Appreciation is key in a mindset for success.
As you return to the ice, times are tough for everyone. The ice is limited and expensive. It doesn’t take us long to forget that there was no ice a month ago. So easy to drop right back into a mindset of fear and lack which can negatively influence a skater’s performance on the ice.
Skaters worry about:
- Skating at different rinks.
- Each rink has new regulations to comply with.
- Fear of being “the one” that closes down a rink due to a mistake.
- The lack of a routine practice schedule.
- Extra travel time.
- Lack of ice time.
- Not seeing rink mates who train with a different coach.
- Keeping secrets from their friends.
- Their parents’ stress levels.
All of this is enough to shoot a skater right into the stress response. When they are in the stress response (fight, flight or freeze), their physical and mental abilities tank.
What can you do to cope with the constant changes and reduced training/ice time?
While we can’t control much right now, you can:
- Take care of yourself.
- Stay in the present moment to do your best on (or off) the ice.
When you focus on what you don’t have (ice time, coaching), your mind is stuck in the past, and your focus is not on your skating.
Appreciation is a great tool to get your mind back into the present moment so you can focus your energy on practice.
The obstacle course of finding ice time
You probably never think about the work your coach does besides being on the ice. Now that the rinks in our area are slowly opening their doors, I want to give you a glimpse into what some coaches are doing behind the scenes to get you back on the ice.
Right now, before they can teach, coaches have to do a lot of work just to get ice. Having ice is a luxury we should not take for granted.
Below are just a few examples. In the early days of getting back on to the ice, “easy” is the exception rather than the rule. Your coach probably has their own story about what it took to get you back to the sport you love.
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well” –Voltaire
Above and Beyond
Sungod Skating Club, BC, Canada
This team of coaches volunteered their services for off ice classes while the rinks were closed.
In addition to the usual conditioning, technical and spin classes, they created weekly educational seminars and a social time for their skaters. They even held virtual competitions.
Their club newsletters were filled with skater-created drawings on many different themes. Once it featured imaginary program costumes, including a clever costume designed to keep a 6 foot radius around the skater.
It was clear that the efforts of this team helped their skaters look forward to getting back on the ice.
Before getting the club back on the ice, their director, Kevin Bursey, needed to submit a return to the ice plan for approval to the proper authorities with procedures in line with the policies of the area.
Getting approval was the first step. He also had to design a schedule for programs that would best serve all the skaters given the limited numbers on the ice that was compliant with building regulations.
Just these preparations took many hours of detailed work to accomplish. I am sure there were many more things that needed to be done. All before creating individual programs and then coaching each skater back up to speed.
A big thank you to all coaches and volunteer board members around the world who continually go above and beyond for their skaters.
Stepping out of your comfort zone
Many coaches now claim Zoom as a technical skill.
Non-tech savvy coaches needed to step out of their comfort zone to learn how to use Zoom.
They also had to adapt their on ice technical skills to figure out what would help their skaters stay in shape off the ice.
Coaching online is different from coaching in person. There is a learning curve. Coaches need to learn how to “see” details and give feedback effectively using video platforms.
Kudos to all of you!
Creativity and Education
One clever coach, Briana Pinzon of Mexico kept her students engaged by having them create a skating program and post it on the popular Tik Tok App. She also had them use one of the filters to pop in and out of the frame, each time appearing in different costumes like their idol Ashley Wagner.
@Clubepam on Instagram
An organization of coaches, created to promote continuing education for skating Coaches in Mexico and beyond, did something awesome. Each week during the pandemic, they held live interviews on Instagram with coaches, experts and elite athletes on all aspects of skating.
You can still see the interviews because this group wants skaters, parents and coaches from everywhere to be inspired and educated during this pandemic. Many interviews are in English. There are great Canadian coaches and US Olympians as well as Mexican stars.
I was honored to talk about mental game with Coach Briana. You can find it: here
So much work to do before the work
During the pandemic. In addition to off ice classes, Coach Arlene McSorley, (WA, USA) offered mental skills classes for parents of her students. When the rinks opened, she went through hours of finding and scheduling ice for her students, and even commuted 3 hours a day so that they could get back on the ice before the local rinks opened.
Her reason for going through all this trouble? Because she knows how important, both mentally and physically, it is for skaters to have time on the ice. You know that’s true if you have been a skater or parent of a skater who could not skate because of an injury (or this pandemic.)
Skaters become grumpy as they lose their routine, their outlet for creative expression, or for blowing off steam. Being back on the ice is like magic. The world is right again.
The obstacle course of getting ice
As rinks open up, coaches are working like mad to get ice for their skaters.
Did you know that they have to keep their eyes and ears open for the latest news of which rink will open next. They have the rink/coach and parent network going full out.
When they find a rink, they might have to spend hours dialing and redialing the rink office for information or to reserve ice because the rink is understaffed, or the demand is high. The usual email channels don’t work. No one is working, and it can be difficult to know who to contact.
If they are lucky enough to know who to email, coaches must check their email constantly for a response from the rink.
They need to reserve the ice time quickly and pay up front with their credit cards.
Next comes the difficult task of prioritizing, and scheduling ice for their students based on their students’ needs and availability.
In many areas the local rinks are not open, so in order to get back on the ice, coaches must commute hours away. In fact, some families take skaters to other states in order to secure regular training time.
Half the ice at double the price
Some rinks are only selling sessions on a half ice surface. That’s fine for little skaters, but not for larger or higher level skaters, so coaches must find alternative facilities with full ice too.
Oh, yes, coaches also need to make sure that each student has the proper waiver forms, and are clear on the policies of the rink.
All of this before they are able to coach the student on the ice.
Thank you! Coaches! Thank you!
Appreciation leads to a mindset of success
When you focus on what you don’t have, you will never have enough, and you will be stressed. It is difficult to skate well when your mind is troubled.
When you appreciate what you have, you will be in the mindset for success. Your skating will reflect that.
Show your appreciation through your actions. Help make your coach’s job easier and skate better at the same time.
- Take care of yourself.
- Stay in the present moment and do your best to focus on your work when you are on the ice.
Remind yourself that all of these things are temporary. And that things tend to progress fairly quickly. Don’t overthink. If you are in doubt, communicate with your coach.
Remember 1 month ago, when you would do anything to get back on the ice?
Keep in mind that the low numbers allowed on the ice is temporary. In many areas, once opened, things seem to move relatively quickly.
Don’t just say “thank you.” Your actions speak louder than words.
When you take care of yourself, you make your coach’s job easier.
This will also make your time on the ice more productive and enjoyable.
Mental skills training can help to keep your emotions on an even keel so that you can get back up to skating your best quickly.
Start here; download “Confidence Myth Busters,” a complimentary eBook and make a change.