Circles on Mushroom

The circle on mushroom is a basic drill for learning circles on pommel horse or beam. The gymnast should start learning circles early on in their career. This will help them develop higher quality circles with the proper technique because gymnasts can perform more repetitions overall if they start at a younger age. To do this drill, the gymnast must first place their hands on the horizontal line across the mushroom. During the performance, the athlete should not change this position of their hands. They should start in front support with their shoulders leaned slightly forward. They should face their hands forward with their fingers spread for better support. Next, they should step to the side opposite of their desired circle direction. The athlete does this opposite move, jumps in the desired direction, and closes their legs to start the circle. The entire circle should be performed with a completely straight body. There are several universal points that the gymnast should follow:

• Maintain a completely extended circle with an open chest at the first and third quarters;

• The arms and legs should remain tight, no exceptions;

• At the first quarter of the circle, the base arm pushes the mushroom identically with the direction of the circle. In that quarter, the leading part of the body should be the hips. During the second quarter, the gymnast should put their other hand down, and finish the quarter in rear support;

• In the third quarter, the gymnast should switch the support hand and start pushing down on the mushroom in the opposite direction from the circle trajectory. The leading part of the body during this phase are the heels;

• In the fourth quarter, the gymnast should put their first hand back down on the mushroom and finish in front support. In order to assure continuity, the body should not touch the mushroom, and the shoulders should lean forward;

• In the fourth quarter, the gymnast put the first hand on the mushroom and finishes in front support. In order to assure continuity, the body should not touch the mushroom and the shoulder should lean forward.

• During the execution of the skill, the shoulders lean in the opposite direction from the legs;

• Developing a faster circle can help the gymnast lean less from their shoulders, maintain a straight body position easier, and raise their body higher above the mushroom (essential for performing floor circles, circles on the pommel horse, and beam).

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First Half Stokli Mushroom

The gymnast should start by doing the drill from standing, then eventually from 1-2 regular circles. It should end in rear support on the mushroom without touching the ground.

Stokli Mushroom

When the previous drill (First Half Stokli Mushroom) has been improved, the gymnast should continue to work on the entire skill, adding a reverse quarter Stokli. The skill should finish with a couple of regular circles.