Presenter
Miles Beaux, Ph.D.
Friday, August 7
1:15 – 2:15 pm
Teaching Gymnastics to Diverse Learners: Learning Styles and Types
In this lecture, we will explore how understanding learning styles and Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences can enhance teaching effectiveness and help coaches connect with a broader range of learners. As educators, we often teach in ways that resonate with our own learning preferences, which may not always align with those of our students.
This presentation will introduce the core principles of learning styles and multiple intelligences and demonstrate how these concepts can be specifically applied to teaching gymnastics. We will focus on strategies tailored for both recreational and competitive gymnasts at all levels. Using targeted examples, we will illustrate how to apply these principles to specific skill instruction.
Saturday, August 8
10:45 – 11:45 am
Twisting Vaults
In this lecture, we will explore a series of drills for Xcel gymnasts (nominally Gold, Platinum, and Diamond divisions) who are ready to progress beyond front handspring and half-on vaults but are not ready for more advanced Tsukahara and Yurchenko vaults. The session will focus on two key vault progressions:
- Transitioning from front handspring vaults to front handspring half-off and full-off vaults.
- Progressing from half-on vaults to half-on half-off and half-on full-off vaults.
If time allows, we will also cover Yurchenko timers with a half-off and full-off twist. By the end of the lecture, coaches will leave with a toolbox of drills designed to improve gymnasts’ late tilt twisting technique in the second flight of their vaults, ultimately enhancing both performance and safety during execution.