The September 2016 Elite Squad Camp was attended by 25 gymnasts from across the United States as well as three international guest athletes. This final development camp in the series took place at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center, September 25-30.
The purpose of the development squad is to provide elite training opportunities as professional development for coaches working with skilled young rhythmic gymnasts. To this end, the experts and staff worked directly with coaches to ensure they understood the techniques being taught and specific areas of recommended work for their athlete(s).
This Elite Squad camp provided a unique opportunity for gymnasts and coaches to receive feedback on their difficulties and routines for the 2016-2017 season from world-class experts, including 2-time Olympic Champion Evgeniya Kanaeva, Olympic Silver Medalist Adriana Dunavska, Sonya Yankova, and Lana Lashoff. Specific attention was paid to routine composition, working to improve connections and use of space. Each morning, the athletes had training sessions focusing on ballet, apparatus handling, and strength/conditioning. Doctor of Physical Therapy, Amanda Scully, worked with the girls on a conditioning program developed specifically to target areas of weakness seen in US rhythmic gymnasts. The girls were also encouraged to bond with each other and process what was learned throughout the day during their notebook and activity session each evening.
The top 8 Elite athletes from the USA Gymnastics Championships who remain Juniors in 2017; all level 10 Elite gymnasts born in 2003; and 10-12 gymnasts born 2004 and younger by selection from JO Championships, Open Championships, and video submissions were invited to the September Elite Squad Camp. Full selection procedures for the rhythmic squad camps can be found by clicking here.
Interested in attending a USA Gymnastics camp with your athletes? Look for the 2016 Open Camp Information to be released soon! The 2016 Open Camp will be held December 15-19 at the National Team Training Center in Houston, TX.
Video from the Elite Squad Camp, as well as the preceding Young Squad and Squad Camps will be made available for purchase through the USA Gymnastics website in the coming months.