Class Description

Developmental Program Description @ ASG

At ASG we are dedicated to helping kids in becoming young athletes.  Through discipline and hard work, the athlete in the developmental program will gain a number of skills:  goal setting, self-confidence, physical activity, work ethic, determination, responsibility and respect.  This will help them stand out as an individual for personal pride and recognition.

The Developmental Program is taught through an eight week session with emphasis based on the importance of basic form and techniques and body positions including: tuck, pike, straddle, hollow body, tight arch and layout.  All of these body forms will be taught from sitting, standing, hanging and jumping for the lower levels.  For the upper levels these body forms are combined with flipping, twisting and in motion.  The most important skill of all, the handstand, which we will continue to master at all levels.

Basic gymnastics terminology will be taught, understood, and used by all athletes.  We will also work on learning how to execute basic skills on all Olympic events correctly with progressions leading up to the advanced levels.

The program consists of tests and requirements for level 1 (being the easiest) through level 4, which is the beginning level for competition.  We are constantly testing to determine the skill level of each individual athlete so that he/she can progress at his/her own rate.

Flexibility will also be very important to the program and added into the testing that occurs during the eight week session.  The program will teach the following stretches:  straddle pancake stretch, pike stretch, right, left, and center splits.  Shoulder stretches and bridges are taught on a daily basis.

Finally, our conditioning program is designed to help peak the physical strength of the athletes and the prevention of injury.

The progression for the girls is Beginner Girl 1, Beginner Girl 2, Intermediate and Advanced.