Region5 Gymnastics

2003 Region V Congress Information
July 17-20, 2003
Central Ohio

Contents:
General Information
Boys Programs
Host
Host Hotel
Local Attractions
Region V Banquet
Vender Space
Facilities
Schedule
Cost
World Class Staff and Speakers
Bios and Lecture Notes
Certifications, Testing, Add Ons

KAT/MELPD
Safety Certification
Boot Camp
Judging Course and Testing
TOPS

Preschool Rec-Classes Business
Judging Girl’s Compulsory Girls Optionals
Boys Competition

The goal of Region V Congress via Region 5 gymnastics is to offer the best educational opportunity possible for every staff member in your gym. There will twelve lectures offered in each area noted above. Bring your preschool director and your top three preschool teachers for an entire lecture track devoted specifically to preschool instruction... 12 lectures- all preschool. The same is true for your class director and your top class instructors... 12 lectures- all rec classes. Boys team- 12 lectures. Girls compulsory- 12 lectures. Girls optionals- 12 lectures. Judging - 12. Club owners and managers- 12. Get ready for fall by training your staff to be the very best.

Not only will twelve lectures be offered in each area, these lectures will be offered by the most accomplished teachers, club owners, coaches, and judges in the region and across the nation. These individuals are the ones who have achieved what you want to achieve and they will tell you how it is done. Save time, save money, and promote best practices within your program.

Boys Program

Boys have often been left out of Regional Congress. Not this year! The boys will have use of the Boys Gym at Buckeye Gymnastics for a full weekend of lectures. This 8,000 sq/ft gym is air-conditioned. The Boys Regional JO Committee will help to assemble the staff, topics and schedule. There is a World Championships Training Camp at Ohio State that weekend and we hope to get an invite. Please support your program and the Region- get to Columbus. Hair Care USA

Host: David Holcomb
Buckeye Gymnastics
7159 Northgate Way
Westerville, OH 43082
(614) 895-1611
(614) 895-7644 (fax)
buckgymnast@aol.com

Host Hotel: Baymont Inn Wellesley Inns and Suites
8400 Lyra Drive 8555 Lyra Dr
Columbus, Ohio 43240 Columbus, OH 43240
614-791-9700 Fax: 614-526-0106 614-431-5522
Fax 614-431-5533

Local Attractions: Located directly adjacent to the Baymont is Magic Mountain which offers miniature golf, go-carts, and an extensive game arcade.

Across the street is Polaris Fashion Place Mall a glittering new regional mall offering unique and upscale stores and restaurants. In addition, there are dozens of stores in strip malls up and down Polaris Parkway including a huge Borders Bookstore and Starbucks.

Dozens of additional restaurants line both sides of Polaris Parkway.

Across I-71 is Polaris Amphitheater which presents a season of out door concerts each summer. Most of the national tours make a stop at Polaris. The acts performing during Regional Congress will be announced next spring and we will forward this information to all USAG professional members across the region.

Region V Banquet:I must admit to an aversion to formal banquets. I have attended all I care to attend. We will be hosting the Region V Banquet at Magic Mountain.

LaserTron Laser Tag: Tag,the new millennium way. This is a game of skill and strategy, the Ohio vs. the Michigan team. The playing room is aglow with black lights that fantastically illuminate the futuristic, color coded pillars marking the team territories. You are on a mission to infiltrate the opposing team’s base while defending yourself and your base. Armed with just a phaser, it is up to you to use your instinct and stealth to stay ahead of all of your opponents.
State vs State, or Coaches vs Judges, or the men vs the women: we will set up whatever attracts some interest.

Go-Karts: Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! Get behind the wheel of one of the formula one go-karts and experience the thrill of racing. Drivers over 56" can operate their own single kart, or they may bring along a passenger between 42" and 56" in one of our double karts. On the Magic Track, the checkered flag always goes to you!

Adventure Golf: Putting has reached its peak! Putt like a pro on our two immaculately landscaped courses Test your skills atop a high mountain or navigate along a winding creek past an old fashioned mill house. The Mountain and Mill Creek courses are sure to score a hole-in one with the entire family.

Fun Center Arcade: Compete with your favorite sports heroes, ski down a steep mountain slope, race in a grand prix or become a super crime fighter! With over 100 high tech video, simulator, and skill games, you can experience it all. Win tickets on our skill games and take a prize home from one of America’s finest prize centers. Playing in an arcade has never been so intense!

Vender Space Since we are hosting the event within the Buckeye gyms, space will be limited. We will have an area of about 1,600 sq/ft in the Westerville Gym for vendors. There will be additional space available at the Powell Gym if you are targeting the preschool market or boy’s gymnastics specifically.

Cost: 10’ X 10’ booth: $250.00 per booth. Hair Care USA

We will provide electricity and a table (if you need one). Everything else will need to be provided by you. Hair Care USA

Space is available on a first-come basis. Hair Care USA

Set up begins Thursday night after 9:00 and Friday morning beginning at 7:00.

Facilities: Congress will hosted in the Buckeye Gymnastics facilities. The Buckeye Gyms on Powell Rd and on Northgate Way are 10 miles apart. The Baymont and Wellesley Inns sit almost in the middle and are 4 miles from the Northgate Way gym and is 6 miles from the Powell Rd gym. You will need a car as we will not provide transportation to these gyms.

