Gymnastics coaching and teaching suggestions for mentally retarded persons are presented in this guide, one of seven booklets about Special Olympics Sports Skills Instructional Programs. An overview introduces the sport and makes broad suggestions for teaching. A list of goals, objectives, and benefits is followed by information on necessary clothing and equipment. Assessment and instruction methods are provided on two difficulty levels for the following gymnastics skills: tumbling, balance, free exercise, beam, parallel bars, uneven parallel bars, side horse, vaulting, rings, and high bars. Additional topics deal with judging and scoring, safety, sportsmanship, lead up skills, and modifications and adaptations of equipment, rules, and playing areas. (CL)