However earlier than that, for those who’re like a lot of the gymnasts I am speaking to in my personal teaching classes in the mean time, you may nonetheless have one or two extra meets to attempt to qualify.
Actually, I am feeling a way of this “now or by no means” feeling that appears to be going round as you make your final ditch effort to get the qualifying scores you want.
Whereas qualifying to States (or Regionals or Nationals) does include a deadline, it is vital NOT to get too caught up in that “final likelihood” feeling.
Actually, you need to by no means use qualifying for States as a metric for a way good of a gymnast you’re.
Do not forget that you spend hours and hours coaching within the fitness center to compete for only a few minutes every meet. Actually, for those who whole up all of your competitors time for one season it most probably equals lower than one hour of precise time competing!
And but, you’ve got spent numerous hours, day in and time out, coaching and coaching for these few quick minutes!
Whereas competing and exhibiting off what you are able to do is a good feeling, it should not be the one feeling you reside for!
So what occurs for those who solely have one or two meets left to qualify for States?
To start with, the worst factor you are able to do is put that stress on your self. While you’re fixated on having to get a sure rating with the intention to qualify, it could possibly ship your mind into “hazard” mode. And when your mind is in “hazard” mode, it is too tense that will help you get right into a move and compete your finest.
“Hazard” mode additionally causes your nerves to really feel worse. Your physique is in a heightened state of fight-flight-or-freeze in “hazard” mode which implies you are extra more likely to interpret this as indicators that you simply’re not prepared. For instance, when your coronary heart is racing out of your chest and your ideas are spiraling into increasingly damaging ideas, you may query whether or not you’re ready to compete.
Second, bear in mind that you could’t management the end result. Getting a sure rating is an consequence aim and whilst you may suppose you may have absolute management over this, the reality is you do not. You may present as much as a meet ready and able to do your finest however issues can occur which might be exterior of your management. You may get rushed throughout warmups. You may hate the texture of the gear and never be capable to discover your regular rhythm. You is perhaps competing towards gymnasts who’re the most effective in your age group. Otherwise you may need judges who appear to present out low scores.
As a substitute you might want to concentrate on what you CAN management that are issues like how laborious you attempt, what you are targeted on, for those who’re staying in command of your feelings, and different elements which might be process-related. While you concentrate on issues you may management, it helps your mind really feel higher in regards to the scenario. And a cheerful mind enables you to carry out nicely.
What for those who do not qualify for States or different massive gymnastics meets?
It occurs. And it would occur to you. And whereas it is not the most effective feeling on this planet, it is one thing you may study lots from.
So listed below are some suggestions that will help you by if so:
1. One meet doesn’t outline you.
Whether or not it is the meet that you simply did not qualify for States at or enthusiastic about the precise State meet, this one single meet would not outline you.
Competitors is an opportunity to place the whole lot you’ve got been studying collectively in a single second. However it’s not the one second in your gymnastics journey.
Consider the hours and hours that you’ve got spent working in the direction of changing into a greater gymnast. When you may imagine that your whole laborious work was for this one second, how about reframing it and enthusiastic about all the teachings you’ve got discovered alongside the way in which in your journey.
It is easy to let one meet resolve your price. However ultimately, gymnastics is one thing you get to expertise. And most of these experiences come within the fitness center if you’re not competing. So embrace the journey!
2. Deal with what you may study from this example.
Not qualifying can really feel disappointing. However what’s much more disappointing is for those who let one other yr move and also you made the identical errors and did not qualify once more. Keep in mind, each meet the place you “failed” is a chance to study.
So ask your self what occurred this season that prevented you from qualifying:
- Had been you not ready sufficient?
- Did you buckle underneath the stress?
- Did your nerves trigger you to compete poorly?
- Was your type sloppy?
- While you made errors at meets, did you may have a tough time bouncing again?
- We you unfocused in practices or meets?
- Did you might want to be extra constant in your expertise?
- Did you get injured?
- Had been you unmotivated?
These are all issues to consider when assessing your season. Sometimes, not qualifying for States or one other massive meet would not come down to only that one meet. It is a sum of the alternatives you’ve got made all through the season. So it is vital to judge the issues which may have contributed to you not qualifying.
3. Do not forget that one failure can usually result in larger success.
In 2014, Simone Biles missed qualifying for the Junior Nationwide crew by one place. Was she upset? Sure! However she did not let it cease her from shifting ahead. She went again to the fitness center and ended up working tougher than ever to be sure that she did not make that very same mistake the next yr. Clearly she did extra than simply qualify the next yr. She grew to become among the finest feminine gymnasts the world has ever seen.
Whereas not qualifying for a giant meet can really feel like a failure, it is vital to consider what that disappointment can do for you. For some gymnasts, it is the gasoline they should be extra motivated and to work tougher. It will probably make you notice how vital your goals are. It can provide you new inspiration.
For those who’re a gymnast who feels defeated by failure, you may making an attempt working in your progress mindset. A progress mindset is a shift in mentality the place you have a look at failures as alternatives for progress.
Simply keep in mind that your path to success may unfold otherwise than you think about. So whereas not qualifying for a giant meet can really feel defeating, it could possibly additionally result in the trail of success in a method you by no means imagined.
4. Measure your success primarily based on different issues.
Qualifying to States is perhaps one measure of success however it’s not the ONLY one. Actually, it is just one piece of your whole journey.
As a substitute, take into consideration all the talents you’ve got discovered all through the season. Consider how significantly better your routines have gotten. Take into consideration how far more endurance you may have and the way at the start of the season you could possibly barely make it by a full routine.
You spend a lot time within the fitness center and whatever the consequence, that point within the fitness center is effective. Do not forget that YOU and solely you get to find out your success and value.
To these of you who nonetheless have a number of meets left to qualify for States, bear in mind to concentrate on issues you may management reminiscent of placing in a whole lot of turns at follow, specializing in enhancing your type, and entering into a great rhythm of claiming your cue phrases throughout your routines. Take it at some point at a time. Deal with the current second and what you are able to do. After which take a deep breath and let all of it go! Undertake the mentality of “If it is meant to be, it’s going to occur” after which have some enjoyable. Keep in mind, you’re employed so laborious all season lengthy and your success would not should be measured by one meet.
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For those who or your gymnast wants help, along with the sources under I additionally supply one-on-one teaching classes by way of Zoom.
Useful Hyperlinks:
- Free Downloads: Get free gymnastics downloads to assist your gymnast work on her psychological expertise in gymnastics.
- Stick It Lady Academy: Enroll your gymnast in my membership neighborhood the place she will study totally different psychological coaching methods and get on a weekly LIVE name with myself and different aggressive gymnasts.
- Free Fb Group for Mothers of Gymnasts: Be a part of this group to talk with different gymnastics mothers and get suggestions for tips on how to assist your gymnast navigate by the psychological ups and downs of gymnastics
