Due to the Coronavirus many athletes are uncertain of the future. The rinks are closed, people are staying home. What are you supposed to do?
Here’s a question that one reader asked. I bet many of you also have similar concerns.
Dear Coach,
I just got the worst news ever. My rink is going to be closed until XXX because of the Coronavirus. I am devastated.
What can I do all of this time that I’m not able to skate? I really want to maintain my conditioning.
Do you have any advice?
I’m worried that, when I get back on the ice, I won’t be as good as I was before the break.
Thank you,
“Skatergirl”
Dear Skatergirl,
Good to hear from you again. Sorry it’s not good news though.
Many of the rinks are closed.
Here are two suggestions I have for you to start with:
1. First off I would suggest that if you haven’t taken spring break yet, to take a week off. No skating, no skating related stuff. (if you can’t take a week, then 3-4 days would be great.)
Have you ever done that? Many skaters keep going through the whole year without a break. They even take their skates on vacation with them.
Jaqui White and Cheryl Davis, mothers of Ice Dance team of Davis and White (2014 US Olympic Champions) say that “no skates vacations” were important to their successful team. They are absolutely correct.
Too many skaters and their parents think that time away from the ice is detrimental, but actually, strategically scheduled, mental and physical rest and recovery is an essential part of a long and successful career in a sport like skating.
But make sure you are all in. That means no thinking about skating. This includes worrying and planning too. This ensures that you can go back to training (on or off the ice) with fresh brain power as well as physical power.
A smart strategy would be to rest now since there is no ice available. And many skaters don’t have any online training programs in place yet.
Rather than worry endlessly about lost training, take time to stop and regroup.
You will be at an advantage when you the rinks open again. You can hit the ground running and keep going.
During this break, take time to do things that you don’t get to do normally. I know we are somewhat restricted in activities, but you could do things online, catch up with friends. etc.
2. After your break there are many things you can do to improve yourself for skating.
In addition to the usual off ice conditioning and dryland training, take time to work on your weaknesses.
Turn them into strengths. It’s a great time for new workout routines since you don’t have to worry about the soreness affecting your jumps.
Things like:
- Upper body
- Core
- Flexibility
- Mobility
- Balance
- Stabilizer muscles
- Foot strength and mobility
Work on balancing the two sides of your body. Skating is a very one sided sport.
Do the things that most athletes only work on when they are injured and need to rehabilitate.
Here are things that you can do to maintain and improve physically:
- Off ice conditioning
- Flexibility
- Cardio
- Intervals
- Strength training
- Mobility
Address your technical skills with:
- Dryland Jumps
- Walk throughs
- Exercises, drills
- Visual imagery
Most skaters only address their mental skills when they have problems.
By that time, they are deep into competition season and need to “put out fires” instead of lay down a strong foundation.
What we all have now is time.
Focus on what you can control and take action.
Use this time to put the foundations of a mental game into place.
If you needed to improve your mental game skills before you left the ice earlier this year, those same problems will still be there when you get back on the ice.
Now is a great time to grab the opportunity to improve yourself.
Not only will you have a head start on the season, but you can use these same mental skills right now during this time of uncertainty and worry while the rinks are closed.
Those are some general ideas for you.
Keep in mind that usually when people get back on the ice after a break, be it from injury, illness or a vacation, they are better skaters because they have rested, gotten stronger and can have no expectations.
Maybe it’s not what you want to hear, but take this time to have a break, then get back to work would be a great use of your time. What do you think? (it’s okay to disagree :))
Let me know if this brings up more questions, and please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.
Take care,
Coach Pomai
Mental skills training can help to keep your emotions on an even keel so that you can practice and compete your best.
Start here; download “Confidence Myth Busters,” a complimentary eBook and make a change.