Carmen Nava

I’m a gymnastics judge focused on teaching the kip as a first milestone skill gymnasts learn on bars. I explain what a kip is—starting from either a swing or a glide, then snapping the legs to the bar and using momentum to reach front support.

I break the skill into component actions—Glide, snap, pull, and shift—so gymnasts can build muscle memory with short, action-focused cues. I emphasize timing: snapping too early robs power, pulling early works against gravity, and the wrist shift must happen at the right moment to prevent popping out.

My coaching highlights the glide as the powerhouse of the kip, driven by the energy of a jump. I teach gymnasts to jump from both feet, raise hips backward and upward, hold a hollow body shape, use an overgrip, and block the shoulders to transfer maximum energy—then I support progress through drills and troubleshooting like hollow holds, snap-ups, L-holds, leg-lifts, tuck-ups, circles, and wrist shifts.