History of Gymnastics & TumblingThe sport of

gymnastics, including the floor portion of tumbling, dates back to ancient Greece, when soldiers used gymnastics techniques to train for war. The word itself even comes from the Greek word, gymnos, meaning naked. However, the modern sport of gymnastics didn t evolve until the !"th century and was added to the #lympic roster at the tail$end of the !%&&s.Germany and the Early 1800s'ompetitive gymnastics developed in Germany during the early !%&&s in societies known as Turnverein. (hile these societies focused on gymnastics training, they were also political in nature. The father of gymnastics, )riedrich *ahn, preached for an independent Germany through unification of German land and democratic reform. He designed equipment such as the hori+ontal bar, parallel bars, side horse, balance beam and vaulting horse, with the goal of training young men physically and mentally in preparation for liberating and unifying Germany under a reformed government. These societies, known as turners in ,merica, spread through Germany and other places in -urope. Turner societies were outlawed in Germany in !%!", though the restrictions were lifted in !"./.Coming to America,s Germany began a period of political unrest, three followers of *ahn fled to the 0nited 1tates. 'harles 2eck introduced an education gymnastics program in 3assachusetts in !%/45 'harles )ollen introduced gymnastics to Harvard 0niversity and founded an ,merican gymnasium5 and )rancis 6eiber took over )ollen s responsibilities when he quit in !%/7. 8n !%%9, the ,mateur ,thletic 0nion added gymnastics to its roster of sports it organi+es within the 0nited 1tates. )or international competitions, the 2ureau of -uropean Gymnastics )ederation, now the 8nternational Gymnastic )ederation, was organi+ed in !%%!.The OlympicsGymnastic first appeared at the !%": #lympics, where five countries competed in men s categories of hori+ontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, rings and vault. The Germans won all medals that year. The sport e;panded at the !"/. #lympics in <aris, when men began competing for individual titles on each piece of equipment, as well as team awards. (omen began competing in !"/%, although ,merican women did not =oin the competition until the !"9: games in 2erlin, Germany.1 !0s to "odern #ayThe sport of gymnastics was not standardi+ed until !"4. when men s gymnastics was deemed to officially include individual and team events on the floor, hori+ontal bar, parallel bars, still rings, pommel horse and vault. (omen s events were held on the vault, balance beam, uneven parallel bars and floor for both team and individual. , branch of the sport known as rhythmic gymnastics was officially recogni+ed by )8G in !":/, though not added as an #lympic sport until !"%.. 8n /&&&, trampolining was added to the #lympics under the gymnastics umbrella. 8n the 0nited 1tates, the official governing body for the sport formed in !"7& as The 0nited 1tates Gymnastics )ederation. 8t is known now as 01, Gymnastics.Changes in $coringThe #lympic games have historically awarded points for gymnastics on a one to !& scale. Gymnast >adia 'omaneci earned the first perfect !& in 3ontreal in !"7:. However, eight years later, the 6os ,ngeles #lympics saw .. perfect !&s awarded, and )8G began to e;amine the point system and made changes, introducing a starting value for a routine based on level of difficulty and succession of tricks. -rrors would then be deducted from that starting value. 8n /&&4, the system changed again after a controversy at the /&&. ,thens games and now involves a comple; =udging procedure based on starting difficulty and e;ecution, where top scores land in the !4s and !:s.TUMBLING SAFETY RULESRefer to the USA Gymnastics Safety Handbook, the Level 1Coaches Course and Tumbling Equipment Specifications.1. Tumbling practice should take place in a facility where a USA

Gymnastics Trampoline & Tumblingregistered instructor is present to supervise the activity.2. Tumbling should take place only where a safe tumbling surface is provided. Tumbling surfaces shouldbe sufficiently shock absorbent so as to reduce the risk of injury.3. Tumbling areas should be level and well lit with the track placed well away from walls or otherobstructions or low ceilings. If space is short and the end of the tumbling track comes near a wall, thewall must be padded.4. Athletes should be aware of the safety rules and of their ownlimitations. Skills more easily done ontrampoline or double mini-trampoline may be more difficult or dangerous to attempt on a tumbling track.5. Most spring floors are designed more for shock-absorbency than for extra lift during a skill. Athletesshould be aware of this difference and not assume that skills will be easier using such surfaces.6. Rings, hair decorations, earrings, and/or jewelryshould not be worn by the athlete or spotter duringpractice or competition.7. A proper uniform should be worn to allow freedom of movement.8. A thorough warm-up and stretching period should precede tumbling practice and a proper cool down andstretching period should follow to reduce the risk of injury.9. Athletes and spotters must know and agree on all passes that will be attempted. Athletes must payattention to the coach.10. Tumbling should not be attempted by persons underthe influence of alcohol, drugs, or any medicationthat may hinder coordination or perception or bypersons who are dizzy, over-tired or who have unduefear.11. Successful tumbling depends upon a great dealof concentration. When one is fatigued, angry,frustrated, or otherwise unable toconcentrate, it may become futile or even dangerous to tumble.12. Crossing the tumbling track can be dangerous; look both ways before crossing.13. Athletes should perfect skills before trying harderskills or combinations. Use proper progressions tolearn more difficult skills. Practice form, execution and control.14. The use of a tumbling track is a highly specialized, potentially dangerous activity for athlete and coachalike. Both the coach and athlete should first understand and practice progressions and drills in order tohelp the athlete to tumble safely.

