Confidence Game

[sunshinepointe]

I'm sure you've all experienced this at some point or another...

loss of confidence

Not with skating entirely, just with one particular element. You've been working on this element for a while, you think you have it down...then you mess up a couple of times..maybe take a few falls, just have an off day. So you resolve to "get it back". You work with your coach to fix whatever it is you're struggling with and it only seems to be getting worse. You take a break from it. You do research on it. You do whatever you feel you need to do to get over this hump.

So when you've made the resolve to attack the element because you feel ready, fresh prepared...you still have problems. What the heck is THAT all about? You're better than you have been, but you're still holding back. You go into the element feeling totally confident, then somewhere in the middle your brain takes over and you freeze, lock up, whatever. And you just can't seem to get by it.

That's what's going on with me and the loop. When I practice on my own, people who skate with me regularly can't believe I'm SO off since they've seen me do great loops before. My coach is saying that I'm starting out okay, but then in the middle of the jump I clam up and I don't get the rotation I need, or I drop the shoulder, or I look down. I don't care if I fall really, and I'm probably just over thinking it, but how do I NOT over think it? I've left it alone for a while, and now I'm getting back to it but it still off. My coach is going to work with me on backspins and loops at my next lesson, but now I'm very aware of my lack of confidence with the jump.

If you've experienced this what did you do to get over it? Did something just click one day? I'd really like to STOP obsessing about it because it's starting to become a royal pain in the butt thinking about it all the time, but it's the biggest demon I have right now and I don't know why. It's not like all of my other elements are close to perfect, but this is the one I'm putting all my energy into.

Save me from myself! :frus:

[vesperholly]

It's called overthinking, and gets worse with age. :D

Try focusing on something else for a while, then go back to the problem element. Otherwise you'll just be completely :frus: and then :giveup: !

[stardust skies]

I've never experienced what you are writing about to the extent to which you are describing. Sometimes I get frustrated, but I use a lot of visualization to fix my problem areas, I use a lot of relaxation techniques, self-talk, etc. You might want to check out a couple of sports psychology book to get you started- these techniques will keep you from feeling the way you are feeling now. Skating is half physical half mental, and most people don't train their mental side, which results in what you described above. Both are equally important.

[kiwibabe]

I have the same problem with the 3 turn. I can do it perfectly if theres a hand to grab onto but if there is nothing I start then wimp out just before the turn ...

[TimDavidSkate]

Obsession can be your biggest enemy. It not only can lead to mental
self-destruction but also an injury. I am confident that you will snap out of it one day when you are least thinking about it.

[CanAmSk8ter]

It's called overthinking, and gets worse with age. :D


And this is what my overthinking habit makes my coach do :frus:

When I start it with dances, we try focusing on something else, usually timing. Once I get my brain focused on the music or on counting, I forget to freak out about whatever it may be I'm freaking about *coughwestminsterrockercough*

[Chico]

Oh god... I do this with my backspin. I have done them, not with a coach of course, but I also have just about killed myself doing weird things. (Okay, I have a time or two.) And, its all because I freak out in my head. It's just not normal! I do harder skills but this is the one that could kill me. I agree with TinDavidSkate when a skill becomes an obsession it can be your biggest enemy. I got hurt pretty good once when I first tried backspins and every since I have heart failure working on them. Even doing a good one or two, which does happen, doesn't cure this issue for me.I find backspins very frusterating! My confidence on this skill is just about zero and I'm a pretty confident skater on the norm. And, if you find the answer to solve this problem sunshinepointe let me know! I haven't found the answer. Believe me, I've searched.

Chico

[sunshinepointe]

Someone on one of the other message boards I belong to gave me some good advice on the loop that I'm going to adopt.

I'm going to pretend like I never learned how to do it. I'm going to do all of the prep work I did before the jump, but not the actual jump. Meaning for me, I'm going to work on single revolution backspins with a good strong check out. That's what I did before I moved onto doing the jump and once I learned the jump I never practiced the backspin thing ever again.

Back to basics I say! I think this can be applied for anything you do too. If you're having trouble with a scratch spin, work on just doing the entry and spinning with the leg out for as long as you can. For a camel spin, practice good, clean solid spirals. For axels, practice waltz jumps and waltz-loops. For salchows, work on the 3 turn entrance. Other jumps work on half jumps. Then if you're feeling crazy just go for the whole thing. If it works, awesome. If not, keep practicing the basics. You can never get too good at the core moves so its not a waste of time, and eventually, I'm hoping, the confidence will return.

That's how I plan to tackle this particular demon :)

[Andie]

Well, my coach tells me I seem to be unconfident in pretty many things. I over think things and sometimes get scared or upset even when I've done something fine. (according to my coach)
I think I'd be a little more confident if I did things more consistently and if I progressed a bit quicker.

Back edges, inside 3 turns (particularly on R foot) are my most unconfident moves. And don't get me started with Back 3 turns.

