By Karen M. Goeller ISBN: 978-1-4116-2033-9

Published 2004 / 61 pages / 6 x 9

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Leg Conditioning: Some exercises specifically concentrate on the gymnastic landing technique while others help develop strength. In addition to improved landings, your gymnast may utilize this new strength for the take off of many gymnastic skills. The lunge prior to the round-off, the front handspring, back handsprings and any other gymnastic skill that requires a quick straightening of the knee joint may become more dynamic.

The force a gymnast must endure upon landings can be as much as 10-13 times the gymnast's body weight. Imagine how strong her lower body must be in order to endure such impact! Yet, look at how many gymnasts performing high levels skills have trouble landing on their feet because it appears their legs collapse or they do not use the correct technique for landing because it is never practiced as a separate gymnastic skill. These exercises help to strengthen the gymnasts legs so that she can land with control and decrease the chance of injury to the lower body upon these landings.

These gymnastic drills should be incorporated into a balanced training program, to include general and sport-specific conditioning, speed, endurance, flexibility, and of course, skills, combinations, and routines.

Ankle Conditioning: This gymnastic book should be very useful for those gymnastics coaches and athletes who need more ideas on how to stretch and strengthen the ankle and foot areas. The exercises have been used to help keep the gymnast’s ankles and feet in good condition. Many of these exercises have helped prevent injury and chronic pain by keeping the gymnast's ankles strong and flexible. This is crucial for daily gymnastic training as well as skill landings.

A gymnast's ankles must be both strong and flexible. She must endure several landings, sometimes from heights as much as eight to ten feet in the air! These landings, especially from gymnastic skills such as the double back, sometimes have the force of 10-13 times the gymnast's body weight. Imagine how strong her lower body must be to endure such impact! At times, the gymnast may over or under rotate during skills. When the gymnast lands from a gymnastic skill that was not performed with the correct technique she may land "short," often hyper extending her ankle. The more flexible her ankle is during these landings, the less chance she will suffer a severe injury.

The gymnast must also remain high on her toes for extended periods of time, often during balance beam or floor exercise routines. She must be accustomed to working high on her toes with stability. These gymnastic drills help with ankle stability.

Published 2004 / 61 pages / 6" x 9" / Soft Cover

ISBN: 978-1-4116-2033-9 (Old ISBN: 1-4116-2033-X)

About Author, Karen Goeller

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