more complete bio on Comaneci as well as a bio on Emilia Eberle.

_ *" ,V ... .. s • ____ ~Ci!W' ___ "flrr.

WORLD CHAMPION­SHIPS FINAL TRIALS September 21-23,1978 Oklahoma City, Okla­homa

DIAL NATIONAlINVI­TATIONAL February 15-17, 1979 Tucson, Arizona

USSR Programs

All three of these beautiful lOx 15 USGF Programs are to commemorate the USSR tours of '75, '77 and '79. USSR '77 program also features an oversize co lor poster. All programs contain bios and color photography.

USSR & ROMANIAN PROGRAMS

$2.00each

SMALLER PROGRAMS

(priced as indicated)

ENTIRE PROGRAM PACKAGE

$10.00

20TH WORLD GYM­NASTICS CHAMPION­SHIPS December 2-9, 1979 Fort Worth, Texas

1--------------------------------I Make checks or money

orders payable to: POSTAGE: Add $1.00 for every

I USGF two issues ordered (Third Class) P.O. Box 7686 I Fort Worth, Texas 76111

I I I I I I I

D USSR '75 $2.00 D USSR '77 $2.00 D USSR '79 $2.00

D Romania '77 $2.00 D Romania '78 $2.00

D Entire Program package $10.00

D Dial-Amer. Cup $1.00 D '79 Final Trials $1.00

D Dial Nationals $1.00 D 20th World Champ. $2.00

Total Amount Enclosed ____ ____ _

Name ______________________ __________ ___ Address _______ . __________________________ __

City ______ ______ State ___________ Zip _______ _

I I I I I I I I I I _________________________________ a:

WOMEN'S ELITE PROGRAM REPORT by Ed Zimmer

USGF AWAITS WORD ON GRANT··· The USGF Nat ional Office has been in touch w ith il major corporat ion

that is interested in prov iding a grant to fund the positi on of Nat iona l Program Direc tor for Women . The corporation , w hich funds a similar position in a men's O lympi c Sport , has no tified the USG F that if such a grant was approved by their Board of D irectors fo r a Women's sport , that sport would be gymnastics. A dec ision should be ava il able about February I st. USGF JUNIOR ELITE WOMEN 'S PROGRAM···

Plans fo r the 1981 junior Eli te Program have been re leased by the USGF. The purpose of the j.E.P. is to develop, se lec t and help prepare fo r

international competition a USA Junior Elite Women 's C },mnastics Team. This program w ill parallel the USA Women' s Tea m system .

Athletes el igible fo r the program are any elite level female gymnasts w ho have not yet reached their 15th birthday.

February·August, 1981 The se lection process is through a seri es of quali fy ing meets. For 198 1, a

score of 68.8 (optionals and elite compul sori es, eight events to tal) at a

USG F Regional/Zone El ite Qua lifying Meet is necessa ry to qualify to the 1st Eli te Nationals (Oak land , 19-21 February) . Regional/Zone & Elite Na tiona ls w ill be held wi th the Seniors.

From Nationals, the top 20 juniors w ill qualify to Junior Championshi ps of the USA, 12- 14 March in A llentown, PA. Thi s meet w ill be held the same days as Championships of the USA, but at different times. The topl 2 places from junior Champions w ill :

1) Qua l ify to the National Sports Festi va l in Syracuse, Y, 19-2 4 jul y . (There may be a short training ca mp for these ind iv iduals before the NSF. )

2) Be el igible to be se lected to any junior InternJtional meets held between Championships and junior Team Trial s in ea rl y fa ll. Selection w il l be based on rank order from junior Champ ionships.

3) Automatica ll y qualify to the junior \Nomen's Team Trial s.

