Category: Athletes

Athletes, Confidence, Mental Block, Safety, Skill Development, Uncategorized

The Mental Block Nightmare

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There are times in an athletes career where they may experience a Mental Block that prevents them from moving forward in a positive direction. No matter what the sport may be, Mental Blocks can occur without notice or incident. In most cases, however, the block is due to a negative experience that occurred in the athletes life. When these blocks occur, it can be very difficult to overcome. So, can Mental Blocks be prevented? The answer is “Yes”!! How? through Prevention!!

Gymnastics and tumbling skills entail very complex body movements that require consistent training to achieve. As the skills become more difficult so does the time it takes to achieve them. In addition, the risk factors begin to come into play. This is the most common reason that Mental Blocks occur. Students often become “scared” when they are introduced to new skills, especially if there is a higher risk factor.

If a student is introduced to new skills through consistent drill training, it will create a better understanding of the skill in a non-threatening way. In addition, and most important, the student should have mastered all prerequisite skills before being introduced to more difficult skills. For example, we would not introduce a student to a back handspring before they learn a bridge kick-over and back limber. These prerequisite skills teach the student the feeling of flipping backwards.

Many times, the Mental Block is created when a student experiences an accident while training skills. This can happen to even the most experienced athletes. Accidents happen, but many can be prevented through proper training practices. Spotting is a critical method in preventing accidents and helping the athlete gain confidence in skill training https://scottjohnsonsgymexperience.com/2018/04/10/the-art-of-spotting/ . If a student is forced or attempts to perform a skill they are not completely ready for (both physically /or emotionally), an accident is much more likely to occur.

Following a progressive training program can certainly reduce the risks of mental blocks. Having a strong foundation of basic elements is important for the athlete to progress comfortably to more difficult skills. In addition, training should remain as consistent as possible. If a student takes an extended break from training, they may develop some apprehension in getting their skills back. Especially if the student has had an aggressive growth spurt while taking that break. As the body grows, everything changes: height, weight, center of gravity, all of which are important factors in skill development.

If a student gets a mental block on a particular skill, it is important for the coaches to be patient and work towards eliminating the block. One way is to reteach the skill from the beginning. Using drills and spotting helps the athlete to regain their confidence. What should not be done is to force the student to attempt performing the skill. This will most likely intensify the block. I have seen many athletes quit the sport due to blocks that couldn’t be overcome. This doesn’t have to be the case.

Mental Blocks are common and they certainly interrupt growth in an athlete. We need to do our best to “prevent” the blocks from happening. If the proper training progressions are followed, it will highly reduce the probability of a block from occuring.

My new Beginner Tumbling Training Guide is published and ready for all to use. This is a great training aid for any and all programs who offer tumbling training. If you would like to order your copy, follow this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0847D3VQC

In addition, if you would like a personal training session or consultation with me, we can Skype a lesson. Email me at: scottjohnsongymnastics@gmail.com

Athletes, Mobility, Parent, Preparation, Skill Development, Transition

Should Your Student or Child be Promoted?

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In every youth sports program, there comes a time when the coaches need to make the decision of when to move a child up to the next level. This can be a very sensitive issue in many cases and a decision which can make or break a students’ confidence and morale. Not only does this decision effect the student, it has an important effect on the parent as well. There are many factors to consider when deciding to move a child to the next level.

Many programs have strict requirements which need to be met in order to qualify for mobility. This may be a scoring requirement or a skill requirement. In these cases, it is clearly identified when a student can qualify for mobility and no argument can be made. However, in other cases, mobility is a grey area and many programs use only discretion when considering to move a student up. In this scenario, it could cause conflict.

For many competitive team programs, mobility can only happen at the end or beginning of a season. Once an athlete is placed on a team, their position may require them to fulfill the entire season for the success of the team. In some sports that are considered more individualized, an athlete may be moved up if they meet the programs requirements.

The dynamics are similar in recreational programs as well, but the decision to move a student to the next level has a varied effect on the total program. Since there is not a competitive edge to this environment, the decision to move a child up is based primarily on availability and skill requirement.

Parents and students need to understand that it is to their benefit to excel at their current level before any mobility occurs. Coaches do not want to place a student in an environment where they will struggle and possibly be intimidated. There is a risk factor as well since the skills become more advanced. This is usually not a positive environment when a student is placed in a group where the students are much more advanced. It is always good to challenge an athlete but not to extremes where intimidation occurs.

However, It can be very frustrating for a student and parent when they are “held back” for reasons that only benefit the program. It is a common practice for some programs to hold back students for the benefit of creating a successful team environment. Although holding back students who have clearly met the skill requirements to move up, will certainly make the team stronger and more competitive.

