Focus: The Difference Between Focus in Practice vs. in Competition This week is a big week at Wildcard! Hosting a home competition is fun, a lot of work and often results in some extra pressure on the gymnasts. This week we will be working on how to deal with this added pressure and turn it into success! During practice, gymnasts are constantly learning about positions and shapes. They are making corrections to perfect their routines. However, come competition day, gymnasts need to be in execution mode. They need to trust that their bodies know what to do and simply concentrate on hitting skills the way they do everyday in practice.

1. Your assignment this week: At practices, pay attention to how the routines/skills feel when you are doing them. Use your senses when perfecting each skill. After doing the skill, while waiting for your next turn, concentrate on recreating that same feeling on each turn. This will help your body remember how to execute (hit) the skill how you want.

2. Your Focus Homework: (Taken from “Becoming a True Champion” by Kirk Mango.) This exercise will help you understand how to relax and center your attention on what you are doing. This will help you to have amazing focus at competitions!

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3. Print, decorate and sign the Code of a Champion Contract (click the link to print). If that doesn’t work, try pasting the following url in your browser:  http://becomingatruechampion.com/AChampion.htm
4. Hang it in a place where you will see it everyday (on your mirror, locker, bedroom door, etc.)