Level5Mom said:
Icclove said:
My daughter team would take the summer off to rest athletes. They would offer summer camps/clinics 1 to 2 days per week but they are really like open gym to keep skills, strength and flexibility in check and they would only run for about 1.5 to 2 hours unlike practice which is like 4 to 5 hours 5 days per week. Gymnast don't really lose their tumbling skills because they are taught technique as oppose to cheerleading (not all) to just throw it. Of all of the disciplines floor was the least worked and the most focus was on strength, conditioning and flexibility. As for overuse injuries I take my children to a chiropractor at least every quarter and a massage therapist at least twice a month. No major injuries so far. 8)
But it's not an off-season if they are still training, even though it may be lower-key, they are training. Cheer tumblers do not train 4-5 hours 5 days per week, and most do not train 5 days per week. I can't speak for other programs, but my cp's gym is very low-key from May-July. I'm not trying to argue with you, btw, I'm just trying to learn! I do like the conditioning that I've heard gymnasts do. It makes me wonder how amazing cheer tumblers COULD be if they conditioned like gymnasts!
Feel free to PM me and I will tell what I can since I can be more detailed than is necessary here.
Just like cheer gyms, there are different gymnastic gyms. Different visions, goals, etc. Some are Olympic training Center type gyms, with many gymnasts training at the highest levels. Others are smaller mom and pop so glad to have a program in this community type gyms. So that plays a major part in their training cycle. I have worked at both and ran the girls programs at both. The biggest things are:
1.) Conditioning and flexability training. Every day. Without fail or excuse. This period is broken up into several sections. You have the initial conditioning/flex period at the start of practice which may go anywhere from 30 to an hour. (imagine taking the first hour of every cheerleading practice up every time just for this) Then there is specific event conditioning. This is done with each event rotation. Then you have cool down conditioning/core and additional flex at the end of practice.
2.) Positional training. This is done to make sure the athletes have correct body alignment and positions through their skills. Even the most advanced gymnasts still do a basic beam complex, kip cast handsatnd drills on bars, handstand blocks and hurdle drills for vault every time they hit that event. The same goes for drills. Skills are often broken into family groups instead of just isolated lets learn this trick.
3.) Time management. Event rotations are between 20 minutes to 45 minutes. That time is filled with what needs to be done. Warm Up, basic routine, full out routines, sections, drills optional skills. Depending on the time of the year dictates how many full out routines are done.
4.) Managed landings. In a floor routine for example there may be 3 - 5 dance throughs (no tumbling) warm up tumbling, 3 full outs or 5 first and last pass only, and then they are shifted to pit. tumble track, rod floor, trampoline to keep from repetitive pounding on the knees, ankles, wrists, etc.
5.) Injury management. If you are injured or sick that does not become an excuse to wacth everyone else practice. You are sent to condition, stretch or do what you can do to improve.
6.) Practice time. Anywhere from 4 hours to 16/20 hours a week depending on the skill level. Open gyms are usually structured and not free time to goof off for team kids.