- Mar 23, 2009
- 1,144
- 507
Hi all,
I have a gymnast who started having issues going backwards 4 years ago. She was 9 years old, had her bhs on beam and was well on her way to becoming a super gymnast. One day she came into the gym and just couldn't go backwards. I remember pm'ing @dunno about this and he helped a lot - we made a lot of progress by ignoring the skills she couldn't do until she felt comfortable doing them. Fast forward 4 years and she is still having issues - having had the skills back and 'lost' them again numerous times.
Could this still be vestibular after 4 years or do you think that by now it might just be a habit (for want of a better word)?
She still says she can't do it because it doesn't feel right (this bit sounds like vestibular to me!) but we now have a new lead coach who believes that it might be that she has had these issues for so long that she now tells herself it doesn't feel right if I am not stood in to spot - on the whole she will do the backwards elements with a spot, but as soon as I walk away she won't/can't attempt it
We have noticed that the gymnast will achieve the skills again and then when she knows a competition is approaching suddenly can't do them (and we firmly believe it is can't, not won't). Is this a coincidence or has she learned this behaviour too?
The new coach would like me to try giving her an ultimatum - no backwards tumble, no competition, no competition no squad membership. I feel that I know this gymnast well having coached her for a long time and believe that might not be the best idea but at the same time it might need to happen as she hasn't competed now for over a year and is taking up a squad place which are becoming highly sought after. I do wonder whether I have been too soft/too understanding so now she thinks it's ok not to do the skills because she gets to stay in the squad anyway, so why does she need to push herself? but then other times I look at how upset she gets when she 'can't' do something and know she isn't doing it on purpose!
Apart from her lack of backwards elements she is a beautiful gymnast who clearly loves what she does - I'd hate to lose her over this if it can be fixed. Her mum asked me about hypnotherapy - I think they are at their whits end too with frustration for their daughter (not with her!) is this something that might help?
Has anyone ever experienced anything like this for this long? Any words of wisdom/encouragement?
Thanks!
I have a gymnast who started having issues going backwards 4 years ago. She was 9 years old, had her bhs on beam and was well on her way to becoming a super gymnast. One day she came into the gym and just couldn't go backwards. I remember pm'ing @dunno about this and he helped a lot - we made a lot of progress by ignoring the skills she couldn't do until she felt comfortable doing them. Fast forward 4 years and she is still having issues - having had the skills back and 'lost' them again numerous times.
Could this still be vestibular after 4 years or do you think that by now it might just be a habit (for want of a better word)?
She still says she can't do it because it doesn't feel right (this bit sounds like vestibular to me!) but we now have a new lead coach who believes that it might be that she has had these issues for so long that she now tells herself it doesn't feel right if I am not stood in to spot - on the whole she will do the backwards elements with a spot, but as soon as I walk away she won't/can't attempt it
We have noticed that the gymnast will achieve the skills again and then when she knows a competition is approaching suddenly can't do them (and we firmly believe it is can't, not won't). Is this a coincidence or has she learned this behaviour too?
The new coach would like me to try giving her an ultimatum - no backwards tumble, no competition, no competition no squad membership. I feel that I know this gymnast well having coached her for a long time and believe that might not be the best idea but at the same time it might need to happen as she hasn't competed now for over a year and is taking up a squad place which are becoming highly sought after. I do wonder whether I have been too soft/too understanding so now she thinks it's ok not to do the skills because she gets to stay in the squad anyway, so why does she need to push herself? but then other times I look at how upset she gets when she 'can't' do something and know she isn't doing it on purpose!
Apart from her lack of backwards elements she is a beautiful gymnast who clearly loves what she does - I'd hate to lose her over this if it can be fixed. Her mum asked me about hypnotherapy - I think they are at their whits end too with frustration for their daughter (not with her!) is this something that might help?
Has anyone ever experienced anything like this for this long? Any words of wisdom/encouragement?
Thanks!