So, is this a bad thing? Much depends on the program itself and how the dynamics work within the program. Some programs have such a large team program that there may be no spots available for new students to join. Mobility may not occur as quickly in these circumstances. In some cases, however, a student is held back for the sole purpose of a program wanting to win.

In these cases, the student will not be able to fulfill their own goals and ultimate potential. When a student is held back and not permitted to experience higher levels of sport, they are not able to exercise their growth in development. One result of this scenario may be the student becoming bored with their training environment and losing all motivation. https://scottjohnsonsgymexperience.com/2018/04/17/the-motivating-factor/ This may result in the student quitting the sport altogether or moving to another gym in hopes of getting placed in a higher level.

It can be a difficult situation for the coaching staff when discussing mobility to higher levels to the parents. Especially for those students who see teammates move up when they cannot follow. Parents need to understand that coaches are experienced and will make decisions that best benefit the student and the program. I have always believed that a student should be promoted if their skill level meets the requirements of the next level. Serious athletes want to progress, so let’s help them.

Scott Johnson – Olympic Champion

I am in the process of publishing my first training manual: “Beginner Tumbling Training” .  This will be a useful tool in training for all and any needing to learn proper technique and safety. Great for gymnastics, cheerleading, dance, martial arts, and more. I will keep you posted on that progress.

In addition, if you would like a personal training session or consultation with me, we can Skype a lesson. Private message me or email me at: scottjohnsongymnastics@gmail.com

Athletes, Coaching, Injuries, Round-Off, Safety, Skill Development

Tumbling: Wrist and Ankle Pain

scottjohnsonsgymexperience

Does your student or child have consistent wrist and/or ankle pain when training their tumbling skills? This is a very common problem and one that can be be fixed through proper training. In most cases, it is due to poor technique in performing tumbling skills. If the technique is improved, it will result in much less stress on the body and joints.

We often see athletes wearing supports for wrists, ankles, and knees. There is no doubt that the sport if gymnastics and tumbling creates stress on the joints: Injuries: Prevention and Repair. These support braces will help with discomfort and provide added support while performing skills. However, the athlete should not rely on these braces for extended periods of time. The objective should be to heal and strengthen the area. If the braces are worn consistently, the area will not strengthen adequately, thus creating a dependence on the brace.

In the case of wrist discomfort, much of the cause may be poor technique in performing skills. One example is the hand placement on cartwheels and round-offs.

When performing these skills, the student should turn their second hand so the fingers are facing toward the first hand when placing on the floor. Not only will this allow the student to push or block off the floor for an adequate finish of the skill, it is the correct positioning of the hands.

Hand Placement for a Righty
Hand Placement for a Lefty

A very common mistake and one that is often unnoticed is that the second hand is turned in the opposite direction. Not only will this make it almost impossible to block off the floor, it can cause wrist discomfort and possible wrist damage.

Another problem with wrist discomfort could come from the action of performing the back handspring. As a coach, I am sure you have heard of your student complaining of wrist pain when doing their back handspring (I hear this constantly).

The problem occurs when the student isn’t getting their arms and hands in front of the shoulders upon impact of the floor. A simple explanation is to have the student get in a push up position – put them in a position where the shoulders are behind the hands. There should be no discomfort (if there is, the problem may be more serious).

If the shoulders are on front of the hands upon impact of the floor, this is where the stress and discomfort on the wrist occurs.

This is why it is so important that proper technique is followed when training these skills. It is a sure sign that when students are complaining of pain in a certain area, it could be the result of improper skill technique.

I am in the process of publishing my first training manual: “Beginner Tumbling Training” .  This will be a useful tool in training for all and any needing to learn proper technique and safety. Great for gymnastics, cheerleading, dance, martial arts, and more. I will keep you posted on that progress.

In addition, if you would like a personal training session or consultation with me, we can Skype a lesson. Private message me or email me at: scottjohnsongymnastics@gmail.com

Athletes, Child Behavior, Coaching, Communication, Program Development, Training

How Do You Treat Your Students?

scottjohnsonsgymexperience

I believe the most difficult and challenging job a person can have is coaching and teaching children. It takes a certain type of individual to deal with children in a way that is productive, positive, and enthusiastic. The larger the group, the more challenging it becomes. Children are our best assets and it is the teachers and coaches responsibility to educate them in a highly controlled environment. Unfortunately, this is not an easy task.

Parents know how challenging it can be just to raise a family of several young children. Just think of the teacher and coach who has a group of 10 to 20 children. We often here the teaches say “they don’t listen” – “they don’t follow directions” – “they are out of control “.

