World and Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger continues her series discussing motivational games for skaters. The process of learning new skating skills can be brutally slow. The grind of training can take a toll, especially on skaters who are “results-oriented” rather than “process-oriented.” By including games in the learning process, it keeps it fun and provides “results” for skaters to experience success, even during periods off minimal progress in skill development. In Part 1, Audrey explained two effective games, including The Keep Trying Game. In Part 2, she shared the games The Good News Bad News Classic and Color Wars.
In this video, Audrey starts by explaining a game she calls “Short Notice” which involves a group of skaters simply skating around the rink and the coach shouts out one of the elements in their programs (numbered, so different elements for each skater depending on their program) which they must perform as soon as possible wherever they are on the ice. This is a great game for helping skaters develop “mental flexibility” and master the “anytime, anywhere, anyhow” mindset.
Audrey mentions another game where skaters learn another skater’s program, at least in general terms, mimicking jump and spin entries as much as possible. This not only can provide benefits for increasing a skater’s artistic range, but it can be hugely beneficial for jump and spin development. As a general rule, it’s also fun and motivating for the skaters involved.
Another “classic” game that Audrey mentions is called “Add On” where one skater does an element or trick and the next skater adds something to it. This is fun, and can create very challenging sequences and element combinations that again provide motivating options for skill development. As Audrey notes, there is much less play and independent (away from coaches, not in lessons) development of skills today compared to the past, and these kinds of games are a way to bring that fun back. She notes that many skaters land new jumps or master new spins entirely outside of the lesson environment. Therefore she encourages coaches to be more willing to let skaters work on new skills on their own.
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