Gymnastic news #22 - Tokyo or bust

[Aceon6]

I love how Simone was wobbling on the last one or two rotations and then hit her "ta-da" pose at the end. Like no one would dare deduct for those wobbles when she finished with such aplomb, right?

It reminded me of the turn drills I used to have to do in dance class. No matter how ugly the last rev was, we were to keep going until we lost momentum.

 

[dramagrrl]

I haaaaaate wolf turns, but Simone is still super-human, as usual.

 

[mattiecat13]

Still working my way through the Nastia Liukin Cup but I have to say how much I appreciate Terry Gannon. He does a masterful job at both gymnastics and skating and has made Tim and Nastia better. I know Tim gets criticized but the man knows his stuff and I think he's doing a much better job and has loosened up a lot since the unlamented Al Trautwig left. I even noticed some gentle teasing going on among the three and that never would that have happened with Al, Elfie and Tim. I hope we see/hear Terry in Tokyo this year.

 

[BaileyCatts]

Since my technical knowledge of gymnastics moves consists of "I watch it on TV", why do y'all hate the wolf turns so much?

 

[VGThuy]

Since my technical knowledge of gymnastics moves consists of "I watch it on TV", why do y'all hate the wolf turns so much?

Because not everybody does them with straight posture and with the ease of Simone. The past few years have given us some horrific looking ones. Think of when IJS was first implemented and the kinds of Biellmans we got.

 

[Aceon6]

Because not everybody does them with straight posture and with the ease of Simone. The past few years have given us some horrific looking ones. Think of when IJS was first implemented and the kinds of Biellmans we got.

For me, it’s the windmill arms. I need to see full extension or arms pulled in. Very few gymnasts can do a wolf without losing the symmetry of the arms.

 

[FiveRinger]

Because not everybody does them with straight posture and with the ease of Simone. The past few years have given us some horrific looking ones. Think of when IJS was first implemented and the kinds of Biellmans we got.

For me, it’s the windmill arms. I need to see full extension or arms pulled in. Very few gymnasts can do a wolf without losing the symmetry of the arms.

Yes. And there are just too many of them. They’re telegraphed, no decent transitions into or out of them. They just aren’t pretty. I hope the are devalued next year on floor and beam. I never have to see another one, frankly.

 

[Erin]

Yes. And there are just too many of them. They’re telegraphed, no decent transitions into or out of them. They just aren’t pretty. I hope the are devalued next year on floor and beam. I never have to see another one, frankly.

Unfortunately, the new code for 2022-24 doesn't include a devaluing of wolf turns, but there is at least a rule where only one of each type of turn can be performed within a routine, so at least we won't be seeing anyone performing both a double and a triple wolf turn in a routine anymore.

I can live with them on beam, where I would say about 25-30% of them are reasonably well-done and they occasionally lead to moments of comedy. At least we got the wolfkino. I do wish they would be devalued by one letter though. On floor, I have yet to see an attractive wolf turn and while the moments of comedy exist, they are much rarer on floor. Usually what happens is someone falls on the wolf turn and it isn't even properly deducted. I wish they would just be removed from the code on floor and not even counted as a skill.

 

[FiveRinger]

Unfortunately, the new code for 2022-24 doesn't include a devaluing of wolf turns, but there is at least a rule where only one of each type of turn can be performed within a routine, so at least we won't be seeing anyone performing both a double and a triple wolf turn in a routine anymore.

I can live with them on beam, where I would say about 25-30% of them are reasonably well-done and they occasionally lead to moments of comedy. At least we got the wolfkino. I do wish they would be devalued by one letter though. On floor, I have yet to see an attractive wolf turn and while the moments of comedy exist, they are much rarer on floor. Usually what happens is someone falls on the wolf turn and it isn't even properly deducted. I wish they would just be removed from the code on floor and not even counted as a skill.

Wolf Turn (Balance Beam)

Event Balance beam Skill type Turn Known as Wolf turn Tuck turn Cossack turn Abomination Hellish nonsense Demon work About Currently the most loathed skill in all of gymnastics, the wolf turn is an…

balancebeamsituation.com

After you mentioned removing wolf turns, I went to see if I could find the D score. In my search, I found this gem of a description from the Balance Beam Situation.

 

[canbelto]

The wolf turn is actually a very old move. Loudmila Tourischeva did it:

Ludmilla Tourischeva - 1976 Olympics EF - Balance Beam

Ludmilla Tourischeva - 1976 Olympics EF - Balance Beam

www.youtube.com

 

[bardtoob]

The wolf turn is actually a very old move. Loudmila Tourischeva did it:

Ludmilla Tourischeva - 1976 Olympics EF - Balance Beam

Ludmilla Tourischeva - 1976 Olympics EF - Balance Beam

www.youtube.com

Yeah and quite lovely and impressive when the gymnast works right out of it like Ludmilla.

 

[bardtoob]

Teodora Ungureanu - 1976 Olympics EF - Balance Beam

Teodora Ungureanu - 1976 Olympics EF - Balance Beam

youtu.be

 

[floskate]

Vladislava Urazova has the best wolf turns. They look like sit spins.
https://youtu.be/jmoXTt5hUvQ?t=82

 

[Coco]

Remember in the earlier days of IJS when Slutskaya would change the edge of her spinning blade while doing an upright spin?

