Mental Game Skills for Skating Success
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Practice the way you compete so that you can
Compete the way you practice.
You finished a competition. Once again, you wonder why you can’t skate consistently in competition. You know you have the potential to skate well because you do it in practice. Continue reading “How to Skate Consistent Programs in Competition”
The following question is from a concerned parent:
I have a 12 year old skater who is a perfectionist. This controls her whole life. In competition, if she falls on one jump, it is devastating to her and she can’t control her emotions. She shuts down and can’t compete or perform. She is a high achiever in school and first chair violin. Her coaches say she has the potential to reach Nationals in the future, but the biggest thing holding her back is her mindset.
She is so hard on herself. Nothing she does is ever good enough. There are many days in practice that she is in tears of frustration. I keep asking her if she wants to quit but she just gets more upset.
I have tried reading books to her, motivational quotes, journaling and even not allowing her to skate if she cries on the ice, but nothing works. I need advice.
— Sports Mom
Listen to Audio version here.
Congratulations, you competed at Regionals* and qualified for Sectionals. It’s a whole new ball game now!
Wrong. As long as you started the season right, very little needs to change. Continue reading “Get out of Your Own Way in Figure Skating”
Listen to the Audio version here.
Not the first question you’d expect if you are a high level competitive skater. Especially not before you start your off ice warm up on competition day.
I have worked with countless athletes, researched excellence, and am a student of life. It is true, being happy allows you to do your best work. Every day I teach athletes strategies that help them to get to their “happy place”.
That is why I was so blown away when a coach told me that he asked this of his skater.
Continue reading “The Secret to a Great Performance in Competition”
Listen to the audio version here.
This article is about a common cause of frustration for skaters. One that slows them down and can keep them stuck, season after season.
It happens anytime a skater is unhappy with the skills they have (or skills they lack). For some skaters this happens after the intense the summer training season just before their big competitions. But for many this happens every week, or even daily. Continue reading “How to Deal With Self Doubt”
Listen to the audio version here.
Competition waits for no one.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could schedule competitions to happen when everything is perfect and you felt ready to skate? Continue reading “What to Do When You Don’t Feel Ready to Compete”