My friend and I brought the video camera to the rink today...

I had no idea I was *that* bad.

I knew my spins were bad and that they could be better. But things like crossovers, which I thought were fine looked awful.

My jumps, which I always assumed I got good height on, were the smallest jumps ever. I was so disappointed watching the video - from what other people told me I always thought my skating was much better.

I know I'm my worst critic and I don't expect to be great at everything right away...but I dunno...I'm inspired to work harder but I don't even know where to start since I never have someone there telling me how to improve. I mean, my coach would tell me if things are really bad but I dunno.

I guess I'm just down on myself right now but it's so frustrating realizing just where you are on the food chain. I don't have a cocky attitude about skating but I did feel confident - now I'm not feeling so hot.

Advice? Has anyone gone through something similar?

I don't know but I'll tell you next week (when my skates come in and I get back on the ice for the first time in 32 years!)

I'll get somebody to tape it and send you a copy - you will feel better about yourself then

If your coach isn't helping you to improve, mabye it's time for a new coach?

^ Well, I haven't worked with a coach since the end of October and I tried calling my old coach the other day and he didn't return the call yet soooooo....

I dunno

Maybe its just time for a COACH.

I always feel like that after watching the new video of my skating - most often I get close to feeling physically sick. The way that I think I look is never the same as it is on the tape. You are right, we are our own worst critics.

After watching the new recording for the first time, usually I don't want to see it again for at least few days. Some time later, I watch it again few times, and by then it doesn't look as terrible anymore - I can usually notice some things that actually look not nearly as bad as they did first time, and I try to focus not on just how much I suck overall, but on particular things that can be rather easily improved - things like better posture, extention, stronger underpush in XOs, etc etc. Several months later the whole cycle is repeated with a new video, and after I get over just how bad I look I manage to find things that look better than they did before

I'm sure you don't suck as much as you think you do

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--renatele

That's exactly right. Apparently the old coach isn't interested (for whatever reason) so he's NOT the coach for you. Go find someone you can work with and go for it.

I've been lucky to skate at rinks that have mirrors my whole life. It definitely helps to be able to catch a glimpse of myself now and again, to make myself bend or extend a little more, or stand up a bit straighter.

I've also had the old "man, I SUCK" syndrome. At first, I would try to fix EVERYTHING after seeing myself on video...that just lead to more frustration. Pick one or two things that you can realistically improve on in a short period of time to give yourself a confidence boost.

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~No thinking, breathing, or hesitation!~

I HATE watching myself on video. Not only do I never like what I see, I get focused on the bad stuff, like my lack of extension and my size.

But a couple years ago I had someone comment to me after a competition that my basic skating sucked. I was irritated at the time at the comment, between being upset at how I skated and being tired from 3 long days of working coaches/judges hospitality. But when I calmed down, I realized she was right. Had my coach spend most of that summer making me do LOTS of solo skating to improve my basics and flow. I still have an average of 1 lesson a week that's nothing but drills to work on power and flow, with maybe 10 minutes of the dance. And I can see it paying off in my ice coverage, even on the dreaded CW progressives... (next week I will be doing "evil 8's" on that side as well....)

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American Waltz... Once, Twice, ???? ...

Q: How many coaches does it take to fix Jen's Dance Intro-3 Problems
A: 5 and counting...

That's life, I felt the same the first few times I took videos of myself. Get over it, work on what you didn't like, and start taping yourself more often. It's easier to improve the things you don't like the look of if you can *see* them on a fairly regular basis.

And share them with the rest of us!

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Casey Allen Shobe | http://casey.shobe.info
"What matters is not experience per se but 'effortful study'."
"At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable" ~ Christopher Reeve

I used to feel like that when I watched myself on video. It was quite painful. I'm not at a level where I can comfortably watch myself skate and feel happy with what I see, but it did take time and lots and lots of practice to get here. Of course being a perfectionist, I still pick myself apart for little things but I can honestly say I'm proud of my spins and jumps. I think we all go through this thing of thinking we're doing things bigger, higher, neater, better, stronger than we actually are. Video taping yourself (or rather getting someone to do it for you!) is such a valuable exercise. I only get videoed during competitions and shows, but I can compare how I skate from one to another and I'm very often pleasantly surprised that when I watch the playback of what felt a nerve-wracking skate, it doesn't actually look anywhere near as bad as it felt.

