Every athlete knows how difficult it is to pick yourself up and keep going after a hard practice, but after speaking with many different athletes from all different levels, we’ve gathered some tips on how to get back up after a hard practice. 

1.  Focus on Small Goals & Progress

Often a stunt sequence is made up of four to six transitions, depending on the team. When you are maybe first learning that sequence, it's easy to get frustrated that you cannot hit the entire thing. You should, however, be proud of the transitions you have been hitting and then change your focus to attack the ones you may be having trouble with.

Remembering to be proud of the progress you've made as an athlete helps you continue moving forward with progress rather than being negative about whatever it is you are having trouble with.

2. Rest & Relax with Some Self-Care

The harder the practice, the more tired or sore your body will likely be. One of the best ways to unwind after a tough practice is to take a hot Epsom salt bath and allow both your muscles and your mind to relax.

3. Watch Your Favorite Team & Get Re-Inspired

Level 6 athlete from Top Gun Lady Jags, Noa Pogany, said when she has a bad day, she likes to get re-inspired by watching videos of her favorite teams.

It’s easy to forget that so many other athletes are in the same boat as you: getting beaten up, knocked down, feeling like their bodies are going to give up on them. Watching a few of your favorite teams will allow you to refocus your mind on the goal you’re striving for and remind you why you are an all star cheerleader.

4. Trust the Training Process

A big part of training is understanding that things aren’t always going to go your way; you’re going to have days where you feel like you just can’t keep going, but those are the practices when your team becomes stronger.

As I always tell my kids: “Mindset is everything.”

If you keep positive when having a tough practice day, you will be able to push past the struggles and frustrations and continue progressing individually and as a team.

5. There Are No Failures, Only Lessons Learned

As long as you are always learning and striving to improve, you can’t lose. Take what you learned at your last practice or competition and use it to make your next full out even better. Every time your stunt falls, you learn one more thing that is causing it not to hit. Take that knowledge with you to create good habits and soon you will be hitting your skills ever time.

Written by Jordan Hearn