2010 Region III Gymnastics Championships

New Orleans, LA

April 9-10, 2010

Meet Referee Jim McKinney

JORTD Jerit Pogue

General Report

1. Meet Referee (non-judge) was assigned for each of the (7) sessions.

2. The format of the Level 6, 7, 8, and 9 (14-18 age group) sessions was True Capital Cup, as in J.O. Nationals. The format of the Level 9 (12-13 age group), and Level 10 sessions were Modified Capital Cup with a back gym that the gymnasts could use during competition for additional warm up.

3. The level 8, 9, & 10 sessions (4 sessions total) had 2 judge panels, while all other sessions had 1 judge panels.

4. Start-Score values were posted during the level 8, 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	Meet Time
1	Level 6 (8-9), (12-13)	110	8:25am-12:00pm
2	Level 6 (10-11)	96	12:55pm-4:00pm
3	Level 7	91	4:50pm-8:00pm
4	Level 8, Level 9 (14-18)	53	7:55am-10:25pm
5	Level 9 (12-13)	72	11:25am-2:45pm
6	Level 10 (14-15)	42	3:25pm-5:45pm
7	Level 10 (16-18)	57	6:15pm-9:40pm

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

Floor Exercise Report

Terry Williams (Lev 7, 8, 9, 10) Sean Sims (Lev 6, 8, 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.

We saw an increase in form deductions on skills while still in flight.

Many .3 landing deduction throughout the meet.

Level 10

Landing seemed to have the largest amount of deductions. Over 75% dismounted with a C skill or higher.

*The Arabian fronts performed out of a round-off 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 saltos were low and deductions were taken.

Level 9

Same comment as level 10.

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.

The gymnast that scored high were the ones with 7or 8 skills in their sets. They minimized their deductions with fewer skills.

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@ymail.com

Pommel Horse Report

Dan Keating (Lev 7, 8, 9, 10), Eric Smith (Lev 6, 8, 9, 10)

Level 8, 9, & 10 General Observations

Overall the execution of routines was good in general. Athletes must concentrate more than ever on amplitude in all circle and scissor actions. There were several routines that received global deductions for pike or lack of amplitude on circles. Scissors remain a relative weakness and the athletes need to be aware that the average deduction on all “scissors” skills was medium. In general the form was improving, but the two aforementioned areas will allow our athletes to pick up critical tenths.

Level 10

Skewing on travel elements and lack of amplitude on “scissors” skills needs to be addressed. Additionally, the handstand dismount must be executed using swing and not strength. At JO nationals, it is my opinion that any strength used on a handstand dismount is likely to receive the maximum deduction, therefore this needs to be addressed. Additionally, there were a few “A” value dismounts which resulted in lower start scores.

Level 9

Again I would advise stressing swings and “scissors” work and the lack of amplitude. Additionally if an athlete is using an “A” value dismount, they need to be aware that there are only a couple of listed “A” value dismount in the code of points. Anything not listed will not receive credit. As well, the handstand dismount issues present in level 10 apply to the 9’s.

Level 8

Overall the level of gymnastics in this group is improving. It is worth noting, however, that the same problems experienced by the 9’s and 10’s are prevalent in this group as well. Focusing on amplitude in circles can improve scores dramatically. Additionally, I advise reading the dissertation of “A” value dismounts in the level 9 section.

Level 7

Please make sure to read the JO manual and follow the descriptions closely. This was a major issue only with the travel portion of the circle routine, and it needs to be addressed. Please contact the JONAL for clarity.

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: Dan Keating – djkeating02@yahoo.com

Still Rings Report

Jerit Pogue (Level 6, 8, 9, 10, ), Brian Cooper (Level 7, 8, 9,10)

Level 8, 9, & 10 General Observations

Many athletes at this years competition performed routines with 2.0 – 3.0 points off in exercise presentation. The majority of the deduction were on poor positions and short holds on strength parts. Many were forced to do swing to strength skills that they had not mastered. Since hold deduction are now .3 for a hold of less than 2 seconds athletes need to make sure that skills are held for the full time. Especially on simple skills like L’s.

Level 10

Execution errors were most common in swing to strength parts coming in to high and bad body position. Only about half of the athletes had the full 2.5 in elements groups.

Level 9

Most coaches are taking the approach of less is more for the level 9 athletes. Very few did all 5 element groups. Most athletes were missing elements groups 2 and 3. Those who did perform these skills had .3-1.2 in deduction on these skills.

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 planches and handstands. Athletes need to remember to hold both L’s. Most athletes who attempted the Straddle Planche for bonus had .3-.9 in deduction. Coaches need to evaluate if the skill is worth doing.

Level 6

- This routine is difficult to score above a 15 on unless the athlete can do a good handstand. Most athletes did not attempt the bonus. The ones who did only did the first bonus. The swing part of the routine has greatly improved. The most common error was the bent arms on the back uprise.

Vault Report

Mark Sherman (Lev 8, 9, 10, All 6’s) Kevin Nee (Lev7, 8, 9, 10)

Vaulting in the JO program has dramatically improved over the last year. I believe in part to the very basics of level 4 and 5 where the emphasis is on the run, underarm swing, and body position on the board.

At the higher level, it is easy to predict the better vaults just from looking at the run. Some teams explode in their run with excellent speed, arm swing and hurtle step.