Nicki

I totally agree with Nicki.

Definitely save your first video experience. Then when you get video'd again, you can compare the two and get some satisfaction in saying "boy have I improved".

Video is a humbling experience. My first one was horrible, they're still not better but since our rink videos on a regular basis, video is just a tool and I know for specific things to look for. I ignore my middle aged middle and look at my feet.

A tip: If you know you're going to be videoed, wear a dress with a fluffy chiffon skirt. The movement of the skirt will give you a clue as to how fast you're actually skating, otherwise with flat skirts it's hard to tell (and feel good about).

Don't get discouraged, get determined. Concentrate first on your posture and form. Decide to look like a strong skater. The rest will come with practice and lessons. Think of that video as a TOOL to help you refine your skills.

I know firsthand the pain of video - you always "feel" you've skated great but the video takes away the satisfaction because you focus on the weaknesses. No one skates perfectly from the get-go and video footage helps clarify that for you. When I skated in a national away competition, I thought I did great in all my programs. Then I brought home the video and I was embarassed for my family (before I married) to see the result of all those lesson/practice hours. They, however, thought I skated great! Today, my kids love to watch those videos: "That's when Mommy was still learning and she was great!" (I love my little twins, the big one laughs when I blow a simple jump. Nevermind that I nailed it on the second attempt and won the ISI national gold. Teenage satisfaction in making fun of your parents, I guess.)

I think a coach is a good idea. Why don't you give your old coach another call and try to set up a lesson. If you're not taking lessons, this miserable video is the best feedback you can get.

Hang in there and try to video each month so you can see your progress, painful as the experience is to you now. (((hugs)))

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I hope that person didn't say it in quite that way. You definitely made lemonade out of lemons, though! Good for you!

So, how do you watch a video of yourself skating? I got in the habit of putting it on while I was doing something else, so I didn't really focus on it as much. After the second go-round, I took out a notebook and made three lists: the good (things I nailed/liked), the bad (things I blew/dislike) and the ugly (things I did that looked terrible.) Helped me create a practice list and also got rid of that "big step" problem I had before stepping into the spin 3-turn. It was U-G-L-Y as sin when I saw it for myself. (I thought the coach was exaggerating.)

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Actually she was quite blunt ... but that's her personality

and in the end the results have been worth it (haven't yet passed that *&^$ Tango, but both my coaches say that they can tell the increase in flow and power).

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American Waltz... Once, Twice, ???? ...

Q: How many coaches does it take to fix Jen's Dance Intro-3 Problems
A: 5 and counting...

I watched the video again last night before bed on the big tv so I could really see the moves.

Although I'm not where I'd like to be, or where I thought I was I do feel like taking the video was a really good thing, especially not having a coach right now. I can see that I can work on a lot of little things to make my overall skating better.

Isk8NYC - your idea for the list is great. I'll definitely do that later. Thanks for that tip! Also, I don't wear skirts while skating, but maybe I should when I take video just so I can see my lines and movement better - thanks slusher!

I think I'm over my little pity party - you guys definitely made me feel better. I'm glad I'm not the only one that gets totally bummed when seeing video. But - as you all pointed out this can and will serve as motivation to improve and when I take video next month I definitely hope to see a nice difference in a few things I plan to work on (after making my good/bad/ugly list).

big hugs to everyone - you all rock

I cannot watch myself skating without a very stiff drink! However, I usually get videoed roughly once a year, at competition, and I am so aware of how I improve year-on-year. Yes, I'm still ghastly, couldn't be much worse - but oh, how much better I am than a few years ago! I was actually quite encouraged by how I looked at this year's Mountain Cup - and I know I've improved enormously since then!

Right now we really need to be videoed again - we are hoping to get our own machine soon, and our coach says he will video us if we do. Then I'll post them on Casey's site so you can all have a good laugh!

