Gymnastics Coaches: The RIGHT Way to Stop the Balking EP 297
PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
Release Date: 08/05/2023
Parenting Through Mental Blocks Day 3: The ONE THING That Has to be in Place Before Your Athlete Can Break Through a Mental Block EP 301
PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
In the third part of Parenting Through Mental Blocks, Coach Rebecca provides parents with necessary insights into the beliefs and mindsets surrounding mental blocks. As parents, we have the ability to help our young athletes in their journey toward improved mental health. However, to effectively help them, we must first understand them. This episode serves as a guide to help parents navigate this critical aspect. In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about: Misconceptions surrounding mental blocks Understanding the mental block mindset Characteristics...
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Parenting Through Mental Blocks Day 2: Do's & Don'ts for Parents EP 300
PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
Today Coach Rebecca continues the discussion from the last episode, addressing parents who are navigating the challenges of supporting their children through mental blocks. As parents, we have tremendous influence over our kids. Everything we say and do leaves an impact. Even our well-intentioned efforts can put on more pressure and discourage them. “The way that you show up as a sport parent is demonstrating certain beliefs.” – Rebecca Smith Drawing on her experience as a former athlete and a coach who has worked with athletes for decades, Coach Rebecca provides...
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Parenting Through Mental Blocks Day 1: How Simone Biles Overcame Her Mental Block (Twice!!) and How to Keep from Backsliding EP 299
PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
In this episode, Coach Rebecca provides invaluable guidance for parents who are supporting athletes struggling with mental blocks. A mental block is a challenge where the athlete's mind and body fail to work together; the body is fully capable, but the mind stops the body. “Mental block isn’t rational, but it is very real and very frustrating.”-Rebecca Smith Using the remarkable journey and career of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles as an example, Coach Rebecca emphasizes several crucial points: Mental blocks are a universal experience shared by every...
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How to Coach a Gymnast Through a Mental Block EP 298
PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
Today Coach Rebecca delves into a topic that every athlete and coach encounter at some point: the dreaded mental block. We’ve all witnessed it – those moments when we look at our athletes and see how tough and capable they are, and we can see from the outside that what they’re going through is a perspective issue. But helping them get through it can be frustrating. “You start with what you can do, and any progress forward is progress.” -Rebecca Smith When we look into how perspective plays in overcoming mental blocks, often these challenges are less about physical...
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Gymnastics Coaches: The RIGHT Way to Stop the Balking EP 297
PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
Balking, also known as a mental block or a dip in confidence, occurs when an athlete struggles with a skill they’re fully capable of performing. Today Coach Rebecca responds to a coach's question about how to handle a student grappling with balking. She shares her current philosophy and two-balk rule, which includes a private discussion follows the first balk, and then the athlete is done for the day after the second balk. She also discusses the reasons why athletes balk. When balking happens, it reveals a fixed mindset, creating a black-and-white perspective. The...
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How to Help Your Athlete When They're Struggling with Confidence (But They Don't Want Help) EP 296
PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
As parents, we all want the best for our young athletes, especially when they're going through tough times. But what should you do if your child resists the help and guidance we offer? In this episode, Coach Rebecca addresses this common concern and provides valuable insights for parents seeking ways to understand and support their athletes effectively. During their pre-teen and teenage years, it’s entirely normal for children to seek some distance from their parents. This developmental phase is marked by their quest for independence and the shaping of their identities. It's...
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Making Conditioning Fun with Gemma Coles EP 295
PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
Today Coach Rebecca is talking with Gemma Coles. She’s the creator of the Shuffle Up Gymnastics game. Together they talk about her game, why she developed it and why fun is the secret to success. Gemma shares her gymnastics coaching background. She’s always loved gymnastics and it’s been a fun part of her life. She had such good memories of her childhood gymnastics experiences she knew she wanted to be involved as a coach. Coach Rebecca and Gemma also discuss coaching styes and why she wanted to coach the way she was coached, with an emphasis on fun. “The...
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Building Resilience with NCAA Gymnast Sydney Ewing EP 294
PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
Do you want to develop unwavering mental strength and bounce back from setbacks in your gymnastics journey? Are you seeking a solution to build resilience and overcome challenges with confidence? Look no further! Today, Coach Rebecca is delighted to introduce Sydney Ewing, an expert in building resilience in gymnasts. She'll share valuable insights and tips to help you develop the mental toughness needed to achieve remarkable results. Get ready to unlock your inner strength and soar to new heights in the sport you love! Sydney Ewing is an inspiring example of resilience...
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How To Stop Stressing Over Things You Can't Control EP 293
PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
Today, Coach Rebecca is doing a great training to help you stop stressing over things you can’t control. This episode is great for parents and athletes. Things happen that we can’t control, but here’s a go-to strategy you can use anytime. Stress shows up when we spend energy trying to control things that we can’t control. You may fall into the “control freak” mode. Trying to force and manage things so everything is “perfect”. Another mode is the “worrier”, and sometimes we’re both! The bottom line for both of these is they’re created by...
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How to Help Your Athlete Build Confidence From the Inside Out EP 292
PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
If you're feeling frustrated and helpless as your young athlete struggles with self-doubt, anxiety, or lack of confidence, then you’re not alone! The good news: building inner confidence is a learned skill that can be cultivated with targeted strategies and support. That’s what Coach Rebecca is covering in today’s episode. The Inner Confidence Formula Parental involvement is essential in shaping a young athlete's sense of self-worth. Coach Rebecca discusses building inner confidence in young athletes and what parents can do to support that...
info_outlineBalking, also known as a mental block or a dip in confidence, occurs when an athlete struggles with a skill they’re fully capable of performing. Today Coach Rebecca responds to a coach's question about how to handle a student grappling with balking.
She shares her current philosophy and two-balk rule, which includes a private discussion follows the first balk, and then the athlete is done for the day after the second balk. She also discusses the reasons why athletes balk.
When balking happens, it reveals a fixed mindset, creating a black-and-white perspective. The brain perceives risk in the situation, triggering a fight, flight, or freeze response. It shows that the brain lacks confidence in the athlete's abilities, leading to a fear-based reaction rather than a rational one.
“When you freeze up on a skill, you hesitate. That’s your brain sending a loud and clear message, “I’m not ready yet. I need to build more confidence first.” -Coach Rebecca Smith
Here’s a three-step process for addressing this:
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Build Awareness: Help the athlete become conscious of their balking tendencies and understand what could lead to this response.
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Build Confidence: Work on enhancing the athlete's self-belief and trust in their abilities. Encourage them to take incremental steps toward conquering the skill.
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Build Self-Trust: Foster an environment where the athlete can safely work through their fear and gain confidence in their abilities.
“Taking a step back is not getting off the path to success. It is the path to success.” -Coach Rebecca Smith
Creating a flexible and collaborative environment is necessary in nurturing athletes who are happy and trusting. When athletes have confidence in themselves and trust in their coaches, they feel secure in expressing their needs and concerns.
Building confidence is a journey, and with the right support and mindset, athletes can navigate through balking and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever.