A cheerleader recently asked me to answer a series of questions about mental blocks for a school project and I decided to record my responses. You can hear my answers to her questions by clicking on the link below. You can also download the mp3 version if you wish.
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 8th 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…)
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.
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…)
Just as there are many reasons why a cheerleader may develop a mental block, there are many types of solutions. For today I’ll focus on just a few. (more…)