THE KIP
By: Brian Bakalar
A gymnast’s
career is loaded with skills, increasing in difficulty from
the very first forward roll. Like few other sports,
gymnastics is forever demanding more from its participants.
There is always another twist to add, another flip to learn.
And the first major roadblock in most gymnasts’ career is
the KIP.
This is one of the first skills that a gymnast comes up
against that requires some real work and training. Even the
most talented gymnast will not learn a kip on her first try.
A kip requires timing, strength, and practice.
Winning Attitude by Brian Bakalar
A lot has been written about “attitude,” as it relates to sports in general, and gymnastics in particular. In fact, in today’s society, we are inundated with catchy phrases like “attitude is everything,” and “attitude is a little thing that can make a BIG difference.” The purpose of this article is to delve into exactly what “attitude” consists of. In fact, this article would be more properly titled “Winning Attitude at Gymnastics Revolution.”
The elusive concept here is in the definition of a winning attitude. At Gymnastics Revolution, a winning attitude is a blend of confidence and positive thought. Confidence is built from past successes, and a strong understanding of one’s self. It is important to note that success, as defined here, is “taking a positive lesson from a given circumstance.” Positive thought is a habit, it is built in a positive environment, and with proper coaching. Most children are easily guided into this type of strong mindset.
At Gymnastics Revolution, attitude is a piece of the overall puzzle of the health of our students, and a piece that is carefully watched and managed. While we are not so trite as to simply tell our students, “think positive,” or “anything is possible if you…” we do monitor the demeanor of the gymnasts carefully. And with proper proportions of reality, compassion, optimism, and supportiveness, we help the young gymnasts in our program to develop a winning attitude.
At Gymnastics Revolution, our staff watches students, and is careful to point out the small achievements in a given workout. Students are not praised to the point where praise loses meaning, nor are they ever given false praise. In our philosophy, a gymnast, child, or any other person, will recognize, understand, and internalize such positive feedback only when it is deserved, and only when it is genuine. In this way, the students begin to develop the ability to recognize their own achievements, and this leads to a stronger sense of confidence.
As mentioned above, the positive thought process is built in a positive environment. While this goes along with the concepts of praise and positive feedback, mentioned above, it is also important to recognize that Gymnastics Revolution prides itself on strong interactions with its students. These interactions are only possible, and only successful in the positive environment that has been built in our gym. Hard work, companionship, a good bit of fun, and a supportive coach are key ingredients to that environment.
Many parents ask questions at Gymnastics Revolution, and are pleased to hear that we do indeed pride ourselves on our environment, and on our attention to attitude. Rarely, however, do we discuss the questions beyond this point. Why is this positive attitude so important? Why do we want our children to have winning attitudes? The answer is simple. A winning attitude is one that will create progress, one that cannot be shaken, and one that will succeed in any area of life. All gymnasts retire at some point or another, and it is vitally important that they leave the sport with a winning attitude. In fact, this may be the biggest gift that our sport has to give. A winning attitude will help in parenting, in the corporate world, in other sports, in other activities. A winning attitude, as guided by Gymnastics Revolution, can be a tool that makes a good gymnast into a great person.
KIDS NIGHT OUT a Huge Success
Friday, April 16, Gymnastics Revolution and the Edge Performance Training Center played host to the fifth annual Kids' Night Out -- Battling Cancer event.
"This wasn't a 50/50 deal, or a 50% of the proceeds deal," said owner Brian Bakalar. "The Edge and Gymnastics Revolution never saw a penny. This was about charity."
The 40 participants made out their checks and gave their cash directly to the American Cancer Society, earmarked to the Bethel Relay for Life. Participants played games, sports, jumped in the foam pits, snacked, and enjoyed a 3 hour party, while their parents received some well deserved time off.
The Pink Ladies, a Relay for Life team led by Lisa Breeland and Katie Fortier, were on hand to keep things running smoothly, while the Gym Rev staff handled the athletics. In the end over $700 was sent to the very worthy American Cancer Society.
"The boys" play a game of kickball during KNO
For another KNO image, "mouse over" the image above.
BETHEL, CT - From the gymnastics program that brought you Version 1 of Gymnastics Interactive, and the club that revolutionized photography in the world of gymnastics comes a brand new endeavor: High Definition Video.
"We're taking it to a new level," proclaims owner Brian Bakalar. "This will make training more effective, cutting down on the number of repetitions, and giving the girls a visual representation, rather than just the words of the coaches. On top of that, we now have the very best technology to document our athletes as they begin communicating with colleges."
"This is only the start. The girls share their videos with friends, family, neighbors, and the whole gymnastics identity is becoming more solidified. I think we're using technology to make everyone better," says Bakalar.
"If a picture is worth a thousand words, then how many words are represented in HD Video?"
Stay tuned to this sight, YouTube, Facebook, and others to see more as this exciting technology unfolds at Gym Rev!
Gym Rev's Level 10 Hope Sloanhoffer to attend West Virginia University on Full Athletic Scholarship!
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University gymnastics coach Linda Burdette announced today that Makenzie “Mak” Bristol, Amanda Carpenter, Marina Galante and Hope Sloanhoffer have signed national letters of intent to compete at WVU next fall.
“I think this is one of the most experienced classes we have brought in,” Burdette says. “We’re excited because each recruit brings in national-level experience. We are hoping that this background will helps these recruits adapt easily to collegiate gymnastics and that each will contribute immediately.”
A native of New Windsor, N.Y., Sloanhoffer, a level 10 gymnast, will join the Mountaineers after competing at Gymnastics Revolution in Connecticut under Brian Bakalar and Dawn Arigo. A two-time national qualifier, she won the 2009 state vault, beam, floor and all-around titles and finished second on bars. Sloanhoffer also finished eighth at the 2009 regional championship with a floor title and a third place finish on vault. She has also qualified for the Junior Olympic National Invitational Tournament, and is a National Champion on Vault. The WVU coaches believe Sloanhoffer does not have a weak event and should have a great impact on the team next season.
For the remainder of the 2009/2010 season, Sloanhoffer will continue to lead her Gymnastics Revolution teammates on their quest for State, Regional, and National titles.
