This post has been updated to reflect the 2021 compulsory updates, and the updates from the 2022 minutes. Where I live in Ohio, Level 3 is often the first level gymnasts compete. For many Level 3 gymnasts, learning to swing bars can be really tough! Bars requires a lot of upper-body strength along with good […]
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” -Nelson Mandela When I was a gymnast, I absolutely loved flipping. But eventually, as I progressed in the levels, some of the skills started to seem downright scary […]
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Stuck at home and can’t go to the gym? Want to supplement your practices with some gymnastics homework? Love gymnastics and just can’t get enough? If this describes you, you might be thinking about purchasing some home gymnastics equipment. I […]
I’ve been super grateful to NBCSN for broadcasting so many old Olympic gymnastics events recently. When I was a gymnast, I used to record them all on VHS and watch them over and over and over. However, until they were played on TV recently, I hadn’t thought to go back and rewatch them again. As […]
When I first competed in gymnastics, there was one skill that confused the heck out of me. I just couldn’t understand why I got the scores I did. What skill was it? The handspring vault! The handspring vault is the compulsory vault at Levels 4 and 5. It is the first vault gymnasts perform over […]
What’s my bar routine missing? What are the biggest deductions I’m getting? This is a very common question for Level 6-10 bars. What’s the answer? Often, it has to do with bar angle deductions. Angle deductions are deductions that are taken during almost every bar routine. At Level 6 and 7, the deductions taken are […]
Why is it that some athletes are able to generate huge success even if they aren’t the most talented? What is their secret? I’ve often wondered this, both about top-level athletes, as well as about successful people in pretty much any area of life. What are they doing differently than the rest of us? Here’s […]
It’s officially time for the new compulsory routines! As of August 1, 2021, the routines have changed. The old routines from 2013-2021 are no longer allowed in competition. With these changes, the level system will still stay the same. There will continue to be five levels of compulsories and five levels of optionals. Level 4 […]
The Olympics have officially been postponed, and the new date of the Opening Ceremony is July 23, 2021. Clearly, it’s the right thing to do. I was really hoping it wouldn’t happen, but once training facilities began to shut down all over the world, it was inevitable. It wouldn’t be safe to hold the Olympics […]
The acro series on beam – it’s a requirement that can make or break the routine! If the series is not connected, it’s an automatic 0.5 off the start value for the routine, in addition to any execution deductions, balance errors, or falls. But what is necessary to consider a series connected? For a forward, […]