Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Dealing with Fear...Again
I thought I would re-post this because we seem to have some fear issues creeping around the gym.
Back-spring gremlins???
So fear is a universally bad thing in gymnastics...right? Well...no. Fear itself has proven quite useful throughout human history (and pre-history), as evidenced by the fact that we are still around. Fear prevents us from doing the really stupid things that would most likely get us killed- rational fear that is. There is also another type of fear, an irrational type that, in gymnastics, can be debilitating. It can be like a little gremlin in our heads that prevents us from doing what we know we can do. An example of this is the "beam back-spring gremlin" that sneaks into our heads when we try to do back-springs on beam. And it comes at the oddest of times- like when we know that we can already do a back-spring on beam. But, for those fearful of you out there (and here I'm talking about irrational fear (I'm certainly not advocating jumping off roofs)), you needn't fear- all is not lost. There are a few specific techniques that you can use to overcome irrational fear.
Firstly, the ideas is to concentrate on the process rather than on all of the possible outcomes. That means that you shouldn't worry about all the possible ways in which you can hurt yourself, rather, you should think about those things that your coach has been telling you. Take the back handspring on beam as an example. Rather than thinking about all the ways you can fall off, think about what you are going to see and feel as you go through the motion. Think about what your legs are supposed to be doing as you jump. Think about seeing the beam before your hands hit. Think about watching for your back foot coming back down to the beam. And lastly, think about the solid and sharp finishing position. Of course, unless you have super-human information processing power (the thing your brain does when you think), that might be too much to think about in such a short period of time. So, just pick one or two things (your coach will normally give you a cue as to what you ought to be thinking about) and concentrate on those.
The second thing you need to do is trust your coach. Your coach has been involved in the gymnastics thing for a tad bit longer than you, and therefore she (hopefully) has more information than you. As a result, she knows when you are ready to learn a new skill. She also knows when something is unsafe. All this just means that she is in a better position than you to assess whether or not your fear is rational or irrational. So, if you don't trust your coach, either get a new one or adjust your perspective. Because, without trust, you're not going to get very far.
The last critical ingredient is to believe in yourself. By and large, you are your own largest obstacle to achieving your potential in gymnastics. By staying positive and focused on your goals you can be an asset to your own progress, rather than an impediment. I am often leery in quoting the man (he was a bit of a bigot), but, as Henry Ford once said, "obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."
So, to recap: 1) Process, not outcomes, 2) Trust your coach, and 3) Believe in yourself. Oh...and one last thing....please tell that back-spring gremlin to take a hike- he kinda creeps me out.
This is David Sykes, filling in for Becca- she said she didn't know what to write and threw the computer at me...it kinda hurt...but I'll get over it...
Back-spring gremlins???
So fear is a universally bad thing in gymnastics...right? Well...no. Fear itself has proven quite useful throughout human history (and pre-history), as evidenced by the fact that we are still around. Fear prevents us from doing the really stupid things that would most likely get us killed- rational fear that is. There is also another type of fear, an irrational type that, in gymnastics, can be debilitating. It can be like a little gremlin in our heads that prevents us from doing what we know we can do. An example of this is the "beam back-spring gremlin" that sneaks into our heads when we try to do back-springs on beam. And it comes at the oddest of times- like when we know that we can already do a back-spring on beam. But, for those fearful of you out there (and here I'm talking about irrational fear (I'm certainly not advocating jumping off roofs)), you needn't fear- all is not lost. There are a few specific techniques that you can use to overcome irrational fear.
Firstly, the ideas is to concentrate on the process rather than on all of the possible outcomes. That means that you shouldn't worry about all the possible ways in which you can hurt yourself, rather, you should think about those things that your coach has been telling you. Take the back handspring on beam as an example. Rather than thinking about all the ways you can fall off, think about what you are going to see and feel as you go through the motion. Think about what your legs are supposed to be doing as you jump. Think about seeing the beam before your hands hit. Think about watching for your back foot coming back down to the beam. And lastly, think about the solid and sharp finishing position. Of course, unless you have super-human information processing power (the thing your brain does when you think), that might be too much to think about in such a short period of time. So, just pick one or two things (your coach will normally give you a cue as to what you ought to be thinking about) and concentrate on those.
The second thing you need to do is trust your coach. Your coach has been involved in the gymnastics thing for a tad bit longer than you, and therefore she (hopefully) has more information than you. As a result, she knows when you are ready to learn a new skill. She also knows when something is unsafe. All this just means that she is in a better position than you to assess whether or not your fear is rational or irrational. So, if you don't trust your coach, either get a new one or adjust your perspective. Because, without trust, you're not going to get very far.
