AboutJack Leonard Expertise Former 5 time Natl. Tumbling Champ, 3 time Natl. Vaulting Champ, Natl. Floor
Exercise Champ; Ass`t coach of Dominique Dawes for 6 years; Owner/Director/Head coach of Kauai Gymnastics Academy on the island of Kauai in Hawaii; Retired Physical Ed teacher; Childrens Fitness Expert; Expert Consultant for gymnastics litigation; Retired Mens & Womens HS Gymnastics coach for 32 years. National coaching honors for Men in 1981 & Women in 2001.
Experience I value the following awards because they were given by acknowlegement through my peers: The Nissen/Grissold Award given to the outstanding Tumbling and Tramp Athlete(1972), National High School coach of the year in 1981 for men and 2001 for women, 10 time County Coach of the Year. Medal Award given at the first World Tumbling Championships in London, England for dedication to the sport. Lastly, having the opportunity to coach Wes Suter(1988 Olympian)in his intermediate years and Dominique Dawes(1992 & 1996)
Question My 8 year old daughter has a TOPs exam scheduled for next month. She is having trouble with her hand stand hold. Often she can hold it for maybe 10 seconds or so (she does them on a high beam) but they are usually arched with her legs stretched out and hovering just above horizontal. She must just have a back strong enough to somehow stay up in this position. She does realize she needs to be in the hollow body position but that usually only lasts for roughly 2 to 3 seconds before the arching begins. Her coach also tried to explain that her shoulders are not in the correct position but we are not exactly sure what she means or how to correct it. I think they feel she will just eventually mature and begin to "feel" the balance but I would appreciate any tips and/or suggestions you may have to help boost her confidence sooner! Thnaks!
Answer Hello Kali,
I am glad to help you. The handstand is the most important trick in gymnastics and the hollow body is the most important position. I have my kids do kick handstands against the wall for interpreting the energy needed to stop in the handstand. Then they slightly tap their feet off the wall for the hold. This way they spend more time in the handstand and less time getting up from a fall. Another drill is to kick a handstand on the floor and hold for 100 seconds. This means, if the gymnast kicks up and holds….lets say 4 seconds and falls, the gymnast then kick up and tries to hold again starting the count at 5 and so on. Continue performing this process to get to 100. Practice-practice-practice. Her coach is right. Finally, her ribs need to be down in the hollow body shape. This means crunching the ribs downward towards the hips to flatten out the lower back. This also helps to lock the line. I wish your daughter the best and take care – Jack Leonard
