About the course:
This is volume two of a comprehensive four-part gymnastics program featuring Amanda Borden. In this video, Amanda takes her team through a wide variety of progressive drills for the balance beam. Among the topics covered are: beam complex, balance fundamentals, handstands, jump drills, leap drills, turn drills, cartwheels, level six skills, beam tumbling, back handsprings, connected series and dismount series. A must have resource for coaches, parents and gymnasts.
About the instructor:
Amanda Borden was captain of the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team, which took home the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. They made history by becoming the first U.S. Womenʼs Gymnastics team ever to win an Olympic games. Amanda also spent six years on the US women’s National Team. She has competed in several World Championships, was a Pan-American double Gold Medalist and the 1995 USAG Sportswoman of the Year. In 2004, Amanda opened the Gold Medal Gymnastics Academy in Tempe, Arizona, and has since added another gym in Chandler, Arizona. She also serves as a gymnastics and cheerleading commentator for CBS Sports, Fox Sports, ESPN and NBC. Amanda Borden is a member of the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame and US Olympic Hall of Fame.
About the balance beam:
As per the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), the standard dimensions should have the following measurements:
Height of the beam - 125 centimetres, 4.10 feet
Length of the beam - 500 centimetres, 16 feet
Width of the beam - 10 centimetres, 3.9 inches.
Since the 1980s, beams are covered in leather or suede. Presently, they also have a spring to control the stress of high-exertion tumbling and turns and poses.
The duration of a beam routine is generally 70 to 90 seconds. Women were first awarded individual Olympic medals in the event at the 1952 Games.