Level 10 Difficulty

Lots of bonus and lots of big vaults. I was amazed at the number of Kasamutsu’s and and1/2 twisting Kasamatu’s and 1 1/2 t. Yurchenkos.

Level 10 15-18 year olds:

51 vaults

13 5.4 vaults - full twists

7 5.8 vaults – 1 1/2 twists

1 6.2 vault - 2 twists

25 bonus vaults- 24 credited with bonus

Level 9

70 vaults

18 4.0 - Tsuk Piked

2 4.6 – Kas Tucked

1 4.8 - Kas Piked

2 5.4 - Kas Layout (both from WOGA) Very impressive

Level 8

Much lower level vaulting. A number of gymnasts at this level are still using a handspring vault or poorly performed Tsuks.

At the senior level as well, vaulting in the USA is getting much better. But, we must still seek to increase difficulty to catch up with other countries

Parallel Bars Report

J.T. Fletcher fletcher@bryanisd.org (Lev 7, 8, 9 & 10) and Dean Matthews (level 6’s)

Level 6 – We need to have the gymnast ready for competition when warm-up time is over. The top routines were those receiving the most bonuses. Many press handstands were attempted but were not held for the required 2 sec hold, thus not receiving the bonus. Many sets were very clean, but without the bonus, virtuosity or both, it is difficult to achieve the “big score.” The sequence - straddle L, press and swing hand (2 sec hold) seemed to be the area that made or broke most scores. Front swings were good in general and the rest is form (mostly). There were a few glide kips that were not accomplished correctly. Some routines had rhythm deductions for hesitating during the straddle travel

Level 7 - These routines were executed very well, there were no major problems. The most missed skill was the swing to nominal handstand and/or pirouette. However, I felt like there were few misses in that area than year before. The dismount needs to be either a tuck or layout and not a pike; some layouts were deducted for body position - whereas a tuck was less likely to get a deduction. Also seemed to be more bonus this year compared to last as well as virtuosity.

Some giants did receive more deductions than bonus. Hopefully working the skill now will pay off in the long run.

Level 8 - Level 8 gymnasts seem to be adding more difficulty such as Moy to supports and layout ½’s. Many of the routines that scored well were less difficult and with good execution. Most common mistakes were: extra swings and lack of holding the hold parts. Remember, an L and press must be held for no deduction.

Level 9 – Nice job with routine construction. The coaches are doing a great job! Most routines had all EGs. Seems there are more big swing skills such as Stutz hand, Diamidov and back tosses. Also more double backs for dismounts. Make sure all hold parts are held two seconds, which includes swing handstands. Try to eliminate repeating skills. IE – two back rises, two L’s, two presses.

Level 10 – The skill level is awesome and fun to judge. It seemed the athletes were better prepared for this competition then they were at state. Routine construction is smart, and in most cases easy to figure start values. The new hold (or no hold rule) sure makes routines easier to judge and safer for the athlete. Same as the level 9’s – skills are getting bigger and better. Be careful about the hand shift/adjustment before skills that swing from a handstand.

Horizontal Bar Report

Chris Rippy (Lev 7, 8, 9, 10,), Jeremy Bourdette (Lev 6, 8, 9, 10)

General Observations

Over the past several years, I have seen significant improvement in Region III on High Bar. The coaches are learning how to construct optional routines without unnecessary skills, and the gymnasts are performing skills with much better execution. Keep up the good work!

Level 6

The most common deduction with the level 6's were on the swing half turn and the kip. The swing half turn must be executed with the gymnast's toes leading as well as with a hollow body throughout. Although a stop is allowed in the kip to support, the arms must stay straight. Forty-six routines had both of the bonus giants and started at either a 15.6 or 15.7. The majority of the gymnasts scored in between a 13.5 and 14.5.

Level 7

There is a very large jump in difficulty between level 6 and level 7 on high bar. This is shown by how few level 7 gymnasts can get through a routine without deductions on their giants. The most common errors were poor body positions during under-grip and over-grip giants, as well as angles on the pirouette and swing half-turn. Areas for potential virtuosity were early pirouettes and swing half-turns to handstand.

Level 8

Like years past, the level 8 routines were all about GOOD FORM. The gymnasts that scored the highest tended to do simple skills with no or few deductions. More advanced skills such as flight skills, dorsal elements, and complicated spinning skills hurt the gymnast's score in the long run after execution deductions were taken. The phrase LESS IS MORE continues to be relevant in level 8 routines.

Level 9

The level 9's on HB looked very good. It is very difficult to get a score about 12.0 on HB at this level. The gymnasts don't seem to have developed the skills necessary to gain a high start value. The level 9's that were able to do 4 or even 5 element groups had a significant advantage over the gymnasts with just 3. That being said, good routine construction focused around what the gymnast can do cleanly is still very important.

Level 10

The level 10 routines contained a lot of endo skills with or without a full spin or full spin to el-grip. These skills are very developmentally important, but difficult to do without .3 in angle deductions. In the level 9 and 10 session combined, only two gymnasts performed spinning skills with a .1 or .0 deduction, all others received .3-.5. This is something to keep in mind for all optional gymnasts while constructing a routine.

Coaches have really emphasized the “B” flight skills of Veronins and Rear-vaults, and the gymnasts are performing these much better. There weren't very many C or higher flight skills, but the ones that were performed were executed beautifully.