How to Coach Optional Gymnastics

Optional gymnastics gives both coach and gymnast a chance to bring their creativity and personal preferences in style and music to a competition. As opposed to the compulsory routines designed by the governing body of gymnastics, optional routines are designed by the coach and gymnast starting at competitive level 7. This provides the coach and gymnast a chance to highlight the gymnast's strengths and bring her own personality into a routine. Coaching optional gymnastics involves knowing your gymnasts well enough to be able to showcase both their best skills and their individuality.

Things You'll Need

  • List of requirements for optional routines
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Instructions

    • 1

      Consult a current copy of the women's or men's Junior Olympic optional requirements to find out which skills are required in the routine. The requirements also restrict use of certain skills from competition at certain skill levels. Download a copy from the website of USA Gymnastics, the governing body of competitive gymnastics (see Reference section).

    • 2

      Choose a piece of music that fits your gymnast's personality and skill level. If the music is too fast or active for your gymnast, she may end up missing cues. This step applies only to the women's floor routine, because it is the only routine performed to music.

    • 3

      Watch gymnasts run through drills of the skills they plan to use in their routines. Identify which skills they can consistently perform and which need improvement. Pay special attention to the skills that are required to be in the routines so that if they need additional work, you can set up a training plan in advance of the competition to strengthen these skills.

    • 4

      Design a routine beginning with the most difficult elements. For floor and beam, start with the tumbling passes. For bars, rings and pommel horse, begin with the transitions between the two bars or pommels, release moves and rotational elements. The vault has only one pass, so work on the vault skill to be performed. Design a routine that includes the required elements as well as optional elements that show the gymnast's strengths and special abilities.

    • 5

      Work on how the gymnast will mount and dismount each apparatus. These are the first and last skills or positions the judges will see, so make them memorable and practice them so your gymnast performs them well.

    • 6

      Add skills and artistic elements that will help to connect the major skills fluidly and bring personality to each routine. For example, include small tumbling passes or dance elements on floor or beam, and turns and rotational skills on the bars, rings and pommel horse. For vault, work on the technical components of the skill, such as arm position, rotational speed and landing position.

    • 7

      Bring all of the skills together and begin practicing the routine in its entirety. Evaluate the routine carefully for any awkward transitions, skills that are too difficult, or poor timing with music. Make any changes you feel are necessary to make the routine fluid and memorable. Work with your gymnast during practice sessions to fine-tune each skill so he will be ready for the competition.