How do you do an inward flip tuck?

How to get over the fear of doing a standing back tuck?

• I've had my standing back tuck for like 2 months now. It is really high and short when I do it correctly, which is really good technique if you had ever done a back tuck before. However, I am not always consistent with it and there has been a few times I've fallen on my face!:/ It is definitely a blow to my confidence...so sometimes I'm afraid to throw it! I only bust when I stick out my head too much or don't grab my calves at the end... When I do stick it though, it is really easy. Back tucks are so easy but yet they scare the heck outta me! I don't know what I'm scared of. How can I get over my fear of throwing my standing back tuck? Its for cheerleading, btw! Thanks y'all(:

• Answer:

  Okay... I'm guessing that you're feeling a lot of pressure to do this back tuck. Perhaps tryouts are coming up, and you feel like you HAVE to do this back tuck or you might not make it. Or maybe you're already on a team, and you feel like you HAVE to do your tuck for an upcoming competition, or to keep your spot on the team. Am I right? Because stress and pressure is almost always the cause of fear/mental blocks. You KNOW you can do it, but all you can think of is what will happen if you DON'T do it. And those negative thoughts are taking over and getting in your way. People peform much better when they're feeling positive, confident, relaxed and unpressured. So take a deep breath and clear your mind. And tell yourself this: It is really, truly, honest to God OKAY if you don't ever do your back tuck again! And I'm not joking. If you're getting ready for tryouts, consider this. The difference between doing a standing back and a standing back handspring is very, very small. At our school, for instance, a standing back is worth 5 points, and a standing back handspring is worth 3. That's only two points difference, which can easily be made up in other areas, like jumps, motions, etc. We just had our tryouts, and several girls who did toe-BHS made it, while some who did toe-backs didn't! So try to relax and don't worry about it. Keep on practicing, of course! And maybe try going someplace else to practice... a different gym, or a different type of floor, or having different people with you. That can sometimes do the trick. But if you still don't feel confident enough to do it, just do a back handspring instead! It really will be okay! And if you can honestly convince yourself of that, you'll probably find that you'll actually be able to do the dang thing! Good luck!