In addition to traditional element training, I also incorporate elements in a playful way. For me, it’s important that the gymnasts experience element training as something fun. It\u2019s not always exciting to keep practicing a handstand over and over again, but if I sometimes introduce the elements within a playful setting, it can increase their motivation to train them.
During a Christmas-themed practice, we might play \u201celement bingo,\u201d where the gymnasts work in teams and get bingo by performing 3 of each element in a row on the bingo card. This game encourages the gymnasts to perform the elements as quickly as possible without overthinking them. Especially for the more daring acrobatic elements, this game can lead to more attempts simply because the fast pace removes hesitation. <\/p>\n\n
On a senior team, there can be more focus on performance within the game. A game could involve each gymnast, one by one, performing a sideway salto followed by a press to handstand. The game ends when everyone has completed a round with all elements approved. If one gymnast fails the press or doesn’t hold the handstand, the game restarts. The gymnasts draw playing cards to determine the order. If the game restarts, they draw new cards to set a new sequence. <\/p>\n\n
It\u2019s important to say that I would NEVER do this kind of game with anyone other than my senior men’s team. They enjoy it because the added pressure simulates a competition environment as closely as possible. But that kind of pressure is not appropriate for a junior team or younger gymnasts. However, you can still create a competitive feeling in other ways. <\/p>\n\n
Element Battles during warm-up are a fun way to practice many elements. Gymnasts pair up and challenge each other to see who can hold a handstand, headstand, or Y-balance the longest. How many of your teammates can you challenge through an entire song? The leg might not be lifted to a perfect 120\/135 degrees in the balance, but the gymnasts practice standing still for a long time because they\u2019re fighting to hold their balance \u2014 and sometimes, that\u2019s the main goal.
\u201cFreeze dance,\u201d where gymnasts must hold a balance when the music stops, can also create a fun competition-like atmosphere. This can be used with any team and is always enjoyable. The gymnasts could be running while the music plays, and when it stops, everyone must hold a handstand or headstand. The one who holds the balance the longest wins. Or you can let the music start again once one gymnast falls. There are many ways to do it, and there doesn’t have to be a winner or loser.
How do you bring play into element training?
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In addition to traditional element training, I also incorporate elements in a playful way. For me, it’s important that the gymnasts experience element training as something fun. It\u2019s not always exciting to keep practicing a handstand over and over again, but if I sometimes introduce the elements within a playful setting, it can increase their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5744,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[146],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-element-training"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n