With a mindset that facilitates trust that you will recover your skills and the confidence to feel ready and capable of improvement.

Skaters all over the world have been off the ice for at least 2 months, and many are facing 1-3 more months before the rinks open.

Even the most dedicated and passionate skaters are starting to feel less and less confident that they will have their skills when they get back onto the ice:

• What if I have lost all my jumps?
• What if I have to go back to square one?
• What if I have lost my technique?
• What if my technique is all wrong?

Dreams of jumping back on the ice and gliding back to competition stronger than ever are fading, and doubts are getting louder:

• I feel like I won’t be able to skate as well as before.
• I was confident before all this happened, I want to feel that way again.
• I worry that I will be so far behind.
• I am nervous about getting back into competition, it’s been so long.
• I need to take my test, but will have little time to prepare.

The novelty of training off the ice and the initial momentum of “getting stronger to skate better” is wearing off. The uncertainty of future training is closer:

• I am worried about my health and the safety of skating at the rink.
• I am not in shape physically.
• How am I going to get through my programs skating with a mask?
• Some skaters are chosen to start training while others must wait.

Why R2RU?

This is the best time to train mental skills. This pandemic brought us adversity as well as the perfect opportunity for those who have the right mindset.

Because right now, athletes have some distance from their old habits on the ice.

We have the chance to plan ahead, anticipate and set up systems to recognize and tackle limiting beliefs and the doubts that held you back in the past.

This is the perfect opportunity to make a new start because:

• They are not bogged down with new learning right away.
• Skaters already have the technical skills and the motor memory.
• They are not learning old stuff again, but dusting their motor memory off.
• Physically they are stronger from training off the ice.
• Their only focus is physically ramping up to “normal” training levels.

But they must ramp up gradually to avoid injury and loss of confidence.
This is the perfect time to practice and build new mental habits.

Thinking will block the recovery of automatic skills. They need to stop thinking and stop judging.

Mental skills will facilitate this and they will get a chance to experience the power of working on them with success.

After R2RU you will:

• Know you are capable of skating up to pre-break skills.
• Know that your technique will eventually get stronger.
• Feel excited and less fearful about returning to the ice.
• Know what to do if you run into problems, or know how to ask for help.
• Know that you have time to prepare for competition and tests.
• Incorporate the good habits that you made during the break.
• Have time to enjoy skating and feel successful, build momentum through success while training smarter.

Will this work for Me?

Fundamentals: This ICE Method allows an athlete to make the most change as simply as possible. This is accomplished by making the change at the foundation where it will do the most good.

Just like improving the landing position of a jump affects points for all of the jumps at once.

Athletes don’t have 10 different strategies to learn and practice for 10 different situations, but a few basic strategies that can be used in 10 different situations.

Philosophy: The ICE Method starts with the premise that each individual is whole and fully capable. From there it is easier to figure out the gaps and how to bridge them.

My approach to mental skills training is just like that of a technical jump coach. Practice, give immediate feedback, repeat, more feedback.

This allows athletes to make the habits permanent and automatic.

Format: The R2RU program uses a combination of group and individual sessions to make it affordable while also delivering the promise.

Group sessions: Introduce the information and allow practice over time. Athletes learn they are not alone in their concerns.

Individual sessions: Allow me to give the information to the athlete’s individual concerns, clarify, troubleshoot and make an action plan.

What they are saying:

Please note, since the skating community is small, names are not included to preserve privacy.

People don’t understand what mental training is. They view it as something that you only need if you are going to compete. This is so much more. It is literally mental foundational skills just like skating foundational skills.
Skater, Eastern Section, US

I arrived at a stage in skating where I could not compete at all, dreaded every competition but still wasn’t ready to give up, just did not know what to do – stay or go. I decided to give mental training a try as a last attempt and invest in my mental game…. I have also learnt that mental training is just like any other skill in training, it needs to be exercised every day to get better at it. While I am still progressing I am enjoying skating more than ever and looking forward to my next competition.
Skater, Australia

You read my mind, Coach Pomai! Yes, I wish I had someone like you to give me guidance this early in life…would have saved me much unnecessary heartache!
Skater’s Parent, Skate Ontario, Canada

We get your email and think of you so often! We started the year with NO expectations other than her gaining experience and finding her love of skating again. Through the journey she has managed to qualify for the National Solo Dance Final.
Skater’s Parent, NWP Section, US

Overall, she performed to the best of her abilities and received praises from her coaches for how different she performed compared to the 2 previous competitions…It was great to see how she prepared herself mentally and able to manage her anxiety and fear. It was like looking at a different person!
Skater’s Parent, BC/YK, Canada

With the help of you I realized, I am not skating to impress other people because I want to go somewhere, do something. If I keep focusing on the little things I am not going to go anywhere.
Skater, Eastern Section, US

Return to the ICE Ready to Ramp Up

Group sessions: May 23 and 30, 8 am PDT (GMT-7) Saturday*

Works with your schedule:

1 individual session: right before you get back on the ice
1 individual session: after you have been on the ice for 1 or 2 weeks for adjustments.

