Friday 25 May 2012

How Do You Deal With Scared Athletes?


            Many coaches ask the same question and the truth is that there is no right or wrong way to deal with a nervous athlete of any age. For older populations their morbidity and mortality is playing a huge role in preventing them from absent-mindedly throwing themselves into a front tuck. So how do you deal with a frightened middle aged woman? I will list out what I PERSONALLY would do. This of course is my own thoughts and I am not discrediting anyone else’s ideas or claiming my way is the only logical way.
          I find that the attitude of any athlete younger or older is based on the way the coach handles him or herself. In terms of cowardice, if the coach looks nervous or uses unsure phrases or even gets a nervous twitch at any time, it will be sensed by the athlete. This is just like when a baby senses when the parent is not ready to be a parent. They are not being directly told that the parent is unfit to be raising them but they gain knowledge of this through the actions of the parent. Coaching is the same way. Many higher level coaches understand this and even if they are a little nervous, they keep those feelings hidden away so the athlete has no reason to think that the coach has no faith. I do this by always throwing out phrases such as “ oh ye you want to learn stomach drop? Oh ye that is easy, let’s try it right now”. Obviously it is not easy. For a person who has rarely or never touched a trampoline it will be scary to  get up and trust that they will land at the perfect angle on the bed to ensure a proper landing. I think a phrase that will increase the nervousness may sound something like this.” Well, make sure you progress slowly so you do not hurt yourself”. Obviously right there is a red flag to the athlete. “ why do I have to go slow, what happens if I don’t?” etc. These questions build up like Lego and eventually you have a leaning tower of Pisa of negativity, which unfortunately, more often than not will prove to be much less sturdier then the structure in Italy.
             If this mistake is made it is very hard to come back. Literally you have to regain the trust of the athlete ,which as we know in society, is much harder than losing trust. But let us assume that from the moment you start building rapport with the athlete you are very easy going and ensure that even the toughest skills are easy, without any negativity. What else can be done to increase courage? Well for one, the athlete has to believe you know what you are talking about. It never hurts to show off a bit before the class. People will watch and spread the news of a great trampolinist. Are you going to go to an electrician that you meet outside of a courthouse who just got sued?- Probably not. Make sure your accomplishments are well out there so that people really know that you know what you are talking about.
             Another thing I do is focus really hard on making sure I demonstrate a lot. This is BIG and unfortunately too many coaches just sit on their ass during coaching while they tell their athlete to work harder. * Shake Head*. Get up and show the athlete what you want them to do. Actions speak louder than words basically. DO NOT jump high when demonstrating. This will freak the athlete out because they are trying to copy what you are doing and if you do a back drop with 1.5 seconds of air time the athlete will get nervous. Go very low, and talk during the demonstration. It shows that it is easy and there is nothing to be worried about. If the coach looks like he or she is preparing or nervous or has to even think about it then you are taking steps backwards.  Make it look as easy as possible. I do not take more then one bounce for backdrops and front drops and half airplanes etc. Bouncing=Preparing, Preparing= nervousness.
The last step is the one we all know well; progressions. Do not have them do a front drop or back drop the first time they get on the trampoline unless they already want to do it. In that case the athlete is most likely not scared and the above article does not apply to you.  Here is a list of progressions I would do with a       “ worst case scenario” of a scared athlete.
-         
           Jump up and down
-                 *Jump side to side
-                 *Jump forward and backward
-                *Jump to all four corners
-                 Tuck jumps
-                 Star jumps
-                 Straddle
-                 Pike
-                Sit on Butt and kip them slightly ( no more then an inch or two)- eventually work up to feet
-                 Seat drop onto matt- then no matt
-                Back drop- start with lying on back and kipping slightly to seat drop then to feet
-               Repeat with stomach drop to hands and knees to feet
ETC

            I have “*” the skills that normally are questioned by other athletes or coaches. The reason I have them jump around in different areas is because it increases awareness of the trampoline and how it moves the body.  Too many coaches just jump into seat drops and backdrops and ye most likely the athlete will land funny. At this early in the game ANY rough landings will facilitate into Hermit Crab-Itis. The athlete will get scared of doing it again and will not be easily risking another hard landing.
            I know that article may make scared athletes seem fragile and hard to handle but most athletes, no matter what age, quickly get into the rhythm of trampoline and the nerves pass quickly. I have never had to do the above progression with anyone. I have done certain ones based on the particular fears of the athlete but never all in that order.  The main key is your attitude. You have to have the athlete believe it is easy and that the chances of hurting themselves are very low. Be patient as well. Some people take five minutes to get over fears and others take 3 months. If they are willing to come back, then go at their pace. Only competitive can you start pushing a bit and even then you may scare them off with a hard shove. As long as they are trying and putting honest effort into it keep a smile on your face. If you find yourself getting irritated because of a cowardice athlete, stop and think about something you would be hesitant of doing. Ie. Having a stranger tell you to jump out of a plane with a flimsy sheet on your back. You have to understand that that fear that so many people have is the exact same thing that some feel when on a trampoline.
I hope this gives people something to think about. Thanks.

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