T&T is short for "tumbling and trampoline" and is a competitive sport for males and females governed by both the United States Tumbling & Trampoline Association (USTA) as well as the USA Gymnastics (USAG). T&T is called "trampoline gymnastics" internationally and is just one of the branches of the sport. Although you may only be familiar with artistic gymnastics as this is what is broadcasted on television, gymnastics encompasses T&T gymnastics, acro gymnastics, and rhythmic gymnastics. T&T has four events (the BEST four events in our book).

which consists of high-energy tumbling passes where each progressive skill performed is faster than the previous skill. A power tumbler gains speed as he/she tumbles down the rod floor flipping and twisting but has to stick the landing at the end of the pass for maximum points. DCA competes with floor levels starting with round off 2 back handsprings through elite passes consisting of whips to double flips.

trampoline routines from beginner to elite consist of 10 skills performed in a row with precision, strength, and height. A trampolinist must perform these 10 skills and stick the landing acquiring the appropriate amount of difficulty for that level while keeping form and kick-outs. Beginner routines start with tucks, straddles, and half turns while elite passes include double somis in almost every bounce! Trampoline increases air awareness and makes for better tumblers and is currently the only TNT event that is competed in the Olympics.

is an event where the athlete runs at the double mini from about 50 feet, does one skill set onto the surface of the trampoline and one skill off, and lands on the landing mat. The skills range from beginners doing tuck or straddle to, again, elite level performing the double somi mounter skill on and a double to triple somi dismount skill.

in the USTA, a synchronized trampoline is only done at nationals, but it is a fun and addictive event where two trampolinists perform the exact same routine on two different trampoline beds in sync. The athletes are judged on the difficulty of their routine, the execution of their routine, and their ability to stay synchronized.

T&T is fun, addictive, and the average team member commits to 4–12 hours in the gym, leaving lots of time for other sports, homework, family time, etc. In the world of recreational, high school, and all-star cheer, T&T is a great compliment to cheerleading as the athletes are usually the best, most confident tumblers on the cheer floor. T&T is also a great alternative for a gymnast that is no longer interested in competing on bars, beam, and vault but is only interested in competing tumbling and learning to do trampoline and double mini.

At the highest level, T&T athletes compete at world championships, while trampolinists compete at the Olympics.

DCA's TNT team has a spot for everyone interested in learning and competing skills from back handsprings to double-twisting layouts and more! If someone is interested in being on the power tumbling team, we'll place you at your level for competition for tumbling, trampoline, or double mini (or all 3!); but we’ll continue to work with the athlete to advance their skills for all events. At the most basic level, we like to see athletes with a solid round off to a rebound on the floor, an understanding of two-foot jumps on a trampoline surface, the ability to take direction from a coach, and a willingness to learn.

Our team kids are in the gym 2–5 times a week with 2–3 hour practices per day (depending on level), covering all three events: double mini trampoline, trampoline, and rod floor tumbling. During the summer, we practice during the 12–4:30 pm time from Monday–Thursday with morning practices on Fridays. During the school year, practice expands out to Monday–Friday 4 pm–9 pm (younger athletes taking the earlier 4–6 pm practice slots on weekdays and the junior high–high school athletes taking the 6–8:30 pm practices) and 3rd grade – HS athletes coming in on Saturday mornings as well. Coaches work very hard to come up with proper drills and curriculums for each athlete, to best accommodate their skill level and their competition goals; so even though this is a team, it is very much individualized training for each athlete on our team.

The competition schedule will come out in September, and each level will have set meets they will be required to attend at the local level (within 2–4 hours from the Chicago suburbs). We always add a fun (but competitive) travel competition that is optional but a great opportunity to get in front of new judges, compete against athletes from across the country, and bond with your teammates. All DCA athletes compete at the USTA state meet in April, and we encourage everyone who makes it to nationals to attend. In 2021, we are going to Rochester, MN for nationals in June, and in 2022, we are headed to Lakeland, FL which is outside of Tampa! The higher-level athletes will have the opportunity to compete with USAG which requires more meets and a different set of state and national meets, but USAG is the only way to compete internationally.

The team is fun but a lot of work, and we welcome all hardworking and dedicated athletes who are interested in the sport of tumbling and trampoline.

If you have any questions, please call us at 630-588-9000 or email at coach@dupagetumbling.com.