Young Tumbler Working On A Full

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Hi all, thanks again for all the posts that shared experiences and answered my specific questions--those were particularly helpful.

As I said, the video was an old one of one of her earliest ROBHS tucks--might even have been *the* first, I really don't know--and while I can say that there is definitely significantly more height and power, I am not qualified to know if she's ready to progress--but I do think it really isn't fair to judge a gym and the quality of instruction on the basis of an old video (which I removed to protect the innocent--LOL), since it's not current information. I will rely on those with training to know, and trust their judgment. I already had a lesson scheduled with a former Div 1 college gymnastics coach, and in light of some of the issues raised, I will ask some pointed questions about what is safe and appropriate for my daughter...so there will be multiple expert opinions to weigh. As for those questioning why I would choose to consult an orthopedist--here's a case in point: when I was 13, I developed really painful tendonitis in my shoulder (a common injury in competitive swimmers)..orthopedic doc took measurements and I had very lopsided muscle development...he then advised me that in practice I needed to alternate sides for breathing...after months of that and some rehab never had the problem again...so yes, I think it is very reasonable to seek expert medical advice as a preventive measure. Now I need to spend time with baby and hubby who is upset about the amount of time I have spent looking at my phone today. So forgive me, but it's time I unfollow.
Don't be a stranger and don't let this post be your basis for how the board is as a whole.
 
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@HappyGirls, I read your post with much interest and I must admit my daughter started gymnastics at 4 and by 6, she was on a competitive gymnastics team... However, I thank God that she started in a gymnastics environment. What I noticed when my daughter was working on her tumblling skills, she always worked in a group with 3 other girls and the tumbling instructor used ropes, some swinging contraption he tie the girls in to work on back handspring, tucks, layouts, etc. There were foam pits for the girls to tumble in and of course, the trampolines, spring and rod floors, so usually in 2 hours, the girls never got bored of learning and they were learning good techniques without the repetition that can bore a young 6 year old...

I think the boredom for your 6 year old because of the repetitive instruction and she may need an instructor that can provide a variety...

PS: My daughter's first tumbling instructor for 7 years was a professional stunter, so he really kept his young students engaged.
 
Shimmies all around for perfection over progression. As a 20 something year old new to tumbling, I was a little too strong, and a little too head strong. I was able to brute force my way all the way up to a combo through to full, then I had to tear down everything I knew about throwing a full so that I could start working on my double (I got lucky with everything up to a layout).

It's not worth the extra time and effort, learning it the right way the first time will save so many headaches, that's why I always try to break down a skill with diagrams, and make explanations of the physics behind a skill to all of my lessons. (does that make me a cheer nerd?) Also, it is far safer, and safety should always be the number one concern!

P.S.- People aren't attacking your CP. They really do just want the best for her!
 
Hi All,

I could use some advice. I have a daughter that just turned 6, and has been tumbling for not quite a year and a half. She has a very solid ROBHS tuck and ROBHS layout...and a standing tuck that is still inconsistent--some days she can hit 10 for 10 and other days she struggles on the floor and has to move to the tumble trak.. CP is now starting to work on a full, also a front punch. The struggle is working on these skills with the patience of a girl newly turned 6.

Can others share their experience with:

-How long to get a full after you have a solid layout? How about from landing a punch front on the TT to moving to the floor?

-How have other parents managed the expectations and frustration of very young athletes as they work on more difficult skills that may take longer?

Posting in parents section as well...
Oh. Hello.

@cheermommaRN Dang it, why'd you have to be so fast?
 
Once she is bored and has a perfect layout then I recommend to start twisting a half and once mastered then try to full. Progressing too quickly is a very easy way to gain a mental block so there should be no rush. For the standing tuck tell her to push through her toes and leg muscles, make sure she is getting a full swing, and I recommend grabbing your legs under to pull when first learning. A punch front is less of a deal in my opinion and is a skill that many bust at first and then progress. But a full should absolutely not just be went for without progression. A full is a skill that just had to click and with hard work and dedication she will have it in no time.
Just by personal experience, DO NOT have her work on halfs.... a full is a one piece skill and kids who learn halfs, or just throw them by themselves usually end up with janky fulls or not being able to get past the half. Just my advice :)
 
Hi All,

I could use some advice. I have a daughter that just turned 6, and has been tumbling for not quite a year and a half. She has a very solid ROBHS tuck and ROBHS layout...and a standing tuck that is still inconsistent--some days she can hit 10 for 10 and other days she struggles on the floor and has to move to the tumble trak.. CP is now starting to work on a full, also a front punch. The struggle is working on these skills with the patience of a girl newly turned 6.

