Why Gymnastics?
Gymnastics is the foundation and bedrock of all sporting activities. Incorporating all the necessary body coordination skills and physical components; gymnastic activities at an early age promote good, sound fitness fundamentals leading to a healthier lifestyle.
We cater for all ages, shapes and sizes in our ‘FOUNDATION CLASSES', where we endeavor to give the children the basic building blocks of gymnastics i.e., rotation, locomotion, swinging, supporting and weight bearing skills needed to go further in their gymnastics adventure.
The specialist British Gymnastics Coaches will motivate the children via physically orientated games and practices. They will help them to gain skills to pass BGA badges and certificates. These start from badge 7 and continue upwards to badge 2. Having passed badge 2 gymnasts will be awarded the prestigious GOLD MEDAL for their outstanding achievement.
Gymnastics ‘The Gateway and Pathway'
All gymnastic skills are generic and can grow from simplicity to complexity through knowledgeable training techniques and adequate physical preparation. For instance rotation; let's take the simple forward roll which becomes the extended roll, then dive roll, then somersault, then with different shapes and multiples. We could also add skill to skill i.e., handstand roll or handspring front somersault. If the forward roll is taught and practiced with the correct technique then all progressive skills become possible. All our coaches are British Gymnastics qualified instructors who also coach in our competition club. They know the correct methods and are extremely motivational at all levels.
From Foundation To Higher Level
Children progress at their own rate but the coach will advise the gymnast and parent when they are eligible for 2 hours of Higher Level gymnastics. This level will be offered to only those gymnasts who the coach feels would benefit from such a move. There are some guidelines as to the proficiency of the gymnast at this stage. They should be able to perform to a high standard the following skills- handstand against wall 10secs; bridge; headstand 5secs; straddle pike fold; backward roll to feet and a good cartwheel.
This is only a guideline, mainly for the coaches, but a reasonable index. The gymnast at this level will still persue the GOLD MEDAL but they will also be introduced to the High Performance Large Gym which will offer many different and more advanced situations to challenge them. A greater accent is placed on their own Physical Performance including Strength, Flexibility and Muscular Endurance. This will help the gymnast to achieve even more progress towards advancing their vocabulary of skills. They will be challenged in rebound skills (trampoline and trampette) and aerial awareness, acrobatic tumbling skills, vaulting and some apparatus routines. They will also be introduced to more advanced badge and certificate work.
Eight Week Blocks
We arrange all our classes over an 8 week block so that the coaches can plan their schemes of work and give the individual possible specific training according to their own needs. This is a highly coached activity and coaches will identify with each class situation and plan for each individual session. It is therefore very important that we encourage good punctuality and excellent attendance. It should be noted that we do not close for half terms or school holidays. We do close for Christmas Week and Easter weekend.
