Did you know that we all are constantly training our brain?  That’s right.  Each thought you have, each conversation you engage in and each behavior your perform changes your brain.  This is what we now know from the exciting research from the field of behavior neurology.  These scientists refer to our brain’s “plasticity” meaning that your brain is, like plastic in that it can be molded or changed. 

When you have a mental block you have programmed your brain in a particular way which is why it can take a bit of time and a lot of patience and effort to re-program your brain. 

One way to help you retrain your brain is to use a trigger word or phrase or, what I like to call a “power word” to direct your brain to respond in a particular way. 

Let’s look at Debbie Love’s 9^th step from her Breaking Free system: 

 The coach, parent and athlete need to agree on a focus word like “stop” so that when the athlete hears the word he/she knows to bring his/her mind back into focus. This can be used at school, home, practice, or competition. You can also have some focal thoughts to pull your mind back into focus like “Relax,” “I am able to do this,” “No big deal, let’s go.” When you are able to control your emotions, your mind is able to direct. 

As I have mentioned in previous posts, the ability to focus is essential to any performance success.  In this day of cell phones, smart phones, ipads, and so forth, your brain has a harder time getting focused.  (Unfortunately, extensive use of these devices actually trains the brain to be highly distractible – not good for anyone especially athletes!) 

Too many cheerleaders can’t even tell when they are distracted because this feels normal to them.  That’s why I am a big fan of focusing exercises.  Once you learn how to distinguish between a focused and a distracted state, devise a power word to attach to the focused state.  It can be simply “focus.” 

Similarly, come up with a word that helps you get re-focused if you are distracted.  Debbie wisely recommends that the coach or parent get attuned to the cheerleader in noticing when the athlete is not focused.  At this point, having the parent or coach say, “stop” (being distracted) or “re-focus” can help the athlete learn when and how to get focused.

Each time a power word is used to redirect the focus, you are training the brain to respond to that power word.  You will also be training your brain to be focused which is, of course, a good thing! 

This ends the series on Debbie Love’s 9-step system called Breaking Free.  Again, I encourage you to go to her website for extensive information and tips about tumbling.  Also, join our Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/unlockcheerleadingmentalblocks .

The power of positive thinking!  If you are a cheerleader with a mental block, it is likely that at least some of your thinking is not that positive!  I have already addressed the impact of negative thinking on cheerleading and tumbling performance but there is always something else to be said about it! 

The 8^th step from Debbie Love’s terrific Breaking Free (from mental blocks) System is:

Put a box somewhere that you pass frequently. Put paper and pen beside the box. Every time you pass the box you should write something positive about your tumbling and about yourself. This has even improved school work in several cases.  (more…)

Psychologists know that if you want to change, you must keep a written record of your goals, your plans, and progress.  Cheerleaders with mental blocks tend to live in their heads.  In other words, if that’s you, you might be thinking too much!  You might be preoccupied with thoughts of your mental block.

Well, by writing things down, you can get them out of your head and onto paper.  And I mean paper, not a computer.  You process things differently when you actually write them down as opposed to typing them.  So,  with that in mind, take a look at Debbie’s Step #7. (more…)

 I have written a lot about the power of visualization in improving performance for cheerleaders.  There are many kinds of visualizations.  Like anything else in the mental game cheerleading, one size does not necessarily fit all and yet I heartily recommend that all cheerleaders incorporate some form of imagery or visualization in their practice plan. 

The 6^th step in Debbie Love’s wonderful Breaking Free from mental blocks system is:  

Visualize 10-20 times a night the skills you are blocking on before falling asleep using the words from your scripting. Do this each night. (more…)

If you are a cheerleader with a mental block, you might be tempted to avoid the skill you’re blocked on.  According to tumbling expert, Debbie Love, that is not a good idea. 

Here is step #5 in Debbie’s Breaking Free from mental blocks system: 

You need to do 10-20 repetitions of every skill you are blocking on three times a week. Stopping is not allowed. Complete each series whether connected or not. Otherwise, you will train yourself to stop. Make sure technique is good on each skill. You may spot, or if the athlete will do the skill somewhere by herself with good technique, that is fine also.

(more…)

There is an ongoing internal conversation that happens when a cheerleader is executing a skill.  When a cheerleader has a mental block, that conversation can take a nasty turn!  For example, “I’m no good at this!” or “I’ll never get it right!”  Or “Everyone is laughing at me!” 

Do these sound familiar?  Well, guess what – your brain perceives such statements as instructions!  Therefore it’s critical that you be careful about what you are telling yourself.   (more…)

Cheerleaders with mental blocks soon realize that there is usually no quick fix.  Debbie Love’s 9-step plan called the Breaking Free System can be viewed on her website.  Today’s post reviews step #3 of Debbie’s system. 

Debbie has definite ideas about physical conditioning.  She says, “If you fail to include a conditioning segment into your program you are asking for mediocre performance by your athletes.”  Can’t get much clearer than that!! (more…)

I am recommending you set aside some time to review cheerleading and tumbling expert Debbie Love’s comprehensive website.  Yesterday I began a series of posts dedicated to discussing Debbie’s 9-step Breaking Free (from mental blocks) System. 

Today I will focus on her second step which is: 

 2) Remove all negative input and learn to understand the difference between tense and relaxed tone in your body. You may need to develop a ritual to do before your skills. Practice a relaxation technique by tightening and releasing each body part. (more…)

As I mentioned the other day, my friend and colleague, the highly respected and altogether wonderful cheerleading tumbling expert, Debbie Love and I have created a new Facebook Page dedicated to the topic of mental blocks. (Check it out!!) 

Debbie’s own website is a treasure trove of valuable information about cheerleading mental blocks and I highly recommend you visit it and take the time to read through everything she has on the site. 

One thing Debbie has on her site is a 9-step plan called her Breaking Free System to help athletes resolve mental blocks. It is excellent so be sure to read it.  Because it deserves being read, I plan to dedicate my next several blog posts to commenting on each of her 9 steps.  (more…)

I am so excited!  Debbie Love, the international expert on tumbling and cheerleading, has teamed up with me to create a new Facebook Page called Unlock Cheerleading Mental Blocks! (more…)