2007 Region III Gymnastics Championships

Kansas City, Missouri

April 13-15, 2007

Meet Referee Greg Kester, Mark Sherman

General Report

1. Meet Referee (non-judge) was assigned for each of the (6) sessions.

2. The format of all 6 sessions were True Capital Cup, as in J.O. Nationals.

3. The level 9 & 10 sessions (2 sessions total) had 2 judge panels, while all other sessions had 1 judge panels.

4. Start-Score values were posted during the level 9 & 10 sessions.

It was agreed upon that the highest start score would be posted if the head judge felt that parts of the routine could had been evaluated differently, and made little to no difference in the final score.

5. Technical meetings with the judges were held at the beginning of all sessions, covering all pertinent technical issues. Pre-meet coaches meetings were held before each session covering scoring and inquiry procedures, as well as pertinent technical questions.

6. Score Inquiry forms were made available and were used for Level 8, 9, & 10 sessions. During the compulsory sessions, coaches were able to inquire on specific deductions and bonus for any routine.

Session	# of Gymnasts	# of Inquiries	# of Changed Scores
Level 6, 8-9, 12-13 yr olds	116	5	1 (PH)
Level 6, 10-11 yr olds	86	2	1 (FX)
Level 9	44	2	0
Level 10	93	3	1 (R)
Level 7	96	3	0
Level 8	52	5	3 (PH), 1 (PB)

7. Event Reports were prepared by the head judge on each event, and are listed below.

Floor Exercise Report

Terry Williams (Lev 9, 10, 7, 8), Kevin Bates (Lev 6, 9, 10)

Level 8, 9, & 10 General Observations

Overall, good routine construction with the rules.

The use of “A” value skills for element group requirements have allowed the coach and gymnast to work on perfecting a skill before they place it in their routine construction. This has made an increase in the overall performance improvement of the gymnast. However deductions on landings have increased.

Level 10

Landing seemed to have the largest amount of deductions. Over 95% dismounted with a C skill or higher.

The Arabian fronts performed out of a roundoff usually had a deduction of .3 because of the position of the feet.

Many hold parts had short time deductions. On connecting salto skills most 2^nd and 3^rd saltos were low and deductions were taken.

Level 9

Same comment as level 10. However the 5^th element group for bonus was performed by almost everyone.

Less than 5 routine had a problem with repetition.

Level 8

Level 8 gymnasts are the most likely group to add more difficulty and sacrifice execution. The routines that won were less difficult and performed well.

Level 7

Very good performance by the 10-11 age group. Most gymnast performed the bonus on both passes. All showed great control in the press handstand. However several gymnast are still getting a deduction in their splits. Plus the back-extension roll is still being performed with bent arms by most.

Level 6.

Very good performance by the 10-11 age group. Only 6 gymnast did not do the bonus on the first pass.

50% did the bonus on the press. The weakest part of the routine was the bounder pass. Several gymnast had problems with keeping their

power throughout the pass.

Miscellaneous Comments

Overall the code has helped in routine construction. Perfection of skills is most important, with an A skill meeting the element group requirement, this has helped the gymnast in performing skill that they can do well.

Attn: Level 9 & 10 Coaches: In preparation for JO Nationals, if you would like any individualized feedback, please email me and I will be glad to review and give my analysis to any routine: Terry Williams - twgym1@charter.net

Pommel Horse Report

Pat Fallin (Lev 9, 10), Dean Matthews (Lev 9, 10, 7, 8), Mark Sherman (Lev 6, 10)

Level 8, 9, & 10 General Observations

Form is as always the main concern. There are a lot of skills done at the expense of execution. The average deduction per routine was 1.5 to1.7 in both levels 9 & 10. Bodies being straight on circles and leg at horizontal on Scissors moves should be horizontal for no deduction. Handstand dismounts had deductions for using strength this needs to be more of a swing move and not a press. There were some handstands that did not receive credit due to the new rules.

Level 10

Form is still the main concern. The C 2/3 Travels need to be turned more towards the length of the horse. Element group #3 and a C dismount was the most missing group or not completely fulfilled, a substantial number of gymnast fulfilled the C dismount by using the C incentive handstand although a large number of them had a medium to large deduction for bent arms, and an additional medium to large deduction for stopping or strength for swing . Staying on the horse is still a challenge. The most used skills for difficulty were the D Longitudinal Travels.

Level 9

Form is still the main concern. The 4 element special requirements were general met by most competitors, and a large number of gymnast received the .3 bonus for all 5 element groups. There were some routines did not use all 3 parts of horse. Handstand dismount executed with strength was common and some gymnasts did not receive credit for a dismount due to coming to a complete stop between the circle and handstand PRESS. Scissors travel and scissors with 1/1 turns had problems being executed without deductions.

