Staying Tight!

This month, we’re learning how to “stay tight” and why it’s important in gymnastics.

“Staying tight” means engaging and squeezing all the necessary muscles to maintain what we call good form.

First, the gymnast must learn what tightness feels like. A simple way to practice this is by sitting in a pike position and squeezing the legs together, keeping them straight with pointed toes.

Next, the gymnast should build the ability to hold this tightness for longer periods, starting at 10 seconds and working up to a full minute.

Finally, the gymnast must learn to apply this tightness while performing actual skills. Whether a skill is performed with straight or bent legs, in a hollow or arch position, good form is always required. Turns out, maintaining proper form often makes the skill easier to perform.