The last critical ingredient is to believe in yourself. By and large, you are your own largest obstacle to achieving your potential in gymnastics. By staying positive and focused on your goals you can be an asset to your own progress, rather than an impediment. I am often leery in quoting the man (he was a bit of a bigot), but, as Henry Ford once said, "obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."
So, to recap: 1) Process, not outcomes, 2) Trust your coach, and 3) Believe in yourself. Oh...and one last thing....please tell that back-spring gremlin to take a hike- he kinda creeps me out.
This is David Sykes, filling in for Becca- she said she didn't know what to write and threw the computer at me...it kinda hurt...but I'll get over it...
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Get Better Soon!
To Tiana P-
Hope your nose and your toe feels better soon and you make a Super-D-Duper quick recovery!!!
Love,
Salta
Hope your nose and your toe feels better soon and you make a Super-D-Duper quick recovery!!!
Love,
Salta
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Athlete Developmnet Workshop
Attention All Athlete!
It has come to my attention (thanks Kathleen!)that there is a Athlete Development Workshop by Dr. Norris coming to town. It is on March 9th, at the Medicine Hat Lodge at 7:00pm-9:00pm. I think this would be a great opportunity as Dr. Norris is working with many of Canada's Top athletes preparing for the 2010 Olympics.
Admission is Free.
It has come to my attention (thanks Kathleen!)that there is a Athlete Development Workshop by Dr. Norris coming to town. It is on March 9th, at the Medicine Hat Lodge at 7:00pm-9:00pm. I think this would be a great opportunity as Dr. Norris is working with many of Canada's Top athletes preparing for the 2010 Olympics.
Admission is Free.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Reserve Your Room!!
Be sure to book your room at the Crown Plaza in Edmonton (1-888-233-9527) for the Wild Rose as they are almost booked. Cost is $99.00/night if booked before March 3,2009! Incredible Price!!!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
A Gigantic Thanks
I wanted to send out a huge thanks to all those who spent their time helping with Cactus this year.
Because of you, our meet was yet another success. Please give yourselves a pat on the back for a job well done and know how much you are appreciated!
Because of you, our meet was yet another success. Please give yourselves a pat on the back for a job well done and know how much you are appreciated!
Global Wellness Cactus Classic Results
A huge congrats to all the participating athletes at our 13th Annual Cactus Classic!
Results are as follows:
P1 Tyro
Tiana M.- 5th- Bars, 5th Beam, 1st- Floor, 3rd AA
Madison F. - 5th Vault, 4th Beam, 7th AA
Kalista P.- 7th Beam, 10th Beam and Floor, 9th AA
P2 Argo
Tayler S.- 5th Beam, 3rd Floor, 7th AA
Sam J.- 4th Bars, 3rd Beam, 3rd AA
P2 Tyro
Erica G. - 1st Vault, 4th Beam, 1st Floor, 2nd AA
Brooklyn B.- 1st Bars, 4th Floor, 5th AA
Alysha S. - 6th Beam, 14th Floor, 13th AA
P3 Tyro
Alysha M.- 1st Vault, 3rd Bars, 1st Beam, 1st Floor, 1st AA
P3 Novice
Tiana P. - 2nd vault, 1st Bars, 1st Floor, 1st AA
Sydney C. - 3rd Beam, 3rd Floor, 4th AA
Shandler K. - 5th Vault, 5th Floor, 5th AA
Pre- Novice
Olivia C. - 1st Vault, 1st Beam, 1st Floor, 2nd AA
P4 Novice
Sheehan D.- 2nd Vault, 1st Bars, 2nd Beam, 1st Floor, 1st AA
Results are as follows:
P1 Tyro
Tiana M.- 5th- Bars, 5th Beam, 1st- Floor, 3rd AA
Madison F. - 5th Vault, 4th Beam, 7th AA
Kalista P.- 7th Beam, 10th Beam and Floor, 9th AA
P2 Argo
Tayler S.- 5th Beam, 3rd Floor, 7th AA
Sam J.- 4th Bars, 3rd Beam, 3rd AA
P2 Tyro
Erica G. - 1st Vault, 4th Beam, 1st Floor, 2nd AA
Brooklyn B.- 1st Bars, 4th Floor, 5th AA
Alysha S. - 6th Beam, 14th Floor, 13th AA
P3 Tyro
Alysha M.- 1st Vault, 3rd Bars, 1st Beam, 1st Floor, 1st AA
P3 Novice
Tiana P. - 2nd vault, 1st Bars, 1st Floor, 1st AA
Sydney C. - 3rd Beam, 3rd Floor, 4th AA
Shandler K. - 5th Vault, 5th Floor, 5th AA
Pre- Novice
Olivia C. - 1st Vault, 1st Beam, 1st Floor, 2nd AA
P4 Novice
Sheehan D.- 2nd Vault, 1st Bars, 2nd Beam, 1st Floor, 1st AA
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