Compressing the Case for Compression Gear

Compressing the Case for Compression Gear

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “wasn’t this supposed to be the third instalment of the Trampolining S&C series?”
And you’d be right, it was supposed to be exactly that! However, not only have I struggled to find the time to get it written to a standard that I’m happy presenting to everyone, I’m also considering pulling it all together for another project for you guys, so best not to give it all away too early.
So anyway, on with today’s post!

Recently I’ve been beginning to pick up some knocks, some strains, and some general pains and niggles from my training. I decided to try out some compression gear in the hope that it might just stave off an actual injury until I’m able to finish this training block and begin another.
So I’ve basically been bench pressing in the world’s tightest Nike Pro Combat t-shirt, and squatting in some ball-bustingly tight Under Armour shorts (I’m not convinced I can have kids anymore).
Fun times!

Source: http://cdn.pocket-lint.com/r/s/628x/images/DLtM/sky1-gadget-geeks-revealed-2.jpg
If only I could pull it off as well as these lads…

What I didn’t actually stop to consider is whether or not this was actually going to result in any performance increases or injury prevention, or whether it would simply make me impotent whilst looking like a tit.
So let’s find out, shall we?

Trampolining S&C Part II: Head/Shoulder Placement

Trampolining S&C Part 2: Head/Shoulder Placement

As many of you may know, I have been a professional trampolining coach for over 6 years, and I have spent a great deal of time in those years learning what my performers typically lack and struggle with.
In my first part to this trampolining S&C set of articles was looking at glute/hip drive in somersaults, but this week I’m going to look at something else that comes up exceptionally often, from the humble front landing all the way to ¾ straight fronts and beyond – head and shoulder placement.
There are a few reasons your performers may struggle with correct head placement, and I’m going to go through them shortly, but first of all let’s discuss what exactly correct head and shoulder placement are, and why they’re important.

Trampolining S&C Part I: Hip/Glute Drive

Trampolining S&C Part I: Hip/Glute Drive

As many of you may know, I have been a professional trampolining coach for over 6 years, and I have spent a great deal of time in those years learning what my performers typically lack and struggle with.
One issue that comes up quite a lot, and that I was reminded of very recently, is the inability to initiate a somersault (particularly tuck back somersault) with a forceful hip drive once the coach’s external cue (usually the back of the hand in the lower back) has been removed.
There could be several reasons a performer struggles with this issue, including a neuromuscular signalling problem (e.g. lack of mind-muscle link or motor unit recruitment), an anatomical propensity toward poor back tension/flexibility/strength, or just a poor understanding of the difference between a hip drive and an arched back.
As stated, I recently had a performer who was struggling to initiate her tuck back without the external cue of my hand pushing her in the right place, and I want to share how we managed to begin resolving this issue easily, within a few hours of practice and gym-work.