Fear and What Coaches Can Do - October 2022
As a coach it is easy to make a gymnast stay on the equipment until they “Just do the skill,” yet they never go for it. Or maybe you send them for conditioning. However, these types of reactions to a gymnast’s fear do not help and can increase the fear. I know that fear and mental blocks can be so frustrating as coaches, but here are some strategies to help your gymnasts!
What Coaches Want to Avoid:
Avoid making them stay on the event until they do the skill…Why? Well, when you do this, it creates more stress and pressure for the gymnasts which is just causing the brain to go into fight/flight/freeze mode and put on the brakes which is not allowing your gymnasts to go for the skill.
Making a gymnast stay on an event until they go for the skill can create more opportunities for the gymnast to balk. Why is this a problem? Well, every time your gymnast balks, they are reinforcing that neural pathway in the brain which is reinforcing the block.
Avoid using conditioning as punishment. Why? Using conditioning as punishment is creating a negative association with conditioning. We do not want our gymnasts associating conditioning with punishment. Gymnasts need to see conditioning as an essential part of the sport.
What Coaches Can Do:
If a gymnast balks more than 2x, have them complete a skill that they can be successful at. For instance, maybe the gymnast is unable to go for their round-off BHS but can do a cartwheel BHS. If a gymnast balks more than 2x on the round-off BHS have them switch to a cartwheel BHS.
Have your gymnast finish the skill with something they are successful with. Mental blocks and fear bring a gymnast down. It is your job as a coach to help lift them up.
Be patient and supportive! Do not give up on your gymnasts.
And remember…your gymnast is not choosing to not do the skill! Fear and mental blocks cause a physical and psychological response in the body. Believe me when I say your gymnast wants to do the skill more than anything else!
If you or your gymnast would like more support, check out my coaching services on my website.
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