A mental block in gymnastics is a phenomenon where a gymnasts brain freezes and prevents them from performing a skill that they have done many times before. It is a biological response based on the fight-flight-or-freeze response, where the brain senses a threat and puts on the brakes. Mental blocks are not caused by laziness, lack of motivation, or giving up on skills. They are also not actual fear of the skill, although fear can contribute to mental blocks. Mental blocks can be caused by various factors, including changes in the gym or coaches, fear of injury or re-injury, fear of embarrassment, fear of letting others down, growth spurt, being a perfectionist, reinforcing the block, added pressure and stress, threats, and progressing too fast. Mental blocks can affect not only a gymnasts ability to perform a specific skill but also their entire career and confidence. Coaches can help gymnasts overcome mental blocks by making connections between the pressure theyre feeling and the actual reality, building confidence through a series of successes, and dissolving the pressure.