How Anxiety and Fear Show Their Face in Gymnastics
As a coach and a past gymnast, I hear these and have said these phrases on the regular:
“I have a mental block.”
“I’m scared.”
“My body won’t let me do it.”
“I want to do it, but my brain won’t let me.”
“What if…”
“I will only do it on this bar, this tramp, on this beam, etc.”
“I will do it in the meet.”
When we use these phrases, we give ourselves an out. It is easier to tell ourselves we don’t have control. When we do this, we stay stuck. Until you are ready to take ownership of your emotions and your choices, you will continually deal with issues. It is not easy to dig deep and realize that you are in control. You make your choices, and these choices will affect your training one way or another.
Let’s dissect these:
“I have a mental block.”
What does this mean? What is the block? What caused the block? What triggers the block?
Is this block a consistent or an inconsistent block?
“I’m scared.”
What is fear? What does it feel like? What are you scared of? What is causing the fear? Whatare you doing to overcome it?
“My body won’t let me do it.”
Unless you have never learned the skill, this is not a thing. Your body is always ready (unless you are injured).
“I want to do it, but my brain won’t let me.”
This one makes more sense but the truth is you are in control of your brain. I am not saying it is easy but you have the power. Ask yourself why you don’t feel in control? Am I not physically ready? Did I not do enough drills? Did something trigger my fear?
“What if…”
What if?
“I will only do it on this bar, this tramp, on this beam, etc.”
If this is the case, you are not fully confident. This mindset will hold you back.
“I will do it in the meet.”
No, you won’t. If it’s not happening in practice, it will not happen in the meet.
This being said, fear and anxiety can feel very similar and manifest themselves in very similar ways; however, how you deal with them can take very different strategies. Figuring out a plan with techniques that will work for you is critical in overcoming these anxiety-driven thoughts.