Can others share their experience with:

-How long to get a full after you have a solid layout? How about from landing a punch front on the TT to moving to the floor?

-How have other parents managed the expectations and frustration of very young athletes as they work on more difficult skills that may take longer?

Posting in parents section as well...[/QUO
Hi All,

I could use some advice. I have a daughter that just turned 6, and has been tumbling for not quite a year and a half. She has a very solid ROBHS tuck and ROBHS layout...and a standing tuck that is still inconsistent--some days she can hit 10 for 10 and other days she struggles on the floor and has to move to the tumble trak.. CP is now starting to work on a full, also a front punch. The struggle is working on these skills with the patience of a girl newly turned 6.

Can others share their experience with:

-How long to get a full after you have a solid layout? How about from landing a punch front on the TT to moving to the floor?

-How have other parents managed the expectations and frustration of very young athletes as they work on more difficult skills that may take longer?

Posting in parents section as well...
I got my full at 7, and double at 8.. I am now 16 and am perfectly fine so not sure why age would matter as long as tech is being taught properly. I was never rushed my my mom or coaches and I believe that's why I progressed so quickly and easily.. it was fun! I would give her a while before she has it consistent... but she will be there before you know it!
 
Welcome to the board @HappyGirls
My CP started tumbling at 3, janky BHS at 4, solid stand and multiple well performed BHS at 5, tucks standing&running at 6, whip aka a janky layout at 7, solid layout&punch front at 8 and she is currently 9 with a full. Currently working specialty to full and its whipping her. So similar age range with skills.
To answer your questions.
1)My CP worked her layout for a solid year. They hammered her with it so much her full actually came quick. A beautiful layout generally makes that full easier to acquire.
2) The punch front, to me, is one of the hardest skills to not only perform but perfect. It needs to be perfect on the trampoline and rod floor before it goes to the floor. So it could take a while.
3) I don't manage her skill acquisition. I've always taken tumbling for granted when it comes to my CP because that's what she does and she is damn good at it. I actually like to see her struggle on certain skills because it teaches to work harder and not take it for granted. Explain to her there is no rush, you're six, I'm proud of you and have fun.

We really need to see a more recent video.
I see a ton of mechanical issues with every part of that tumbling pass. There is no way she went from that to very solid skills in 6 months.
She isn't loading properly in the RO. Look at her leg placement at the end of it. Every solid pass is built from a RO that needs to be fixed.
Her arms are bent, her legs are bent and her legs are apart in the BHS.
She is not setting in her tuck at all. It should be up and over not back and over.

"Perfection before progression" on lower level skills equals beautiful higher level skills with less of a chance of injury.
Punchfront stepout is the one of the hardest skills for me! I can arabian all day but UGH!!! And I didn't even learn a layout until this year but have had my full for 7 lol
 
Thank you all so much for the replies. You have definitely given me food for thought. I have been scouring PubMed for studies on the effect of early gymnastics training--I will post any studies of interest that I find. I will be following up with an orthopedic surgeon and talking with the tumbling coach about the game plan. So far "working on the full" has all been drills, so they are by no means turning her loose unspotted on a mat. They are very a professional gym and absolutely have my child's best interest at heart.
I got my full at 7 and double at 8. I did not have a solid standing tuck until I got my solid running full (was iffy with both) and then got a double at 8 and I'm still cheering now (I'm 16 now) and don't have any issues lol
 
Punchfront stepout is the one of the hardest skills for me! I can arabian all day but UGH!!! And I didn't even learn a layout until this year but have had my full for 7 lol

CP actually hit the punch front step out last night and then added a 2 to full.
 
Just by personal experience, DO NOT have her work on halfs.... a full is a one piece skill and kids who learn halfs, or just throw them by themselves usually end up with janky fulls or not being able to get past the half. Just my advice :)
The purpose of the half is to get kids comfortable twisting. I went to a program a very long time ago where they would not let you move on without landing a half perfectly and they all had beautiful fulls, including myself! In my opinion you should not just throw a full and see what happens. They are two very different skills, but I see what ya mean.
 
The purpose of the half is to get kids comfortable twisting. I went to a program a very long time ago where they would not let you move on without landing a half perfectly and they all had beautiful fulls, including myself! In my opinion you should not just throw a full and see what happens. They are two very different skills, but I see what ya mean.
Not only that, but I've heard that it's much safer and easier to get out of a full gone wrong if you can save yourself by completing a half and landing.
 
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