However earlier than that, when you’re like a lot of the gymnasts I am speaking to in my non-public teaching periods for the time being, you would possibly nonetheless have one or two extra meets to attempt to qualify.
In truth, 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 probability” feeling.
In truth, you must by no means use qualifying for States as a metric for a way good of a gymnast you’re.
Keep in mind that you spend hours and hours coaching within the fitness center to compete for just some minutes every meet. In truth, when you complete up all of your competitors time for one season it more than likely equals lower than one hour of precise time competing!
And but, you have spent numerous hours, day in and day trip, coaching and coaching for these few brief 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 when you 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 strain on your self. Whenever you’re fixated on having to get a sure rating so as to qualify, it might probably 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 circulation and compete your greatest.
“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 suggests you are extra prone to interpret this as indicators that you just’re not prepared. For instance, when your coronary heart is racing out of your chest and your ideas are spiraling into increasingly destructive ideas, you would possibly query whether or not you are ready to compete.
Second, keep in mind that you would be able to’t management the result. Getting a sure rating is an final result objective and whilst you would possibly assume you may have absolute management over this, the reality is you do not. You’ll be able to present as much as a meet ready and able to do your greatest however issues can occur which can be outdoors of your management. You would possibly get rushed throughout warmups. You would possibly hate the texture of the tools and never be capable of discover your regular rhythm. You is likely to be competing in opposition to gymnasts who’re the most effective in your age group. Otherwise you might need judges who appear to provide out low scores.
As an alternative it’s essential to concentrate on what you CAN management that are issues like how onerous you strive, what you are targeted on, when you’re staying in charge of your feelings, and different components which can be process-related. Whenever you concentrate on issues you may management, it helps your mind really feel higher concerning the state of affairs. And a contented mind helps you to carry out properly.
What when you do not qualify for States or different huge gymnastics meets?
It occurs. And it’d occur to you. And whereas it is not the most effective feeling on the planet, it is one thing you may study so much from.
So listed here are some suggestions that will help you via if so:
1. One meet doesn’t outline you.
Whether or not it is the meet that you just did not qualify for States at or occupied with the precise State meet, this one single meet would not outline you.
Competitors is an opportunity to place every little thing you have been studying collectively in a single second. Nevertheless it’s not the one second in your gymnastics journey.
Consider the hours and hours that you’ve got spent working in direction of turning into a greater gymnast. When you would possibly imagine that your whole onerous work was for this one second, how about reframing it and occupied with all the teachings you have discovered alongside the way in which in your journey.
It is simple to let one meet determine your price. However ultimately, gymnastics is one thing you get to expertise. And most of these experiences come within the fitness center once you’re not competing. So embrace the journey!
2. Concentrate on what you may study from this case.
Not qualifying can really feel disappointing. However what’s much more disappointing is when you let one other yr cross and also you made the identical errors and did not qualify once more. Bear 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:
- Have been you not ready sufficient?
- Did you buckle below the strain?
- Did your nerves trigger you to compete poorly?
- Was your kind sloppy?
- Whenever you made errors at meets, did you may have a tough time bouncing again?
- We you unfocused in practices or meets?
- Did it’s essential to be extra constant in your abilities?
- Did you get injured?
- Have been you unmotivated?
These are all issues to consider when assessing your season. Usually, not qualifying for States or one other huge meet would not come down to only that one meet. It is a sum of the alternatives you have made all through the season. So it is vital to guage the issues that may have contributed to you not qualifying.
3. Keep in mind that one failure can usually result in better success.
In 2014, Simone Biles missed qualifying for the Junior Nationwide group 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 ensure 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 top-of-the-line feminine gymnasts the world has ever seen.
Whereas not qualifying for an enormous 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 gas they have to be extra motivated and to work tougher. It could 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 would possibly making an attempt working in your development mindset. A development mindset is a shift in mentality the place you have a look at failures as alternatives for development.
Simply keep in mind that your path to success would possibly unfold in a different way than you think about. So whereas not qualifying for an enormous meet can really feel defeating, it might probably additionally result in the trail of success in a manner you by no means imagined.
4. Measure your success primarily based on different issues.
Qualifying to States is likely to be one measure of success but it surely’s not the ONLY one. In truth, it is just one piece of your total journey.
As an alternative, take into consideration all the talents you have discovered all through the season. Consider how a lot better your routines have gotten. Take into consideration how far more endurance you may have and the way at first of the season you would barely make it via a full routine.
You spend a lot time within the fitness center and whatever the final result, that point within the fitness center is effective. Keep in mind that YOU and solely you get to find out your success and price.
To these of you who nonetheless have just a few meets left to qualify for States, keep in mind to concentrate on issues you may management corresponding to placing in a whole lot of turns at apply, specializing in bettering your kind, and entering into rhythm of claiming your cue phrases throughout your routines. Take it sooner or later at a time. Concentrate on 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. Bear in mind, you’re employed so onerous 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 assist, along with the sources under I additionally provide one-on-one teaching periods 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 be able to 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 a part of this group to speak with different gymnastics mothers and get suggestions for how one can assist your gymnast navigate via the psychological ups and downs of gymnastics
