Parents Fears

[newbie504]

What are the best way to help overcome a mental block?

My daughter is young, 5, but is working on back walkover. She can and has done it without a spot but is terrified. She needs at least a finget on her to feel comfortable. She's at the point now she would even attempt it without a spot. Idk if it's an age thing or something else. Her coach knows she can do it but it's all in her head.

 

[AlexandraU16]

My daughter is six and went through a phase of really hating and being scared of back walkovers months after she had the skill independently. She still much prefers back handsprings and is pretty nervous about BWOs on beam.

The biggest thing I have learned is it is okay. She is five and BWOs can be an intimidating skill as it’s most gymnasts’ first experience going backwards. There is no rush to get this skill and the more focus put on the fear the more stressful it will become for her. Completely back up and let the coaches work through it with her. Don’t ask about it or pressure her to practice it at home etc. If she needs a spot right now then that’s the stage she is in and that is okay. If she continues with her gymnastics journey chances are in a couple years you won’t even remember she was struggling with this skill and will be working through some other higher level skill.

Just an aside- if she struggles with back and shoulder flexibility that could be contributing. My DD had some improvement after working for a while to intentionally to increase her flexibility.

 

[newbie504]

My daughter is six and went through a phase of really hating and being scared of back walkovers months after she had the skill independently. She still much prefers back handsprings and is pretty nervous about BWOs on beam.

The biggest thing I have learned is it is okay. She is five and BWOs can be an intimidating skill as it’s most gymnasts’ first experience going backwards. There is no rush to get this skill and the more focus put on the fear the more stressful it will become for her. Completely back up and let the coaches work through it with her. Don’t ask about it or pressure her to practice it at home etc. If she needs a spot right now then that’s the stage she is in and that is okay. If she continues with her gymnastics journey chances are in a couple years you won’t even remember she was struggling with this skill and will be working through some other higher level skill.

Just an aside- if she struggles with back and shoulder flexibility that could be contributing. My DD had some improvement after working for a while to intentionally to increase her flexibility.

Thanks. She has still been working on it. Although she is still a little nervous, she's doing it independently now. Of course, after checking 5 times nothing is behind her lol. After talking to her, it seemed like it was a confidence issue. She didn't think she could do it, even after everyone telling her she could.

She was really determined to do it independently so she could begin working on bhs

 

[GymDadWA]

Probably best to not draw attention to it, I know you want to help, but things like "how was your back walkover" or "did you try .... " after every practice will just make it worse.

Coaches have been through fears themselves and worked with other kids with fears, it will be ok. Might also be strength and flexibility which will develop.