Parallel Bar Giant

Kelly Crumley

Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Center

Junior National Coaching Staff

How this skill serves the routine

• Importance of giant to routine.

• Goal 10 in a row (10 skills in routine, giant can be placed anywhere within the set).

• This creates the level of training standard, and technique that will be required for high level routine development

• A strong technical foundation of the giant will lead to the more difficult long hang skills.

Beyond the giant

• It will lead to the following:

• Giant with ½ turn

• Giant Diamidov

• Belle

• Pike Belle

• And other related skills

Pre - Giant Development

• Back Extension Roll

• Handstand

• Hollow Bail to Flat

• Long Hang Swing

• Tap swings to Fly-a way

• Moy -Support and Upper Arm (cast position)

• Uprise from long hang

Grip Development

• Long hang swings 10 in a turn.

• Start this with younger athletes.

• Fun drills challenge (Hop, side swing, hand changes etc.) Purpose of grip strength and hand endurance.

Giant Development Drills

• There are many, these are a few

• The Giant and Peach can be learned at the same time and have many cross over and related drill work

• Bent knee giants on low Horizontal bar

• Turnover with spot on end to stand on bars using a locked arm inside grip

• Extension roll off panel to support on low bars

Spotting the Giant

• Hand spot or not

• From Handstand or not

• To Handstand or not

• Above or below

• How I spot

• Spotting with a belt

• Bungi System

Common Errors

• Closing the hip angle during knee bend

• Throwing the head for turnover

• Premature opening of the chest and hips during the decent phase

Coaching Points

• Areas that coaches can focus on for corrections

How long does it take?

• It depends on how much predevelopment has been done. How prepared are the athletes to learn?

• If you plan ahead, learning comes quickly.

• Athletes loose interest or become frustrated if noticeable progress is not made regularly.

• Generally, 6-8 weeks (less growth spurts).

Conclusion

• Giants are and will be an important aspect to P-Bars

• It should be trained as giants are on HB, it is not a one time skill. It is a basic skill ability for more advanced level skills

Questions