351-360 of 403 result(s)
A common problem in gymnastics is having a “mental block.” But what is a mental block? Simply put, a mental block is a fear that is preventing you from performing a specific skill. Why is this important? Because if you are limited in the number or type of skills that you can perform, your overall potential in the sport of gymnastics is limited! This is a big problem if you plan to compete at a high level or progress to the next level from where you currently are. So if fear is the cause of a mental block, then we must look at what ...
Are you setting effective goals? Here’s the test to find out if you are setting effective or ineffective goals. Ask yourself, “Do I set big goals that I struggle to achieve because they are either too big or take too long?” If you answered yes, then keep reading to learn how to set goals more effectively. Draw out a large pyramid on a piece of paper. Divide the pyramid into 3 sections. The top of the pyramid is your big, long-term goal. Then, you need smaller goals to help you get to the top. Those smaller goals are your shor...
Have you ever heard a coach or athlete talk about “being composed under pressure” or “maintaining composure”? Did you think to yourself, “what does composure mean?” or “how do you do that?” In this blog, I am going to give you 3 simple relaxation techniques for you to try whenever you feel nervous or have tense muscles from stress. By keeping a calm, relaxed mind and body, you are maintaining your composure under pressure. These techniques show you how to do just that! You should try all 3 techni...
Most athletes have experienced the sensation of butterflies in their stomach before an important competition. Many athletes would say that this feeling means they are nervous. What happens when you get too nervous? What if you are not nervous enough? Is it possible for you to manage your nerves under pressure? If so, how can you do it? These are just a few of the questions that I get asked by athletes in all sports. Let’s answer each of these questions… What happens when you get too nervous? Nervousness is experienced differently ...
During the Beijing Olympics, it was very interesting to watch what the gymnasts from different countries were doing just before their routine. What you could see is that almost every athlete kept doing the same thing before each event. In other words, they went through a mental routine before their physical routine. Having a mental routine is one of the most important things you can do to help prepare yourself properly and perform at a high level consistently. What is a routine? A routine is a set of thoughts and behaviors that are purposefull...
Wow what a crazy day! It's 2am and I'm still excited! Both prelim sessions are now complete and we have our 2009 NCAA Super Six Finalists! Tomorrow will be a showdown between Utah and the SEC Conference. What a remarkable accomplishment for SEC gymnastics. It was sad to see UCLA go out the way they did. Although, they had some outstanding individual performances. Big shout out to Ariana Berlin. She had never earned All-American honors before this year, and she went and earned 4 tonight! - fist team bars and in the all-around, and second team ho...
(Scores utilized from official USAG sources and Troester) Day 1 Photos Day 2 Photos Day 3 Photos NEW HAVEN, CT- USAG Collegiate Gymnastics Nationals, the unique and lesser known of the three gymnastics championships was held for three days at Southern Connecticut State University this past week. What resulted was a lot of exciting gymnastics, drama, and surprises. Any gymnast who has attained a spot on a collegiate team at any level, Division 1 to Division 3, has demonstrated a level of achievement in gymnastics that few reach. USAG nationals u...
I'll be at USAG Collegiate Nationals on the Campus of Southern Connecticut State University, but I'm waiting for official results to be posted after each session. Last time I was in New Haven there was an issue with the scores differing from the actual results so I don't want to pass along misinformation. But I will be providing a full wrap up as soon as I can. I can tell you that TWU is reporting that TWU, Bridgeport, Cornell, and William and Mary have qualified for team finals. I don't know who won All Around yet or the individual event quali...
I just got done with a very long day at the Texas State Capitol with some of the most passionate and influential people in the Texas gymnastics community fighting for support of the Committee Substitute version of House Bill 1393. This version of the Bill, if passed, will make gymnastics and other skill-based programs (such as marital arts, soccer, etc.) exempt from being classified as "Daycare Centers". As a member of the gymnastics community you understand the absurdity of a gym being considered a daycare center. However, the people making d...
(scores from eyewitness accounts verified against official sources.) NEW HAVEN, CT- The Towson University Tigers won their latest ECAC Division 1 Championship Saturday afternoon posting a 193.325, which edged Cornell’s 193.050 in a meet which had its share of controversy, and ended up with score adjustments after the results were presented to the crowd and the gymnasts who in Payne Whitney Gymnasium. In the end though it was Towson and Cornell in the top two positions followed by Temple’s 191.475, William and Mary’s 190.125, ...
