New Floor and Vault Gymnastics DVD with Paul Hamm
Olympic champion, Paul Hamm, is the featured coach in a brand new gymnastics DVD instruction for Floor Exercise and Vault. Titled "Essentials for Floor Exercise and Vault," this is a [...]
Recent Upgrades on American Athletic Equipment
From time to time, there are instances when an AAI product can be made even better, or revised so that a gymnast can use it to their best potential and increase their skill level. Recently, updates have been made to the Stratum Vault Board, the Ring Tower, and the Nylon Straps on the Floor Exercise Deck.
Kasamatsu Full
To perform the Kasamatsu Full, the gymnast should already know a Kasamatsu. The gymnast can practice different drills and train the skill to a loose foam pit until he is able to consistently complete a 360 degree twist. The gymnast can progressively add mats on the pit as he gets better.
Kasamatsu Full to Loose Foam Pit
The foam pit is highly important with many vaulting skills. The purpose of a foam pit is to offer an opportunity to practice a difficult skill without having to worry about the landing.
Kasamatsu Half and Kasamatsu Full to Pit with Mats
The gymnast should twist right if his right hand touches the vault first, and twist left if his left hand touches first. It's usually a good idea to attempt most of the vaulting repetitions on soft surfaces to reduce the chance of injuries.
Kasamatsu Full – Cruise Action Example
To perform Kasamatsu vaults, the gymnasts do not execute a complete round-off over the table. Instead, they should repulse the table sideways and continue twisting. Observe in this slow motion example how the gymnast leaves the table sideways. By the time he stands up vertically, he is already facing away from the table.
Slow Motion Kasamatsu Full and Full and a Half
Successful vaults come from mastering certain vaulting components along with personal power. These components are running, the hurdle, board contact, a first flying phase, table repulsion, and a second flying phase. Lack of power or poor technique in any of these vaulting components can result in costly mistakes.
Vaulting Training to Resi Mats
As a gymnast gets better with a skill on the vault, it is a good idea to do the same skill to an elevated soft surface. The soft surface minimizes the stress on the gymnast's joints while making it more difficult to land. This encourages gymnasts to apply more power and improve their technique.
Tuck Kasamatsu
Most gymnasts learn Tsuk layouts and then progress to Kasamatsu layouts or Tsuk layout fulls. Some gymnasts progress to layout twisting vaults after mastering a fair tuck Tsukahara. Though it is ultimately up to the coach, we recommend the layout approach.
Tuck Kasamatsu Another Young Gymnast Example
Although this young gymnast has some technical mistakes like bending his legs too early and holding the head out during the twist, he performs a correct and clear cruise to execute his tuck kasamatsu.
Tuck Kasamatsu Common Mistake
Sometimes gymnasts that are beginning to learn Kasamatsu or Tsukahara type vaults may get confused and go for a landing on the knees instead of the feet. This is a serious mistake that can cause a knee injury on a hard surface. Before the gymnasts try on a regular vaulting surface or even on resi mats over the pit, they must demonstrate a consistent ability to land feet first in loose foam.
Floor Kasamatsu Drill Over Folded Mat
This drill is one of the simplest introductory approaches to Kasamatsu vaults for those gymnasts that already know the Tsukahara. Gymnasts who twist in the opposite direction of the round-off should practice different drills than this one. The hands are placed down one at a time. The gymnast pushes off the floor with the second hand to create a flying phase high enough to clear the folded mat.