The importance of flexibility for gymnastics
You have to be flexible to be successful in gymnastics for three main reasons:
Flexibility speeds up learning!
Most high-level training programs require you to meet the minimum flexibility (and strength) requirements for gymnastics because it speeds up the learning process when you are flexible enough to learn any skill and prevents gymnasts from developing bad habits. for working the skills incorrectly.
Flexibility can be improved!
Fortunately, flexibility is one of those physical attributes that can be improved simply by spending time working on it. In general, the more time you spend, the more flexible you become.
Train both statically and dynamically
There are two types of flexibility that are most commonly used in gymnastics training: static and dynamic, and those are also two of the ways you can work on your flexibility. An example of static flexibility is sitting in splits. Split jumps are an example of dynamic or active flexibility. Other examples of static and active flexibility are kicks (active) and ladders (static).
body weight stretch
In splits, you’re not just static, but your body weight can also help push down your splits. A backbend is also a static pushup position, but your body weight doesn’t help the stretching effort.
full range force
Strength across the full range of flexibility is often important in gymnastics. Even if a gymnast is able to kick her leg through a 180 degree split back, it does not mean that she is strong enough in that degree of flexibility to keep her leg at 180 degree separation on a scale.
Shoulder flexibility equally important
While leg flexibility contributes primarily to the appearance of floor and beam dance ability, shoulder flexibility is important in the proper execution of acrobatic skills in every event.
Develop flexibility evenly
In both shoulder and leg flexibility, even the development of bilateral (left and right side) flexibility is a requirement. Inflexible gymnasts sometimes develop habits like turning to their more flexible side when doing back and forth vaults. This habit is a disaster for beam consistency, not to mention an unappealing way to do those abilities.
Be creative and do what you have to do
Flexibility is one of the few aspects of gymnastics that you can work on outside of the gym. Many gymnasts have found interesting ways to work on their splits and flexibility. Some gymnasts sit in splits every time they watch TV. Some gymnasts never bend their legs when bending over to pick things up to improve their flexibility in pikes. We’ve even heard of gymnasts falling asleep in their splits.
Judges will note excellent flexibility
Judges will pay particular attention to gymnasts who have 180 degrees plus split vaults and vaults, although 180 degrees (or less in the compulsory) is all that is usually required. So if you want to not only avoid deductions, but also want to gain overall impression points for being more flexible, work on your divisions.