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How To Exercise Class Management
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The Roll Call
Attendance may be taken in numerous ways. Most frequently the instructor selects a method that he particularly likes - and one which conserves time. Methods frequently used in gymnastics are briefly described here. In large schools, the practice of painting numbers on the floor is quite common. Students are then assigned to the numbers, and the instructor or student assistant checks attendance during the warm-up period. The use of squads is very common in gymnastics because there are so many different pieces of apparatus; each squad is assigned to a specific apparatus with a student leader in charge of the squad. The leader takes attendance and reports to the instructor. When classes are small, usually the instructor simply calls the roll. When classes are large, the students may be numbered consecutively and the roll may be called by number rather than by name. In situations where time is no particular problem, students are occasionally allowed to sign themselves in. Another system occasionally used is similar to the time-clock punch used by large corporations. A slotted board containing a card for each student is mounted on the wall, and the student simply reverses his card when he is present. The method of taking attendance utilized by any school system must of necessity be one that is well adapted to the numerous administrative problems of the school.
The Warm-up and Conditioning Exercises
In gymnastics, the problem of conditioning is especially important because of the dangers inherent in the activity. It may also be worthwhile to state that in some cases, where legal action has been taken as a result of injuries to students, the problem of conditioning has become an issue before the court. The exercises utilized for the warm-up in gymnastics should be of such a nature as to produce warm-up without undue fatigue and provide some work on flexibility. Most instructors recommend that workouts be concluded with a short series of strength building exercises. These exercises are usually done independently. Even though the gymnastics class has become fairly well conditioned and the program well under way, formal warm-up exercises should not be neglected.
Formations
Obviously the formation used for instruction in gymnastics will depend on the apparatus being used and the activity being taught. In general, it must be said that whatever the formation, each student should be given an equal opportunity. The formation utilized should be such that each student realizes ample opportunity to learn. In other words, when teaching tumbling long lines that allow only one student to perform at a time should not be used.
When classes are large, the students can be placed in lines facing one another or back to back, so that at least one fourth of the class members can perform the activity at one time. This is especially true with regard to tumbling. When double balancing is being taught, the group can be arranged into small teams of four men each -thus providing ample spotters within each group. If heavy apparatus is being used, the instructor must be sure to use more than one piece of apparatus -otherwise it is quite possible that a student might have an opportunity to perform only once during an instruction period.
Presentation of Stunts
Prerequisites:
In the interest of safety and for the sake of more efficient learning, be sure that all prerequisites are mastered prior to attempting any new stunt.
Description:
When a new stunt is being taught, a brief general description of what is to be accomplished should first be given. Then, a detailed description of what the instructor wants the student to do should be presented with a simultaneous demonstration. The demonstration and verbal explanation enhance understanding on the part of students.
Warning:
The student should be warned of any inherent danger in the activity, and cautioned with regard to mistakes that are most common.
Spotting Demonstration:
After the initial description and demonstration have been given, a special demonstration and explanation of spotting techniques should be given, separate and apart from the actual demonstration of the exercise.
Major Cues:
Before and during the time that a student is actually attempting a stunt for the first time, the instructor should attempt to summarize his instruction to the student. These summarized remarks are called cues. Specific cues for each stunt are presented in the text.
Competition and Exhibitions
Rules of Competition: The Amateur Athletic Union of the United States publishes a book of rules each year that governs competition on National and District levels. The A. A. U. rules provide for three different levels of competition -novice, junior, and senior. According to these rules, competition is conducted on both an optional and a prescribed exercise basis. Prescribed and optional exercises are required in the following events: free exercise, side horse, parallel bars, horizontal bar, and long horse. Only optional routines are required on flying rings, trampoline, and tumbling. Rope climbing is, of course, contested on a time basis. The prescribed routines that are described in the A. A. U. Official Rules are very helpful to those who are new to gymnastics. Although these required routines do not change every year, frequent changes are incorporated; thus providing students and teachers alike with a large variety of information about routines. The other most popular rules used for the conduct of gymnastics are those of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Like the A. A. U. rules, these are revised annually; but unlike the A. A. U. Rule requirements, competition is conducted on an optional routine basis with no required routines. Obviously, the advantage of required routines lies in the fact that judges can see the performers execute identical routines, thus enabling them to judge strictly on form and style rather than being concerned with the degree of difficulty of the routine. Competition on an optional routine basis requires the judge to evaluate the difficulty of the routine in addition to its manner of style. This is, of course, quite difficult. On the other hand there is an advantage in using the N. C. A. A. Rules -meets can be conducted more rapidly. In actual practice, most A. A. U. Meets are conducted without required routines. This is especially true in local competition.
