Cheer Mental Blocks Explained: Why Athletes Freeze and How to Help | Oregon Dream Teams

Mental blocks are one of the hardest things an athlete, a parent and a coach can go through. Coach Dan Cotton breaks down what a mental block really is, why athletes freeze on skills they have already mastered, and what parents and coaches can do to help them get through it. Dan has coached cheer for 23 years, started out as a gymnast, and has led the Oregon Dream Teams Worlds Level 6 program since 2010. He has coached many athletes through mental blocks, had one himself, and is walking through one right now as a parent. In this video he shares what he has learned from all three sides. What you will learn: What a mental block is, and why a lost skill is not always a mental block The difference between fear after an injury and an anxiety block that feels illogical How the amygdala's fight, flight or freeze response takes over, no matter how badly an athlete wants the skill Why Unblocked 2 by Jeff Benson is the book to read together as a parent and athlete, plus the green, yellow and red light model How a growth mindset and celebrating small wins move an athlete forward What to say in the car after practice instead of "did you throw it?" Why yelling and bribery backfire, and when private lessons help Chapters: 0:00 "What are we paying for?" 0:34 Mental blocks frustrate everyone 1:34 What a mental block is 2:25 It's not always a mental block 2:46 Don't respond with frustration 3:52 Fear after an injury 5:10 When a block feels illogical 5:40 The amygdala: fight, flight, freeze 8:09 Read Unblocked 2 by Jeff Benson 9:45 Green, yellow and red light 10:59 Fixed vs growth mindset 12:04 My daughter's mental block 14:53 A block can become a superpower 15:46 What to say in the car 17:11 Yelling and bribery do not work 17:37 Why private lessons help 18:20 Make a plan together If your athlete is struggling with a mental block, you are not alone, and neither are they. Talk to your coach, make a plan, and celebrate every small step. ODT parents, reach out to us anytime. We are in this with you. CONNECT WITH US: Join ODT / Register: https://joinodt.com Book a Gym Tour: https://oregondreamteams.com/cheer/ All Star Cheer Program: https://oregondreamteams.com/cheer/ Rec Classes & Preschool: https://oregondreamteams.com/rec-clas... About ODT: https://oregondreamteams.com/about-us/ Website: https://oregondreamteams.com Address: 10565 SW Nimbus Ave, Ste 110, Tigard, OR 97223 Coaches and gym owners: Dan also hosts the Cheer Biz Podcast, all about the business side of running a cheer gym. ODT is the only program in Oregon to consistently offer teams from Level 1 through Worlds Level 6. Our Medium Senior 4 team won the 2025 D2 Summit Championship. #OregonDreamTeams #ODT #CompetitiveCheer #AllStarCheer #MentalBlock #MentalBlocks #CheerParents #CheerCoach #Tumbling #BackHandspring #SportsPsychology #GrowthMindset #CheerMom #PortlandCheer #OregonCheer