August '81 - Championships USA '82 Any junior athl ete w ho achieves a score of 68.8 at an Elite Regional/Zone

Meet 28-29 August, w ill qualify to the 2nd Eli te Nationals, 10-1 2 Sep· tember, site open. From there, the top 12 juniors, who have not alread )1 qualified to the Junior Women 's Team Trials, w ill qualify to the jun ior

PAGE 34

Women's Team Trials. USA junior Women's Gymnasti cs Tea m Trials w ill have 24 part ic ip<:lI1ts.

It w ill be held sometime in October. Site is open. The top I 0 places frulll j.T .T. w i ll be named to the USA junior Women's Gymnasti cs Tea m .

A major junior International Competition for boys and girl s will be held in the USA in late Fall. •

The report from the Elite Development Committee and Elite Coaches Assoc iation concerning the 80-81 competition sc hedule was presented by Bil l Strauss. the fo llow ing schedule has been accepted by the WTC.

jan. 23-24, 198 1 1st Zone Qualifica tion Meet Feb. 6-7, 1981 2nd Zone Qual ifi cation Meet Feb. 20-2 1, 1981 1 st National EI ite Meet

(30 gymnasts advance to the Championships of USA) March 20-22, 198 1 American Cup March 12-14 , 1981 Championships of the USA

(Top 10 go to the World Championship Tri als 10/1 /81)

August 28-29 , 198 1 3rd Zone Qua li fica tion Meet Sept. 11-1 2, 1981 2nd Nationa l Elite Meet

(Top 10 go to World Championship Tr ials) Oct. 1, 2, 3, 198 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSH IP TR IALS

(Top 10 from Championships of USA and top 10 from 2nd Nationa l Elite M eet) Injury petitions reviewed by FRC

If one of the 10 of either group retires she w ill not be replaced. The FRC accepted the fol lowi ng concept for our National Team

selec ted at the Championships of the USA. The top 21 girl s w ill make up the National Team.

1-7 w ill be the 1 st team 8-14 the 2nd team 15-21 the 3rd team

The Championships of the USA w ill be a se lect ion meet through to the World Championship Tri als Oct. 1, 2, 3, 1981. (3 /26-10/1 / 1981)

USGF CONSTITUTION BY·LAW col1t. from pg. 5

Counsil ), and the Executive Committee, rega rding matters pertaining to the internati onal training and com petiti ve programs as they relate to coaches and gymnasts. This includes the se lection of ath letes for internationa l events, coaches se lec tion, the formation of training camps, etc. As of November, 1980, the Athl ete's Assoc iat ion has one representati ve on each

of the FRCs:

Men jay Whelan 11 05 Mock ingbird Dr. Ralei gh, N.C. 27609

Women Linda Mu lvih ill 148 W. 12th Ave. Eugene, Oregon 97401

If an ath lete has a questi on or opinion concerning an internati ona l event, he/she shou ld con tact jay or Linda for clarification.

To protect the indi vidual ri ghts of ath letes, the U.S. O lympic Committee, establi shed the Athletes Adv isory Counci l, (AAC) in 1973. Each amateur sport is represented by one voting member. The AAC rev iews the po lic ies of the U.S. O lymp ic Committee, and ensures the indi vidual rights of each ath lete w ith regards to O lympi c Committee events such as the Olympi c Games, Pan·Am Games, and the National Sports Festi va l. The newly elected chairman of the AAC is; Chris Knepp 360 1 A ll en Parkway Apt. 495 Houston , Texas 77019 The gymnast ics representati ve to the AAC is Peter KOrlnann .

The new Executi ve D irector of the USGF, (Roger Counc il ). and the USGF Board of Directors have been instrumental in ensuring athlete part ic ipation at the admin istrati ve leve l . The athl ete representati ves strong ly urge any

ath lete w ith a suggestion or prob lem to con tact them. •

USGF GYMNASTICS

Present : Les Sasvary (Chairman), Ken Al len (Secretary), Ed Burch, Don Gutzler, Fred Roethli sberger, Bill Roetzheim and Jay Whelan. Also present for all or portions of the meeting were Roger Counsil , Ed Zimmer, Mas Wa tanabe and Ri ch Kenney of the U.S.G.F. Office .

