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 I have two daughters in gymnastics.My youngest is eight and she is on level 4.The oldest is ten and is on novice op.Both of my girls are extremely strong and excel in both bars and vault.I asked one of the coaches why my 10yr old was not on the team.There are girls on my 8yr olds team that are eleven and my oldest daughter can do level 6 and 7 skills.She told that both of my girls are not very flexable.Their problem is in the shoulders and back.Both have trouble with front and back walkovers on the beam. That my youngest might be able to overcome it but that my oldest will probably not be able to go past level 7 because of her stretch.They don't want to put her on the team and then get stuck on level 7 while others advance to level 10. I find it hard to believe that this can't be overcome by some sort of intense flexibility training. Look a the 41 yr old swimmer Torres or how about people that take yoga? My girls love gymnastics and I want them both to have every opportunity to be the best they can be. Please let me know what, if anything can do.thankyou!
go My girls both are extremely strong and both excel on bars and vault.
Answer Hi Ted,
You wrote about the fact that a "lack of flexibility, especially in the shoulders and upper back" may be holding your daughter's back from certain team programs.
A basic key for gymnastics conditioning is that "the athlete should be as strong as she can be through the broadest range of motion safely possible."
The most important word is SAFETY.
The next consideration is POSSIBLE.
The coach should be planning the gymnast's career based on what is safely possible for the individual gymnast. In my day, I competed against a gymnast with one leg. Obviously, he went as far as he could based on that limitation.
I also coached a young female gymnast with only one hand and she could actually do some elements on the uneven bars.
Your daughters may be limited only in that they get deducted for not having walkovers in compulsory routines. So what? They can probably still score out of Levels 5 & 6 and then focus on their strengths at optional levels of competition.
Some kids are fast and powerful on floor so the coach focuses on dynamic tumbling sequences. Other gymnasts have elegant flowing lines and dance is more their forte'. The wise coach works to the gymnast's strengths.
Flexibility is still important. Everything should be done to make sure each of your children learns proper stretching and flexibility techniques, however, you must also know that flexibility is specific to a joint, and sometimes there may be physical limitations.
Just because your right shoulder is flexible does not mean your left shoulder will be flexible. Previous injury to one shoulder or physical aberrations can make a significant difference.
Upper back flexibility may be limited by the range of motion between the spinous processes (sic) of the vertebrae of the upper back. In other words the distance, or amount of play, between extensions of bone on the vertebrae may physically determine the actual range of motion (flexibility) in your daughter's upper back which no amount of stretching exercise will change.
A pediatrician or a sports medicine oriented doctor may be able to give you some guidance in this area. A medical examination may not be a bad idea to get an overall diagnosis for flexibility concerns.
In any case, as I mentioned before, the savvy coach can work around a gymnast's limitations to some degree and focus on her strengths. Even if each of your children end up being event specialists they have the opportunity to continue in the sport through collegiate competition at the very least.
Remember to always practice gymnastics skills and techniques under the guidance and supervision of a qualified gymnastics coach with USAG Safety Certification.
