5 Ways to Overcome a Mental Block in Gymnastics

Have you ever experienced a mental block in gymnastics? Here are 5 strategies to help you overcome your mental block. #gymnastics #mentalblock #sportpsychology
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*This is generic information and not to be confused with advice. Speak to a professional for all your health needs and seek their counsel. Children need to be under adult supervision at all times. We disclaim all liability for any physical harm resulting from the information in this video.*

[@lanabandzy9102]

My coaches literally just yell “just throw it you just did it last week” like ma’am I’m twisting in the air I’m scared☠️😭

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Oh no! So sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, this is a lot of coaches, but definitely not the right thing to do. Hang in there and do your own work to work through the mental block. Maybe try talking to the coaches to let them know what's going on, if you haven't already?

[@Heluvchloe]

Literally same bro

[@Willow-fk4kp]

@@GymnasticsHQ I’m so scared that I will get paralyzed even though I’m not doing that advanced stuff I won’t even do a handstand against a wall anymore bc I saw someone fall on their head and they got paralyzed. This is a huge problem for me bc I was doing so well and now I won’t do anything

[@aliviarose7291]

thank you! i have had a back handspring block for years and i recently got the skill again, but i even feel unsafe with a spot. this helped a lot

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Happy to help!

[@oliviawalker7748]

i was at tumbling the other day, and i was doing a round off back handspring backtuck, then on my backtuck my muscles gave out and i fell on my head. that was on an airtrack so it didn’t hurt much, but then on DEAD MAT i did a backhand spring back tuck, and i fell again, on my head. i took it easy and did standing backtuck on the dead mat, and i fell again. i really hope this works. i can hardly do a standing backtuck on the trampoline anymore because of my mental block. i’ll update y’all

[@prettypaula09]

update?

[@oliviawalker7748]

@@prettypaula09 i can most of the time do a backhand spring on crashmat or airtrack but still getting used to it. i still can’t do my backtuck but i’m working on having her spot me

[@oliviawalker7748]

@@prettypaula09 update again i can backhand spring on airtrack now!! just now working on my backtuck

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Yay, glad to hear! Make sure you're practicing safely if you're not in the gym with a spot!

[@oliviawalker7748]

@@GymnasticsHQ always!!!

[@gymnastkayladawson6030]

I’ve got a big mental block right now for my one handed walkovers 🙁This really helped, thank you!

[@GymnasticsHQ]

So glad to hear that!

[@1878fcunited]

This helped me a lot thanks for doing this video it was so helpful 💞💕

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@summerlynn5857]

I have had a mental block on my aerial for so long. Thank you.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope it helps!

[@engenegenie]

I do back handsprings all the time, and I took a break because I was so tired from doing it all time. I wanted to do it today and I just keep getting scared. I can do it off a back walkover but I’m too scared to do it with anything else. I need help but this video is just scaring me more.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Just remember to practice safely if you're not doing it in the gym with a spot! Keep practicing and visualizing, you've got this!

[@user-vf7vz1wk6w]

thanks so much I watch this every night! I had a big mental block on the beam and I really enjoy watching this every night! thanks again

[@GymnasticsHQ]

So glad to hear that!

[@nicolebrasco5114]

This really helped! Thank you.

[@EditingRisen]

My cast to hand stand fly away has been making me nervous even at home just thinking about it, thank you for the advice

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Of course, hope it helps!

[@xfilex3291]

6. Praying

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Definitely!

[@molltasticgymnastics855]

Thank you so much! This really helped for my mental block of giants on bars :)

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Yay, glad to hear that!

[@xoxo._soph]

Thank you sooo much I was having a lot of trouble with my back hip circle.This was awesome and I hope I can pass to a new and harder skill by watching this video and using your tips! Once again Thank you so so much❤❤❤

[@GymnasticsHQ]

You're so welcome!

[@emmyyooo5760]

Mental blocks suck, I currently have three which I somewhat overcame this week. For months I would only do my yurchenko on vault at 105 but I decided to be brave and did it at 125 and now it feels easier. I also had a mental block on tuck backs on beam but I did them in the high beam this week. I also had one on full twists and I wouldn’t put them on floor after doing them into stacked mats in the pit but I finally did it the other day :) you got this guys

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Thata's awesome! Congrats on making progress!

[@Laylah223]

Thank you sooo much really!! I Appreciate it! I'm scared of bars and back tumbling and beam I already know this will really help thank you really!!💖

[@GymnasticsHQ]

You got this!

