Well, this is a tough one. Some where along the line she became fearful because of something. Whether something happened with her, or she saw something, or maybe even just the realization of what she is doing, who knows. I have seen kids develop fear for no outwardly apparent reason. To them, however, it is real.

You will have to take her back a couple of steps before moving her forward again. This is common in many sports, where an individual has to take a couple steps back before advancement can take place.

I would start by stacking mats to the point that there is no fear for her anymore. This may be all the way up to the height of the low bar. I would then, over a period of time, slowly remove mats (little by little) making sure she demonstrates full confidence before removing any more.

Fear like this can be painstakingly difficult to cure. I have had high school age gymnasts all of a sudden stop in the middle of a backhandspring they have been doing for years. No apparent reason, just stop, landing right on their head. Once that happens, it reinforces their fear.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Kirk Mango
http://www.becomingatruechampion.com/

You need to let her coach deal with it. If its a real fear, then nothing you say is going to make her jump. I think the more you mention it, the worse it becomes. Most girls overcome their fears with a good coach pushing them along.

Work it out with the coach if it is so bad that it cripples her progression then consider a sports psychologist, often your local university will have one on staff see if you can get some good relaxation techniques or visualzation ideas to help her out. Like Kirk said the fear she is feeling is real. From a coaching stand point I'd back up and start her out with easier progressions to lead up to that and make sure she has mastered it, then gradually move forward with spots or whatever helps her ease back into it.

THIS HAPPEND TO ME TO WITH MY BACK TUCK AND BACK HANDSPRING ON BEAM. ITS JUST A MENTAL BLOCK. SHE WILL EVENTUALLY GET OVER IT. I PROMISE. IT TAKES TIME. TRY MAYBE GOING ON VACATION SO SHE CAN GET AWAY FROM ALL THE STRESS. THAT ALWAYS HELPED ME. I QUIT AT LEVEL 8-9 DUE TO TOO MANY INJURIES.

Thx 4 the great answers about my daughter's fear of jumping to the high bar. She says she is not afraid anymore but is only tapping the bar, not grabbing it. I think it may have been a mental block like Zoe said. Her coach is working on getting her back to normal slowly. He doesn't want to push her.

I agree with Mike.