-well sealed snacks that are easy to eat (such as dried fruit, granola bars, grapes...)
-water bottle!!! 2 would be good too
-grips (and braces/tape if you have anything that needs to be taped up or supported after a recent injury or something)
-hair styling things (brush, hair ties, pins, clips, hairspray, and a compact mirror) just in case! :)
-a bit of money (concessions, leotards for sale)
-tracksuit (for warmups)
-bandaids and some ibuprofen or Tylenol
-Extra comp. leo if you have one, in case something happens to your current one.
-feminine hygiene products (if something happens, you can usually get away with wearing bar shorts)
-a book or something to keep you entertained while waiting (it's a good idea to leave cell phones and iPods at home or with your parents)
-socks
-Regular day clothes (totally optional)
-Finally...make sure your parents bring a camera! :)
Obviously you don't need to bring all, some are just a precaution.
As for hurting hands, buy some aloe vera gel from a drugstore and apply some every night. Or a cream, that's vitamin E based, but I like aloe vera better. It can be a bit pricey, but well worth it! Also, it's a good idea to get a pumice stone (Walmart, drug stores) and rub down the callouses on your hands about once to twice a week. It helps prevent rips and reduces soreness. Some people put vaseline on their hands and cover with socks, then go to bed but it's WAY too weird for me, lol. XD Don't forget to ice your hands nightly, and ice them before the meet if they're sore, though make sure they're down to normal temperature before you start competing. You probably know this already but use a LOT of chalk! The more chalk, the less friction. Too too much chalk=chalk falling into eyes and/or mouth resulting in this really sexy face that your parents caught on camera and haunts you for......a long time.
Good luck! Don't forget to smile! Really try to use the aloe vera gel, it's great.
There's also this site called Chalkbucket for gymnasts and it's helpful. :D
When preparing for a competition, I always went over the routine in my head, imagining it perfectly a few times in a row uninterrupted. Last minute practice is good, but you don't want to get burnt out. So I would just go over the little dance moves with the polish I imagine a great dancer doing, popping the chin, flicking the wrists, pretty fingers, things that make it look clean, smooth, and polished like you've done it a million times and are a pro ;). Remember, the arms move with the legs so time things appropriately. Don't start using grips before competing because you have to break them in and adjust. Use them half the time during practice but do NOT use them at competition until you're ready. Be careful about doing full bar routines before meets, you don't want to rip early!
Good luck and have fun! Just do your best and learn from your mistakes.
You just have to eat well and relax. You'll mess up if you get nervous. But perhaps you can have one or two rounds of practice (make sure you don't hurt yourself)
Rather than fiding entertainments while waiting for your, I suggest that you watch how other people are doing (a fine entertainment for me, I always do that while waiting for my turn and something it can get boring) but don't freak out when there are some one better than you you just learn from what you see ;)
I personally apply aloe vera gel (if my hands are reddish and sore and the outer layer of skin is scraped) or just some cocoa butter (if it looks okay). I don't wear grips so sometimes my hands will bleed a little (no one wears it in my area) but I don't put much chalk because my coach say applying to much chalk can make thing sh*tty. Plus, too much chalks are slippery and my palms sweats so basically it is useless to put that much.
You need to buy some grips they work sooo well i promise you that when i was in gymnastics i used them and there amazing haha and before a competiton just prey and you will do great good luck with all your stuff and god bless(:
extremely tough subject. look on bing and yahoo. it might help!
I'd like to know some good steps to take before a competition and how to prepare.
BONUS QUESTION: If you could tell me how to preserve my hands so they don't hurt as much on bars-may God bless your soul!