Northgate Way Gym: The Northgate Way gym is 15,000 sq/ft and is air-conditioned. This gym features a large competitive area for girls with all pits and equipment. This gym will ghost the girls competitive lectures at both the compulsory and optional levels. It will also host the rec-class series of lectures. The judges lectures will be held either in the Westerville Gym or next door at Columbus State. This gym will also house the vendors who serve the general gymnastics community.

Columbus State : Located in the complex next door to Buckeye Gymnastics on Northgate Way is the north campus of Columbus State Community College. This facility is available to us with four classrooms, each of which can seat 25-35 people. We will make use of these class rooms for lectures and presentations that do not require actual demonstrations. These classrooms will offer power-point display, overhead projectors, and video.

Powell Rd Gym: The Powell Road Gym is 8,000 sq/ft and is air-conditioned. There is a separate meeting area available in the waiting room for 25-40 people. This gym will host all the men’s lectures. Hair Care products provided by Hair Care USA - Full service Salon & Day Spa offering nail care, skin care and salon professional hair care products and beauty products at discount prices including Alterna, Keune, Simply Organic, and Malibu Wellness. Also carry hair extensions.

Preschool Gym: The Preschool Gym is located beside the Buckeye Gym on Powell Road. This gym is 4,000 sq/ft and it is air-conditioned as well. All the preschool lectures will be hosted in this gym. In addition, vendors selling specifically to the preschool programs will set up in this gym as well.

Proposed Schedule

Thursday, July 17: Certifications
Registration
KAT/MELPD Certification
Boot Camp
CPR, First Aid (If there is interest)
TOPS Testing
Hair Care USA

Friday, July 18

8:00-12:00 TOPS Testing
8:00-12:00 Safety Certification

12:00-1:15 Congress Session 1
1:30-2:45 Congress Session 2
3:00-4:15 Congress Session 3
4:30-5:45 Congress Session 4
7:00- Social at Oak Creek Farm
Hair Care USA

Saturday, July 19

9:00-10:15 Congress Session 5
10:30-11:45 Congress Session 6
11:45-1:00 LUNCH
1:00-2:15 Congress Session 7
2:30-3:45 Congress Session 8
4:00-5:15 Congress Session 9
7:00- Banquet
Hair Care USA

Sunday, July 20

9:00-10:15 Congress Session 10
10:30-11:45 Congress Session 11
12:00-1:15 Congress Session 12
Hair Care USA

2:00 State Meeting for Ohio Boys USAG (Powell Gym)

Congress Registration Fee

Congress has been priced to attract and encourage participation. This Congress has been priced lower than any other Regional Congress that I am aware of. If you register early and register as a group of twelve you can get Congress for as little $75 per person if you do not wish to attend the banquet. $100 gets you the banquet.

The money raised by Regional Congress goes first to help fund the Region V USAG Activities.

Post marked by May 1 $125*
Post marked by June 1 $145*
Post marked by July 1 $165*
After July 1 $175*

*Includes all Congress sessions, socials, Banquet, and exhibits. Does not include add-ons, Safety, KAT, Boot Camp, CPR, First Aid, TOPS, etc.

Non-USAG Members add $25

Subtract: $25 if you do not want the banquet

Discounts
Register same mailing,
Same check or credit card,
Save an additional 10%

Groups of 10 or more:
Register same mailing,
Same check or credit card,
Save the additional 10%
plus #’s 11 & 12 are FREE
The banquet still costs $25

Congress Clinicians
Our World Class Staff
(So Far)

Dave Adlard Girls Compulsory, Girls Optional, Rec-Classes
Miles Avery Men’s Gymnastics, possible host for visit to World Champ’s Training Camp at Ohio State
Tom Burgdorff Business, Rec-Classes
Kelly Crumley Men’s Gymnastics
Beth Gardner Preschool
Todd Gardner Girls Optionals- Vaulting
John Geddart Girls Optionals
Jeff Green Men’s Gymnastics
CJ Johnson Men’s Gymnastics
Tom Koll Girl’s Compulsories, Judging, Rec-Classes
Patti Komara Preschool
Connie Maloney Judging
Jeff Metzger Business
Dan Miller Girl’s Optionals
Tim Rand Girls Compulsory, Girls Optional, Rec-Classes
Frank Sahlein Business, Rec-Classes
Mike Serra Men’s Gymnastics
Linda Thorberg Preschool
Mary Lee Tracy Girls Optionals
Gene Watson Men’s Gymnastics
John Wojtczuk Rec-Classes. Girl’s Compulsories

Plus other top coaches, judges, and teachers from Region V.

Bios and Session Notes

Tom Burgdorf

Owner - GYMNET Sports
Publisher - GYMNET Sports Gymnastics Business Newsletter - 14 years
National Lecturer - USAG Congress
Regional Lecturer - Various Mini Congresses around the country
Region 4 Congress Co - Director - 2000 & 2002
Owner - GYMNET Sports Seminars - over 70 seminars around the country in the past 8 years.

