Expert: Kimmi - 4/6/2008

Question
Hi I am 15 years old and started tumbling just 3 years ago when I started cheer. I had almost no skills. I slowly developed some simple skills. My front handspring, perfecting a roundoff.. you know, easy stuff. Then it was time to begin working on my backhandspring. I can do about 15 back walkovers in a row and am very good at them. I have a lot of arm and ab strength and a pretty good amount of leg strength. Anyways, I have been working on my backhandspring for about 2 years now. And I can perform it perfectly with a spotter. I've had multiple people spot me and they all say that I have nothing at all that I need to perfect, I just need to throw it without a spotter. However, I'm facing some sort of mental block. I'm not sure how to explain it... I get up there and I have one spotter. I always have to have them spot my right side. And sometimes they can just barely spot and I will throw it. But the second that they sit back and don't put their hand on my back.. I will freak out. And in my mind I will think ok i'm gonna throw it, ok i'm gonna throw it. But it's like my body freezes up and I just cannot go until they spot... I'm getting so frustrated at myself and I feel like I really really just need to get it. It will build up my confidence in so many areas if I can just DO it. I picture myself doing it over and over again perfectly. But it just doesn't come without a spotter. Please help! Thank you!

Answer
Hi Megan,

   I wish I had better news for you, but the only thing you can do for your mental block is to force yourself to do it. You know that your body can do it, you said it yourself. Try to visualize yourself doing the trick in your mind over and over and over. Then try to force yourself to go. The first time will be the hardest, but after that every time after that should be easier. I wish I could give you more. Good Luck! I really hope you get past it quick!
Happy Cheering
Kimmi