Advice on how to not get pissed/frustrated at practice???

[Vault Chick]

Hey Everyone!!!

Well, I don't know where to begin, but I had a simple question.... So, basically when I'm at practice, and am not having a good day, I start really getting frustrated, and really pissed off at myself. This causes me to think negatively, and causes me to get stressed out, being as if I have certain goals I wanna reach, especially since this is my senior year. So, when I am having a bad day like this, how do I prevent myself from getting like this???? Yeah, I know, some of you may say, just wrap it up, and yes, I have tried that. But, besides that, what else could I do? I've talked to many people about this, one including Becky Holiday, and most of them just say to try and tell myself that it is just a bad day, and it will be fine, so that I can calm myself down, but I've tried doing that to, and it doesn't help me. Any new ideas????

[rainbowgirl28]

Talk like a pirate. Arrrrr. Every day can be like international talk like a pirate day.

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/

[Sebes]

Remember that this is something you choose to do for fun, so relax! I assume you're eager to improve...and that you want to do it fast? You probably think about what you want to accomplish at practice. If your performance at practice doesn't match your expectations, you probably get upset, right? At that point you probably become negative and beat yourself up and worry about not becoming as good as you want to be. That's living in fear. Relax and roll with the punches...understand that conditions change...you don't always have control. So let go. Your mental game needs to be flexible and ready to adapt. For example, a couple years ago I planned on winning the B division at the Ben Brown Invitational held at Mt. SAC. I showed up that morning and it was hailing in Southern California; I expected it to be hot and sunny. This obviously altered my plans. But I told myself, "Relax, this is going to scare most people off. Instead of winning with an extraordinary jump, in these conditions it will probably only take an average jump on a first attempt. By the time the meet started, 2/3's of the field left for home. I only had to worry about 10 other guys. So I didn't get upset or frustrated. I remained cool and calm, and I was able to think clearly and adjust my strategy in order to be successful. Pole vaulting is a mental sport. Your mind can't be over ridden with fear and impatience. This is also a fun sport, so loosen up. Here's an idea: wear something ridiculous looking next time you jump- like the dude who wears the spandex tuxedo...he's having fun!. Good luck.

[VaultMarq26]

I have recently tried relaxation breathing. Deep breath in and deep breath out. When you breath out repeat the same word every time. Like "relax" or "settle". I do this anytime i get frustrated.

I also do this for 10 minute sessions every so often. That way when I breath and use that word I have chosen, my body will start to relax.

I try to focus on the breathing and not think about anything else. It has helped me stop freaking out when I am having a bad day.

Give it a try. You have nothing to lose.

[mjaubbs40]

Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson in Anger Management. Take a deep breath and then I think they say something like:
"Goozefraba"
Seriously, lower your grip and shorten your run. Or better yet, start at the box with a low grip & work your way back down the runway and up the pole. You'll find the point where it no longer is going well--then bring it back in and work up the confidence until it's automatic and you can progress.

[lonestar]

The definition of insanity is applying the same approach over and over again and expecting a different result.

...or something like that

When you're having a bad day, simply refocus and do something else productive. If your long run vaults aren't working, come in and jump short, or do drills of one kind or another, or go lift, do plyos, or run instead. The bottom line is focus on pr'ing on one element of your training every day, and a lot of times that won't be the height you clear. Could be a pole pr (biggest pole you've ever jumped on), a grip pr (the highest you've ever gripped), a consistency pr (10 takeoffs without a run-through, or 10 jumps in a row over 10'0), a lifting pr in lbs or a time pr in sprinting, or a pr for length of time you stretched after practice or how many abs/core you did. Small, stairstep goals are the path to achieving the bigger goals.

[vault3rb0y]

One approach is to analyze WHY your practice is not going well. NOT to find an excuse, but to find the issues and correct them. If you start getting really frustrated, take a step back and decide how to correct the way you are doing something. I have this problem ALL the time with hitting a free take off. Since i only get one practice a week with my coach, you have to analyze what to do yourself quite a bit during the week. If your legs are dead, go from a shorter run. If you are having trouble with your posture, do some pole runs. If you are too frustrated to find the reason for having a bad day, just admit it is a bad day and find something productive that will help you for your next practice, and commit that next practice to being a GOOD day. A lot of times when things just really are not rolling, i will do pop ups and try to exxagerate the free take off. Or get on a really soft pole holding low, and try to hit your positions, but do it in a fun way, and do something crazy like barrel roll at the top of your jump.

The point is, there is something you can do each and every day to get better. Whether it is feeling like a million bucks and jumping the hieghest you ever have, or fighting through those terrible days to at least work on one part of your jump, you are at least building confidence and having fun each day. My coach tells me to vault with a purpose when you jump. That means commit everything you have into getting better. do that, but when you are having trouble with one part of the jump, simplify it. Go to a short run on a really short pole and correct what you are trying to correct. And HAVE FUN with it. Leave the pit with a smile, no matter how bad you felt, because even on bad days you can still enjoy vaulting. Anyway, good luck! We all go through it, just be optimistic and make the best of each day.

[Soar Like an Eagle]

Hey Everyone!!!

Well, I don't know where to begin, but I had a simple question.... So, basically when I'm at practice, and am not having a good day, I start really getting frustrated, and really pissed off at myself. This causes me to think negatively, and causes me to get stressed out, being as if I have certain goals I wanna reach, especially since this is my senior year. So, when I am having a bad day like this, how do I prevent myself from getting like this???? Yeah, I know, some of you may say, just wrap it up, and yes, I have tried that. But, besides that, what else could I do? I've talked to many people about this, one including Becky Holiday, and most of them just say to try and tell myself that it is just a bad day, and it will be fine, so that I can calm myself down, but I've tried doing that to, and it doesn't help me. Any new ideas????

Keep things in perspective; continue to focus on improving your technique, getting stronger and faster. Compete in other events, which may help. If you get stronger and faster if you are not happy with your technique you can still improve. Understand the conditions you are practicing and competing in and make adjustments. Have realistic goals (understand your goals) for every workout, be POSITVE, listen to music and have fun and you will be fine. I used to have a very bad temper, get very frustrated and not know how to handle things until I fractured my skull, spent three weeks in the hospital (I don’t recommend it) and it put things in perspective. Tim Mack jumped 14’6â€Â

[Vault Chick]

I really want to say thanks to all of you guys for the great advice. I never thought of a lot of the stuff you guys said to do, and I really appreciate everything!!! If anyone else has more advice, then keep it coming! Thanks!

[LHSVaulterJJR]

wow i really was having the exact same problem. ide get frustrated for not doing specifics right or not making progress and what really helped me out was alot of visualization off the runway and when im in practice i make sure and tell myself that im allways perfectly warmed up and stretched out. everyday should be a day to make progress so enigmas such as aches pains or newly pulled muscles arent fun. also i remind myself constantly after every jump that i should make progress and vault better every time. no matter what aspect of the vault your working on that day. dont just mindlessly vault practicing the same bad form. concentrate stay positive and you should be great!

[VaultPurple]

im with becca... talk like a pirate!