The meeting was ca lled to order by Chairman Sasvary at 7:25 P.M. Chairman Sasvary we lcomed Jay W helan to his first meeting as the Athlete's

representati ve. It was moved by Bill Roetzheim and seconded by Les Sasvary to accept the minutes

of the October 5, 1980 meeting. Carried.

Selection of 1981 World Championship Coach It was moved by Ken Allen and seconded by Bill Roetzheim to table the selection of

the 1981 World Championship Coach. Carri ed. Note: Reasoning is based on insuffic ient adverti sing time, low number of

app l ica nts, des i re on the part of some FRC members to restructure the job responsibilities of such a coaching position.

The concept of head coach for the various internati onal team competitions was discussed at great length. As a result , a new concept and slight ly d ifferent process has been developed as follows: A. The posit ion would be called " The 198 1 U.S.A. Team Coach" as opposed to the

1981 World Championship Coach. B. The length of service wou ld be from the date of selection (on or before April 15)

unt il December 31, 1981. C. Main responsibilities wou ld include serving as head coach at all U.S.A. Team

functions during term of serv ice (team competitions prior to , including and following World Championships, Train ing Camps, exhibitions, etc. ).

D . Additional responsibilities would include: 1. Choosing ass istant coach wi th approval of F.R.C. 2. Oversee ing uniform and personal equipment se lecti on and fittin g. 3. Maintaini ng regular contact w ith the ath letes in order to establi sh rapport and

awareness of mental and physica l ,·vel l being. 4. Mai ntaining regul ar contact w ith the at;onal Program Director (Mas

Watanabe). 5. Enforcing U.S.G. F. rules and regulations w ith regard to conduct of team

members. 6. Making recommendations to the F.R.C. w ith regard to team selections for

competiti ons for which specific tria ls were not conducted. 7. Making recommendations to the F.R.C. and U.S.G.F. office w ith regard to

team preparation and travel relative to compet itions and/or training camps w hich wou ld be desirable.

8. Preparing comprehensive reports of acti vities and experiences of the U.S. Team during the coach's tenure.

E. In the future, a U.S.A. Team Coach w ill be selected each year from the follow ing app licants: 1. Coaches w ho applied the previous year and w ish to be considered aga in . 2. New app licants. 3. The head coach from the previous year if he elects to reapply.

F. After selection of the U.S.A. Coach for the current year, the time table for the se lection process for subsequent years is as fo llows: 1. All app lications must be received by December 1. 2. The reviewing process would be completed by December 31. 3. The U.S.A. team coach would be announced by January 15 and would serve in

that capac ity un til December 31 of that year. It was moved by Les Sasvary that the position of 1981 U.S.A. Team Coach be

advertised in all U.S.G.F. publications w ith job description, responsibi liti es, term of service and procedure for applicat ion. Second by Bi ll Roetzheim. Carried.

The meeting recessed at 10:00 P.M. The meeti ng reconvened at 9: 1 S A.M. Saturday, January 3. It was moved by Les Sasvary to have the U.S.G.F. office not ify di rectly and as soon

as possible the three appl icants for the position of 1981 World Championship Coach w ith regard to the actions taken by F.R.C. at thi s time. The applicants shou ld be

USGF GYMNASTICS

Minutes of the U.S.G.F. Men's Foreign Relations Committee Fort Worth, Texas­January 2-3, 1981

ATTENDING THE MEE TING, at the head of the table, (foreground) R oger L. Counsil, (running clockwise) Mas Watanabe, Ed Zimmer, Don Gutzler, Ed Burch, B ill R oe tzheim, L es Sasvary, Jay Whe lan, K en A llen, Fred R oe thlisberger, photo by R ich Kenney

assured that their applications wi ll au tomati call y be considered for the position of 198 1 U.S.A. Team Coach. Second by Don Gutzler. Carri ed.