Class Staff - Being A Better Employee

Class Staff - Managing Your Class Parents

Class Staff - Every Child Is A Star

Coaches - Motivating Team Gymnasts from Level 4 – Elite

Coaches - Managing Your Team Parents

All Staff - Working As A Team

Office Staff - Fantastic Customer Service

Owners - Making More Money - An Attitude

Owners - Techniques For Managing Your Business Life

Jeff Green
Jeff Greene has been coaching gymnastics for twenty plus years. He is currently serving as the Head Boy’s Coach at Interactive Academy Gymnastics in Zionsville, IN. He has coached several boys through the Junior Olympic Nationals. Jeff has coached boys who have been placed on the Junior National Team, and several who have received scholarships and competed successfully in college. Jeff also has experience coaching girls, competed nationally in Canada, and received a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Saskatchewan. Jeff is a professional member of USA Gymnastics and Safety Certified.
Yearly and Four-Year Athlete Training Plans. Hair Care USA
Provide information on how to use training plans to maximize use of training time to help the athlete to reach his/her potential. Discuss how training plans can help you to organize and increase your coaching efficiency. Training plans help you to eliminate the need of attempting to juggle all the requirements that are asked of today’s gymnastics coaches. All requirements or components of gymnastics training which include injury prevention, active flexibility, muscular power, endurance, and many others need to be planned out in advance or some will invariably be forgotten.
Starting, Maintaining, and Growing a Boy’s Gymnastics Program. Hair Care USA
Open discussions, suggestions, general questions and answers about recreational and competitive boy’s gymnastics programs. Provide information regarding finding, selecting, and encouraging boys to try and to stick with gymnastics. Address concerns such as; how many hours a week should these boys train, how do I work with my parents, and other aspects relative to both boys and girls gymnastics as well as those which can be unique to boys gymnastics. Hair Care USA
Tom Koll

Tom Koll is currently the National Junior Olympic Committee Chairman, Women’s Program Committee Chairman, and the Vice Chair for Women on the Executive Committee for USA gymnastics. He is the co-owner and program director of Premier Gymnastics in Omaha, Nebraska. He has been coaching and judging for over 20 years, and has a Brevet rating. He was one of the authors of the current compulsory routines, and is currently working on the choreography for the 2005 compulsory routines. Tom travels often doing clinics and Regional congresses throughout the country. He has two children, Blake 18 and Lauren 16. In his “spare” time, Tom likes to garden.

Team Requirements...What are your standards?
This session is geared toward coaches. It deals with the requirements above and beyond what is set up by the USAG. It is designed to stimulate discussion on how to handle kids moving through your program.
Make a positive impression on kids
This is geared toward coaches; however, judges are more than welcome. This session deals with coaching using a positive philosophy. Much discussion is encouraged in the different ways of handling all situations with our gymnasts including feedback for parents.
Ideas for Instructors who teach Beam Class

This session is geared toward rec teachers. It deals with lesson plans for recreational teachers on balance beam, and ways to make the lesson fun. It is designed to provide information as well as stimulate discussion on ideas from the participants.

Recreational Gymnastics- . —Handout available

This session is geared toward coaches, teachers, and gym owners. It deals with how to increase enrollment, ideas for a great program, lesson plans, progressions, award systems, games, and gimmicks.

Jeff Metzger

Jeff is the 1975 Founder and President of Queen City Gymnastics Center, Inc. which in 1998 'evolved' into Kids First Sports Center, a $4.5M, 86,000sf custom-built wonderland of kids' sports. Poised to lead the industry for years to come, Kids First houses and operates over a dozen venues besides Queen City including: Starfish Indoor Swim School, Tumble Bees, soccer, basketball, dance, martial arts, cheer, tramp & tumbling and baton as well as the Beehive Gift Shop and the Uneven Bar, a full service cafe.

Having lectured on business and leadership topics throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico and Australia, Jeff is one of the industry’s most sought after speakers. An unusual resume, Jeff's formal education is mechanical engineering and he has never taken a business course in his life. Jeff believes that the key to business success is a thorough understanding of human behavior, disciplined thinking and a firm grasp of a few essential business principles.

Despite his business success, it was a love of teaching that brought Jeff into the industry and it was also this love that was the seed for the GymClub Owners’ Boot Camp. Founded in 1991, Boot Camp is a total immersion leadership, marketing and organizational workshop dedicated to helping others get control of their business and realize the profit and personal gratifications that a small business has to offer.

Jeff is married to Penny, partner and mastermind of the Beehive, Kids First’s unique gift shop. Together, they have five children, all competitive gymnasts at one time or another. Jeff’s favorite pastimes are handball, spending time with family and friends, and looking forward to resurrecting his dusty hobby of woodworking.

Proposed Congress Presentations

1. No Organizational Strategy?—A Shortcut to Urgencies, Emergencies and 60 hour Work Weeks
2. Profitable Pricing: Team & Classes
3. GymClub Industry Financial Norms & Other Accounting Essentials
4. Disciplined Decision-Making for the Business Mind

Tim Rand

Tim is the owner and head coach at American Twisters Gymnastics in South Florida established in 1986. As a USA National team coach he has placed athletes on the USA team since 1989 and has represented the USA at numerous international competitions. His JO Teams have won more Florida USAG state team titles than any other club in Florida history and he has qualified athletes to JO Regionals and Nationals every year since 1988. Tim has been a clinician at National congress, NAWGJ National Symposium, numerous Regional Congresses and State Clinics. He served 4 years as the Region 8 Elite Chairman and 7 years as the Region 8 JO Chairman. In 2002, Tim and his wife, Toni were awarded the USAG National Service Award for their volunteer work.

