I've competed 4 times since I started competing in October. The first time, I was nervous, but I wasn't really bothered about the result. I didn't expect to win anything, and I was just concerning myself with competing and landing my routines. I took 1st place and was super surprised and happy.
The next comp was an 'invitational' (a friendly competition tacked onto the end of a 2 day training camp) with kids who were AMAZING. Again, I didn't expect to win anything, but I actually came 3rd and my team came first.
Then I did a Uni comp, where I WAS bothered about winning and wanted to do well. I got so nervous and came 10th out of 15 in my category. Then last week I did an in house comp at my club where I was put in the most advanced category and came joint 3rd out of 4 (last).
I've been more nervous with each successive comp because I've put more pressure on myself, and because I've been in higher categories each time. Routines that I used to do with relative ease now look forced and sloppy, and my scores are suffering. When I came out of the last 2 comps with those scores I felt so bad....
I know exactly what I'd say if any of the kids I coach came to me and told me this stuff but I just can't take my own advice. And I've realised that although I now work 5 or 6 somersaults into a 10 move routine they actually still scare me a bit.
Any advice on dealing with the pressure would be greatly appreciated!
The next comp was an 'invitational' (a friendly competition tacked onto the end of a 2 day training camp) with kids who were AMAZING. Again, I didn't expect to win anything, but I actually came 3rd and my team came first.
Then I did a Uni comp, where I WAS bothered about winning and wanted to do well. I got so nervous and came 10th out of 15 in my category. Then last week I did an in house comp at my club where I was put in the most advanced category and came joint 3rd out of 4 (last).
I've been more nervous with each successive comp because I've put more pressure on myself, and because I've been in higher categories each time. Routines that I used to do with relative ease now look forced and sloppy, and my scores are suffering. When I came out of the last 2 comps with those scores I felt so bad....
I know exactly what I'd say if any of the kids I coach came to me and told me this stuff but I just can't take my own advice. And I've realised that although I now work 5 or 6 somersaults into a 10 move routine they actually still scare me a bit.
Any advice on dealing with the pressure would be greatly appreciated!