My now 14-years L8 daughter always perform worse when the drive to get the place is over 2 hours. If she can stay the night before her session, she usually does fine. My husband and I thought she may have a sort of balance or sensory issues that might need time to adjust. So we usually arrive at least 1.5-2 hours before the open stretch begins. Still she consistently performs worse.
Now she is L8, the slight difference in performance has a big consequence. When she was younger, she still scored mid 8’s while when she stayed a night or goes to a closer meet, she got low 9’s, in general. Now when she can’t complete the routine, she loses big. At the last state meet, she couldn’t complete her bars (couldn’t do pirouette and cast to handstand) and didn’t qualify for regionals. This was very traumatic.
Now the new season has begun, the first meet (about 1:40) Drive, she did well. But at the last meet she botched her beam and vault and then during bars warmup, she couldn’t control herself. Somehow she regained the composure and ended up doing the routine, getting the second place on bars, but she cried even more after the meet, being scared of repeating the state performance. This must be very hard for her coaches and other gymnasts who rotated with her, as well. They were really nice and supportive, though.
So, my question is probably two-fold. Is there a way for her to cope with the past loss so she can focus on things right in front of her? She is usually very gritty for everything she does and rarely cries. Also, is there any tips to reduce the balance (or so I believe) issues after the long drive? I try to stay the night before but that’s not always possible, like in the case of Friday evening sessions.
Thank you for your help.
Now she is L8, the slight difference in performance has a big consequence. When she was younger, she still scored mid 8’s while when she stayed a night or goes to a closer meet, she got low 9’s, in general. Now when she can’t complete the routine, she loses big. At the last state meet, she couldn’t complete her bars (couldn’t do pirouette and cast to handstand) and didn’t qualify for regionals. This was very traumatic.
Now the new season has begun, the first meet (about 1:40) Drive, she did well. But at the last meet she botched her beam and vault and then during bars warmup, she couldn’t control herself. Somehow she regained the composure and ended up doing the routine, getting the second place on bars, but she cried even more after the meet, being scared of repeating the state performance. This must be very hard for her coaches and other gymnasts who rotated with her, as well. They were really nice and supportive, though.
So, my question is probably two-fold. Is there a way for her to cope with the past loss so she can focus on things right in front of her? She is usually very gritty for everything she does and rarely cries. Also, is there any tips to reduce the balance (or so I believe) issues after the long drive? I try to stay the night before but that’s not always possible, like in the case of Friday evening sessions.
Thank you for your help.