Recreation Beam ideas for the recreational instructor

Compulsory beam drills for elements

Optional skill development - tumbling and dance skills

Recreation Bar Ideas for the recreational instructor

Compulsory drills for level 4, 5 & 6 bar elements

Stalder, clear hips, toe on & pirouetting drills

Frank Sahlein

Frank Sahlein has been involved with the sport of Gymnastics since 1967 – as Gymnast, Coach, Club Owner, State Director, Consultant and Business Valuator/Broker. Frank pioneered the “CLOC” concept (Children’s Learning Opportunity Center) in the USA. The unique blend of Sports Instruction, Child Care & Education, Entertainment and Outreach aspects of the business have set a template for CLOC’s for years to come! The amazing WINGS Center (since 1974) is a 35,000 s.f. “working lab” of synergistic programs. Frank has been a regular presenter on business trends and topics at State, Regional and National Congresses since 1982. 3rd Level Consulting offers detailed solutions that are complete, confidential and customized to each business. Business Analysis using the Total Business Management Systems© helps owners add value to their businesses through the use of organized, integrated SYSTEMS.

“10 Rules for Growing and Building Your Business”

This presentation will blend the 10 critical Rules for Growing Your Business with the main strategies for Building Value into Your Business. Data from 3rd Level’s brokerage database will illustrate how adapting these principles gives Owners more Exit Strategy options. Among the 10 Rules – Hair Care USA

w Strategic Planning
w Making adjustments to the Plan
w Personal Transformation
w 3 Cardinal Principles of Growth
w Developing an effective Operating Reporting System
w Management “huddles”
w Control costs by Percentages
w Create Incentives for all Key People
w Throw out old Management Model
w Play to Win instead of playing not to lose!

Each one of these points will be elaborated on with real-life examples!

“Full-Service Cheerleading Center”
(Presentation, handout & facilitated discussion)

Why are some Gyms having only moderate success with Cheerleading and others having wild success? What does the Cheerleading Center of the future look like? What is a full-service Cheerleading Center? What are ALL the potential sources of Cheerleading revenues? What does this self-sustaining business unit look like when it is running on all cylinders? How will you hire, train & retain Cheerleading staff? These and other potentials are addressed in detail in this lively session!

· Advantages of Cheerleading
· Gym Space & Time coordination
· Ideal Facility
· Business Identity & Image
· Staff Characteristics
· Cheer Instructor & Safety Certifications
· Program Components
· Revenue Potentials – in detail!
· All Star Squad excitement!
· Curriculums
· Stimulating the Youth Market
· Cheer Booster Club
· Cheer Competitions
· Cheer Camps

Full Service Educational Department in a Children’s Center

Educational Opportunities represent perhaps the greatest potential gain for revenues in modern Children’s Activity Centers. This highly informative session will cover the whole range of educationally based Child Care opportunities! The focus will be on blending programs such as Preschool, Kinder-care, Afterschool, full day Child Care, School-Day Out & Holiday Camps into an “Educational Department” within your facility. In most Gymnastics businesses, the Educational segment represents the area of highest developmental potential. Specifics in individual program revenue potentials will be covered, along with parent perspectives, the eight human intelligences, asset-building in children and staffing these programs. Don’t miss this session!

Full Service Entertainment Department in a Children’s Center”

Your Children’s Activity Center as PARTY CENTRAL!

Indoor Softplay,
Adapted Softplay concept - Cage Trampoline, Bungee system, Foam Pit, Zip Line, IFS
Inflatable units
Rock Wall (flat face) for traversing
Party Room
Indoor Rock Climbing & Ropes Course Elements
Interactive Inflatable
Special Events using unique activity combinations
Concessions & Food Services
Audience Brainstorming & Feedback

“Internal Marketing, aka Customer Service”

Customer Service and Marketing
Learning what the Customer wants - before Marketing!
The Customer Experience
10 Easy Ways to Lose a Client
12 Steps to retain your Customers “for keeps”
Customer Orientation to all Company Services
20 Points of Customer Service at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Customer Communications Plan
Monthly Measures of Customer Satisfaction
Database use to track Customer Activity facility-wide
Basic Law of Customer Service -
SERVICE is the whole game!
Consider all incoming sources!
The $100,000+ phone call
“NO FEAR” internal surveying!
“Branding” your Company’s Services
Business Name & Logo Image consistency
WEB site as Internal Marketing
Referral-Boosting Strategies
Referrals come from Connections
Interprofessional Networking

· Pricing your Services
· (Presentation & facilitated discussion)

· Goals of an organized Pricing system
· Logic & Marketing cooperation
· Methods of setting Prices
· Projected Breakeven Pricing
· Pricing for Price/Ratio/Payroll
· Pricing to control the #1 overhead item - PAYROLL!
· Relative physical overhead costs of various programs
· “SELLING” Price increases
· Timing & Testing Price changes
· Discounting that builds Business
· “Budget pricing” at off-Peak times
· “High Road” pricing effect on Staff Productivity
· “High Road” pricing means increased Profits, if:
· Real-life examples from Owners!

SIMPLE Staff Compensation Systems that really work!
(Presentation & facilitated discussion)

You know that you can only GROW your company through the efforts of your staff. Yes, we all have great people, but are they as “incentivized” as they could be? If your goal is to have other entrepreneurs within your facility, then you must arrive at compensation systems that are simple and easily understood. Yes, we all know about “open book management”, but what information do lead staff and directors really need to have? What information do they not care about? What specifics drive them to act just as you would in most situations? Join us as we examine real-life situations that have driven the growth of many programs across the USA using this Compensation System!