Placing gymnasts on the Nat ional Team under special circumstances It was moved by Bi ll Roetzheim that the F.R.C. be allowed to add gymnasts to the

National Team (at the bottom of the ranking) under spec ial circumstances. Second by Don Gutzler. Carried.

It was moved by Fred Roethli sberger that we add as many gymnasts as we need to the National Team from the rankings of the 1980 Championships of the U.s.A. Second by Jay W helan. Defeated .

It was moved by Les Sasvary that the National Program Director recommend specific gymnasts to be added to the National Team for ass ignment to thi s year's intern ati onal competiti ons. Second by Bill Roetzheim. Ca rri ed .

Note: Reason ing behi nd this recommendation is there are few gymnasts rem aining on the National Team who are avai lab le for upcom ing competitions because of retirment, injury or the N.C.A.A. collegiate season. Consi derat ion w ill be given to the rankings at the 1980 Championships of the U.S.A. , the junior gymnasts of last year's JUlliur Natiunal Team \·vhu are nov" college freshment , and the current readiness of all possible gymnasts.

Plan for 1981 World Championships A. Se lection process for the Final Trials

1. Championships of U.S.A. w ill be semi -final trial. a. Gymna sts must score 11 1 points or more at a U.S.G. F. approved

competiti on in order to qualify for the 1981 Championships of the U.S.A. b. If 24 gymnasts do not achieve a 111 score, the remaining pos itions to total

24 for the championships of the U. S. A. will be fil led by gymnasts on the basis of rank order score at one of two U.S.G.F. regional meets held at the same time and dates on the weekend of April 24-26.

c. F. I. G. Competiti ons II I ru les wi ll be used in the competi tion. d. The top 24 gymnasts wi ll be designated as the Senior National Tea m.

2. It was moved by Bil l Roetzheim th at the Sen ior Nati ona l Team as determined by the 1981 Championships of the U. S. A. be advanced to the Final VVorid Championship Tri al s. Thi s includes all approved petitions as ,·vell. Second by Ken Allen. Carri ed. a. The Final World Championshi p Tria ls w ill be held on October 16-17, 1981

at the University of California at Santa Barbara. b. The competi tion ,·vi ll be judged by F.I. G. Competition III rules (Motion by

Allen, second by Sasvary. Carried). c. The 1981 World Championshi p Team wi ll be composed of the top six

gymnasts based on the results of the compulsory and opti onal competition. The seventh ranked gymnasts would be a non-competing member of the team. Ti es for the sixth or seventh posit ions ,·vill be broken fi rst by the compulsory total received in the final trials and second by the tota l AA score rece ived at the semi -final tri als (refer to minutes of May 26, 1980 meeting). (Motion by Sasva ry, second by Roetzheim. Ca rri ed).

B. Th e 198 1 U.S.A. Team Coach w ho w ill be coach for the 198 1 World Championships w ill be announced no later than April 1 S, 1981.

C. It is recommended that the .G.J.A. assign twelve judges whom it considers the most capable judges to judge thi s competition w ith no concern for regional affi liation.

Negotiations between promoters of domesti c events and coaches and athletes of the U.S.G.F. program

There was much discussion about the proliferation of domestic gymnast ics events due to the marketabil ity of gymnastics to television audiences. It was felt that there w as potential for conflicts of interests on the part of the athletes between domestic events (privately sponsored) and international tours. There was al so the potential for jeopardi zi ng the amateur status of our athletes. As a result of discussion , the fo llowing was recommended to the U.S.G . F. office and the athletes and coaches of the U.S.G. F. program including the Junior and Senior ational Teams: The F.R.C. recommends

Cant. an nex t page

PAGE 35

MEN'S FOREIGN RELA n ONS cant. from pg. 35 th at the ath letes of the U.S.G.F. program and their coaches do not negoti ate wi th private promoters of domestic events. Rather, thi s type of contact should be reported to the U .S.G .F. office and arrangements and ass ignments for such domestic events be coordinated through the U.S.G. F office and the F.R .e.

