10 Important Safety Tips for Gymnasts at any Level
Gymnastics is not the safest sport in the world. When you flip, jump, and swing several feet above the ground, on a beam or bar, or run as fast as possible toward a stationary item, or do a front-skill with a blind landing, (when you cannot see the ground when you are approaching it), there is a risk. The sport is not without risk, but this can also be part of what makes it so rewarding. It is impossible to describe the feeling of accomplishment you get when you master a seemingly impossible technique. We at dance take safety seriously because there is a risk of injury. We practice ten safety tips, at all levels of gymnastics. From toddlers up to teams.
Use correct matting!
Mats play a vital role in gymnastics. Mats cushion falls and reduce impact on joints such as knees and ankles. Gymnasts landing on hard surfaces would be much more dangerous without mats. When practicing or any gymnastics skills, be sure to do so on a gymnastics mat or carpet.
Attendance of an instructor is always required!
Gymnastics coaches and instructors are there to ensure your safety, and not only to criticize your technique and form. Coaches keep an eye on you even when they’re not directly observing you. They want to ensure that you’re practicing safely.
Never learn a new skill alone!
Coaches can help you improve your skills and tell you when to work on new ones or make them harder. Never try to learn a new skill without the permission of a coach. You can hurt yourself or someone else if you try to perform a skill you’re not ready for. It is important to try new things in order to improve your gymnastics skills. However, you should only do this after receiving the OK from your coach.
Do not run in the gym!
Running is a requirement for a great deal of gymnastics. This includes tumbling, vaulting, and a lot more. Running around the gym, from event to event (for example), can be dangerous if you are not doing it to learn a new skill or because your coach has told you to. The gym is full of obstacles, from bar supports to mats. It is easy to trip over things in the gym and fall, or run into someone about to perform a skill. These are all issues that can be avoided by walking around the gym safely.
Beware of other gymnasts.
Keep your eyes and ears open at all times in the gym. Even the most attentive of us may not notice someone falling in front of them as we walk. To prevent this, you must be aware of your surroundings. Assume that others do not see you so you can always be aware of them. It will prevent all kinds of collisions and accidents!
Your coaches are the best!
Your coaches have been mentioned more than twice. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to listen to them. Your coaches are experts on safety and correct technique, and they are always concerned about the safety of their gymnasts. It’s so you don’t accidentally jump on someone. They (and you) will benefit if you speak more quietly or not at all. If they tell you to talk more quietly (or not at all), it is so that they (and you!) surroundings. When they say to tuck in your head, it is so you don’t rest your entire weight on your neck.
Keep your head off the ground!
This is a safety tip in and of itself! Gymnastics is all about going upside down, but if your entire weight rests on your head you put too much strain on your neck. Neck injuries are not to be taken lightly. Asking for help is essential, even if you are just having trouble getting your head to lift off the ground. This little bit of pressure on your neck can be surprisingly painful, which is at best unpleasant, and at worst can cause permanent damage. Always support the majority of weight with your hands, whether you are doing a bridge, handstand, or headstand.
Warm up before stretching and stretch before practicing!
Warming up and stretching is important before practice. It may seem like a small thing, but it’s crucial. Warming up and stretching are important to prevent injuries. Without it, muscles can be too stiff to perform certain moves, leading to strains and pulls. Warm-ups allow us to stretch our muscles as much as possible without damaging our muscles.
Tell your coach if you hurt yourself!
Ignoring a minor injury is one of the quickest ways to make it worse. Ignoring something that hurts is not the answer. A “little” hurting ankle is probably in a weak state. You could be favoring one ankle, and putting too much pressure on the opposite side. This can cause injury. You could land on your normal landing, but the already-weakened ankle cannot take it and becomes even more injured. This is especially true of ankles (a previously sprained ankle will be more likely to become sprained again), however, it is true for any pain or discomfort. Often, a minor injury is not a major issue and your coach may tell you to just work through it. However, there are times when it’s important to pay more attention or take a break. Always inform your coach to be on the safe side.
Enjoy yourself!
It may seem silly to have a rule about safety that is all about a positive attitude, but it’s actually crucial for safe gymnastics. You may not give your full energy to a skill if you feel discouraged or unhappy. This could lead you to fall. It is impossible to be happy at all times, but it’s important to use all your positivity when doing gymnastics. You will achieve your goals faster if you are having fun.