[sunshinepointe]

Just a quick update on me...

At today's session I was TOTALLY on, and even though I wanted to give the loop a rest I couldn't help myself and I gave it a go. A friend of mine suggested being more aggressive, especially with the knee bend and it worked! I did three "okay" loops - they weren't the best, but they were otherwise clean.

Then I got greedy - I just wanted ONE more before the session was over and I lost it again. I can't help but laugh at my situation at this point. I shouldn't have pushed for that extra loop lol. My next scheduled session is Thursday and my coach is going to drill the crap out of it so I'm hoping that by doing 3 today that its an indication I'll be good to go on Thursday. In the meantime I think some off ice practice couldn't hurt :)

I'll let you know what happens Thursday :)

[Skate@Delaware]

I keep a journal, and note what I work on and for how long during each skate session. Every now and again I go through and see what I haven't worked on in a while. I try to focus on that during the next session, if only for 5-10 minutes (don't want to get burned out on it). I usually have a schedule when I skate anyway (warmup, moves, stretch, mess around, moves, eat/drink, etc.) whatever. Sometimes I don't feel good and have to cut the session shorter so if my moves are at the beginning, I don't feel bad about cutting it short.

[TaBalie]

I think a journal is a good idea -- I am going to start to keep one! :)

As far as confidence issues... I have the same problem... I have found that sometimes approaching the move in a different way helps. For example, after getting back into skating only recently after many many many many years off, I just couldn't do a loop! I chickened out every time. My teacher suggested trying a right inside three-turn, and then doing the jump, and I did it very easily. The build up was stressing me out, but the three-turn approach helped me stick to my timing and just do it.

I also play around with different entrances to toe-loops and flips if I keep screwing up my "normal" way.

And if I am truly truly having a bad day with a certain element, I move on -- I don't like to obsess over a move since it messes with my mind! I try and end a session on a positive note, even if it is just a series of three-turns, or a waltz-jump, or a spiral.

Hang in there, we all go through this! :)

[Skate@Delaware]

I think a journal is a good idea -- I am going to start to keep one! :)

As far as confidence issues... I have the same problem... I have found that sometimes approaching the move in a different way helps. For example, after getting back into skating only recently after many many many many years off, I just couldn't do a loop! I chickened out every time. My teacher suggested trying a right inside three-turn, and then doing the jump, and I did it very easily. The build up was stressing me out, but the three-turn approach helped me stick to my timing and just do it.

I also play around with different entrances to toe-loops and flips if I keep screwing up my "normal" way.

And if I am truly truly having a bad day with a certain element, I move on -- I don't like to obsess over a move since it messes with my mind! I try and end a session on a positive note, even if it is just a series of three-turns, or a waltz-jump, or a spiral.

Hang in there, we all go through this! :)
I second that! at the very least, I will try to do a nice spiral so my session doesn't end with total suck....even if everything else is stinky-bad!

ps-i also track my skating time and sharpening dates in my journal and keep it in my skate bag in case I need to get an autograph (so far only Don Jackson has signed-still waiting for Johnny Weir.Sasha.Michelle.etc.)

[icecatepairs]

I think my moves coach wishes i would think a little more while my singles coach agrees overthinking can cause you to "fix thing that are not broken" because i have access to several highly regarded freestyle coaches, (the person who choreographed my program is not my singles coach but high level to say the least, and my the pairs coaches i have worked with, as well as my primary singles coach) i sometimes try one lesson with a different coach than i usually jump with. sometimes they can say the same thing in a different way , or show you yet one more drill and it clicks. i have utilized my pairs coach for some singles elements as well as have my singles coach do side by side jumps with me because he knows my jump quirks better than anyone. one moning i was really struggling with some jumps and someones mom said..."your tilted on the take off but not trying to correct it in the air". and like magic i landed the next double flip.

Video helps ....also try taking the jump or spin from a different approach. don't set it up like you do in the program or even in the same spot on the rink as we become visiually dependent ton things like "the pepsi sign..." sometimes being in a program helps. I pop 75% of the double lutz attempts not in a program because i overthink. when the music is on and its the third element i just do it. i don't freeze of freak out. so it can work in both directions...double sal on the other hand ...much better when music is not playing (at least my music!) ;) good luck...happy looping :D

[Terri C]

Obsession can be your biggest enemy. It not only can lead to mental
self-destruction but also an injury.

I'm currently having this issue with the sitpin, and I made a judgement call today, that being that I won't do it in my free program at Peach next week, but do a attitude spin instead.

[kiwibabe]

Good news, I did a couple of RI 3 turns today, still very wobbly but getting there. The other 3 turns I haven't tried yet.

[Skate@Delaware]

Good news, I did a couple of RI 3 turns today, still very wobbly but getting there. The other 3 turns I haven't tried yet.
Yay! Good for you!