still more pyramids!!

lots of pyramids!

Pyramids!

MORE PYRAMIDS

PYRAMIDS!

Pink!!

More Routines!

BLUE CLASS!!

GYMNASTICS ROUTINES

GYMNASTICS ROUTINES

Front walkvoer

Here's a girl about your age who is going to teach you how to do a front walkover. Check it out.

We have been working on your back bends and back walkovers. This "how to" video will reinforce the learning and practice that we did in class. I love how excited you get when you "land" your back walkover. Remember, it's best to do this with a spotter!!

VAULT

This video is a little long but it's so interesting because it shows the evolution of the vault. Some of the early footage is from the 1970's. You can see how the skills get more and more complicated and you can also see how the equipment has changed. Do you think girls today are better trained or is it that technology has changed? Why do you think they can do much harder stunts?

Uneven BARS

In the 1976 Olympics a young girl from Belarus named Olga Korbut became the first real "famous" gymnast. She is credited for being the person to turn gymnastics into the popular sport that it is today. She is also given credit for easing tension between Russia and the United States during the Cold War. She was and still is a very influential athlete. Ask your parents if they know her. Here is her beam routine in the 1976 Olympics.



In the 2008 Olympics, an American named Nastia Liukin won a gold medal in the uneven bars. This video is her routine in the Pac Rim Championships in 2008. Notice how much longer and more difficult this routine is compared to Olga Korbut's routine in 1976.

AND THEN THE OLYMPIANS....

Here is an OLYMPIAN performing her AWESOME beam routine!

BASIC BEAM MOUNT

Straddle Mount with a little "flair" looks like this:

some photos!

Mrs. Smart's 7th Graders DO GYMNASTICS!

Hi all, we're about to start our gymnastics unit. You've had a couple of days to get comfortable with the equipment and now it's time to get serious :) about your skills. In case you need a reminder, here's some tips on how to do a forward roll, back roll, cartwheel, and handstand.

FORWARD ROLL


BACK ROLL


CARTWHEEL


HANDSTAND

BEAM ROUTINES PINK

Here's a couple PINK class routines:

FLOOR EX. Pink

PINK CLASS: some routines

BLOOPERS

Oops, can I start again??

BARS SAMPLE

BLUE class: bars

BLUE CLASS ROUTINES

BEAM


FLOOR

More PHOTOS!

Building STRENGTH and practicing routines

PICK YOUR ROUTINE

Here are the elements you need to include in your routine. Remember, you only choose one of these.

BEAM (in this order)
* straddle mount with "swing" up
* skip to middle
* toe turn
* 2 steps and pose in scale (arabesque)
* walk backward 3 steps
* squat turn with arms horizontal
* stand and do "arms"
* side lunge
* dip walk (point toes) to end
* tuck, straddle, or pencil dismount and STICK IT!

FLOOR (in any order)
* forward roll to stand
* cartwheel
* round-off
* any jump (full turn, split, tuck)
* two chasses
* arabesque (hold for 2 seconds)
* "dismount" pose (hold for 3 seconds)
**** You may include one or two other "stunts" or "moves" and your dismount pose should signal the obvious end of your routine. HAVE FUN!!

FLOOR EXERCISES

Here are some tips on how to do some of the tricks we've been learning/practicing:

(videos deleted)
They are repeated on April 28th.

More pictures!

Last rehearsals

Here's a few photos of your last couple of practices before we PERFORM. Good luck!

LAST PRACTICE

Tomorrow is our LAST practice day before our performances which begin on FRIDAY! Be ready to SHINE! Make sure your hair is pulled out of your face and you are wearing a bathing suit that is appropriate and that fits well enough so that it won't be distracting. Bring your music so you can have a good "dress rehearsal."

ONE MORE PRACTICE DAY

Tomorrow is our LAST practice day before our performances which begin on FRIDAY!! Be ready to SHINE. Don't forget to put your hair up and wear a bathing suit that won't interfere with your performance (no distractions!)

USA in World Championships 2007

THE PROCESS

1) Build stamina in the water and work on strokes.
2) Learn and practice stunts (entries, arms, formations, dolphin, shark, collapsing clam, tub, and ballet legs.)
3) Form groups of 4-5.
4) Select music: your group will need to select songs or parts of songs to choreograph your routine. Your group will need to provide it's own source for the music. Boom boxes, ipods, computers and other music sources are fine as long as you do not need an electrical outlet and the sound is loud enough. Garage Band can be used if you want.
5) Create a routine: The routine will include an introduction, body and conclusion. The intro. usually starts on the deck and includes some dancing. (15-30 seconds.) The body of the routine is where your group will perform all of the stunts and formations. The conclusion includes stunts as well but should demonstrate a definite ending to the routine. The conclusion can be in the pool or on the deck.

Nuts and Bolts of our Synchronized Swimming Unit

Goals:
1) To learn and practice stunts/skills used in synchronized swimming.
2) To create a routine which integrates music, dance and stunts.
3) To work within a group; communication, collaboration, and cooperation.

Participation in class is an integral part of this unit due to the emphasis on group work. If a student is unable to participate due to an injury or illness, it is expected that they will still contribute to the group in some limited way during the class session.

New sculls and positions!

Some of you can do this, I'm sure!

More pictures!

Pictures from today!