Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Fundamental Tumbling
The month of June we've been traveling around Canada doing tumbling camp and the one thing we've noticed is the incredible need for improved tumbling technique and better tumbling fundamentals!! From the east coast to the west coast we've seen too many bent arms in handsprings, heads sticking out of handstands, heads being thrown back in tucks and piked bodies in layouts. Those were just some of the more common mistakes, but the message was clear - there is way too much imperfect tumbling in cheerleading today.
Don't get us wrong... as professionals in this industry, and as former team coaches ourselves- we absolutely understand the importance of encouraging athletes to progress and attempt new skills. That being said - there is no bigger hinderance than progressing onto more difficult skills without completely mastering progressions and lower level elements.
What is even more amazing is the resistance of some parents or coaches and athletes to taking two step backwards in order to gain a HUGE leap forwards. The constant need to run before walking in our industry will only lead to more injuries, tumbling blocks and issues with esteems and self confidence. If the athlete is TREMENDOUSLY lucky they might just escape with mangled form and poor execution.
Athletes deserve the right to progress at a rate and pace that is comfortable to them. They must be allowed to fail before they succeed, make mistakes ... and CORRECT them! Kids cannot continue to be pushed through without consequence. They look to us- their teachers, supporters and coaches to guide them in this process.
So the next time you're in a gym coaching or participating - think about the skills you are coaching. How do they look? Are they technically correct? Don't be afraid to take the steps necessary to improve technique and overall form. Not only will you be rewarded with better scores and overall impression at competition - but you will also be able to watch your athletes progress at a rate much faster than possible with compromised technique.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Spring Tumbling for Cheerleaders is looking for a part-time, contractual Administrative Assistant. The ideal candidate should be a University student or at least 18 years of age with a strong work ethic and a passion for cheerleading. Knowledge of MS Word, Adobe, Power Point, Internet, Facebook, Twitter and You Tube is a must.
Responsibilities include: email correspondance, collection of client materials, database management, website maintenence, and other administrative tasks.
We are a high volume, hard working, full service small business that prides itself on our relationships with our clients. Please be an intelligent, motivated, self starter that takes pride in your work and is willing to go above and beyond to complete the assigned task. Must be able to draft correspondence and deal with clients over the phone.
Starting pay is $10.00 per hour - 5 hours per week. This position MAY expand based on the applicants experience and ability to contribute to our company. This positition is open to CANADIAN applicants only at this time. Please email us at springtumbling@yahoo.com for more details or to submit your resume.
Responsibilities include: email correspondance, collection of client materials, database management, website maintenence, and other administrative tasks.
We are a high volume, hard working, full service small business that prides itself on our relationships with our clients. Please be an intelligent, motivated, self starter that takes pride in your work and is willing to go above and beyond to complete the assigned task. Must be able to draft correspondence and deal with clients over the phone.
Starting pay is $10.00 per hour - 5 hours per week. This position MAY expand based on the applicants experience and ability to contribute to our company. This positition is open to CANADIAN applicants only at this time. Please email us at springtumbling@yahoo.com for more details or to submit your resume.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Brand new season
Tryouts are just about over... many teams have had their first practices of the 2010-2011 season, and a new set of goals, hopes and dreams have been established.
If you think back to where you were last year at this time, and how far you have come as an athlete, coach or even as a parent in a gym - it is a amazing to consider the journey's we all embark on over the course of one cheerleading season.
This might be the year where you finally get flexible, or maybe its the year that your dream tumbling pass becomes a reality. It could be the first time you choreograph a routine, or coach a team to the podium. It might even be the year that you decide to push harder, work better and do whatever it takes to have the best year of your cheerleading career!! Whatever your goal is and however you plan to reach it... what is most important right now is that this is a time for new beginnings - for everyone!
When I think of new cheerleading seasons the theme for me has always been about "Back to basics." So often during the mix of a regular season we loose sight of our priorities and everything shifts to the 2 minutes and 30 seconds of our competitive routines. This is a great time to re-instill values that are important to us all - but that oftentimes get lost in the shuffle. Maybe this is the year that you will follow through... afterall, a well-balanced program is more successful and enjoyable than one with limited pursuits and efforts.