Level 8

Level 8 gymnasts are the most likely group to add more difficulty and sacrifice execution. The routines that won were less difficult and performed well.

Level 7

The routines were executed with piked circles and loops. Staying on the horse on the travel is also common. The scissor work was general well, but leg cuts could be below horizontal.

Level 6

The major problems on the P horse were on the lack of height and amplitude on the scissors and false scissors. Most of the older gymnasts completed both special bonus skills (extra cross support circle and full circle dismount. The largest problem on mushroom was the lack of leg separation on the Flairs, particularly when passing through front support.

Miscellaneous Comments

Attn: Level 9 & 10 Coaches: In preparation for JO Nationals, if you would like any individualized feedback, please email me and I will be glad to review and give my analysis to any routine: Pat Fallin – ptfallin@yahoo.com

Still Rings Report

Jim McKinney (Lev 6, 9, 10), Jerit Pogue (Lev 9, 10, 7, 8)

Level 8, 9, & 10 General Observations

- The routine construction was much better in terms of athletes performing lower value skills more cleanly. Emphasis still needs to be on body position and straight arms during strength positions.

Level 10

- Most of the level 10 gymnasts performed well. The majority of press handstands and giant to handstands received A value because of bent arms. Execution errors were most common in swing to strength parts coming in to high and bad body position. Routine construction on a whole was very good.

Level 9

- The most common level 9 skill performed was the yamawaki. Most were done well, however there were some that received a medium or large error for showing a support phase. Very few level 9’s were given C credit for swing handstands because of arm bends. Most used a back uprise straddle L to fulfill the swing to strength element group.

Level 8

- Level 8 gymnasts are the most likely group to add more difficulty and sacrifice execution. The routines that won were less difficult and performed well.

Level 7

- The level 7 routines looked good. Swinging elements improved throughout the year. Level 7’s main deductions were in the back uprise, planche holds, and press to handstands. Coaches should emphasize straight arms on plaches and handstands..

Level 6

- Back levers have been continually improving. Coaches should make sure and emphasize both the entry angle as well as the final angle. Many gymnasts were entering .3 too high and holding at .1 too high. The press to handstands were considerably improved. Many similar deductions to the level 7’s on back uprise skill.

Attn: Level 9 & 10 Coaches: In preparation for JO Nationals, if you would like any individualized feedback, please email me and I will be glad to review and give my analysis to any routine: Jim McKinney/Jerit Pogue – mailto:gymmantx75@yahoo.com

Vault Report

Brian Cooper (Lev 6, 9, 10, 7, 8), Eric Smith(Lev 9, 10)

Level 8, 9, & 10 General Observations

Most gymnasts are still using “tsuk type” vaults as their first vault if they were trying to gain bonus. Body position was not as pronounced as it needs to be. A few gymnasts failed to gain bonus because of a change in vault value as a result of not maintaining a stretch position. The majority of deductions were taken on stretch prior to landing and landing faults. Falls ranged from 8 to 13 per session and zone violations ranged from 5 to 8 per session. More gymnasts received bonus in this year’s meet (between 10 and 18 per session).

Level 10

Tsuk family vaults were competed more often as a first vault. Gymnasts used handspring fronts as their main choice for bonus. Landings and direction (zone violations) were the major deductions. Fewer gymnasts received bonus during this year’s competition. Run speed continues to improve for the region and more gymnasts are taking advantage of the available bonus.

Level 9

Tsuk family once again the most popular vaults. Most gymnasts performed some type of tsuk during the level 9 session. Gymnasts fell 10 times and received zone violation deductions 8 times during the session. Lift from the table and stretch prior to landings were the most common errors other than landings.

Level 8

A number of gymnasts at this level are still using a handspring vault (a few gymnasts used ½ or 1/1 twists). Tucked tusks were also common. Distance seemed to be a problem during this session in addition to falls and zone violations.

Level 7

Major errors again resulted from landing faults. The level 7’s showed much better run speed and distance in their vaults. Lift from the table was still lacking for most of the gymnasts.

Level 6

Few deductions were taken for arm bend. Run speed and landings continue to be the areas resulting in the most deductions. Most gymnasts made minimum distance. Vaults could be improved by showing more lift off of the table.

Miscellaneous Comments

The new rules seem to favor either a very clean simple vault or a very high starting value to vaults that might even have a fall. Gymnasts in the middle range of start values (8.4-8.8) must have a very clean landing or risk being in the same score range as a handspring vault.

Parallel Bars Report

J.T. Fletcher (Lev 9, 10, 7, 8), James Sergeant (Lev 6, 9, 10)

Level 10 – It is difficult to imagine any other region having guys that are better than region 3. The skill level is awesome and fun to judge. Routine construction is smart in most cases and easy to figure start values. Seems there was 10 or so routines that did not have all skills counted due to 5^th skill from support group.

