AboutRik Feeney Expertise I can answer questions regarding all levels of the sport of women's gymnastics, the business of gymnastics, and the marketing of gymnastics programs.
Experience I am the author of "Gymnastics: A Guide for Parents and Athletes" currently being published by McGraw-Hill. I am also a ghostwriter and co-author of the Gymcert series of books "Levels 1-3 Gymnastics Coaches Certifications Manuals" for recreational gymnasts, and the "Levels 4 - 6 Skills and Drills" books as well as Safety Basics for Gymnastics Instructors. I have written several other books on the sport of gymnastics for Richardson Publishing, the latest of which is titled, "Back Handsprings: The Secret Techniques." Oh, and by the way, I was a competitive gymnast through high school and college (Temple University), gymnastics club owner for 10 years, and women's gymnastics coach for 30 years working with gymnasts at all competitive levels
Organizations USA Gymnastics
National Writer's union
Florida Writer's Association
Publications USA Gymnastics magazine
Technique magazine
International Gymnast magazine
several newspaper articles
Education/Credentials Temple University - Health Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
Norwich University - Bachelors of Arts in Writing & Literature
Awards and Honors Several state and national level gymnastics champions in different systems of competition.
Past/Present clients Gymnasts, coaches, and club owners nation-wide.
Question My daughter just turned 7 and just began tumbling classes 1 hour per week. She had absolutely no experience going in except a front roll learned in youth league cheerleading (now she is on the gym's competitive team). In her first class she learned her cartwheel but it is far from perfected. She really wants to be on the level 2 by next year for her age group but it requires a back-handspring. She and 10 other kids are in a class for 1 hour a week and they have open gym once a week (but no instructors available); is this going to be enough to advance her to where she wants to be by May (when tryouts for level 2 are held)?
Answer Hi Stephanie,
I actually wrote the book on back handspring techniques and i can tell you without a doubt that one-hour a week is not enough and she should be closely supervised by a qualified gymnastics coach with USAG Safety Certification.
There a several important techniques that need to be addressed in a progressive manner to learn this skill correctly. Just going for it or "chucking it" will develop a lot of bad habits and may lead to injury.
Put her in a supervised class, preferably two or three times a week.
