For a lot of gymnasts throughout the US, State meets are arising.
I discuss to a number of gymnasts who inform me that attending to States after which qualifying to Regionals from States is a vital objective of theirs. The truth is, many gauge their success this season based mostly on whether or not they make it to State or not (p.s. some gymnasts say State…some say States, so I am going to use them interchangeably on this article).
Whereas making it to a giant meet like States is an accomplishment, it is necessary that gymnasts do not make this meet such a giant deal that it causes them to get actually nervous or bomb their routines.
Backside line, it truly is simply one other meet!
Right here they’re:
1. Search for clues out of your previous profitable meets.
Take into consideration a previous profitable meet of yours. It may very well be from this season or any latest previous season. Which meet was your finest one? Shut your eyes and put your self again there. Attempt to bear in mind what you probably did to organize for this meet. Did you’re feeling assured going into this meet? Have been you excited for it?
Additionally bear in mind issues like whether or not you probably did a pre-meet routine earlier than this meet or should you listened to sure music (both calming or pump up music). Did you discover a option to block out the distractions on the meet and/or had been you in a position to keep centered throughout your meet?
What had been some ideas you had? Have been you in a position to shake off errors?
The BEST option to do properly at a future meet is to recollect again to what has labored for you prior to now. In the event you can re-create sure issues that had been useful, it will possibly allow you to place your finest foot ahead at your State meet.
2. Put your physique right into a assured place even should you aren’t feeling so assured.
I discuss physique language quite a bit as a result of it is a trick that may actually make a distinction. A State meet is a meet that may typically really feel intimidating. You are strolling right into a fitness center or area which may really feel greater or completely different than what you are used to. There are a number of gymnasts there and a few of them could be REALLY good. It is onerous to not really feel nervous or such as you’re underprepared.
In the event you discover your confidence waning, focus in your physique language. Likelihood is you are in a not so assured place. As a substitute, strive rolling your shoulders again, lifting up your chin barely, sticking your chest out a bit after which see how you’re feeling.
Your thoughts and physique are related so whenever you put your physique right into a assured place, it creates a assured feeling in your thoughts. So even if you’re not assured, showcase your assured physique language. It is going to assist your thoughts really feel higher about your competitors and help you step into the boldness it’s good to rock your State meet.
3. Watch the “little” deductions.
As a former choose, I used to take factors off constantly for the “little” issues. I noticed flexed toes and barely bent legs or arms time and again.
Bear in mind, judges take factors off of every ingredient when there are kind errors. So in case your legs are bent in every a part of your tumbling go, then you definately get deducted each time. When you’ve got a fantastic break up or break up leap however flex your toes, that is a deduction.
These “little” breaks in kind add up.
One other large place the place gymnasts get deductions are on their vaults (notably entrance handspring vault). The reason being as a result of vault has completely different phases the place judges can take off factors. So in case you have bent legs all through your complete vault, you’re getting deducted for these errors all through every of the phases (entry, assist, touchdown section).
4. Keep in mind that your price as a gymnast just isn’t determined by this one meet.
It is very easy to place a number of strain on your self to do properly at this one meet (or at Regionals/Nationals). However on the finish of the day this is only one single meet.
Whereas it could be a meet on the finish of the season, it does not must outline how you’re feeling about your total season. This ONE meet is not the top all or be all your gymnastics journey. It is only one single second in time.
Whether or not you do nice at your State meet or not so nice, take a while to mirror again in your season and bear in mind how far you have come. When you would possibly need to see your self getting increased and better scores because the season goes on, there are such a lot of elements that go into play that may have an effect on whether or not this occurs or not.
As a substitute, take into consideration the issues that you’ve got improved on all through the season. Has your kind gotten higher? Are you extra in a position to bounce again from errors? Are you much less nervous at meets? Do you’re feeling stronger? Do you’ve got extra energy whenever you vault?
These are the issues you need to measure versus your scores at one meet over the course of the season.
5. Have enjoyable!
The purpose of doing gymnastics is to have enjoyable! And judges can inform should you’re really having fun with your self or not. So even should you’re nervous, pressure a giant smile in your face and use that as a cue to recollect how a lot you’re keen on doing gymnastics.
Take into consideration how wonderful it’s that you would be able to flip via the air! Consider how enjoyable it’s to swing on the bars. Remind your self of how cute your competitors leotard is!
Gymnastics is supposed to be an fulfilling expertise. Gymnasts typically get so wrapped up in having to do properly that they put pointless strain on themselves. Be sure to’re remembering why you do gymnastics and absorbing each second of it.
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In the event you or your gymnast wants assist, along with the sources beneath I additionally supply one-on-one teaching classes through Zoom.
Useful Hyperlinks:
- Free Downloads: Get free gymnastics downloads to assist your gymnast work on her psychological abilities in gymnastics.
- Stick It Woman Academy: Enroll your gymnast in my membership group the place she will study completely different psychological coaching strategies and get on a weekly LIVE name with myself and different aggressive gymnasts.
- Free Fb Group for Mothers of Gymnasts: Be part of this group to speak with different gymnastics mothers and get suggestions for the way to assist your gymnast navigate via the psychological ups and downs of gymnastics