Level 9 - Very impressive, skill level for these boys is incredible. The coaches are doing a great job. Not only with higher level skills, but also with routine construction. Again, be aware of 5 skills from the support group. One skill that stands out is the pirouette (for those that do one). A lot of pirouettes have foot form deductions.

Level 8

Level 8 gymnasts are the most likely group to add more difficulty and sacrifice execution. The routines that won were less difficult and performed well.

Level 7 – The boys looked really good when considering the entire group. Seems as if routines were more conservative when it came to the Moy to support. Some of the better athletes that went for and missed the Moy support or giant had costly mistakes that caused greater deductions on the back uprise or resulted in added parts. On the other hand though, in order to maximize the start value the athletes must go for the bonus. The front uprise swing hand seems to be the one sequence that received the most deductions. ie: bent arms, bent legs or incomplete swing to hand. Bonus given, other than specific bonus, were bails from handstand (w/flawless execution) and finishing the early pirouette in handstand. Be careful holding handstands that are not in the routine, such as before front uprise.

Level 6 –

Miscellaneous Comments

Horizontal Bar Report

Greg Kester (Lev 9, 10), Chris Rippy (Lev 9, 10, 7, 8), Pat Fallin (Lev 6)

Level 8, 9, & 10 General Observations

High Bar at these levels, as a whole, noticeably improved from the beginning and middle of the season to the Region III Championships. The most typical errors remained the same. They were as follows:

Pirouette and full turn angle deductions .1 - .3 per pirouette & .3 - .9 per routine

In general, most routines would be better off if constructed around only 1 pirouette.

Bent knees during stemming action .1 - .4 combined for both sides of stemming action

Bent arms in Giant Swings .05 - .1 especially when swinging after release move or

missed skill

Bent knees in taps prior to release & dismount .05 - .1 per instance (there were not many release moves in

Level 9)

Angle deductions in endo, stalder, free hip skills .1 - .3 per instance

In general, most routines in Level 10 would be better off without the use of a free hip hand for mount.

Landing deductions .1 to .5 resulting from small steps, multiple steps, hands &

knees landings, and complete falls

The 2 biggest areas of deductions, undoubtedly, arise from pirouette deductions and landing deductions. Improving these 2 areas could up the score from .6 or .8 to up 1.5 difference in score.

Stick Bonus was harder to come by for Level 8 & 10 as compared to Level 6, 7, & 9 levels, however, over all there has been much improvement in stick landings.

Level 10

Level 10 routines had a lot of endo skills, with or without 1/1 turns to mixed or eagle grip. Getting a routine at a 9.0 or better has proven to be a really good accomplishment. Also, keeping exercise presentation errors to 1.0 or less has become a great accomplishment. The element group most missed was the el-grip/dorsal group. On a side note, several gymnasts’ routines were constructed with skills that ended in various grips, this is not allowed. For example, a gymnast is able to do EITHER an endo 1/1 turn to mixed or eagle grip, but not both. This rule applies to all “1/1 turning” skills that could end in various grips, i.e. Rybalkos, Healys, etc…

Level 9

The basic “stock” Level 9 routine was: Back Uprise – free hip – giant – giant – blind change – reverse grip giant – reverse grip giant – pirouette – giant – giant – double back -- missing 1 element group. (a few routines have cleverly removed the free hip. They mount with something as simple as, stem in mix grip over the top – change one had to double under grip. This has eliminated the free hip errors “risk). When a C skill was present it was usually either an endo1/1 pirouette or a “C” or better valued dismount. Like level 8 gymnasts, level 9 gymnasts would benefit from constructing routines that they can perform with great form.

Level 8

The level 8 routine was all about FORM. Most gymnasts, in general, could have kept their routines a little simpler to gain higher scores. The routines that won were constructed around less difficulty in order to provide greater execution.

Level 7

The Level 7 routine was all about keeping tight form with the hollow body position in all swinging skills. Most gymnasts were able to make it through the whole routine without major errors. The most typical error was a late pirouette turn, falling or strong breaking of form during the transition of ½ turn swing forward to the giant sequence at the end of the routine. The areas where virtuosity was most likely to be given was for beautiful giant swings throughout the entire routine, a beautiful, early pirouette, a very tight, hollow swing ½ turn to nominal handstand, and a fly-a-way performed with tight, hollow body position with extreme amplitude. Overall, body alignment during giant swings was very good.

Level 6

It is very hard, especially for the smaller gymnast, to reach a horizontal swing right before the kip and right after the Underswing. Giants, when performed are generally poorly performed but the vast majority do receive bonus. Cast into the giants were generally poor, medium deduction. Few get the bonus for the undergrip cast. Very few underswings are done with adequate amplitude and a tight hollow position. Very few dismounts are high enough to show a complete opening of the tuck before the landing,, several layout dismounts were performed with pronounce pike.

Miscellaneous Comments