- Dec 30, 2023
- 47
- 32
I have a gymnast who has severe ptsd from old coaches and injuries that mainly affects bars. She now has chronic shoulder pain due to her being forced to compete on a torn rotator cuff and labrum, leading to more recently diagnosed issues such as a stress fracture in her scapula and thoracic outlet syndrome. Overall though, this is the sweetest, most caring, and dedicated girl I have ever coached. Like she has had every reason to quit and is still here solely because she loves it and wouldn’t let anyone take that away from her.
Whenever she first came to me, she had so many mental blocks on skills because of her past coaches and even though she wanted to do them, attempting them even with a spot would trigger a panic attack. Fast forward to today, we have gotten over almost every single one of them except standing back tucks, yurchenko tsuks , and flyaways.
She’s is competing diamond this year and needs a salto dismount. We tried to work toe-fronts she decided that with all of her shoulder issues, she just couldn’t take the pain which I totally understand. This girl has one of the highest pain tolerances I’ve ever had to work with and this is one of the only times she tapped out of something because of pain so I’m not going to force it (she’s 16 and knows her body). She’s also a literal judge and perfectionist and will lose her mind if she doesn’t at least go for a 10.0 SV but I do not know what to work on with her! Season is almost here and we’ve tried underswing 1 1/2s and toe fronts but nothing is working! She’s stressing out so I’m internally stressing out! What I want her to do is scratch bars all together because I’m so afraid that she’s ruining her shoulder permanently but she refuses so I have to figure out something!
Anyone have any ideas or drills that might help this situation?
Whenever she first came to me, she had so many mental blocks on skills because of her past coaches and even though she wanted to do them, attempting them even with a spot would trigger a panic attack. Fast forward to today, we have gotten over almost every single one of them except standing back tucks, yurchenko tsuks , and flyaways.
She’s is competing diamond this year and needs a salto dismount. We tried to work toe-fronts she decided that with all of her shoulder issues, she just couldn’t take the pain which I totally understand. This girl has one of the highest pain tolerances I’ve ever had to work with and this is one of the only times she tapped out of something because of pain so I’m not going to force it (she’s 16 and knows her body). She’s also a literal judge and perfectionist and will lose her mind if she doesn’t at least go for a 10.0 SV but I do not know what to work on with her! Season is almost here and we’ve tried underswing 1 1/2s and toe fronts but nothing is working! She’s stressing out so I’m internally stressing out! What I want her to do is scratch bars all together because I’m so afraid that she’s ruining her shoulder permanently but she refuses so I have to figure out something!
Anyone have any ideas or drills that might help this situation?