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Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Oh, that's so mean! That reminds me of the comment made yesterday, by the old guy that skates at my rink! He said, "You wanna know why they are letting us (meaning he and I) skate in the exhibition? Because we make everyone else look really good-we are so bad!"

I felt that was really mean of him to say that and I was really mad at him

My coach, on the other hand, tells me I have improved-GREATLY since September and I have nice qualities to my skating. I have other things that need to be fixed but they will get fixed in due time.

We are our own worst critics!!!

Yes, we are not like Kwan, Cohen, or Lambiel, but we could be, given enough time......

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Speaking of Ice shows......

I am the original Competition Junkie, and have competed many times and in many places. I love competing and rarely get nervous. I have all my DVD's and can see the improvements I have made as time goes by.

.....Anyway, our club is having a "Pop concert" in a couple of weeks and I was asked if I wanted to skate in it. I panicked at the thought. It doesn't matter if I suck in front of strangers - but to suck on home ice is a scary thought. People KNOW ME here!

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If you keep your eyes on God, you can walk on water.

When I started skating again and saw the video I was appalled, because of that I use video a lot. It really is helpful but it can be depressing, what helped me is that I have video of 4 years back and I can see the difference in my skating which gives me hope. I'm sure you're doing fine.

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Who me? Couldn't be....
http://www.youtube.com/bouldersk8r

Girlfriend, you do NOT SUCK!!! I've seen you skate before... you got great edges!!!

I've seen videos my hubby took of me doing spins and jumps! Oh, dear! My coaches were right!!!

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

Maybe he was just joking? With a hint of acknowledging that he recognizes he's learning, just like you and probably everyone else? He did say "we".......thus was including himself, right?

So chin up, Skate@Delaware! Just enjoy it!

p.s. LOL about being like Kwan, et. al. Yep, after several lifetimes!!!!!

And renatele, you don't suck overall either! I was at the adult skating clinic this summer, so I've seen you in action on the ice.

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Ask me about becoming a bone marrow donor.
http://www.marrow.org
http://www.nmdp.org

Well, if sunshinepointe literally did call just the other day, maybe he hasn't had a chance to return her call. Some people are better with returning calls than others, or maybe he was out of town at a competition and hasn't returned yet...

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Ask me about becoming a bone marrow donor.
http://www.marrow.org
http://www.nmdp.org

Heh!!! The only way *I* could remotely be like Kwan is in the INJURY dept. (Just got over a mild groin muscle pull myself...)

ETA: But seriously, I think most adults have already given up on trying to be a "Kwan" or a "Sasha." Let's face it... we're older, less flexibile (both physically, financially and in time...) We can only make due with what God has given us!

So... I could see myself saying exactly the same thing what that old man Skate@Delaware mentioned about. As Skate@Delaware mentioned, we're our own worse critic. But we have to remind ourselves of the reality that we could never be as good as some of the higher level kiddie skaters that are out there... but we could be the best jazzpants, e-skater, S@D, etc. we could be...

(I could see my coach in Chelsea Piers going like "Jazzpants...didn't we have a talk about this? " He and I had this talk about "spell checking" yourself w/o judgement.)

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

I second this. Tim was supposed to call me from US Nats when he arrived on Tuesday. I've left messages twice and he still hasn't returned my call. Most likely he's just really busy and so I don't blame him.

As for being like Kwan, Skate@Delaware, well, I don't think we want to be like her, for I think she stopped being critical of herself years ago. Just my opinion though.

We have video lesson on a regular basis (every 6 months or so and more often during the summer when working on more new elements). The first time was very depressing. Gosh, I thought I was better than that! But, we learned from that first video lesson that I am partially a visual learner and that if we can discuss the correction to an issue while I look at the problem, I can correct it a heck of a lot easier because then I know what "feels" wrong. You can always be a better skater, even OGMists know this. As hard as it is to see where you suck, you can also see where you are good. You have to be less critical about it, as if you were watching someone else skate. Be clinical and non-emotional to get the most out of it...