Gymnastics: A sport of mental strength as much as that of physical – Part 2
Realising one’s mistake is only half the journey to improvement. From this point further, the story can go either way – hurtling down to melancholia or bursting forth towards rectification.
Not everyone is born with a natural inclination towards internal locus of control. For most people it is a cultivated attitude, which is a source of comfort as it spells hope for gymnasts who do not already possess the orientation.
Great Britain’s Beth Tweddle is one example of resilience. She has repeatedly abandoned planned retirements in order to rectify below par performance and has had successful comebacks.
But how does one draw out that unrelenting spirit from within, which would push one towards a second shot?
A change in attitude can be harder than mastering a Yurchenko with broken ankles. Positivity needs to come from external and internal sources to help an athlete embrace the change completely.
Gymnasts spend the greater part of their day at the gym under training, hence the widest window of opportunity to influence and shape their personalities lies in the hands of people who they encounter during training.
There are a few simple techniques which coaches can apply to help their gymnasts in times of distress.
First of all, it needs to be drilled into the minds of the athletes that they always have the option to change things around to their advantage.
Whenever athletes find themselves at a dead end, they should make a list of ways to go from that point on without going into an in depth analysis of the actions.
At times company can be the best resource to a troubled source.
Coaches should ensure that the environment at the gym is conducive for building friendly ties between co-trainees. The trainers should also establish a good rapport with the gymnasts.
Fellow trainees share the same kinds of experiences and coaches have had the most up close view of them, hence they are most likely to be able to relate to sports-related stresses and provide useful insights.
Be the pool of options generated by the athletes themselves, or in conjunction with others, its real instrumental value lies in its ability to show one the number of ways out of a situation (also regardless of how effective each way is).
With time, the practice will become a habit and will take a more intangible shape as one gets used to going through the process mentally.
Another simple but important aspect is the tone of voice and thought. Making conscious effort to eradicate absolute negatives can make a huge impact on the overall attitude.
These are only a few straightforward techniques of elevating the spirit and boosting the “I can” attitude.
But trainers should be armed with even more knowledge and skills in sports psychology. This will enable them to help athletes through the rough patches and ensuring that they recover in the true sense.
The bruises on the surface and visible damage can be fixed with time and medicinal therapy, but the wounds to the spirit can stay fresh forever and impede an athlete in moving past setbacks.
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