[@mintpanda1747]

Thank you so much! This is really helpful. I'm trying to get my cast flyaway the only requirement I have left for moving to diamond. My mental block has been stopping me all summer and I have a week to get it now if I want to move up lol. Can't wait to try these techniques at practice tonight!

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope you've made some progress!

[@lilynaty299]

This video helped a lot, i’ve been trying to let go of the bar during my flyaways, thank you :)

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Glad it helped!

[@Julia-du2lv]

Thank you so much, i will try them as soon as possible :)

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Have fun!

[@morgancarlton893]

Thank you!

[@GymnasticsHQ]

You're welcome!

[@topteirlee2.0]

This help so much! I’ve been trying to get my aerial and I’ve been progressing ! Thx this helps a lot!😊😊

[@GymnasticsHQ]

You got this!

[@amym276]

I’m somehow hoping this will help me with my rollerskating mental blocks, surely it applies to any sport (I couldn’t find any for skating aside from beginner ones.. when I’ve been skating for a year).

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Yes, they really do apply to any sport!

[@emiliagrace5043]

My mental block is my straddle jump mount on beam. It was one of the ones that just came out of nowhere. Thanks for the advice, I hope it helps :)

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope so too!

[@crosedevice9671]

I needed this

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope it helps!

[@crosedevice9671]

Thank you so much

[@GymnasticsHQ]

You're welcome!

[@westhamjb2069]

I’ve been trying to get my back turnover again recently, I was able to do one a little while ago and now my mental block has kicked in. I’m really trying to get there and I will soon thank you for the video. 👊

[@GymnasticsHQ]

No problem, keep working on it!

[@leahgrace8531]

So helpful! Thanks!

[@GymnasticsHQ]

So glad it's helpful!

[@leiahdenise123]

I’m self taught I’ve liked flipping and dancing since I was a baby so when was 4 I was in ballet for like a month then my mom too me out because it was expensive then 6 and I was in hiphop for like 3 months and my mom took me out because it couldn’t fit into our schedule like that anymore then when I was 9 I was in gymnastics only for like a month and my classes were only on Sunday days so I only went like 4 time before I stopped going so after I left I self taught my self and was able to do a backhand spring by myself from watching KZbin and then I was like 10 I was still able to do it and I was in my room doing the flip and fell on my head and was never able to do it and when I would try I would just do a back-walkover and bounce onto my feet now I’m currently 12 and watching this helped now I have my back hand spring again I was only able to do a cartwheel front and back walk over and Can barely land my Ariel now I can land my Ariel and do my backhand spring but I still need a little more practice

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Awesome!

[@camilledawson866]

Right now I have four mental blocks and I hope this really helps because I cave a comp this weekend.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope it helped!

[@camilledawson866]

It actually did help with one! I need to save this video lol

[@rebekahs.6471]

I had my round off back handspring and I haven’t been able to do it because of my mental block because I fell once and hurt my hand. I’ve tried doing back walkovers that are fast, jumping on my back, and fast back bend back limbers, I have it on the trampoline and I know I can do it on the floor, but I’m just too scared, this video helped and I think I’m closer to getting it back! Thanks!

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope you've made some good progress on it! You've got this!

[@PrincessToadSkoala]

Thankyouuu

[@GymnasticsHQ]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Cosey_Nook]

I'm stuck in backbend walkovers. Tnx this helped

[@GymnasticsHQ]

So glad to hear that!

[@avabackus]

So we’ve been practicing bhs for 2 1/2 almost 3 years at gym and I still don’t have mine. I mean I do but not the confidence. Even my coaches say that I have one of the nicest bhs on the team. But I just can’t do it. I also get this on the table. I’ve overcome that one a lot but now I can’t do it anymore. I have a fear of hitting my head. And even tho I’ve done these skills perfectly fine before. I’m still scared. I used to have my bhs for a week after states last year but once I had to do it in a pannel I got scared and didn’t do it. When I got it then I could do it with one spot then by my self but I needed that one spot.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Have you tried the visualizing, using mantras/words of affirmation and checked into some of our resources on our website for building your confidence? You've got this!

[@avabackus]

@@GymnasticsHQ thanks I actually haven’t had the chance to yet but I will definitely try them and I’ll get back to you tomorrow cuz that’s the next time I have gymnastics

[@tori7285]

I’ll try this today at practice! I have a meet soon and I need to get my round off on the high beam.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope you've mastered that!

[@tori7285]

@@GymnasticsHQ Yeah! I have it now and it’s gotten me some good scores so far!

