Safety Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Scott Johnson's Gym Experience

Cheerleading and Tumbling, Coaching, Safety, Skill Development

Cheerleader and Tumbling

July 10, 2018July 11, 2018 scottjohnsonsgymexperience

When I decided years ago to start my recreational tumbling program, I had no idea cheerleading had mushroomed beyond sideline cheerleading into a competition sport! I came from a gymnastics background and didn’t realize the number of athletes involved in the sport of cheerleading was huge. When the cheer programs and cheer parents in our community had heard that I started a tumbling program, my classes filled up quickly. What I noticed immediately was that the majority of these athletes hadn’t been taught basic tumbling mechanics and technique. It was then that I realized that I had something to offer that would benefit their skill development as athletes to not only be better, but safer tumblers. In this discussion, I will share my thoughts on the importance of proper skill mechanics for the cheerleader.

I posted on this subject previously but wanted to elaborate on some progressions to consider when training the cheerleader in tumbling. The sport of cheerleading has had enormous growth throughout the world and continues to grow at a rapid pace. The number of athletes involved in cheerleading today is huge. Unfortunately too many of them are rushed to be part of a competition team and never receive proper instruction in tumbling technique.

In regard to tumbling, the sports of gymnastics and cheerleading share many parallel skill dynamics. In gymnastics, beginning students are immediately immersed in fundamental technique and proper mechanics as the initial step toward the development of basic tumbling skills. This means the students are immediately learning about the different body positions and shapes that will be vital to the development of all tumbling skills. Why the focus on such detail? Because these same beginning mechanics and technique will be the building blocks that will allow them to acquire more advanced tumbling skills down the road.

To better understand why proper technique has such high priority in gymnastics vs. cheerleading, we simply need to look at the fundamental difference between their competition formats. Cheerleading is an all inclusive team sport where the team is evaluated based on performing in unison. So if an individual members skill technique is somewhat flawed it has little impact on the overall team score. In gymnastics, the athlete competes alone and is evaluated on the technical execution of each and every skill they perform throughout the routine. Talk about being under a microscope!

With that said, the required basic tumbling elements for both sports are essentially the same (The Technique Controversy). The real priority for us as coaches and instructors should be teaching proper technique not only to advance the athlete, but more importantly to minimize the risk of injury.

I have worked with many gymnasts and cheerleaders that have developed such bad habits in their tumbling skills that they have come to a dead-end and unable to move on to more advanced skills. For most of the cheerleaders the result is due to the rush I mentioned earlier. In too many cases the athlete and/or the coach is in such a rush to get that one series of skills that proper technique is forfeited for the sake of time. In the end, this approach will prove to be detrimental to the athlete’s ability to build on their skill level.

The underlying concern in many cheer programs is that too many beginning tumbling instructors do not always have the inherited understanding of skill development progressions gained through years of exposure as a gymnast. They may be experts in stunting and cheer choreography, but may lack the basic technical understanding of tumbling skill progression. Teaching proper tumbling skill technique is very detailed and takes time. Fully understanding tumbling skill mechanics and drill progressions takes years of experience, education, and in most cases actually doing.

Coaches conference — Coaches Training Conference

I highly suggest that cheer programs that do not have access to qualified tumbling instructors seek out gymnastic programs that offer tumbling for cheerleaders and set up a program for both athlete’s and instructors.

I have seen FB posts of video showing students performing a skill incorrectly with the coach asking for advice. My initial reaction in many cases has been that they are not ready for that level of skill. Admittedly, in some cases, the safety of the student has been a concern. This is an example of the instructor not fully understanding the inherent risk associated in doing the skill improperly. In regard to the athlete, performing a skill poorly is an obvious sign that they do not have an understanding of the mechanics involved in the skill. This lack of understanding can and will result in a fear of the skill possibly to the point of a mental block, and that may very well keep them from ever owning the skill.

As I said earlier in this article, the real priority for us as coaches and instructors should be teaching proper technique not only to advance the athlete, but more importantly to minimize the risk of injury.

There are many cheerleading programs out there that do have a strong and structured tumbling program within their system. All cheer programs should develop these systems for the positive development and safety of their athletes. There are many resources that can be found to assist these gyms in developing a strong tumbling program. I have worked with many cheer programs doing clinics for their students and coaches. In addition, cheer conferences and clinics are a good way for the coaching staff to learn this knowledge. Knowledge is power and power brings success!!

I would love to hear your comments. Also, if there are any subjects you would like me to cover, let me know and I will do my best to post my thoughts. Please Like and Share to all you believe will benefit from the information.

For clinics, seminars, or special events, please contact me at: scottjohnsongymnastics@gmail.com http://www.scottjohnsonstga.com

Communication, Confidence, Mental Block, Mental Training, Safety, Skill Development

Confidence and the Mental Block

July 9, 2018 scottjohnsonsgymexperience

There are many factors that come into play when considering what it takes to be successful. Of course hard work, determination, motivation, sacrifice, and confidence are all major contributors in the journey to success. Unfortunately, so is the always lurking Mental Block. In this discussion, I will share my thoughts on the role that Confidence plays in preventing and overcoming the Mental Block.

