Aside from the full use of the routine scripting program, there are some more subtle benefits through a paid subscription:
In Europe, aside from the coach, there are assistant coaches who would script the routines for the gymnasts. In North America, where gymnasts doesn't spend a full day at the gym, maximizing the efficiency inside/outside the gym can be part of a winning formulae.
Some clubs insist that every gymnast learn the full code. The charts for Body elements and for the apparatus allows each gymnast to have their 'own code' in their personal binder. The charts simply make things easier even if a coach still insist on doing it manually.
For my youngest daughter, after she saw the technical movements visually via the "casual use" printout, she understands her routine a lot better and she knows what is expected of her. (The first try was a mess where she "invented" her own elements just because she thought it was cool).
Judges have consistently found sheets filled with errors - self invented symbols, artistic value symbols in technical column, wrong way of flowing, wrong difficulty value, etc. Errors make their job harder and will ultimately affect the score.
A gymnast is encouraged to maintain the routine sheet as it is being choreographed. This helps in their understanding as well as memorizing the routine. It also helps the coach in counting and seeing the implications and inserting difficulties/apparatus elements better.
Time saving to the coach comes in having the gymnast fill out the sheet themselves through the computer. The first time around, the gymnast will have lots of errors, but kids learn really fast and very soon, you can maintain multiple versions of routines for different competitions.
Some coaches find it much easier to see the routine on a piece of paper to validate the points, the variety, to find the dominating body group, etc.
I find it is much easier to keep an electronic written audit trail. It helps in tracking the development and growth of a gymnast and her routines.
Just recently, a rhythmic gymnastic club from a remote area was asking for help with understanding why their routines was scored so low. I was able to help read the routines through the electronic script produced from the program.
If the demand and support is there, it is really not that difficult to take it one further step to keep a library of routines using the electronic script in conjunction with videos. This can provide a great training tool for judges and coaches.
If you ever find a need to update and print the script again while you are travelling, if you either bring a diskette, or send your routine to your web email account, all you then need is access to the internet and you can easily update and print the sheets again.
If you are interested in a paid subscription to use the program for your club, please send me an email at mariolam@eliterg.com
