How Long Should a Gymnastics Practice Be?

There is considerable confusion, controversy and many questions about exactly how long gymnasts hours practice and what that decision should be based on. Continue reading →

Daughter Wants to Quit Gymnastics

I have little patience for gymnastics coaches who neither produce top Elite level gymnasts or run a gymnastics program that can keep gymnasts happy. Continue reading →

TOPs and non TOPS

Coach Howard explains why trying to preselect TOPS gymnasts and trying to predict long term gymnastics success within a gym is a poor strategy. Continue reading →

Gymnasts, Nutrition and Diets

I do not believe any 12 year old gymnast should even have the word diet in their vocabulary. Learn how to eat and learn how to eat healthy. Continue reading →

Fixing a Flyaway Full Bar Dismount

Flyaway fulls are not a really common bar dismount, perhaps because knee injuries from them seems too big a risk for the value of the vault and double and triple twisting flyaways are even less common, but there is how to fix the problems. Continue reading →

16 Key Practice Areas For A Successful Gymnastics Gym

Mastery of these 16 Key Practice Areas (KPAs) are the foundation for a successful gymnastics gym. Continue reading →

When the Coach Becomes the Student

Coach Howard is reminded of an important lesson in fair play and self respect by a remarkable young gymnast. Continue reading →

Real Gymnastics Coach Swagger

Having had the opportunity to be around coaches (and gymnasts) for a very long weekend, I’d like to share some areas of coaching dissent I have. Continue reading →

Since When is Personal Style a Deduction?

Penalizing optional gymnasts for stylist reasons is one of the factors that has led to the decrease in originality at all levels of competition. Continue reading →

Gymnasts Want to Be Great

Don’t ever believe a coach who says a team gymnast “doesn’t want to be great” or is “too lazy,” if that gymnast is going to practice every day. Continue reading →