Expert: Katlin - 8/1/2007

Question
Ok. So I just started cheerleading/tumbling in June. I am a very fast learner [I started in the beginners class with 6-year-olds {{I'm 17}} and I've now progressed to work with girls my own age].
In tumbling, I've accomplished my round-off into a back-handspring [with a spotter] among some other things, such as tucks on the tumble track. And I've progressed in cheerleading too. My motions are tight, my jumps high, and I'm better coordinated than when I started. Hats off to my instructors: they've worked hard with me.

So when we started stunting this past week, it was my first time ever to stunt. They decided I'm going to work on being a flyer. I was doing okay with preps, extensions, and partner stunts [i fell alot on those though] and I actually stuck a lib... once.

And then. I'm not even sure. I'm afraid. Of tumbling, flying, and stunting. I want to be fearless when I fly. But lately I find myself, as a result of not wanting to fly, but being made to, I'm loose in the stunt and I fall. And it hurts me [emotionally] because I know I'm not being tight and I just want down... even if I have to fall.

How can I overcome my fear of... whatever it is I'm afraid of? I want to be fearless.

Thanks so much. I really could use any help you can give me. Even a little motivation.
: ]
---Krista

Answer
i experienced this when i was 8 and started flying.
wht helped me is just telling my self to staty tight and focus on a spot parrallel to me when i was in the air.
by the time iwas 9 i was the best flyer there even better than the older squads and i was put on  a senior squad and was there. i would try anything and i know i was the strongest one and this gave me a lot of confidence.
i progressed so much tht i got my kick double full basket in one practice i was fearless i would try anything!.=
good luck.
let me know how you do!!
sincerly,
 Katlin <3