*Group sessions are 45 min long with 15 minutes for questions. The information will be recorded in case you can’t make the session.

Individual sessions are 45 minutes long and include a highlight summary and action plan.

Investment:

At my normal rates a program like this would cost $450, but in order to help as many skaters as possible make a fresh start when returning to the ice, I’ve decided to offer this program for only $297.

The promise:

If you attend all of the sessions, ask for clarification when you don’t understand something, do your action plan, reach out to me (during the program timeframe) when you get stuck or need help. I promise that you will be less nervous and worried and more ready to face the transition head on. If not, I will work with you to make sure you get what you need (even if that means an additional session! My mission is that you will get what you need for this transition).

Session size is limited to 7 students. So register early.

Cart closes: Friday, May 22 9pm PDT (GMT-7) or when spaces are full.

FAQ

I don’t know when the rinks in my area will open. It might be a long time. Why start now? 

R2RU is set up with uncertainty in mind. I have put a lot of thought into an economical and effective program that will work no matter when your rinks open. 

The group component allows us to work on real worries skaters have right now in order to set the best mindset going forward. 

When thoughts go round and round in your mind, they can turn into real monsters that scare and paralyze you. 

New habits of thinking need time and practice to become automatic. What you learn in the group will also apply when you get on the ice. By starting now, you can practice on current worries so that you are ready to handle new worries on the ice.

Schedule your individual sessions when the time is right for you and your needs (whenever that is). 

The individual sessions assure that you have a current plan for your situation at the time your rink opens. 

Suggested use for sessions: 

• One session to make sure you are mentally prepared for the transition before you get on the ice. Schedule close to (before) your return to the ice. 
• One session to follow up and troubleshoot the reality of being on the ice. Schedule 1-3 weeks of ice time. This is to tweak, update your plan and tackle any problems early, so that you keep moving forward.

You have the flexibility to decide when these sessions will be. These are suggested time frames, individual needs may vary. We will work together to find what is best for you.

My specific questions are not listed in the program, will my issues be covered?

Absolutely! As we are all aware, this is an unprecedented situation. Because of this, everyone has their own worries and uncertainty. 

This class is driven by your needs, and has the flexibility to address what you need. 

How is that possible? 

Remember that the ICE Method works at the foundation level. A few basic mindset tools for many situations. Not a different tool for each situation. 

In a group situation, everyone will benefit by seeing how the same powerful tool applies to many different problems.

If we don’t cover your situation in class, I will be sure to talk with you to address it. 

I have a skater younger than 11 years old, can this help?

This program is geared towards skaters (a mature) 11 years old and above.
Parents are invited to sit in on sessions.

You know your child best. If you don’t feel that your child will benefit from a group class, you can attend with your child (or without) and use the information to help them. Private sessions can be held with parent alone or with skater present.

Adult skaters are very welcome.

All levels welcome.

Non skating athletes or musicians, artists welcome. Mental skills are universal, and everyone can benefit to hear how they work in different situations.

What if I miss the group session?

Sessions will be recorded and available for viewing.
You can send me questions about the material if you don’t understand something. I am happy to explain it.

What about group session privacy?

While topics discussed in the group sessions are not anticipated to elicit private confidences, all participants are required to respect the confidentiality of all group members.

Recordings are for use by the participant only. Recording will show the coach’s screen, not students, however students’ comments will be heard. Some editing is possible if the situation arises.

How do we schedule private sessions?

You will schedule private sessions with me according to your timetable.

You can schedule your sessions at any time within 2 years of the class starting date, however the program promise only applies if the sessions are scheduled within the parameters stated in the program. (A week or so before you step on the ice and within 2-3 weeks of your return to the ice.)

I can’t make it now, will you offer this again?

I can’t be sure I am never going to offer it again, but at this time I am not planning to offer this again, so even if you can’t make the group sessions, I encourage you to sign up and work through the recordings. I am always available to answer questions if something is not clear.

More Questions: Email: coachpomai@icementalgame.com