Domest ic Events in 1981 Sanct ioned by the U.S.G.F. A. Scats Invitational: January 31-February 1, 1981. Los Angeles, California. B. American Cup: March 20-22, 1981. Fort Worth , Texas.

The top two gymnasts from the ranking of the Olympic Trial s and their coaches w i II be ass igned to our American Cup. If they are unavailable for some reason we w ill proceed down the ran kings. The top two gymnasts are Bart Conner and Jim Hartung and their coaches are Paul Ziert and Francis Allen.

e. U.S.G.F. Qualifying Meets: April 24-26, 1981 . Si tes undetermined. There will be two regional meets conducted on the same dates and the same times. O ne will be in the East or Mid-East and the other in the West or Mid-West. F.I.G . Competition I rules wi ll be used . The meet direc tor should contact the N.G.J.A. Regional Technical Director for assignment of judges to the meet. The U.S.G.F. w il l pay for the judging expenses if loca l judges are used.

D . Championships of the U.S.A.: May 21-23, 1981. Site undetermined. F.I.G. Competition I rules w ill be used . There wi ll be no tie breakers used in this meet. The top eigh t in each event after compulsori es and optionals wi ll advance to the individual fina ls w here the scores w ill be carried. The top 24 gymnasts w ill be designated as the 1981-82 Senior Nat ional Team.

j ay Whelan-Athlete's Association representative to the Foreign R elations Co mmittee_ photo by R ich Kenney

E. Nati onal Sports Festi va l : July 23-29, 198 1. Syra cuse, New York . There wil l be 24 gymnasts competing in thi s event. Twe lve of those gymnasts w ill be the top twe lve gymnasts from the Junior National Team . The remaining twelve w il l come, first, from among invitations extended to the members of the Senior National Team by rank and then the Junior Elite 'ational Team by the same process. There wi ll be four coaches. Two coaches w ill be chosen from among those recommended by the Junior ational Team coaching staff. The other two w ill be chosen by the F. R.e. from among the sen ior coaches of those athletes who chose to participate in National Sports Festi va l.

F. Final Trials for World Championships: October 16-17 , 1981. Un iversity of Ca lifornia at Santa Barbara (refer to ea rl ier di scuss ion for detail s) .

International Events A. New Zealand Invitational: January 22-February 1, 1981.

We w ill send three male gymnasts. The National Program Director has already exhausted the Senior Nationa l Team members w ith on ly Breck Gr igas ava ilable to go . Mas Watanabe w i II be responsible for selecting two more athletes. At least one of those athletes w ill be a junior and his coach wi ll be given first priority as the coach of thi s group. If he is unable to accept , Mr. Watanabe will attempt to secure a coach from among the junior ranks.

B. East German Invitational: April 10-1 2, 1981. Two gymnasts w ill be selected from the rank order at the Final Tria ls beginning w ith the 4th and 5th positions. The coach of the highest ranked gymnast w ill be given first priori ty to serve as coach of thi s group.

e. Champions All: April 11-1 2, 198 1. London, England . One gymnast, preferably our U.S.G.F. National A.A. Champion, w ill be sent. Tha t would be Peter Vidmar. Next in order would be Bart Conner, Jim Hartung and then the rank order from the Final Trial s. The personal coach of the gymnast w il l travel as coach.

D . Ennia Gold Cup: June 1-9 , 198 1. Holland. We w ill send the top two athletes from the ra nking of the 1981 Championships of the U. S.A. w ho are not involved in a training camp or other international

PAGE 36

competition at the time. E. Golden Sands Invitational: June 5-7 , 1981. Va rna , Bu lgaria.

