Simplifying the Competitive Environment
Suzanne Youclan is a former University of Georgia gymnastics coach with an impressive track record: nine national championship teams and 33 individual NCAA champions. In an interview, Youclan explained how she responds to athletes that are in “overload” mode during competition. A key component of Youclan’s approach is to simplify the competitive environment as much as possible.
Suzanne Youclan is a former University of Georgia gymnastics coach with an impressive track record: nine national championship teams and 33 individual NCAA champions. In an interview, Youclan explained how she responds to athletes that are in “overload” mode during competition. A key component of Youclan’s approach is to simplify the competitive environment as much as possible.
Question: “What do you say, or how do you coach during or after a competition with an athlete who is struggling with handling competitive pressure?”
Answer: “One of the first things I do is to make sure she is not in “overload” mode. Many coaches coach too much. They give too much information- too many cues. It’s a mistake when you tell an athlete five things at once, instead of one. I want to make sure she is not getting too much information from too many people. I may have to address this with the other coaches. I’ll then have the athletes focus on two cues. One is a technical cue that they write on their left hand (which might be a phrase like “head back” or “arm straight”). This technical cue can change depending on what event they are doing. On beam, it could be “chin up.” On their right hand, I have them write an emotional cue. One of our five-time national champions will write “ferocious.” She likes to think of herself as ferocious or fierce.”
The specific technical cue and emotional cue will vary from one person to the next, and from one activity to the next. The intent is for the participant to identify one technical cue and one emotional cue that best allow him or her to simplify the competitive environment and to allow the mind and body to fully focus on the task at hand.
Luke MacLean
Annandale Middle School and High School Activities Director
Source: Winning the Athletic Mental Game (Edited by John Sikes Jr.)
Luke MacLean
Annandale Middle School and High School Activities Director
Source: Winning the Athletic Mental Game (Edited by John Sikes Jr.)