[@arminjossan9020]

I appreciate you

[@GymnasticsHQ]

We appreciate YOU!

[@arminjossan9020]

@@GymnasticsHQ :)

[@MMila2]

Thank u I have been struggling with a mental block back tuck and back handspring for 1 month now and this has helped I am going to do this now lol

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Good luck!

[@MMila2]

Thanks to u I got it back

[@MMila2]

It hard to do it some times when ur coach says just throw it after falling on ur face in a back tuck and nearly going of the edge with a back hand spring it’s also not helpful them say just do it when it can be a lot as ur overwhelmed but ones i saw this vid I realised it’s not that bad and just some deep breaths and keeping my self calm will help

[@MMila2]

Thank you so much

[@shakiravlogs656]

I’ve had a mental block for 3 years and I really hope I can get my skills back

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Good luck, keep us updated!

[@marvelavengers4570]

love your vedio ❤

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Thank you!!

[@priyaplayz967]

Tysm ❤❤ I had a HUGE mental block over my side handstand a long time ago and I was so scared but now its really easy to me because I got my coach and a mat idk why i was scared but I was. I also felt embarrassed because someone was laughing at me when I fell on my front tuck :(

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Oh no - so sorry for that bad experience, but so happy to hear that you've overcome your mental block!

[@ZannokP]

I have a extremly big mental block for a 720 døds. I will definently try this out

[@ShaylaBoler]

I don’t think I’ll be doing a standing back tuck for a while , like around a week ago I landed on my neck while doing one it didn’t hurt but it made me scared and today I was trying to do one and I got scared of even going into my standing BHS.. For my standing BUS I have to go on the trampoline then do it on floor now- hope I can get past this fear of doing the skills… I also do the exact opposite of everything except breathing in deeply… I’ll have to try the other methods:)

[@ShaylaBoler]

I have my BHS again I’ll just work my way up to a back tuck again:)

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Yay, congrats! Just keep practicing, visualizing and working on your confidence and it will come!

[@Milothealphabetkraftdiner]

I just did that it scary and made me stop doing the tuck

[@preppy.5934]

I really hope this helps me because I was practicing backhandspring on my trampoline but one time I backed out half way through and landed on my neck/upper back and I could barely breath after that I have been to scared to jump into a backhand spring even with a spotter and I have gymnastics camp tomorrow so I hope I can do it again by then fingers crossed 🤞🏻 EDIT: OMG THIS HAS HELPED SO MUCH THANK YOU JUST 10 MINUTES AGO I COULDN'T DO A BACKHANDSPRING WITH A SPOT AND NOW I CAN THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Oh no - that is definitely scary! I hope you've made some good progress!

[@preppy.5934]

@@GymnasticsHQ i have! I can now do a backhandspring on the floor without a spot!

[@kodaiskorner]

I hope this helps me, I got my back walkover back hand on beam back a week ago and now I cant seem to do it anymore, I got this.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

You've got this, keep practicing!

[@kodaiskorner]

@@GymnasticsHQ Update to this! I ended up going for it on my own at practice a couple days ago! Stuck it too!

[@Gianna_rose10]

I have a metal block bc on floor when I went to do my round off backhand spring I just back onto my back after the round off so I hope this video helps

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope so too!

[@mywifesson5173]

This is a great video and I'm not even a gymnast I'm a skateboarder.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Thank you!

[@lanataylorsversion]

i’m a figure skater but this really helps :)

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Awesome, glad it helps!

[@natalieflores]

this helped me with my flyaway. now rewatching it due to my back handspring on beam.🙈🙈

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Awesome, hope you've overcome your mental blocks!

[@diamondcompton5366]

This speaking facts

[@GymnasticsHQ]

So glad you think so!

[@Justmiyah757]

I know I can do a backhand spring but my mental block is stoping me I already know as soon as I get that one move down and I’m confident with it it will help tremendously considering that is the only thing holding me back lol I have to go for it and I will 💕

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope you've made some good progress on this! You've got this!

[@CloudyskiesxYT]

Every time I try to imagine myself doing it well, I mess up and fall or break something and no matter how hard I try it for some reason won’t stop ending badly in my head

[@Evelyn6545]

I am having trouble doing a half on on vault and im going to tryand follow what the video says to get past that because if i cant do it in a few weeks then i cant compete and my coaches arent being very supportive and they just tell me to go for it but get mad at me when i dont do it.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope you've made some progress, but if not, just keep putting the work in and you'll work through it and get it!

[@ava_202]

I quite cheer cause my metal block would not go away I regert it so much but I now feel to behind to join back I hope this will help me over come it and I might join back

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Good luck!

