Competitive Cheerleading

I've been having a lot of thoughts about competitive cheerleading recently. For one, what is it that even attracts people to it? I mean really think about it. You're risking your life flipping through the air dangerously close to other people flipping through the air. You stand twice your height on people's hands holding up one leg and smiling about it! You either get thrown into the air or you're throwing people into the air, and hoping that someone will catch you/them. I guess it's the adrenaline that keeps people going back, but there is no denying that it can be scary as jeepers!

I asked this question awhile ago, but disregarded it because I didn't think it was true. Could it be possible that people have predispositions to tumbling? It's true some people have the natural ability to pick up tumbling easier (boys are known for this actually). But could everyone technically obtain the skills to reach that level, or will the people with the "natural" ability always prevail?

As I was reading Caroline's blog about math and soccer it got me thinking about math and tumbling. There has to be some type of math involved and we just don't realize it. If you lean back at more of an angle, will you get more height? Does the speed at which you run affect the resulted tumbling?

And then there's another big problem with tumbling in particular: mental block. Mental block happens in most everyone at least once. It happens to some more severe than others. It's a mysterious thing sometimes. I guess it happens when you think too much about your tumbling. Yes, this can actually be a negative thing. Tumbling is considered "muscle memory" so sometimes you literally just have to jump and trust your body that you'll flip and land. What's the best way to overcome this mental block? I know numerous people that have quit, because the mental block got the best of them. Is it possible to avoid a mental block at all? Why do some people have mental block more than others?