Mental block is a common term in acrobatic training, but many athletes are actually experiencing fear of executing a skill. That fear is normal and tends to show up when parts of the movement are still unclear or not yet trained enough.
In specialized sports science literature, a true mental block is often described as Last Movement Syndrome: a condition where an athlete becomes involuntarily unable to execute a movement they previously could perform.
When what you are dealing with is fear, the solution is primarily technical. The first step is to go back to the foundations of the movement, break the skill into phases, train those phases independently, and rebuild it gradually in lower-risk environments.
Coach Frez's recommended training approach
- Break the skill into clear phases and train each one independently.
- Identify the scariest phase by mentally performing the skill.
- Use drills that reinforce correct movement patterns.
- Move to less intimidating surfaces before progressing.
- Ask your coach to help reassemble the full skill gradually.
- Use controlled repetitions focused on quality, not speed.
- Rehearse the skill by visualizing it in slow motion from start to finish.
A useful self-check is to close your eyes and imagine the whole skill in slow motion from start to finish. If there is any part you cannot clearly visualize or explain, that is probably the part you need to train more.
In most cases, what athletes have is normal and manageable. Be patient, trust the process, and continue working on the right drills.