[@craycrayjjcraycrayjj9824]

Hi, I am a level 7 gymnast. I am struggling with a flyaway. I had it last year but now I have a big mental block. This video did helped me a little but not much. Does anyone have any helping tips for flyaways?

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep practicing and visualizing yourself landing it perfectly! Once your confidence builds up, you'll do great!

[@helenataylor9135]

I reacently just lost my cartwheel on the high beam because my body got used falling of the side when I practiced my round off on the beam so I will try these and see if they help I will keep updating

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope you've made some good progress!

[@helenataylor9135]

@@GymnasticsHQ I did I got it back but now I have lost it again because I split the beam

[@emmarhadigan]

I am struggling with a back tuck right now and I have done them before on the ground

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep practicing, safely!

[@hanna12334]

I am doing my roundoff flick right now. I am literally doing it by my self my coach doesn’t even touch me but I have a mental block and I get too scared to do it by my self even tho I’m capable of doing it. I’ve been practising it for ages but I still can’t get over it. Recently I did it on the air track and I’m not scared to do it there but I can’t seem to remember how I got rid of that fear on the airtrack😭

[@resurrectedstarships]

Yah know I really like how I dont have to write all this down because you did it already for us! LOL thanks though.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Of course :)

[@Itz_Miaa_]

I have a mental block with backhand spring I can do it into mate I did it two times I was so happy I did it but I get scared when no one is there like a coach to catch me and then I did it with no one watching and I fell on my neck and I got ever so scared my coach knows that I'm scared but I'm trying to do it I did it again after but I'm too scared I want to try do it but I feel like I'm gonna die

[@GymnasticsHQ]

That's definitely scary, but keep practicing with a spot/coach and working on your visualizing, confidence and it will come!

[@princesshejo330]

It is really hard for me. I once was really scared for a flyway but wanted a spot from the coach. I asked and he said no and I went for it and landed on my neck. I don’t know what to do and ever since I’ve been even more scared. I once had the flyaway and lost it because the coach didn’t let me compete it. I’m wondering if I would’ve still had the skill if I competed it. I am super worried because today I have to go to practice and if I don’t do it I’m not competing on bars. I’ve been so stressed out I have to have a therapist now.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

So sorry to hear about your scary experience. Having good coaches and trusting your coaches is definitely a must with working through mental blocks. Good luck!

[@Issyfay1]

At the moment I have a really bad mental block on the trampoline like I can’t go back at all no back hand springs no back flips nothing like that which has been really frustrating since I could do this stuff like last week

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Mental blocks are tough. Keep working through it and we are sure you'll be back to back tumbling!

[@rylee.k45]

I’m a level 6 (just finished my season) and about a couple months ago I was competing layout flyaways. The. I randomly got scared of the layout and started doing tucks, thinking that I can just relearn it later. Now 3 weeks ago I went to do a flyaway on the pit bar and I couldn’t do it. BUT I CAN DO IT ON THE NORMAL BARS. I’m so stressed and can’t see to let to of the pit bar even tho it’s safer. Now o started a habit of letting go to early on the normal bar too :(

[@madison6400]

do you have a back walkover or front walkover? i have a mental block of going backwards in a back walkover and i have no more tumbling practices and i can't find private lessons anywhere. can u give me tips?

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep practicing with a spot and working on the tips in the video!

[@GymnasticsHQ]

You've got this!

[@shawtyaintplayin1117]

I hope I will be able to overcome my fear of falling

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Good luck!

[@hayhaym62910]

I hope this works i have gym tomorrow and I have to do my handspring

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope it helped, but remember, mental blocks may come overnight, but they don't typically just go away overnight unfortunately. They usually take some time to work through.

[@hayhaym62910]

@@GymnasticsHQ I got through it once but then I took a break for vacation and then i lost it same thing with a stragit brani it just left me and I know i can do it and I try I just stop for some reason and it stresses me out so I stop trying because for some reason im telling my self I can do it but then when it comes to the skill I syke my self out and just stop.

[@user-pr5qv5go6e]

I am not a gymist but still have a mental block about jumping over the “goat” its this box on 4 legs and it reaches to your chest and i am scared of it because i once failed it and ever sience i cant jump over it

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep visualizing and using the techniques suggested and practice!

