International coach Page Lipe explains how she handles the critical waiting time between a competition warm-up and competition skate. This wait time can be significant, especially for IJS events and high level events with longer performance times.
Page takes a very organized and analytical approach to this period of waiting, taking into account skate order and expected time for each skater (both performance and IJS judging time). She even times IJS panels at an event prior to her skaters’ event to get a good estimate for judging time per skater. Once she has an estimate of the waiting time, she discusses it with the skater and comes up with a detailed plan for filing the time. As part of this plan, Page sets aside time at the end so a skater can do an off-ice walk-through of the program and collect their thoughts before taking the ice (usually for a brief warm-up during IJS judging time of the previous skater).
For really long wait times, Page likes to have her skaters color in a coloring book, usually while listening to music in their headphones. Coloring engages the hands and the brain and is “very calming” and it “makes the time fly.” She says, “Just keeping your hand moving is a really reassuring thing.” Another activity is to use small squishy balls or other toys a skater can toss and catch to keep mentally focused and calm. Juggling can be an excellent activity for those skaters with that skill. Page also uses Play-Doh with her skaters, because squeezing it in the hands can help reduce arm and hand tension.
Page shares more activities, including “double (mirrored) alphabet” against a wall, ankle alphabet, and a countdown of leg/arm shakes. She does not typically use a hula hoop, but she notes that many skaters do and it’s excellent for keeping the core engaged and the body loose.
To end the video, Page explains that she wants her skaters to take off their skates if the wait time is really long. If a wait time is less than about 15 minutes, she thinks they should probably keep them on, but she notes that it’s really up to the skater.
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