· Competitive Factors
· zIntrapreneurship
· zFour Bridges to Compensation Success!
· zTrue Control
· zProfessional Tools
· zProfit-sharing
· zTraining
· zFinancial Compensation
· zNon-financial Compensation

Thriving in a Competitive Business Environment! (MOTIVATIONAL)
(Presentation, handouts & facilitated discussion)

Wish you could … Out-Think, out-Strategize, out-Imagine, out-Create, out-Innovate, out-Maneuver, out-Run, out-Gun, out-Fun, out-Service, out-Implement, out-Work, out-Reach, out-Market the competition? You can! This session will motivate you to enhance your Competitive Edges! With blazing speed, we will cover:
·
· Ideas for generating an Edge!
· Strategic Cooperative Competition
· Time Management tips from the Best
· The New Rules of Business
· Leadership Lessons
· The 11 Laws of Change, and making Change easier
· Strategic Learning
· Creativity and the 7 Levels of Thought-Change
· The S.M.A.R.T. way of Working
· IPA’s 10 Rules for Growing your Business

TOTAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS© for Children’s Activity Centers
(Presentation, handout & facilitated discussion)

Still trying to get a handle on ALL of the organizational tasks to get your Business to function “all by itself”? We will go through an outline of a detailed checklist for each Management Category to guarantee nothing is left to chance! The result is a series of systems that has been copyrighted as the TOTAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS©. A “systematized” business can be worth TWICE as much as a non-systematized business when it is time to sell or transfer ownership! Don’t miss this chance to radically increase the professionalism of your approach to doing business. All participants at this session will receive a free copy of the “OWNER’S SELF-RATING BUSINESS SYSTEMS SURVEY©” to evaluate the status of their own business systems.

Topics covered - Keeping up with Children’s Activity Trends, Management Resources & Strategies, Financial Resources & Analysis, Human Resources & Development System, Customer Service & Marketing, Front Office & Technology, Physical Resources (facility & equipment), Risk Management - Safety, Insurance, Legal

Steve Schoenbaechler
7337 B Chatham Court
West Chester, Ohio 45069
Phone: 513-755-7162
E-mail: steveschoen@yahoo.com

Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Steve has coached youth for 20 years, the last 17 mostly in gymnastics and springboard diving. Steve has also coached at the National YMCA Gymnastics Camp, the Team USA Gymnastics Camp, and Lake Owen Gymnastics Camp. As a result, Steve has had the opportunity to work with gymnasts of all abilities, from preschool through national team members. Steve is also a USAG Safety Course Instructor and US Diving Safety-Certified member coach. Steve is a certified high school teacher by profession. He moved to the Cincinnati area 3 years ago to teach, now teaching computer-aided drafting and Algebra at Elder High School. Steve’s greatest enjoyment in coaching/teaching comes when students learn skills they are having tremendous difficulty with.

Modalities of Learning

So, you have just returned from the USA Gymnastics Region V Mini-Congress, having received the latest drills from some of the region’s and world’s greatest coaches. You are determined to implement these drills with your gymnasts. However, after you have implemented these drills for a while, the gymnasts aren’t performing the skills any better, thus not learning the skills. Rather than dismiss the gymnasts as having no future in our sport or resort to a yelling, screaming mentality, I have started to ask, “Why? Why aren’t these gymnasts learning?”

One explanation can be that the gymnasts simply don’t learn the way the skill is being presented. There are many theories on how children learn. I will present one theory, Howard Gardner’s Modalities of Learning.

We will:
- Identify each modality, with practical examples
- Examine combinations of these modalities
- How athletes at all levels (average, J.O., and Olympic) of a variety of sports have used these modalities and combinations
Examine how coaches can utilize these modalities in their instruction

Linda Thorberg
R.T.C.C. Region 4
101 Strese Lane
Apple Valley, MN. 55124
Phone: 952-431-6148
Fax: 952-431-5300
Email: Linda4RTC@aol.com

Linda Thorberg is the USAG Regional Technical Chairman for Region 4, and also a Brevet Judge. She is a former Minnesota State Chairman and has been a coach at Thompson Academy of Gymnastics (TAGS) in Minn. since 1977. She has conducted clinics for coaches/judges at the State, Regional and National level for all levels of gymnastics. She is also a USAG National KAT Instructor and Preschool Director for TAGS Gymnastics, which has over 1000 children ages 2-4 attending.

Basics on Balance Beam with Preschoolers
Come and learn some new ways to excite your preschool classes on the beam. There are many ways to change your curriculum to make beam fun, challenging, and developmentally appropriate for preschoolers.
Areas to be covered:
*Appropriate Challenges
*Timeframe
*Ways to Organize Your Class
*Tools for Success
*Stations, Patterns, Props and Set Ups

Creating Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum for Preschool Classes
*Why Have a Lesson Plan?
*Appropriate Teaching Objectives
*Adjusting your plan for age/ability levels
*Repetition/carryover
*Evaluation

Parent/Child Classes-Partner Them Up!
Three key ingredients for a great parent/child class
1. Understand the abilities of children in the toddler ages.
2. Educate the parent before, during, and after class.
3. Use the appropriate small scale equipment and props to insure safety and proper developmental skills

Preschool Roundtable
Attendees will make groups to address issues relative to those attending. Hands on session for the preschool teacher with questions about skills, parents, difficult situations, staffing, etc. Teachers will fill out a question card, we will address all their concerns.

