Tom Forster

Tom's Regional Congress Sessions

Region 2 - Saturday
8:15 - 9:15am
Party Room
Buying or Selling: A Gym Owner’s Perspective
Region 2 Saturday Business
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

At some point you might consider selling your gym or purchasing another gym. In this lecture I will cover the strategies, challenges and concerns for both scenarios. I have personally done both numerous times and enjoy sharing what I have learned.

9:30 - 10:30am
Study Room
The Physics of Excellence: Understanding Motion on Vault & Uneven Bars for Judges and Coaches
Region 2 Saturday Women
Presenter(s): Tom Forster, Laurie Reid
Session Summary

This course explores the fundamental laws of motion that separate exceptional gymnastics performances from merely good ones on vault and uneven bars. For judges, the lecture provides a framework for identifying the subtle technical differences that distinguish world-class execution from average performance. For coaches, it offers practical insight into why skills succeed or fail mechanically, allowing for more effective teaching progressions and technical corrections.

10:45 - 11:45am
Team Purple
How to Maximize Your Bar Workouts for Every Level
Region 2 Saturday Women Coaching
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

For gymnastics coaches, effective planning can be especially challenging because each phase of the year has unique priorities and demands. The off-season, pre-season, and competition season all require different areas of focus. In this lecture, we discuss the specific goals and needs of each season, as well as how those priorities vary across different athlete levels. By understanding and planning for these seasonal demands, you will be better equipped to create effective training plans and achieve greater success with your athletes.

1:15 - 2:15pm
Team Purple
The 9 Principles of Bars to Teach or Correct Any Skill
Region 2 Saturday Women Coaching
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

This lecture used to be labeled “The Laws of Motion for Bars”. It is incredibly helpful to teach coaches why their gymnasts are making the errors they do and how to correct them. The understanding of these principles gives a coach the tools to teach any skill even if they have never taught it before.

2:30 - 3:30pm
Team Purple
The Fundamentals of Twisting and Pirouetting
Region 2 Saturday Women Coaching
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

The concepts of twisting and pirouetting are similar and both will be covered in this lecture. Whether you are teaching a first half-turn or preparing athletes for advanced multiple-twisting skills, this lecture will provide you with a systematic approach to developing confident and successful twisters. We will discuss common technical errors, how to identify their causes, and practical coaching strategies to help athletes learn twisting safely and efficiently.

3:45 - 4:45pm
Team Purple
How to Get Gymnasts to the Next Level
Region 2 Saturday Women Coaching
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

Every coach has experienced some of their gymnasts seem to progress effortlessly while others struggle to move forward. Why is that, and what can coaches do to improve their athletes’ chances of success? In this lecture, we explore how to organize training time, prioritize the right skills, and create a long-term plan that maximizes athlete potential. Discover practical strategies you can implement immediately to help more of your gymnasts achieve their goals.

Region 3 - Saturday
8:15 - 9:15am
Gym Studio B
Buying or Selling: A Gym Owner’s Perspective
Region 3 Saturday Business
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

At some point you might consider selling your gym or purchasing another gym. In this lecture I will cover the strategies, challenges and concerns for both scenarios. I have personally done both numerous times and enjoy sharing what I have learned.

10:45 - 11:45am
Gym 1 (Right Side)
How to Maximize Your Bar Workouts for Every Level All Year
Region 3 Saturday Women Coaching
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

For gymnastics coaches, effective planning can be especially challenging because each phase of the year has unique priorities and demands. The off-season, pre-season, and competition season all require different areas of focus. In this lecture, we discuss the specific goals and needs of each season, as well as how those priorities vary across different athlete levels. By understanding and planning for these seasonal demands, you will be better equipped to create effective training plans and achieve greater success with your athletes.

1:15 - 2:15pm
Gym 1 (Right Side)
The 9 Principles of Bars to Teach or Correct Any Skill
Region 3 Saturday Women Coaching
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

This lecture used to be labeled “The Laws of Motion for Bars”. It is incredibly helpful to teach coaches why their gymnasts are making the errors they do and how to correct them. The understanding of these principles gives a coach the tools to teach any skill even if they have never taught it before.

2:30 - 3:30pm
Gym 1 (Right Side)
The Fundamentals of Twisting and Pirouetting
Region 3 Saturday Women Coaching
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

The concepts of twisting and pirouetting are similar and both will be covered in this lecture. Whether you are teaching a first half-turn or preparing athletes for advanced multiple-twisting skills, this lecture will provide you with a systematic approach to developing confident and successful twisters. We will discuss common technical errors, how to identify their causes, and practical coaching strategies to help athletes learn twisting safely and efficiently.

3:45 - 4:45pm
Gym 1 (Right Side)
How to Get Gymnasts to the Next Level
Region 3 Saturday Women Coaching
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

Every coach has experienced some of their gymnasts seem to progress effortlessly while others struggle to move forward. Why is that, and what can coaches do to improve their athletes’ chances of success? In this lecture, we explore how to organize training time, prioritize the right skills, and create a long-term plan that maximizes athlete potential. Discover practical strategies you can implement immediately to help more of your gymnasts achieve their goals.

Region 6 & 7 - Friday
8:30 - 9:30am
Monocacy
Buying or Selling: A Gym Owner’s Perspective
Region 6 & 7 Friday Business
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

At some point you might consider selling your gym or purchasing another gym. In this lecture I will cover the strategies, challenges and concerns for both scenarios. I have personally done both numerous times and enjoy sharing what I have learned.

11:15am - 12:15pm
Moravian
The Physics of Excellence: Understanding Motion on Vault & Uneven Bars for Judges and Coaches
Region 6 & 7 Friday Women
Presenter(s): Cheryl Hamilton, Tom Forster
Session Summary

This course explores the fundamental laws of motion that separate exceptional gymnastics performances from merely good ones on vault and uneven bars. For judges, the lecture provides a framework for identifying the subtle technical differences that distinguish world-class execution from average performance. For coaches, it offers practical insight into why skills succeed or fail mechanically, allowing for more effective teaching progressions and technical corrections.

1:45 - 2:45pm
Foundry D-E
The 9 Principles of Bars to Teach or Correct Any Skill
Region 6 & 7 Friday Women
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

This lecture used to be labeled “The Laws of Motion for Bars”. It is incredibly helpful to teach coaches why their gymnasts are making the errors they do and how to correct them. The understanding of these principles gives a coach the tools to teach any skill even if they have never taught it before.

3:00 - 4:00pm
Foundry D-E
The Fundamentals of Twisting and Pirouetting
Region 6 & 7 Friday
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

The concepts of twisting and pirouetting are similar and both will be covered in this lecture. Whether you are teaching a first half-turn or preparing athletes for advanced multiple-twisting skills, this lecture will provide you with a systematic approach to developing confident and successful twisters. We will discuss common technical errors, how to identify their causes, and practical coaching strategies to help athletes learn twisting safely and efficiently.

4:15 - 5:15pm
Foundry D-E
How to Get Gymnasts to the Next Level
Region 6 & 7 Friday Women
Presenter(s): Tom Forster
Session Summary

Every coach has experienced some of their gymnasts seem to progress effortlessly while others struggle to move forward. Why is that, and what can coaches do to improve their athletes’ chances of success? In this lecture, we explore how to organize training time, prioritize the right skills, and create a long-term plan that maximizes athlete potential. Discover practical strategies you can implement immediately to help more of your gymnasts achieve their goals.