-quipment?@ 3atted )loors@ 1pring )loors@

Trampoline@'rash 3atts%asic $&'(($%ac)*ards rollAiew a video B Aiew an animationThe backwards roll is all about pushing with the arms. A very common error is to roll over one side of the head.The gymnast must place their hands flat on the floor fingers towards their shoulders as they roll back.A good drill to establish this is to have the gymnast roll back place their hands flat on the floor by their head and roll back to a standDoing backwards rolls down an incline mat will help develop a feel.Be sure to encourage the gymnasts to land on their feet and not their knees. It's an easy thing to fix early much harder if it gets to be habit.%ent arm bac) e+tension rollAiew a video>o drills yet available for this skill.Cart*heelAiew an animation B Aiew a different animation!tart with cartwheels over a panel mat. "ust having the gymast stand straddled over the mat place their hands on the mat then #umping from foot to foot helps get a start.$%or left cartwheel&. The gymnast should stand perpendicular to the mat with their left foot touching the right end of the mat. Then reach forward place their left hand on the close side of the mat kick their right leg as they place their right hand on the far side of the mat then landing on their right leg on

the far side of the mat.,or*ard pi)e rollAiew a video B Aiew an animationA forward pike roll will help gymnasts extend their forward rolls and forward handstand roll.'ike a forward straddle roll the hands need to be pushing on the floor before the feet touch.The gymnast must reach down towards their calves to enable a longer push as they stand.,or*ard rollAiew a video B Aiew an animationTo start the roll the gymnast needs to s(uat knees together and place both hands flat on the floor in front of themselves.The gymnast should then tuck their head down while pushing with their legs. They should be sure to keep some weight supported with their arms.)ymnasts should be encouraged to stand up without pushing on the floor with their hands. A good drill is to have the gymnasts rock onto their back and roll up to their feet keeping their arms straight out in front.,or*ard straddle rollAiew a video B Aiew an animation%orward straddle rolls are good development for stalders and other skills when done properly.If a beginning gymnast is very inflexible working this is moot until they have gained some flexibility.The gymnast should think about lifting their toes as their feet approach the floor. Their hands should be pushing on the floor before their feet touch.*ork towards the straddle roll becoming a stalder press to stand.HandstandAiew an animation+ne of the most important skills in gymnastics is a good solid tight handstand. *ithout it a ma#ority of other skills will suffer.The handstand should be as tall as possible. The gymnast should be stretching upwards towards the ceiling and staying hollow.The best way to get comfortable in a handstand is to do a lot of handstands. ,ave handstand contests work timed handstands for conditioning. *alk around on your hands whenever possible.A gymnast should be able to look at their toes while in a handstand. Doing this re(uires the handstand to be tight and hollow.Handstand for*ard rollAiew a video B Aiew a different video B Aiew an animationDo a handstand belly in against a wall or upright wedge. ,ands should be about -./0 away from the mat or wall. *ith body tight and hollow $only feet touching the surface& lean through the shoulders keeping arms straight looking at toes and roll.A proper handstand forward roll is important for positions and to generate roll speed for other skills. 1ncourage gymnasts to extend their roll as much as possible.-ec) &ip to $tandAiew an animationThe key to this skill is allowing for a complete push off the floor and not rushing the skill.,eels should be driven upwards not forward as the arms are pushed back.As the kip proceeds the gymnast should arch and keep their head back or neutral to allow for a continuation of the push as the legs drive over.)ymnast should work kips to a bridge. They may re(uire a spot the first few times. After a kip to a bridge is easy the gymnast should push off with their hands aggressively to reach feet..ound off+ne of most important skills for floor. %re(uently when a gymnast is unable to do a double back full.in or other high level back tumbling skill the round off is where the problems begin.A deep lunge and long reach are important to generate the proper momentum.An aggressive blocking off of the hands and snapping of the feet are necessary to turn the round off over sufficiently for a stretched back handspring.As for back handsprings handstand snap downs will help to improve this skill.It is important that the gymnast not leap into the round off. The second foot should not leave the floor before the first hand contacts the floor.The round off should finish in such a way that the gymnast should half to run backwards to avoid falling. The feet should finish in front of the rest of the body with the arms up and a hollow tight body.The gymnasts head needs to be kept in throughout the skill. 'eaving the head out causes the round off to go around the side rather than over the top.*ork roundoffs over stacked mats or mat shapes to #ump back onto / inch mats stacked on to cheese mats.*ork round offs blocking from a slightly raised surface. Attempts should over rotate to the back without the feet touching the ground. This will encourage a strong block and snap down.$traight arm bac) e+tension rollAiew an animation!traight arm

backwards pike rolls down an incline mat. The gymnast should lead the roll with their toes. It helps to have the gymnast hook their fingers together with their palms facing the ceiling. The gymnast should come to a stand by pushing their shoulders back when their hands touch the ground.!traight arm back extension rolls down an incline mat. The gymnast should watch their toes the entire time to help keep their head in and body hollow.2epetitive back extension rolls to #ust short of handstand. A back extension roll should be performed with the head in looking at the toes. It should stop #ust short of handstand and roll forward to a crouch then repeat.The initiation portion of this skill is important. 3ost gymnasts tend to lean forward or reach for the ground as they go into the roll. The hands should be kept up and the torso should be vertical. The gymnast should sit back bending their knees slightly and shortly before their bottom contacts the ground aggressively push backwards for momentum. %rom here the legs should be kept straight and directed towards the ceiling.