[@aubrey6212]

i have this horrible mental block on vault that just comes and goes all the time. like some days i can just do really good vaults without thinking about it and other days i just can’t get myself to go. i’ve never gotten hurt on vault and i have no idea why this happens. for other mental blocks it helps me to like bounce around a lot and get kinda worked up then full send it rlly fast but it just doesn’t work on this one and idk why.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep working on it and I'm sure you will be able to get over this! Good luck!

[@clarisserebelo2580]

my mental blocks are in the vault. i also stop in the middle of it

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep working on it! Visualize yourself going over the vault correctly. Try sitting down and meditating/visualizing and feel and see yourself going over it. Work on drills to help too!

[@clarisserebelo2580]

@@GymnasticsHQ Im literally a beginner! i really shouldn’t be scared at all because you’re just jumping on the trampoline and jumping on the vault i don’t know why i’m scared!

[@tbhhkamss]

Yesterday i did a flyaway, and i let go early and thumped my feet on the bar. after that, i've been scared to do the flyaway.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Visualizing that you're landing it perfectly without hitting your foot will help! You've got this!

[@emme_.13]

the same thing happened to me and everytime I visualize it my feet just keep on crashing so it doesnt help much

[@Xoxo_Scarlettxoxo]

I get blocks when I run to vault to do my half on or handspring and it’s annoying cause I run and just face plant the vault and sometimes I even get it just doing a back bend which I’ve been able to do for 5 years

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Sorry to hear that - be gentle with yourself and do your best! You've got this!

[@gianna5243]

I can only do you round off tuck under pressure like at my competition, I can’t throw them when warming up on floor I have it but my brain won’t let I try. Ur it’s not working

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep practicing and working on the tips!

[@pixies.]

I have a mental block when I try to do back walkovers, even on the floor. Yes it's hard, but I've started gymnastics late. And I'm an aerobic gymnast. I've did it this week, but I can't do it again sadly.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep working at it! Hope you've made progress!

[@ryze_yt3649]

I could do roundoff backhand spring layout but after like 1 day I’ve tried positive thoughts and everything and nothing works I just won’t go for it

[@ryze_yt3649]

Also the giants on bar the front giants I could do them but now I’m scared idk why

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Mental blocks sometimes take a good while to get through, keep working on it. Hope you've made some progress.

[@its.allie.marie_]

Help yall! I'm a dancer now but was a former gymnast. This one time I could do my ariel but then the next day I kept putting my hands down and idk why. And to this day I still have my mental block ! I want to get ride of it!!

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep practicing and working on the tips!

[@georgepauleldose3897]

Hey I’m a beginner and I got a huge fear for doing a simple movement which is front rolls

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep practicing!

[@scarletini14]

I’m trying to do a back handspring but I’m so scared

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Just remember to practice it safely if you are not in the gym with a spot!

[@isabellemyzer1807]

I'm having a mental block with my no arm cartwheel. I keep putting 1 hand down last minute. I get to scared to do it off a mat and just freeze up because I have to go when I get to the end of the mat rather than just go on my intuition. Please someone help me😢

[@GymnasticsHQ]

We have some tips in our aerial post as well, but keep practicing. Try stepping back and doing it into a pit maybe? Break the skill down and just keep praciticing!

[@lucygath8710]

I have mental blocks with areals

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep practicing, visualizing and working on your confidence! It will come!

[@sarahatt2583]

I have mental block on aerial

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep practicing, doing drills for ariels and visualizing! You've got this!

[@stephaniemcnabb1949]

I have a mental block in cheer

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Hope you're working through it!

[@ewqziaa]

I can’t get over my fear of back walk overs on the big beam and my coach just says “come on you need to do this skill or you wont get anywhere Like i cant stop mental blocks and my coaches yelling at me doesnt make it better it makes me more scared.

[@GymnasticsHQ]

We're sorry to hear that. Hope you are able to work through your mental block!

[@cookingwithxxmausiexx8360]

It dident work now im just sad😔

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep trying! These things don't just happen overnight!

[@cookingwithxxmausiexx8360]

@@GymnasticsHQ ok ill try

[@leafisleaf470]

i’ve been wanting to be able to a backbend for years but i keep getting scared i’ll break my back

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Make sure to stretch first!

[@Seraphinaslays32757]

Everyone trying to get over the fear of doing cool skills me just trying to figure out A pull over 💀

[@GymnasticsHQ]

Keep it up!!

[@Seraphinaslays32757]

@@GymnasticsHQ Tysm

[@a-myogaltd]

Pity I don't feel this applies to a 43yr old that just sometimes doesn't take off for any skills doubles or singles...

[@GymnasticsHQ]

I think it can apply; it's still all mental issues and mindset.