It was dec ided not to send any male athletes to this competition. F. World University Games: August, 198 1. Bucharest, Romania.

Tabled until further detail s are forthcoming from the U. S.e.S .e. G. Junior International Competiti ons: It was recommended that the U.S.G.F. explore

the poss ibilities of invol ving our junior gymnasts in a major international competition w ith a Pan American as we ll as a Pac ific Alliance group of countries.

The next business meeting of the Men's F. R.e. wi II be at 9 :00 A. M., May 22, 198 1 at the site of the U.S.A. Championships. It is anticipated that there w ill also be a meeting scheduled at II :00 A.M. on May 23, 198 1 wh ich would include the new members of the 198 1-82 Senior Nat ional Team and their coaches.

The meet ing adjuurneu at 3:25 P.M. Respectfull y submitted, Ken A llen, Secretary

CLASSIFIEDS Classified rates are $10.00 minimum per column inch. (Ads are accepted at the discretion of the publisher.) Check or money order must accom­pany copy. Send orders to Classified Dept. USGF Gymnastics Magazine, P.O. Box 7686, Fort Worth, Texas 76111.

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Points 1980-84

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USGF GYMNASTICS

USGF CALENDAR & NOTES

January

U.S.C.F. 1981 Calendar of Domestic Events Firm as of 11125/80

9 Albuquerque Journal Invitational, New Mexico IM&W) 23-24 1 st Elite Zone Meets, Va ri ous Sites IW) 31 A ll American Classic , Ca liforni a IM&W)

February 6-7 2nd Elite Zone Meets, Various Si tes IW )

March

Apri l

May

June

July August September

October

13- 14 Caesar's Pa lace, Las Vegas, Nev. IW ) 20-21 1st Elite Nationals , Oakland, Ca li f. IW ) 12-14 Championship of the U.S.A .. A llentown. Pa . Itent) IW) 20-22 American Cup, Fort Worth , Texas IM&W) 24 M ixed Pairs, Jacksonvi lle, Fla. IM&W)

2-4 N.C.A.A. Finals IDivis ion I) , Linco ln. Neb. 1M) 3-4 Class I State Meets IW)

10-11 A. I. A.W. Finals (Division I), Sal t Lake City, Utah IW) 24-25 U.S.G. F. Men 's Regiona ls 1M)

U .S.G. F. Class I Reg ional Meets IW) 15- 16 Junior Eastern Secti onals, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. IW)

Junior Western Secti onals , TBA IW) 21-23 Championship of the U.S.A., TBA 1M)

Sen ior Eastern Sectionals, TBA IW) Senior Western Sectionals, TBA IW)

11-1 3 U.S.G.F. Junior Olympic Nationa l Championship IW ) 26-27 Junior Nationals, Brigham Young U. , Provo, Utah 1M) 24-29 Nationa l Sports Festi va l, Syracuse, N. Y. IM&W) 28-29 3rd Elite Zone, Various Sites IW) 11-1 2 2nd Elite Nationals , TBA IW) 24-27 U .S. G.F. Congress, Fort Worth , Texas .

2-3 World Championship Tria ls, Ft. Co llins. Co lo. IW) 16-17 World Championship Trials, Sa nta Barbara, Ca li f. 1M) TBA USA Jun ior Team Trials IM&W)

A dual meet w ith a foreign country just prior to the World Championshi ps INovember 22-29) may be added in ear ly November.

EVENT SCHEDULE Friday, March 20, 198 1 Men's Individual Events

8:00 P.M.

Saturday, March 21 , 1981 Women's Individual Events

8:00 P.M.

Sunday, March 22 , 198 1 Men's and Women's All Around Championships

2:30 p. m. • Ticket Cost ..... . $10-8-6-and 4.00 • Purchase Tickets: TlCKETRON PH : 817-265-0708

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Mr. Edgar Knepper Named Director of the Interna tional Gymnastic Exhibition for the 7982 World's Fair

WASHINGTON , D.C.-January 2, 198 1 appointment of Edgar M. Knepper as Director of

International Gymnastics Exhibition for the 1982 World 's Fair has been announced by Charl es E. Fraser, United States Commi ss ioner Genera l for the 1982 Knoxvi ll e International Energy Exposition.