This is a problem that is not uncommon in youth sports programs. It is how the coaches deal with this issue that needs to be addressed. Of course, bad behavior and uncontrolled environments should not be tolerated in order to operate a productive program.

Coaches need to take and maintain control of their classes – and in many cases, it can become a huge challenge. So how is this done? In my opinion, never by yelling at the students!! Coaching: The Communication Factor  This should never take place in any program. There are numerous ways to take control of a class that is productive and not demeaning to the students.

One way is to simply stop the class and sit the children down with no activity. Have a talk with them to explain why this is happening. Let them know that their behavior must improve before resuming activities. Another strategy is playing games to convince the students to behave. All children loves games. One popular game is “the quiet game”. Funny how it works.

Much of the means of gaining control in an out-of-control class depends on the dynamics of the class. Is it a competitive team that has a particular amount of discipline and commitment required by the participants? Are the students young or older? These factors play a large part in how to gain control.

In some cases, it may be just “one bad egg in the basket”. One disruptive child can destroy an entire class program. In this case, it is necessary to take that child out of the class. This needs to be done in a very sensitive manner. A parent conference needs to be held and options discussed. This is a sensitive issue and needs to be constructed in a manner that does not imply any discrimination.

Although most coaches do not have a degree or education in child psychology ( I certainly do not), but through many years of coaching, they should qualify for the diploma.  It takes patience, understanding, and structure to develop a program that is positive and productive for students in any program.  We cherish our children and students – let’s create and maintain the best possible environment where they can grow and achieve their own hopes and dreams.

I am in the process of publishing my first training manual: “Beginner Tumbling Training” .  This will be a useful tool in training for all and any needing to learn proper technique and safety. I will keep you posted on that progress. In addition, if you would like a personal training session or consultation with me, we can Skype a lesson. Private message me or email me at: scottjohnsongymnastics@gmail.com

Athletes, Lifestyle, Quitting, Transition

Sports: When to call it Quits?

scottjohnsonsgymexperience

There comes a time in every athletes career when a decision needs to made on whether to continue pursuing the sport or to call it quits. This is certainly a big decision and one that carries with it a large amount of emotions. There are usually many factors to consider when making this decision. The athlete must ask themself “am I making the right decision?”.

Many athletes prepare for this transition and actually set a specific time when they retire. For me personally, I made a decision several years prior to the 1988 Olympic Games that I would retire after the event (if I was to make it that far – which I fortunately did). However, many athletes are forced upon the idea of calling it quits much earlier than they expected.

For an athlete to make the decision to quit their sport, it can be a very emotional issue. There are many reasons why this may occur and in most cases, not an easy decision. Athletes may fight against quitting and hang on for a period of time hoping that situations improve. This is quite normal and suggested because making this critical decision will likely be a major change in one’s lifestyle.

Some common reasons why an athlete decides to quit may be: a major injury or persistent injuries, personal financial challenges, or a change in lifestyle or environment to name only a few. But one reason, which is one of the hardest to deal with, is the issue of failure. Stress in Sports .

Most athletes like to win and many live their lives for this purpose. In the early stages of sport, a young athlete participates for fun, and as time and development increases, so does the seriousness. However, as sport levels increase, so does the difficulty. The problem arises when it becomes apparent that the athlete does not have the ability or talent to take their sport to higher levels.

As a coach or parent, it is very frustrating and sad to see students struggle in their training and not progress as other students do in their same group. It is even more frustrating for the student!!  Parents may search for excuses and attempt to find reasons for the problem Coaching the Parents. Some may blame the coaches for a lack of attention, some may blame the child for lack of effort. However, although these factors are not uncommon, the real reason may be that the student just doesn’t have what it takes to achieve future growth in the sport.

It is especially frustrating for the parent who has financially invested so much for so many years. For many parents in this situation, calling it quits is not an option. Unfortunately, this results may create a longer sense of agony and frustration for both the athlete and parent.

Most veteran coaches are familiar with this situation and can easily see the signs. They know their students well and can determine when an athletes progress has maxed out. This is when it is important to conference with the parent to explain the situation and offer options.

Quality of life is important for everyone. When it is apparent that an athlete is emotionally struggling, something needs to change. Calling it quits, if necessary, can be the best decision ever made. Fighting it, especially for a long period of time, can make life miserable. Let’s not let this happen!!

“Through a lifetime of sports as both a successful competitor and coach, I am familiar with many aspects of sports development.  How it begins, how it evolves, and how it effect lives are all questions that need to be answered and discussed.  Let me know if I can help you or assist in any way.”

Scott Johnson