Skating a Clean Program: Learn from the National Championships

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I was fortunate enough to attend the Canadian National Championships this year. I went as a part of my work, not as a casual spectator. I was there for the all of the Senior short and free programs in all disciplines. I learned much and would like to share some observations I hope you will find helpful.

One of the comments I heard from skaters who aspire to compete at the Senior level at Nationals was that the skating was “disappointing.” “It was just like any other competition.”

They said that there were so many mistakes, very few “clean” programs, and even fewer programs were “skates of a lifetime.” In other words, these programs were not perfect.

This isn’t a phenomenon only observed in Canada, it is universal. I was talking with a friend and parent of a skater who went to US Nationals earlier this month to watch her skater compete. They stayed to watch the Senior groups. I asked how the skating was and she commented that it was not what she or her skaters expected. There were so many mistakes. The skaters at the Senior level were nowhere near “perfect.”

The truth is: that this is the truth.

Skating is a very tough sport. The physical, artistic and mental demands are phenomenal. When you perform or see a “clean” program or a “skate of a lifetime,” it is a rare experience. Treasure it. It is something to aspire to, but unproductive to worry about, and can lead to frustration and feeling stuck.

Programs don’t have to be skated flawlessly to win or to move a crowd. At Canadian Nationals there were skaters who received standing ovations. The majority were not “perfect” programs, but programs that reached out and touched the audience. Programs in which the skaters skated the best they had at that moment in time.

The crowd was moved to their feet for a number of reasons. There were skaters who were honored for their body of work, there were sentimental favorites, new favorites, there were skaters who did their jobs and put out solid technical programs, there were skaters who had a poor short program but came back to skate a thrilling freeskate.

Then there were two skaters who were able to put everything together at the right moment and “steal the show.”

Keep in mind that everyone of these National competitors earned the right to be at the competition. They are all amazing athletes. This is not meant to minimize their achievements in any way.

The point of this article is for you to realize that out of the hundred or so Senior skaters who competed at Nationals, there were only a handful of competitors who came close to skating a “clean” program. Still, many competitive skaters don’t skate their best because they worry too much about not being “perfect.”

This is skating. Mistakes are a part of this complex technical sport. These National skaters allowed themselves to compete even though they were not perfect. They didn’t let mistakes in practice or in previous competitions keep them from practicing and competing at the highest levels.

• Mistakes are opportunities to learn. Failure or disappointment can serve to motivate you to do better the next time.
• When you accept this, you will take the first step to moving forward in your ability to train and compete.
• You are not accepting mediocrity. You will still strive for perfection, but perfection is not an expectation.

Strive for perfection, but settle for excellence.–Don Shula

Action Plan:
Go out and see what it is like to compete at the level you want to compete at.
Example: If you want to skate at Nationals, I highly recommend you make time to go to watch a Nationals competition.
Example: If you want to skate Novice next year, I recommend you watch the novice skaters at a competition before you get to that level.

This exercise prepares your mindset to compete at the next level in many ways:

• You will bust any erroneous preconceived notions about what it takes to skate at the next level.
• You will learn what it is really like instead of making unrealistic assumptions that create fear.
• You will be able to create a realistic picture in your mind which is good for visualization.
• You will see that there are skaters at these levels that you can relate to. This will allow you to build your confidence before you hit the competition.

The following is what it looks like to be in the moment and to skate with no expectations.

Elladj Balde
Here is one skater who stole the show at Canadian Nationals. You will hear the commentator refer to it as a “skate of a lifetime.” It was a dream skate that built from the first triple to beyond the final spin.

Elladj could have given up earlier this season after suffering a concussion on a mohawk during what he described as the best training season of his life. Lucky for us he didn’t.

Being in the audience watching this program was an honor. Elladj Balde allowed his passion for skating to shine through. He is a great example of confidence, trust and being in the moment with his focus. Enjoy.

Elladj Balde
4th place Canadian Nationals.

 

Do you feel stuck or frustrated with where you are? Do you beat yourself up over making mistakes even when you know better?
You are reading this because you want to change your mental game.
Ask yourself, “What will it be like at the end of the season if I don’t make a change?

To build a strong mental game you need to learn the techniques and practice them over time. You need to do this consistently, every day, on and off the ice. Over time this mindset will become natural. Then it will be there for you when you need it.

Start your journey to worry free competition. Download “Confidence Myth Busters,” a complimentary eBook now!