Keep it consistent, seems to be the key!

So, as we head towards Christmas, I’ve had a really good session with my first group. I was very impressed with all the preparation work leading up to the full skill. Everything has been really solid, even though I’m still working on the front handspring. I’m pushing hard on it, and the athletes are starting to understand the importance of shoulder extension. There are a few who struggle with the block, but interestingly, those same athletes often have some of the neatest flexibility-based tumbling skills we have in the gym. We just need to build up their strength and understanding, and once that block is in place, everything will look great.

We also tried doing the full skill down a big slope, and even though some athletes forgot their drills and just threw themselves over, I see that as a win. That willingness to experiment and push forward is really valuable. I can definitely work with athletes who want to give it a go, and they’re starting to trust the process and the drills needed to achieve the full skill.

For example, we set up about four different drills focusing on different parts of the front handspring, and then we attempted the full skill. We started slowly and then gradually increased the speed so they could understand the feeling. It was a bit of an experimentation exercise, and I didn’t expect anyone to land perfectly on their feet, but there were some great moments where they had good flight and were doing exactly what was needed.

With the second group, we followed a similar model. I made sure to check in on how they were feeling using a 1 to 10 scale, which helps me gauge how hard I can push and how I communicate with them. Even though today’s energy levels weren’t as high as in the past, they were still positive, and we went for it. The focus was on the standing back handspring series, working on the snap down and the correct alignment. We started simply and then built up to more complex elements. Some athletes really started to connect the skills and even linked two skills together nicely, which was fantastic.

In the end, the session was really positive. The athletes made clear progress, and I felt energized and excited about their growth. It’s always rewarding to see them trust the process and keep pushing forward.

Thanks for reading and till next time!