Developmentally Appropriate Activities on the Bars for Preschoolers
What do you do with preschoolers on the bars when they can barely reach or hold on to the bar? Here are LOTS of ideas to make bar stations that are challenging, successful, create upper body strength, and fun for preschoolers.
*Hanging/swinging
*Under the Bar skills
*Support on the bar activities
*Around the Bar
*Other types of Bar activities
*P. Bar Games

Gene Watson
9850 Mayflower Park Drive
Carmel, IN. 46032

Gene is the President Indy School of Gymnastics, Inc.and the Men¹s Program Director, 1991-Present and is currently Adjunct Faculty member University of Indianapolis. Gene has been coaching gymnastics since 1974. U.S.A.G. Jr. National Team Coach, 1984—present; U.S.A.G. Senior National Team Coaching Staff, 1986; and a former State and Regional Chair for USAG. Currently the only coach who has had a Class I National Champion and Jr. Elite National Champion in the same year. Coach of gymnasts in Championships of the USA 1985,1987,1988,1989,1990, and 1991.Twenty Year Service Award to the USAG Men¹s Progam and 2002 Service Star.

Wojtczuk, John
North Stars Gymnastics Academy
91 Fulton Street Home: 91 West 17th Street
Boonton, NJ 07005 Bayonne, NJ 07002
Phone: 973-316-2507(ext. 13) Home phone: 201-823-2917
E-mail: JohnWestar@aol.com

John Wojtczuk has been actively coaching at all levels of the women's program for more than 25 years. He has been a coach internationally for the US, as well as the US Olympic festivals (in 1985 as the West Team coach and in 1991) and National Team training camps. He is a past chairman of the JO Development Committee that oversaw the change to the present JO Program. He has written numerous articles for Technique, USA Gymnastics, International Gymnast and the US Elite Coaches Association (Women), as well as been a speaker at regional and national congresses and clinics. He was also the recipient of the Contributor of the Year Awards for the US Elite Coaches Association in 2001, and for USA Gymnastics - New Jersey in 2002, as well as a member of the "Coaching Team of the Year" for New Jersey with Tony and Paula Gehman.

Why Do They Keep Doing It That Way?

Why does my gymnast keep... a) throwing her head on her back layout? b) "losing" her steps when she goes to turn a new vault for the first time? c)...well, you get the idea. This list can go on for quite some time, can't it? We know what the error and trouble is, and how to correct it, but it seems so difficult for the gymnasts to understand and make the corrections we give them. So, the question really is why isn't it getting through? Since we're all (apparently) working toward the same goals, these problems should be easy enough to correct. True in theory, but difficult in practice.

There are a number of reasons why this occurs, some on the part of the gymnast, some on the part of the coach. This presentation will discuss some of the possible reasons we go "off - track" - both coaches and gymnasts, and some suggestions that may help correct the problem. Topics will include physiological, perceptual and pedagogical reasons that may affect the gymnast, as well as possible situations in a gymnastic/business environment that may affect the situation as well.

For example, recent studies indicate that learning similar but different movements (even such as playing a song on a piano) may interfere with the learning of both movements, unless a period of 5 to 6 hours takes place between the two learning sessions. This obviously has a correlation to many basic (and advanced) skills in gymnastics.

Also, the staffing requirements for safety and knowledge of complex skills often means the most experienced coaches most often must go with the more advanced gymnasts, and the beginners are often given to the charge of coaches with less experience, pehaps even novices. The need for coaches education within a gym becomes even more important when regarded in this light.

"Hey, That's A Pretty Good Drill, Too" : Creative Thinking for Coaching

Probably the one thing that coaches most enjoy talking about is some of the great drills they have either seen or have come up with themselves. Sometimes the drills are new, and sometimes they've been around a while in some form or another. This is especially true for new coaches in the sport that haven't had the benefit of being around as gymnastics has progressed and advanced. Many of the older drills haven't really been "lost" - more like they've been misplaced through the years. This may have occurred for a variety of reasons - newer progressions, changes in the equipment (that may make them difficult to use) or the requirements of the event, or even in the rules themselves. But some of the "old stuff" can still be useful, especially if they can be used as individual stations, without the need for a spotter.

I would like to use balance beam as an example of how looking at some of the "old stuff" differently can be used to help us coach more effectively.

"Negative Space" Lines on Floor (or more commonly, "What is he talking about?")

All beginners begin to learn beam skills on a line on the floor first - walkovers, back handsprings - you know, the stuff where they never seem to get their hand on the "beam" (i.e., the line on the floor). This drill takes a different approach to helping those who have difficulty getting those hands on the beam. Take two long (5-6 feet) strips of some thin material (those vinyl, velcro-bottomed beam strips are perfect for this) and place them on the floor parallel to each other 4 inches apart. The floor in between the strips is now the "beam" (this is the negative space thing). The gymnast performs her backwalkover - and where do her hands go? On the strips, while her feet land on the "beam" in between them - right? But now she has a reference that she can feel, and that isn't as threatening as doing it on a floor beam or a raised foam "beam strip". She now has both a visual and tactile reference so she can work her hands into position gradually, until comfortable enough to perform on the beam itself. This session will cover drills that are "recycled" as well as some new ideas and ways of looking at teaching and coaching. It will include some drills for each of the four women's events, and some conditioning ideas as well.

