Stressed

[Official OWECheer]

Eh, we're a competitive rec team. They're little kids (age 12-under) and they've never been on a competitive cheer team ever before. I mean, I get it - they didn't understand what they were signing up for, even though I tried to explain it to their guardians multiple times. The fact that they didn't understand it doesn't mean that they get a free pass to compete, however. It just means that they get to cheer with the sideline kids now, which is also fun... Just different.

I was gonna say, playing on the playground in high school? That makes sense. (Though, as old as I am, I love playgrounds!)

Knowing how young your kids are just makes me admire their discipline more (if they're the team that you mentioned in my thread about getting rid of lazy kids).

 

[SarahS]

I was gonna say, playing on the playground in high school? That makes sense. (Though, as old as I am, I love playgrounds!)

Knowing how young your kids are just makes me admire their discipline more (if they're the team that you mentioned in my thread about getting rid of lazy kids).

It helps that they're all military brats and so have an understanding of discipline, haha.

 

[caltt]

My team just got our choreograohy yesterday... our first meet is this month I believe...

 

[Crz7654321]

Talk about stressed out.. I was coaching at my old All Star gym and I got a call that my local middle school needed a coach.. Of course I stepped in! Thinking all I had to worry about was the competition that is usually in December, I was excited to get certified and start. Turns out the competition is October 25.. I started September 30th! We couldn't miss the competition because if we did they can't compete for the next 2 years! This was a very stressful time for my girls and I. However, I am pleased to say we have a routine and music and ready to compete next Saturday!

 

[Twinklestars]

We still have nothing and ,afaik, no one is working on it. They did decide to do a cheer build instead of a full routine. The comp is Nov. 15!

 

[Twinklestars]

Our coach stepped down. Two moms (both teachers) are taking over. The girls are not competing.

 

[retiredl5cheer]

Our coach stepped down. Two moms (both teachers) are taking over. The girls are not competing.

Eeeee. Yikes.

 

[SharkDad]

Our coach stepped down. Two moms (both teachers) are taking over. The girls are not competing.

Maybe the best thing. At least the girls are safe.

 

[Twinklestars]

Maybe the best thing. At least the girls are safe.

My girls are happy so I am happy!

 

[AllstarObsession]

Kinda stressed about showcase being in less than two weeks. I just joined this team and I don't even know the routine yet, let alone how to hit it. Omg.

 

[Coach Sara]

Kinda stressed about showcase being in less than two weeks. I just joined this team and I don't even know the routine yet, let alone how to hit it. Omg.

Hi there AllstarObsession! I'm a mental toughness coach and thought I'd share an idea. Have you tried visualizing the routines? Close your eyes and see the routine (or specific parts)- this helps to create muscle memory and confidence, and is a great way to get in more practice time!

 

[12stepCheermom]

Hi there AllstarObsession! I'm a mental toughness coach and thought I'd share an idea. Have you tried visualizing the routines? Close your eyes and see the routine (or specific parts)- this helps to create muscle memory and confidence, and is a great way to get in more practice time!

Maybe it's just the painkillers I'm on but this makes me chuckle.

A former gym we were with was quite dedicated to "mental walk throughs" before a full out. Kids has to lay on the mat and visualize themselves hitting their routine, rather than actually just practicing the routine.

We were national champions....in our minds.

I don't claim to be a coach but I think muscle memory might be better established through physical repetition. As an educator I can say self-esteem and confidence are built through accomplishing something difficult, not so much imagining yourself accomplishing it.

 

[Coach Sara]

Maybe it's just the painkillers I'm on but this makes me chuckle.

A former gym we were with was quite dedicated to "mental walk throughs" before a full out. Kids has to lay on the mat and visualize themselves hitting their routine, rather than actually just practicing the routine.

We were national champions....in our minds.

I don't claim to be a coach but I think muscle memory might be better established through physical repetition. As an educator I can say self-esteem and confidence are built through accomplishing something difficult, not so much imagining yourself accomplishing it.

I can appreciate your perspective but there is a lot of research on imagery and performance. In education, you may have come across Bandura's theory of self efficacy which not only talks about performance accomplishments enhancing self-efficacy, but imagery is on the list too (along with other enhancers of SE). Physical practice is obviously hugely important but adding imagery to physical practice can enhance what you're doing in your physical training. Cheerleading is physically demanding and at some point, your body needs rest, so imagery/visualizing can help you get more practice time in. And, for an athlete who is injured, imagery can help keep skills sharp and confidence high. I get what you're saying- just because you can imagine it doesn't mean you can do it, but for athletes who use imagery on skills they're training and want to get more work on, it can be a huge benefit.

 

[TheVipersMom]

Not that I disagree with 12step but our gym previously has brought Justin Su'a to our gym to provide us with workshops (parents and athletes) he is apparently some big name guy as far as a sports psychologist, mental toughness and the people he deals with. (NFL, MLB, dancing with the stars)

He also talked a lot not just about performing and practicing your best but about being mentally ready. He suggested that we do things like she mentioned above. Now they aren't doing this at practice when they could be practicing but when they are waiting for warmups to start at NCA where there is limited room. Before other comps to get them in the mindset of performing and hitting their routine. Speaking just to my daughter and a few other girls on the team they said they really imagine selling and performing their routine before they go on the floor. They said it's also relaxing and easy to get their mind where it needs to be!!

They usually just close their eyes and do the motions but all the parents love when we see what gets to go into this. This pic was right before they started the music...

About
Justin's website


<a href=""><a href="Kristen Hughes | Facebook">


Also not sure if this works but this is the year before at NCA- idk if it will play?^^^

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Keep_Believing]

Not that I disagree with 12step but our gym previously has brought Justin Su'a to our gym to provide us with workshops (parents and athletes) he is apparently some big name guy as far as a sports psychologist, mental toughness and the people he deals with. (NFL, MLB, dancing with the stars)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I feel like your gym is so on top of everything from starting choreography in June, having Debbie Love come put on tumble clinics, having jump clinics by Spirit of Texas, mandatory flyer classes for flyers, bringing in the top specialist, etc. I am so impressed!