A Sport Revisted

I lost my way for a while and I'm amazed that there has actually been progress. I stopped writing here last Spring. Jillian went on to have an awesome Level 7 season. The best of her life. But the pressure her coaches were under drove them to impatience and ultimately drove her away. She took a break from training. Then she realized she missed the sport terribly and returned, at the encouragement of a gentle coach we knew from another gym. After a time, she realized she missed the training that her previous coach had given. The Chinese have a beautiful style of training and it is a good fit for Jilly's body and her mind.

So in June 2005 we returned to the gym and the coaches where I am certain she will continue her gymnastics training for as long and as to whatever level is her destiny.

Jillian is now just turned 11, and training Level 8, with plans to compete her first meet in January. There are some uncertainties about this, but for now I'm hoping for the best, and I will fill in details as they come.

Beam is her best event and she has all the skills she needs and a dramatic routine. Right now her routine includes BHS-Wolf Jump connection, Tick Tock Back Hand Spring connection, A Press Handstand Mount, and a layout dismount.

Floor is also a chance for her to shine. She is getting a new routine next week for Level 8. Her new music is "The Gods Must Be Crazy" from the movie by the same name. Her tumbling passes will include Round Off-Back Handspring-Back Layout with a Full Twist, Round Off-BHS, BLO, and then a Front Salto, and another pass of RO BHS BLO half twist or 1.5 twist. Not sure how it will go. I'll know more about it next week.

Bars is still a good event for her. Right now it is difficult because she is trying to fix some bad habits she developed at the other gym. There are some rough days. She thinks she needs new grips so I"ll look into that tonight. But for now, she is doing as many series of as close to ten giants in a row with good form as she is able. Beyond that, she still needs a release move to satisfy the requirements for Level 8. And her dismount might stay a layout flyaway or it might change to a double back if she can do it.

Vault is her biggest challenge. Especially at this level. She needs a new vault. Right now she is working Yurchenko drills and while it might take years to get this skill, her body position is very nice and I like what I see so far.

Tomorrow there is a birthday party at the gym after practice and all the team girls are invited. She is sore and tired tonight, but no doubt will have renewed enthusiasm in the morning, both for training and the party to follow!