Certifications and Testing
KAT Certification and Objectives
· Enhance the status of preschool gymnastics programs in gymnastics clubs, YMCA's, daycare's, etc.
· Establish requirements for accreditation to help identify competent preschool teachers.
· Provide appropriate information regarding preschool gymnastics teaching
· Standardize preschool gymnastics teaching throughout the United States.
· Provide resources, instructional materials, and assistance for preschool teachers.
A Kinder Accreditation for Teachers or KAT Workshop consists of six enlightening hours of preschool teacher education. The workshop covers philosophy, understanding the preschool age child, how to be an effective teacher, safety considerations, class management, lesson plan development and much more!
Movement Education and Lesson Plan Development Workshop (MELPD)
Attention all preschool teachers & directors . . .
The Movement Education and Lesson Plan Development Workshop consists of five enlightening hours of preschool teacher education. This workshop is continuing education of the KAT Program.
The overall emphasis of this workshop is to provide instructors with the necessary knowledge to develop preschool gymnastics lesson plans, emphasize developmentally appropriate practices, fundamental skill development, SKILL deconstruction and sample rotation activities. This workshop is designed to help instructors meet the needs of the individual students and encourage adoption of lifelong physical activity!
FOR KAT WORKSHOP:
$100 (USAG Pro/Inst. members)
$150 for non-members

FOR MELPD WORKSHOP:
$ 75 (USAG Pro/Inst. members)
$125 for non-members
$19.95 - Video*

*The MELPD video may only be purchased for this special rate at the MELPD Workshop. Taking both KAT and MELPD on same weekend:
___ $150 (Pro/Inst), or ___ $225 (Non-member)

KAT/MELPD WORKSHOP NOTES:
Minimum age for participation in a KAT or MELPD Workshop is 16 years.
Pre-registration guarantees a KAT or MELPD Workbook and place at the workshop.
Registrations received after the two-week deadline prior to the workshop will be charged $25 late fee and are not guaranteed a KAT or MELPD Workbook or place in the Workshop.
QUESTIONS:
Call Member Services at 1-800-345-4719

Registration:
You must register through USA Gymnastics. Find the KAT/MELPD Registration Form at:
http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/safety-and-education/course-registration.html
Complete all the above required information. FAILURE TO COMPLETE ALL INFORMATION WILL DELAY PROCESSING. Send completed form to USA Gymnastics:
SNAILMAIL:
Member Services, USA Gymnastics, Pan American Plaza, Suite 300, 201 S. Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46225 (you may pay by check or credit card)
FAX: 317-692-5212
Attn: Member Services - Safety/KAT/MELPD (payment must be by credit card)
EMAIL:
theath@usa-gymnastics.org (payment must be by credit card)
Safety Certification
Fees FOR SAFETY COURSES:
$ 0 (Pro-member with current Safety Certification)
$ 50 (Pro/Instructor-member who is NOT currently Safety Certified)
$ 50 (Pro-member who's safety has expired)
$100 (Anyone who is not a USAG PRO/Instructor member)

SAFETY CERTIFICATION NOTES:
Minimum age for Safety Certification is 16 years.
LATE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOT GUARANTEED A BOOK OR SPOT ON THE LIST.
Registrations received after the two-week deadline prior to the workshop will be charged $25 late fee and are not guaranteed a Safety Handbook or place in the course..

Registration: You must register through USA Gymnastics
http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/safety-and-education/course-registration.html
Complete all the above required information. FAILURE TO COMPLETE ALL INFORMATION WILL DELAY PROCESSING. Send completed form to USA Gymnastics:
SNAILMAIL:
Member Services, USA Gymnastics, Pan American Plaza, Suite 300, 201 S. Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46225 (you may pay by check or credit card)
FAX: 317-692-5212
Attn: Member Services - Safety/KAT/MELPD (payment must be by credit card)
EMAIL:
theath@usa-gymnastics.org (payment must be by credit card.

Boot Camp:

Jeff Metzger’s One Day Boot Camp (See biographical Information above)

Thursday, July 17, 10:00-5:00

Areas of Focus
Leadership
Marketing
Financial Management
Organizational Management
Q & A
Round Tables

Cost:
$149 For a person from a Member Club
$190 For a person from a non-member club

Early Bird Special: Register Before June 13
$119 For a person from a Member Club
$160 For a person from a non-member club

Register through USA Gymnastics

http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/forms/2003/Columbus.pdf

Beth Gardner
Heart of Texas Gymnastics
1225 N. Main
Belton, Texas 76513

Ph # (254) 939-0737
email bgardner@austin.rr.com
hotgym@stonemedia.com

Beth Gardner, owner of Heart of Texas Gymnastics located in Belton, Texas has an extensive background specializing in preschool gymnastics. In addition to experience as a Preschool Director, coach and gym owner, she is a co-author and director for the Instructor Training Program (ITP) for the Gymnastics Association of Texas (GAT) and serves as a GAT board member.

Beth is one of the national instructors for the USAG Kinder Accreditation for Teachers (KAT) and USAG Movement Development and Lesson Plan Development (MELPD) courses, and serves on the USAG KAT Preschool Advisory Board. She has published articles in Technique magazine and compiled her lesson plans and coaching philosophies in numerous books. In addition, she serves as a preschool consultant and clinician specializing in preschool staff training.

Her child-first philosophy and a skill-based curriculum, emphasizing education through creative techniques in a safety-oriented, fun and loving environment have proven effective in building dynamic and highly successful preschool gymnastics and mobile gym-bus programs.

Her background also includes volunteering and coaching children with special needs through Special Olympics. She frequently works with private groups and organizations, providing activities for mentally handicapped adults and researching ways to address special needs in the gym environment.

Her desire to touch the lives of children through gymnastics led her to become a coaching educator and seminar presenter, speaking throughout the country.

