Oh No! Why Is My Mental Block Back? August 2023
Oh No! Why is My Mental Block Back?
Is there a gymnast on your team who mastered a skill all summer, only to have their mental block resurface as the new season approaches? It's quite common to see an increase in mental blocks when summer ends and the season looms ahead. But why does this happen? Well, typically, your gymnast experiences added stress. School pressures and the need to perfect their routines for the upcoming season can be overwhelming. Often, they worry about not being able to execute their skills or compete as they hope. All this stress burdens the brain, leading to a mental block.
So, how can you assist your gymnasts? Firstly, it's crucial to help their brains feel safe. This might involve reverting to a version of the skill they feel confident in. Additionally, guiding them to bring their minds back to the present moment and utilize anchor words can be beneficial. Encourage your gymnasts to concentrate on the process rather than fixating on the outcome or competition. Even though it's only August, many gymnasts tend to catastrophize about what might happen at the end of the season, such as thinking, "If I don't master this skill, I'll receive a lower score, perform poorly, and won't progress." Believe me, I'm not making this up; it's something I often hear from my gymnasts.
Another way to assist your gymnasts is to alter their self-talk regarding the skill. For example, if they're experiencing a mental block with their fly-away, instead of saying, "I must get this skill before my first meet," which induces a lot of stress, encourage them to switch it to "I challenge myself to achieve my fly-away by the first meet."
In summary, don't panic if your gymnasts’ mental blocks reappear at the start of the season. It doesn't mean they're lazy or lacking motivation. Instead, view it as a signal that their brain is experiencing additional stress. Your role is to help your gymnasts learn strategies to cope with this heightened pressure.
If you or your gymnast would like more support, check out my coaching services on my website.
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