Wolf turns are the equivalent. Something graceless and awkward, purely for points.

This is what they used to look like...back when everything was beautiful

Reddit - Dive into anything

www.reddit.com

 

[barbk]

Most modern wolf turns look unstable and ungainly. Just fugly. The exceptions are few and far between.

It does remind me of all the stupid blade grabs and dog peeing positions we saw on spirals. Blech.

 

[Karina1974]

Since my technical knowledge of gymnastics moves consists of "I watch it on TV", why do y'all hate the wolf turns so much?

The flailing arms, for one. It makes them look off-balance even if they actually aren't. You don't see skaters doing that during sit spins.

 

[FiveRinger]

Simone Is Competing a Yurchenko Double Pike

I can't wait. This girl is superhuman! She says she do it during the Olympics in the AA because she'll have a one touch.

 

[FiveRinger]

Maggie Haney Sues USA Gymnastics Over Suspension for Verbal Abuse
I can't say I'm surprised. Who hasn't sued USAG? I don't see how they survive all of the lawsuits.

 

[bardtoob]

.

 

[millyskate]

Since my technical knowledge of gymnastics moves consists of "I watch it on TV", why do y'all hate the wolf turns so much?

It's the equivalent of skating's hydrant spiral.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Maggie Haney Sues USA Gymnastics Over Suspension for Verbal Abuse
I can't say I'm surprised. Who hasn't sued USAG? I don't see how they survive all of the lawsuits.

To be fair, you can sue anyone over anything. That doesn’t mean you’re going to get something out of it. It just means you got a lawyer willing to let you pay them for it. I doubt this one is going to cost USAG any money. Other lawsuits, though…

 

[VGThuy]

Morgan Hurd speaking at a Stop Asian Hate event in Chinatown New York.

morgan hurd on Instagram: "another great rally organized by @jackliang and @oliverpras . thank you guys so much for giving me a space to speak. #stopasianhate"

10K likes, 262 comments - morgihurd on April 5, 2021: "another great rally organized by @jackliang and @oliverpras . thank you guys so much for giving m..."

www.instagram.com

 

[VGThuy]

Came across this on Instagram:

Inside Gymnastics Magazine on Instagram: "This. Is. Stunning. ‼️‼️‼️🙌🙌🙌 Sunisa Lee’s UB set is simply gorgeous. Everything you want in a routine - unique composition, standout skills, picture-perfect execution. What an innovative set! Thank you to ev

18K likes, 144 comments - insidegym on April 5, 2021: "This. Is. Stunning. ‼️‼️‼️🙌🙌🙌 Sunisa Lee’s UB set is simply gorgeous. Ever..."

www.instagram.com

What’s the likelihood she can hit this routine multiple times at the Olympics, I wonder.

 

[millyskate]

I'm looking forward to Euros. The GB girls have had less time to train this year than probably any other competitors as gyms, including for elite athletes, have been closed for months on end and they've been posting pictures of beams in gardens and condition in sitting rooms. They've had a few weeks now though, and it will be interesting to see how strong Jennifer Gadirova is looking. It will be Amelie Morgan's first competition back from a long injury as well.

 

[barbk]

Came across this on Instagram:

Inside Gymnastics Magazine on Instagram: "This. Is. Stunning. ‼️‼️‼️🙌🙌🙌 Sunisa Lee’s UB set is simply gorgeous. Everything you want in a routine - unique composition, standout skills, picture-perfect execution. What an innovative set! Thank you to ev

18K likes, 144 comments - insidegym on April 5, 2021: "This. Is. Stunning. ‼️‼️‼️🙌🙌🙌 Sunisa Lee’s UB set is simply gorgeous. Ever..."

www.instagram.com

What’s the likelihood she can hit this routine multiple times at the Olympics, I wonder.

That is gorgeous.

 

[clairecloutier]

Elizabeth Seitz spoke out on Instagram against sexist dress standards in gymnastics. She questions why female gymnasts are required to wear leotards when competing, instead of shorts or pants. This is something I've long wondered about myself. (I would actually also like to see boyshorts as part of competitive skating costumes, if people would prefer to wear that than a leotard bottom.)

https://twitter.com/i/timeline

 

[snoopyskater]

Elizabeth Seitz spoke out on Instagram against sexist dress standards in gymnastics. She questions why female gymnasts are required to wear leotards when competing, instead of shorts or pants. This is something I've long wondered about myself. (I would actually also like to see boyshorts as part of competitive skating costumes, if people would prefer to wear that than a leotard bottom.)

https://twitter.com/i/timeline

Please make this happen. I love the sport, but I'm so tired of these butts sticking out.

 

[bardtoob]

A competition uniform with as much coverage as a modern competitive swimsuit, neck to knees, seems reasonable, especially given modern fabrics.

 

[love_skate2011]

how about unitards for AG ? its allowed in rhyhtmic gymnastics

 

[HeatherC]

Leotards don't bother me too much (I did gymnastics and danced when I was younger so I had to wear them for both) but I watch a lot of college gymnastics and I'm tired of seeing the leg part cut so high that their rear ends are hanging out. If the cut is good, then a leotard can be just fine and stay put for a whole routine but there have been some HORRIBLE ones this year and it's ridiculous. Enough with the high cut ones!

That said, kudos to Elizabeth for speaking out about something that I think a lot of gymnasts would like to see happen.