Here was a point that was brought up while I was discussing this dilemma with other coaches... I find it quite valid.
***Steps on Soap Box***
First let me say, that it's MY interpretation - That we have rules for safety. Further more, when we have injuries in our sport, it is also my interpretation that the rules are what we would use to fall back on in the court of law. If someone is injured, the rules are there to backup when we are doing is safe (Ei: Braces, Progressions between levels, etc)... Soooooo....
Lets assume that this stunt is TRUELY deemed legal (Id think Les or someone would come out with a statement since its gone back and forth and has the industry in an uproar), and Little Susie Allstars decides to go a head and give this stunt a try. While working on this stunt - A flyer comes down to the prone position wrong - she injures her spleen and is injured, or lord help us, the injury results in death - Would the USASF/Les Stella be able to sit in the court of law and explain to 12 jury members that this stunt is safe to perform? Would they be able to show the jury the rule STATING that you may not come down in a PRONE POSITION - Then show a video of the stunt- And convince jury members that is NOT prone? Coming down at the prone position (or 45 degree angle as some have been known to call it) with your leg in a scorpion and your hands behind your head to be caught is dangerous. What makes this dangerous is that the organs in the stomach are not protected by any bone structure what so ever. Lets not forget the East Elite lawsuit in which a highschool athlete died due to an abdominal injury. Plus, thats not even mentioning the ruptured spleens, damaged organs, etc that occur due to direct impact with the stomach. The USASF can defend this by saying its a "gray area" but in court saying that a child got hurt in a sporting accident due to landing in a prone position with her leg and arms behind her head would NEVER hold up in court. It is great Gymtyme found a loophole and became innovative. I must add that Gymtyme is VERY deserving of this bid - NO ONE, and i mean NO ONE should be taking credit away from GT or those kids. If your upset with Gymtyme due to safety - thats your own opinion - but if you are upset about GT getting the bid - Dont take WSF's poor judging and the USASF's bad decision making out on GT - Take it out on the USASF's legality judges judging at WSF and the USASF for their handeling of the situation. Saying that the stunt is illegal and then retracting that and saying that it is legal - sounds like all the USASF did was try to say "How can we make this legal so we dont look bad?"
Last but no least - My OTHER issue with the ruling - Why in this sport, is the decision left to ONE MAN to decide if it is legal or illegal? Why is there not a panal that has say 13 (an odd number) of people in it that should review the rule and make the decision? I used 13 because our government has 12 jury members in a court case. They do that - So that they can have 12 people with diverse perspectives evaluate and deliver an answer unanamously about ruling. However, our sports fate and "gray areas" are decided by one man, and one man alone. What if in the court of law there was only ONE jury member?...
***Exits Soap Box***