She is a 1983 graduate of Texas A&M University.

THESE TOPICS INCLUDE PRESCHOOL & GYM MANAGEMENT TOPICS
& COACHING LITTLE BOYS

Topics Covering Lesson Planning:

· PRESCHOOL PROPS This seminar encourages coaches to "think outside
of the box" and look outside the gym environment for inspiration, finding
and applying creative manipulatives to capture the imagination of
preschoolers.

· SKILL DECONSTRUCTION & PROGRESSIONS FOR PRESCHOOL & RECREATIONAL
GYMNASTICS In this seminar, coaches will work together in groups,
practicing deconstruction of commonly taught gymnastics skills and
developing drills that will help them implement a broader focus for their
preschool programs, such as movement education requires.

· "I'VE GOT GREAT IDEAS.BUT NOW WHAT?": CREATING A PRESCHOOL LESSON
PLAN This will be a very interactive session. Coaches will be asked to
work in groups as we go step-by-step through the process of creating a
viable lesson plan. We will discuss various considerations, formats and age
appropriate skill progressions imperative to the design of an effective
lesson plan, as we participate in a Practical seminar and design lesson
plans from "scratch." The techniques presented are easily adaptible to
class level gymnastics as well.

*** Please note: Lesson planning has proven to be one of the recurring
problems many coaches face. Through my seminars and workshops, I have had
many coaches ask me "HOW do you MAKE a lesson plan?" They have expressed
frustration at having many good ideas, but the inability to put those ideas
to work in a cohesive manner, incorporating them into viable lesson plans.
From the conversations I have had with them, this is a VERY NEEDED topic.

I would LOVE to have multiple sessions on this topic.

Topics Covering Class Management:

· "ORGANIZED CHAOS": PRESCHOOL CLASS MANAGEMENT This is an important subject. It covers a wide variety of topics including warm-up, effectively
starting a rotation, and using positive redirection techniques to guide the
children back on-task when they become distracted. We will discuss various
ways to handle specific situations we all face in running a productive
preschool class. I also address class management and helpful hints for Mom
& Me classes

· "TIME OUT?. UGH!": POSITIVE DISCIPLINE FOR THE PRESCHOOL GYMNAST
Discipline is an essential element in all gymnastics classes. It is,
however, particularly difficult for coaches who work with young children.
In this seminar, we will discuss the various approaches to discipline, with
the aim of eliminating the use of negative techniques such as "time out."
Through positive redirection, discipline CAN be taught without negative,
punitive or reactive techniques such as "time out." We will also discuss
antidotal events that are common to preschool gymnastic classes and how
those occurrences might be handled in a positive manner, building the
children's self esteems, rather than detracting from a positive gymnastics
experience.

Topics Covering Age-appropriate Warm-up and Skill Work:

· WARMUP: SET THE PACE FOR YOUR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM I would greatly enjoy addressing preschool warm-ups. During this session, the coaches
would:

· discuss safe warm-up practices for preschoolers,

· participate in demonstrations of a variety of musical activities,

· participate in and the standard group stretch I lead in my gym.

I have had many requests for my warm-up sequence on video. A session
addressing this topic would give the coaches a chance to participate in the
sequence, as well as videotape it for their use.

Topics Covering Parent Communication & Problem Solving:

*****I REALLY WOULD LOVE THIS ONE>>>>> MOM & ME: A COACH'S GUIDE TO BUILDING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH
PARENTS The relationship between a coach and parent is important for the
success of a gymnast. This relationship begins from the very first moment a
parent is introduced to gymnastics, which often occurs through participation
in a Mom & Me class. We will address topics including:

§ Running a successful Mom & Me class, in order to establish a
strong bond between coach, parent and child, then continuing to develop that
relationship by

§ Educating parents about safety issues, and reasoning behind
preschool drills,

§ Developing and maintaining positive communication with gym
parents, and

§ Dealing with commonly occurring parental problems in a positive
manner.

Coaches will be encouraged to discuss problems they have encountered in
dealing with parents. In a guided discussion, they will have the
opportunity to share ideas and techniques they have found helpful in
developing relationships with their parent clients and dealing with
difficult moments with their parents in the gym.

· PROBLEM SOLVING: Q & A Similar to a round table discussion, this
session would be run as an open forum, without requiring multiple panelists.
Coaches would be allowed to submit questions or issues they commonly face in
their gyms for open discussion. Coaches enjoy interaction with their peers.
Many times, the acknowledgement that they are not alone and that we all face
many of the same issues is helpful. Allowing open, but guided discussion
regarding these problems can lead to meaningful resolution to problems for
all individuals involved.

*Note: I have heard coaches remark many times about their need to interact
with other coaches. I, however, shudder at some of the answers coaches
provide to each other. This would be a great way to give guidance and
direct them toward more POSITIVE and productive ways of dealing with
problems.

Topics Covering Coaching Little Boys:

· SO, YOU'RE COACHING, BOYS?: A SURVIVAL GUIDE Men's equipment
requires a great deal of strength. For this reason, it is sometimes
difficult to keep classes fun. In this session, I will present fun ideas
specific to men's equipment to help keep the little boys, ages 4-6
interested in skill work. Many of these ideas can be adapted for older boys
as well. I also address the daunting task of class management for this age
group; specifically, using their energy to keep class moving at a rapid
pace. I will encourage coaches to share ideas with each other regarding fun
progressions for men's equipment.