Expert: Kimmi - 12/28/2007

Question
Kimmi....My 12 year old daughter, All Star Cheerleader has a mental block throwing her tuck. She has been throwing it in series with round off back handspring. All of a sudden she started setting it really high. Her set and form is perfect but the height has scared her. Now she won't throw the tuck at all without a spot. She is scared and can't get past it. It has gotten her really upset that she can't throw it. She just got the tuck 2 months ago. So she has not been doing it long. Can you please give us advice on getting past this?

Answer
Hi Laurie,

  Unfortunately all I can tell you is stuff I'm sure you've already been total. It's a mental block and the only way to get past it is for your daughter to force her body to do it. She should mentally visualize herself doing the trick, making the body motions while she visualizes. Then, do it with a spot, then with a shadow, and then force herself to throw it alone. It's pretty much the same concept as when first learning a new trick. It's all in her head and unfortunately that's not always easy to fix. My sister is going through the same thing. After getting her full about 2 months ago, she has totally regressed to the point of not being able to connect round-off flip-flops and even I can't fix it for her. It's something she has to work through, the same as your daughter. My best wishes to your daughter and you. Good Luck, please let me know how it goes.
Happy Cheering!
Kimmi