When a person is confident at what they are doing the task at hand is accomplish with ease, it gives us a feeling of security. It affects everything we do each and every day. Confidence not only makes you feel good about yourself, it’s contagious and can even influence those around you to also be confident. A lack of confidence conversely can create fear, panic, and at times a Mental Block.

So how is confidence achieved or how does one become confident in what they are doing and trying to accomplish? Participating in a positive and energetic environment certainly helps. Most importantly, however, is the consistency of accomplishment. Building confidence in something usually does not magically happen, it must be developed. It takes time and effort in a positive environment for confidence to begin to build. Communication and positive reinforcement from the coach is a major factor in helping to build confidence in the athlete (Coaching: The Communication Factor). Words of encouragement and using a positive approach should always be a part of the training process. This approach in itself is very powerful in building a strong sense of personal strength.

When a person is attempting an acrobatic skill that requires you to turn upside down for the first time there can be a feeling of apprehension, even fear. This is natural, what’s unnatural is turning upside down when you’re used to walking around right side up!

In sports such as gymnastics, cheerleading, trampoline, and tumbling where athletes are learning to flip and twist there is always some level of fear that must be overcome with confidence. When the activity involves inherent risks, the level of confidence required to minimize any fear of failure requires that both the athlete and coach fully comprehend the task at hand. Through a structured and disciplined training program, athletes are more likely to achieve the level of confidence needed that will enable them to succeed.

When a person has a lack of confidence in what they are attempting to achieve, it is an emotion that must be changed in order for the person to move forward. This is when the Mental Block comes into play. Not only is this a very frustrating experience but one that can end a career or participation in an activity. In addition, a lack of confidence can also result in an injury if a student is attempting something they are unsure about or scared to perform.

This is where the coach or instructor plays an important role. It is the coach that trains the athlete and the one that is responsible for the development of skills. When the coach has the knowledge of progressions and drills, it helps to guide the student to learn skills in a non-stressful environment. This is crucial in building confidence in the athlete (The Technique Controversy). If the student is placed in a stressful environment or forced to attempt a skill they are scared to perform, their confidence will almost assuredly be diminished.

There are two basic factors that allow one to attempt a gymnastic skill. Being able to perform the skill physically, and being able to comprehend it mentally. In most cases the ability to comprehend the skill mentally is the larger concern.

Learning a new skill usually begins with a number of mechanical drills to mimic the body positions and motions it will go through to successfully complete the skill. The next step may be for the coach to spot or assist the student through the skill for their safety, and for them to feel the sensation of rotation. After a period of time when the student demonstrates they can physically execute the skill safely with little or no spotting assistance the instructor may step back and allow the student to attempt the skill on their own. This is when the level of their confidence and mental state will most likely show itself. How many times have you coaches spotted back handsprings but the moment the student doesn’t feel your hand there, they will not go? Why? because the athlete has not developed the confidence needed to go solo – they are afraid.

I have worked with many students that have lost all confidence in a particular skill and developed the “Mental Block”. Most are a result of the student attempting a skill they were not mentally ready to perform without assistance that ended badly – scaring them, or worse, resulting in an injury. Another cause for the development of a mental block could simply be that the athlete starts to think of negative things or watching someone else take a fall or get injured doing a particular skill. Once a mental block has evolved the athlete will struggle to advance the skill further. Even worse, if the athlete cannot overcome the mental block there is even the possibility they will discontinue participating in the sport.

This is very common in almost every program and one that must be dealt with carefully. When an athlete has lost their confidence in a skill, they should never be coerced into attempting the skill. Doing so will only serve to perpetuate the Mental Block or worse instill even greater fear. The signs are: the student hesitates, or stalls for a lengthy period of time. What are they thinking about? In many cases, they are thinking about getting hurt if they fail which creates fear. This thought process needs to be eliminated and can be accomplished through additional training. Sometimes, it may be best for the athlete to relearn the skill from scratch and focus on drills and mechanical technique. This process takes time but in many cases, will cure the block so the athlete can continue to progress.

I have always believed that champions are created in a positive training environment. Such environments are critical in helping the students feel good about what they are doing which is a big factor in building confidence. When an athlete has a great sense of confidence, they will be more aggressive in their training development. The more aggressive the training, the better the chance of success!!

For clinics, seminars, or special events, please contact me at: scottjohnsongymnastics@gmail.com http://www.scottjohnsonstga.com

Injuries, Safety, Training

Injuries: Prevention and Repair

May 20, 2018September 25, 2018 scottjohnsonsgymexperience

All athlete’s will experience injuries throughout their careers. The higher the level of sport, the greater the risk of injury and seriousness of the injury. In the sport of gymnastics and cheer, not only is this a risk to the athlete, but the coach as well. We are all at risk and this discussion will focus on the probabilities, prevention, and repair of injuries.