Factors Governed by the Rules: In general, both sets of rules cover approximately the same material. Rules are usually drawn up to cover the eligibility of participants, the application and modification of the rules, and requests for modification of rules. The A. A. U. Rules, of course, must stipulate the grades of competition, and specify routines on the apparatus where required routines are utilized. The order of competition is always indicated, and the basis for judgment of the quality of exercises is always a point of discussion. Scoring is discussed on an individual and team basis and, in the case of the long horse, a "degree of difficulty scale" has been worked out for the various vaults -as in diving. This scale is always present in either set of rules. The method of conducting competition on each apparatus is specified; for example, on the swinging rings, tumbling, rope climb, and trampoline. Specifications for the various apparatus are usually included. They have particular reference to the height of the apparatus, its size, and to some degree, the materials used. Both sets of rules include a brief section on officials and their duties.
The Conduct of Meets: When the host coach undertakes to conduct a meet in gymnastics, one of the most conspicuous problems is the procurement of adequate judges. In most areas, judges are willing to take time to judge meets on a gratis basis. However, in some areas a modest remuneration is expected. In dual meets, three judges are required and five are desirable. As stipulated by the rules, when five judges are used, the high and low scores are cast out and the remaining three are added together to represent the individual score on the performance. Although it is not specified by rules, it is extremely desirable to have visiting teams submit a list of competitors at least three days in advance of the competition. This is done to enable the host team to make the drawings prescribed by the rules and duplicate the results of these drawings in the form of a brief program which indicates the order of performance on each apparatus. The next important problem that must be solved is the procurement of an experienced announcer. It is his duty to keep the meet moving and to keep the public informed of the teams* standing and individual point scores. His other official duties are prescribed by the rules. Every coach will have varying problems regarding the most minute details that must be taken care of prior to competition.
Meet Scoring:
The scoring of meets is not especially difficult if serviceable forms are used. It is wise to use two scorers, so that one scorekeeper can maintain the score of each event as it goes, while the other scorekeeper can record the scores of all-round performers and individual scoring. Preparing for Competition: When preparing a student for competition in gymnastics, it is sometimes wise to prepare a list of every stunt the student has mastered. Then a preliminary routine may be developed, utilizing these additional stunts. In almost every instance, it will be discovered that one or two additional stunts or transition moves must be mastered before a routine with continuity can be developed which will adequately display the student's true capacity. All this preparation should ideally take place in the spring or early fall, prior to the gymnastic season. Once the routine has been established, the performer should break it down into components of approximately three stunts each. These units should then be practiced individually, and stunts that are especially difficult should receive more practice than those that are easy for the student. Particular attention should be paid to the mount and dismount, including the approach and retreat to and from the apparatus. As the season approaches, the complete routine should be done at least twice in each workout. Unfortunately many American gymnasts develop a routine that is slightly over their heads; as a result, they may go through an entire season without ever completing the routine in a competitive situation. It must be pointed out that any flagrant breech of form in the movement of a move so nullifies its value that it might better have been omitted, and the routine simplified in such a way that it could have been performed in its entirety in good form.
Exhibitions: It is very difficult for most coaches and gymnasts to present themselves well in an exhibition situation. This fact is an outgrowth of the very character of gymnastics competition. If the student has been accustomed to competition and is asked to do an exhibition, his natural tendency is to perform his best and, perhaps, most difficult competitive routine. If this is done, the audience may be unable to follow the movements of the performer and may not appreciate its difficulty. A few minutes spent watching television will reveal that people in show business who present gymnastic type activity as entertainment always do very brief routines or stunts at any one time. Experience has shown that for exhibition purposes on a legitimate apparatus, it is wise to utilize the combinations of three stunts that were learned as parts of competitive routines. Short quickly executed presentations provide an opportunity for the audience to show its appreciation, whereas a long routine gives the audience only one chance to applaud.
If exhibitions are fast moving and of professional caliber, no announcer is necessary. However, most exhibitions of high school and college level benefit considerably if an announcer is available to explain briefly what is being presented and to help build up a routine to a climax. For example, the general public does not know the difference between a single, double, or triple twist performed on the trampoline. Nor will the audience be able to follow the various gyrations of the fliffes. If the combinations that go to make up the stunts which are at this level of difficulty are presented prior to the actual stunt of a fliffes stunt, the general public will be much more aware of what has been done and, as a result, will be more appreciative. The entertaining potential of the clown in exhibition work should not be overlooked; however, every gymnast cannot clown, so this role is included only when appropriate personnel are available.
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