Gymnastics (Sport Psychology Library) [Paperback]

Karen D. Cogan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sport Psychology Library | Publication Date: January 1, 2000

A must-read for every gymnast coach parent or fan this book offers solutions to the mental and physical challenges gymnasts face in training in competing and in integrating the sport into their lifestyles. Included are tips from champions strategies for approaching the apparatus and exercises for self-assessment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Peter Vidmar has done it again. Sport Psychology: Gymnastics is a comprehensive guide for athletes, coaches, and parents. This book outlines the philosophy that made Vidmar and Olympic gold medalist and provides the details that can make you a champion both in and out of the gym." -- Bart Conner & Nadia Comeneci -- Olympic Gold Medalists

"The young reader will be inspired by the stories and examples from their gymnastics heroes and will gain tremendous insight on how to deal with the mental challenges of gymnastics. Vidmar and Cogan stuck the landing!" -- Tim Dagget --Olympic Gold Medalist

About the Author

Dr. Karen Cogan is a former UCLA gymnast and internationally known sport psychologist. She was a competitive gymnast for 10 years before two knee injuries ended her career prematurely. Karen has a master's degree in kinesiology and a Ph.D. in psychology. She consults with athletes at the University of North Texas Center for Sport Psychology as well as in her private practice.

Peter Vidmar serves on the Executive Committee of USA Gymnastics. In 1984, he led the US Men's Gymnastics Team to its first-ever Olympic Gold Medal while also capturing the gold on pommel horse and the silver in the all-around competition. In addition, Peter has numerous NCAA and international titles. Today he translates his skills as a leader and motivator into inspirational presentations for Fortune 500 companies.

SPL: Gymnastics is organized in seven sections: the psychology of gymnastics, the apparatus, relationships with other people in gymnastics, dealing with fear, dealing with body image and eating concerns, and the role of gymnastics in life. Each section details information and concerns most important to the gymnast, providing techniques for self-evaluation and the development of on-floor strategies to succeed in competition. SPL: Gymnastics helps gymnasts identify their strengths and weaknesses to gain the advantages they need to accomplish their goals. All athletes who read SPL: Gymnastics will benefit from the dual psychologist/pro-athlete perspective and will find themselves building confidence, improving focus, managing anxiety, and increasing motivation.

The Sport Psychology Library is equipped for a wide audience of sport participants and professionals. Each book in the series is co-authored by a sport psychologist and a recognized athlete or coach. The dialogue, insight, and interaction between the practicing sport psychologist and the athlete/coach make each book highly appealing and useful. According to series editor, Gold Medal Psychological Consultants President, Shane Murphy, "The books in the Sport Psychology Library are not about psychology, but how to deal with the real-life challenges faced by those who play." Gymnastics is the second book in the series. Other books in the series include Tennis, Bowling, Golf, and Basketball.

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Fitness Info Tech (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885693176
• ISBN-13: 978-1885693174
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Gymnastics
  • #94 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Sports Psychology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'll give this book a 10 for being so imformative and useful, February 24, 2004

By 

StarGymnast (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gymnastics (Sport Psychology Library) (Paperback)

Whether you're a competitive gymnast on the club level or a collegiate gymnast, or even just a beginner, you will benifit from this marvelous book. It was written by two former gymnasts, Peter Vidmar and Karen Cogan, who also happens to be a sport psychologist. It will help you improve on your performance by learning how to play the mental game of gymnastics and gives you many strategies to practice and to use to make yourself an even better gymnast that you were before.

This book gives you an instruction of the mental side of gymnastics, and then goes on to give tips about relaxation and energization strategies, positive thinking, mental imagery, developing focus and concentration, and goal setting to get where you want to be. The book then goes on to give individual chapters to each apparatus, highlighting the type of skills needed, mental skills that will help you on that apparatus, and other useful tips. But that's not all- you'll also get information on overcoming mental blocks and fear, dealing with fans, pressure, and fame, keeping the fun in gymnastics, body image and eating disorders, parents and coaches, and much more. This book is a much-needed look at how you can use mental skills to become the best gymnast that you can possibly be.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sport Psychology Library: Gymnastics, October 15, 2000

By 

Catherine (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gymnastics (Sport Psychology Library) (Paperback)

A terrific book for any gymnast that has fears, anxiety, or any thing like that. Peter Vidmar and Karen Cogan have done a beautiful job writing this book. I have visited Karen Cogan 4 times for my own fears in Gymnastics and she recommended this book. It was great! It really helped me in my gymnastics, and now, I finally have a series on beam! I highly recommend this book to all gymnasts and coaches!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sport psychology librairy gymnastics, June 10, 2000

By 

Lisa Kern - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gymnastics (Sport Psychology Library) (Paperback)

This book is an absolute must for any parent or gymnast who wishes to gain insite on the other side of the sport the mental gymnastics required as this sport evolves. There are many quick and easy quizes and practical tests that the gymnasts can use every day in thier paractices and at competitions.