Spotting Method for Pre-Team Chin Ups

  I learned this spotting method from Michael Manzanet at BGS, for spotting chin-ups/pull-ups.
Open hand squeezed between the legs by the gymnast. It helps the gymnast maintain form (like squeezing a beanbag); and the gymnast only gets an assist if she needs it by squeezing the spotter's hand.

This was just a quick take (and the coach in the video is new to this.  The spotter does not grab the gymnast.  The gymnast "grabs" the spotter's hand).  The gymnast can also squeeze with the feet, too, instead of the knees.

M & M

Level 5 & 6 Dismount Assembly Line

Coach Manzanet loves shape-spotting.

Here's a great "one-size fits all" setup for mass number of gymnasts, to generate mass repetition of turns:

Orientation Drill for "little ones"

Manzanet's drill reminded me of this one:

Dancing with the Bars

 Coach Michael Manzanet livened up the gym during level 4 and 5 bar rotation, today.  He set up his ipod with speaker right in front of his bar station and proceeded to spot the girls to the beat of the music.  The level 4s got to train to Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe", among other lively pop songs.  Then when the level 5s rotated to bars, he changed up the pace by putting on Strauss' The Blue Danube Waltz.  I knew right then and there that there was going to be some awesomeness happening over at bars.  Then when Coach Michael began singing to the tune while spotting, I knew that awesomeness just became epic; so I grabbed my camera:










It's like watching a kind of classical, lyrical ballet on the bars.