If you’re an athlete, you’re going to have injuries. However, it is possible to highly reduce the chance of injuries through proper training. Coaches and athletes should always take the prevention approach throughout the training process. This starts by having a structured set of stretching exercises prior to every workout. In the competitive gymnastics industry, stretching is a major part of every workout and may last for 30 minutes or more. This certainly preps the entire body for strenuous physical activity and is a great means of prevention. We see stretching exercises done in other sports as well but not to the extent it should be. Many pulled and strained muscle injuries can be prevented through a comprehensive stretch session prior to the workout.

Safety should always play a key role in every training session. We discuss the importance of proper technique when teaching skills (The Technique Controversy) which is crucial in reducing the risks of injury. Every coach that trains an athlete needs to have the knowledge and experience to properly teach skills at the level they are training. Drills are a great way to develop skills which helps the athlete gain confidence while providing low risk factors. In addition, proper equipment should also be used in training sessions. The equipment should be in good working condition. Worn out or loose pieces of equipment can certainly be a risk hazard. Every gym should have an equipment safety checklist that is followed on a consistent schedule.

Coaches should also have good and efficient spotting skills to assist the athletes in learning their skills. When it’s time for the athlete to begin training new skills without the assistance of drills or equipment, the coach needs to have the ability to spot the skill. Many accidents and injuries can be prevented if the coach has this ability. I have seen and heard many stories of athletes getting injured due to no or poor spotting skills (The Art of Spotting). Every coach should know their limitations and not attempt to spot a skill they are unfamiliar with or spot a student they cannot safely manipulate.

Regardless of the prevention tactics used, injuries are going to occur. Most are minor, and some may be severe. As the difficulty level in sport increases, the greater the chance for serious injuries. When an injury occurs, it needs to be evaluated carefully in order for the correct diagnoses to be determined. Minor injuries such as a pulled muscle or joint sprang can be taken care of in-house by the coaches. It is important to pay close attention to the pain threshold of the student to give an idea of the severity of the injury. Many times, the initial response of a student getting injured can be quite dramatic, even if the injury is minor. The student needs to be cared for in a sensitive manner. After the initial shock, the coach will have a much better understanding of the nature of the injury and what action should be taken. We have all heard and possibly used the phrases “no pain-no gain” or “suck it up”. Although there are circumstances where this is justified, in many cases, it can create disaster.

The initial care of a minor injury such as a sprang or pulled muscle will require ice therapy. This will help to reduce the swelling and provide some pain relief. Every gym should have a fridge or freezer where ice packs and/or ice can be available. This therapy should last about 20 minutes. Heat should not be placed on any injury until about 72 hours after it has occurred. Of course, the athlete will need time for the injury to heal. This may take a few days or up to several weeks depending on the severity. It is important to allow the injury to heal or the healing process may take longer or possibly become worse. The healing process should require rehabilitation that will speed up the process as well as strengthen the injured body part. With more severe injuries, a physical therapist may be needed to direct a rehab program.

With many minor injuries, or if a person is recovering from a more serious injury, part of the rehab treatment may be to support the injured area with athletic tape, kinesiology tape or a brace. Many ankle and wrist injuries are treated with taping the joint for added support. When taping the ankle, the process and technique in taping is complex and needs to be done by a professional trainer or someone who is familiar with how to support the joint correctly (many elite athletes have learned to tape themselves due to trainers not being available for traveling events). If the taping process is not done correctly, the taping will not be effective. If a brace is used, I recommend using a brace made of neoprene material which will provide heat to the area as well as the support needed. These support types should be used in rehab only and not depended on in a consistent manner. To continue to use the brace after the healing process, the injured area will not regain its strength which will make it prone to additional future injuries.

In the event the injury is severe, like a broken bone, dislocation, or severe sprang, immediate medical attention needs to be taken. Every gym should have a recognized safety program that describes what steps need to occur in each situation. The staff should be trained for any potential injury that may occur. This may include the gym program outsourcing a certified safety professional to conduct an in-house seminar for the coaching staff. With extreme or catastrophic injuries, always call 911 immediately.

Not only are the athletes prone to injury, the coaching staff is also at risk. A gymnastics coach has a physically demanding position and prevention should also be recognized. Due to the spotting techniques needed to assist the athletes, the coach is constantly putting themselves at risk. Common injuries are broken noses, torn biceps, joint sprains, back strains, only to name a few. The same procedures should be followed in the prevention and repair as the athletes. If the coach is injured, they may not be able to work, which may create a staffing concern as well as a financial concern (for example, paying for substitute coaches). Know your limitations and do not put yourself at unnecessary risk.

As always, I would love to hear your comments. Also, if there are any subjects you would like me to cover, let me know and I will do my best to post my thoughts. Please Like and Share to all you believe will benefit from the information.

For clinics, seminars, or special events, please contact me at: scottjohnsongymnastics@gmail.com

http://www.scottjohnsonstga.com

Category: Safety

Cheerleader and Tumbling

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Confidence and the Mental Block

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Injuries: Prevention and Repair

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