Here are a few areas that you can focus on whether you are a coach, or athlete. Whatever you're working on we hope that 2010-2011 is your best season yet!
A. FUNDAMENTAL TECHNIQUE
Far too often teams do "whatever it takes" to keep a stunt in the air, put a tumbling element in a routine or "just make it work" - whatever the "it" may be. It's time to go back to basics and remember that proper technique never fails. How do your skills look? Can they hold up under scrutiny?
B. CONDITIONING:
With the competition season months away, now is the perfect time to focus on athletic conditioning. Tremendous cheerleaders are strong, fit, flexible and agile. Incorporate different excerices and drills into your team practices that will help your team over the course of the season.
C. TEAM BUILDING
A successful team is a unified team. Whether you have team building exercises, host theme weeks at your gym, have a team sleepover or a unity weekend - unifying your athletes is THE BEST thing you can do to ensure a successful season.
D. INSTILL LEADERSHIP:
Every good team needs a good leader. What are you doing to inspire and encourage leadership in your program? Take time to develop and train strong leaders.
E. PHILANTHROPY/COMMUNITY WORK:
Beyond competing and training new skills, we have a responsibility to the athletes we work with to teach them lessons on and off the competition floor. Try organizing a fundraiser or charity event that teams can work on together. It can be a very gratifying experience and can also be used as a team builder as well!
Whatever your plans are this season, make the most over the summer months and set good habits that will last throughout the year! If you have any ideas that have worked for your gym reply here or feel free to post on our Facebook or Twitter!
If you think back to where you were last year at this time, and how far you have come as an athlete, coach or even as a parent in a gym - it is a amazing to consider the journey's we all embark on over the course of one cheerleading season.
This might be the year where you finally get flexible, or maybe its the year that your dream tumbling pass becomes a reality. It could be the first time you choreograph a routine, or coach a team to the podium. It might even be the year that you decide to push harder, work better and do whatever it takes to have the best year of your cheerleading career!! Whatever your goal is and however you plan to reach it... what is most important right now is that this is a time for new beginnings - for everyone!
When I think of new cheerleading seasons the theme for me has always been about "Back to basics." So often during the mix of a regular season we loose sight of our priorities and everything shifts to the 2 minutes and 30 seconds of our competitive routines. This is a great time to re-instill values that are important to us all - but that oftentimes get lost in the shuffle. Maybe this is the year that you will follow through... afterall, a well-balanced program is more successful and enjoyable than one with limited pursuits and efforts.
Here are a few areas that you can focus on whether you are a coach, or athlete. Whatever you're working on we hope that 2010-2011 is your best season yet!
A. FUNDAMENTAL TECHNIQUE
Far too often teams do "whatever it takes" to keep a stunt in the air, put a tumbling element in a routine or "just make it work" - whatever the "it" may be. It's time to go back to basics and remember that proper technique never fails. How do your skills look? Can they hold up under scrutiny?
B. CONDITIONING:
With the competition season months away, now is the perfect time to focus on athletic conditioning. Tremendous cheerleaders are strong, fit, flexible and agile. Incorporate different excerices and drills into your team practices that will help your team over the course of the season.
C. TEAM BUILDING
A successful team is a unified team. Whether you have team building exercises, host theme weeks at your gym, have a team sleepover or a unity weekend - unifying your athletes is THE BEST thing you can do to ensure a successful season.
D. INSTILL LEADERSHIP:
Every good team needs a good leader. What are you doing to inspire and encourage leadership in your program? Take time to develop and train strong leaders.
E. PHILANTHROPY/COMMUNITY WORK:
Beyond competing and training new skills, we have a responsibility to the athletes we work with to teach them lessons on and off the competition floor. Try organizing a fundraiser or charity event that teams can work on together. It can be a very gratifying experience and can also be used as a team builder as well!
Whatever your plans are this season, make the most over the summer months and set good habits that will last throughout the year! If you have any ideas that have worked for your gym reply here or feel free to post on our Facebook or Twitter!
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