Mr. Knepper is the President of the United States Gymnastics Fed­eration and Executive Director of the United States Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs. In addition to these responsibilities Mr. Knepper is an Executi ve Board member of the United States Olympic Comm ittee, member of the Nationa l Govern ing Board, and delegate to the Internationa l Gymnast ics Federat ion.

Mr. Knepper served as a gymnastics advisor in the 1965 New York World 's Fair; EXPO '67 in Montrea l, Canada; Hemisfair '68 in Sa n Antonio, Texas; and 1974 EXPO in Spokane, Washington.

PAGE 38

Plans include dail y scheduled gymnastics performances on the Fa ir site in and around the U. S. Pav ili on.

The festi v ities begin on May 1, 1982 as the Knoxv ille International Energy Exposition officia ll y opens its gates to millions of visitors from all parts of the world . By the time ni ght falls on October 31, 1982, a tota l of 184 exciting days w ill have provided entertainment and energy aware­ness for those attending the Fai r, as well as, for those around the globe, w ho wi ll v isua ll y exper ience the Fair's activities via satel lite te levision technology. •

IMPORTANT NOTICE -------1 December 1980 TO : All Examinees of the NAGWS/USGF FROM: Varina French, Certifi ca tion Coordinator RE: Exam Scores

If you w ish to use an expired 1980 rating to give you eligibility to take an examinati on at an equa l or higher rat ing, the fo llow ing rules appl y.

If you tested before January 1, 1981: In order to have your 1980 scores carryover, you must take on your first 1981 test sess ion , the compulsory exam at the highest level you are eligib le for and w ish to attain in order to preserve your right at that level.

If you already have tested at the highest compulsory level you are eli gible fo r and w ish to attain , your scores are automatically carri ed forward into the system .

You may at all times test downward after the highest level test is attempted.

If you w ish to maintain at your current level you have that option. However, w hen you dec ide to test up to the next leve l in the next certifi ca tion year you must take all three parts of the exam . •

" The 1981 U.S.A. Men's Team Coach" The length of service wou ld be from the date of se lection (on or before

April 15) until December 31, 198 1. Main responsibilities would include serv ing as head coach at all USA

team functions during term of service (team competitions pr ior to, including and fo llowing World Championships, train ing camps, exhi­bi tions, etc.).

Add itional responsibilities would include: 1. Choosing assistant coac h w ith approva l of FRC. 2. Overseeing uniform and persona l equipment select ion and fitting. 3. Maintain ing regular contact w ith the ath letes in order to establish

rapport and awareness of mental and phys ica l well being. 4 . Mainta ining regu lar contact wi th the National Program Directo r

(Mas Watanabe) . 5. Enforcing USGF ru les and regulations w ith regard to conduct of

team members. 6. Making recomendations to the FRC w ith regard to team selections

for competiti ons, for w hich specific trials were not conducted. 7. Making recommendations to the FRC and USGF office w ith regard

to team preparation and travel re lati ve to competitions and/or training camps w hich wou ld be desi rable.

8. Preparing comprehensive reports of acti vities and experiences of the US team during the coach's tenure.

In the future , a USA team coach w ill be selected each yea r from the follow ing applica nts:

1. Coaches w ho applied the previous yea r and w ish to be cons idered aga in .

2. New applicants. 3. The head coach from the prev ious year if he elec ts to reapply. The time table for the selection process is as fo llows : 1. All applications must be received by March 15th. 2. The reviewing process would be completed by April 15th . 3. The USA team coach wou ld be announced by May 1 st and would

serve in that capac ity until Dec. 31 of that yea r.

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