Expert: Jack Leonard - 1/16/2008

Question
My 13year old daughter has been tumbling since she was 5. She has had her roundoff backhand spring (multiply back handsprings) for the past 3 years. For the past 3 months she mastered her roundoff backhandspring back tuck and it looked amazing.  About 1 month ago, she got a mental block and won't throw the tuck. (she still does the backhandsprings) She also won't throw her standing tuck. She has broke her arm 2 different times (only one time related to tumbling) and she says she is scared to throw it.  I've had her take a few private lessons and she "seems" to be getting closer, but she still has not thrown the tuck.  Last  night at tumbling she wouldn't throw the tuck at all and she is getting so frustrated.  Any suggestions??  She loves to cheer and is quite good--I would hate to have her lose the back tuck skill.

Answer
Hello Beverly,
                          I am very glad to help you.  .  FYI, I have helped fix many situations similar as yours.  Here is the strategy.  The three ways to approach the mental block are as follows….
1)   Go back to basics and perform many progressions to get your senses and awareness.  During this process, do not do the flip the same way you have problems….(out of the back handspring).
2)    Perform the back flip only in other places…. not in tumbling.  Example….on tramp, off a spring board onto a landing mat, off a mini-tramp, off a folded mat etc…but remember…do not perform it the same way you do it when you hesitate.  
3)    Understand that the  strategy  in owning the flip again is not to practice it the same way that it presents itself as a phobia. The mind needs to clear itself of the phobia.  Once the mind believes there is no pressure and has cleared itself…..performing it again will be no problem.  Patience in this process is important.   I am not at the gym where you train…..and I would not have you practice the back flip out of the back handspring.  This just reinforces the potential phobia.  Phobias are mental, not physical.  I know you are strong and can perform it well.  I idea is to own the back flip again.  In conclusion,  the problem is the way your mind perceives the trick.  If you trick your mind…. it clears your mind and then you are back on the original track.  I hope I have helped you to understand where I am coming from and will be able to make some good decisions towards recovering your skills back. Be patient…. I wish your daughter the very best – Take Care – Jack Leonard