What would you say to Alissa?

[Pepe Nero]

Hey, Golden Skaters,

(My first post; love the thoughtfulness of the contributors on this forum.)

What I started to wonder after Alissa's FS at the GP Final is, what would one say, as a coach, to her at that point? She has to be thinking, "Heck, here I am again, with my up and down seasons. Am I going to bomb again at Nationals?" It is well-established that Alissa has confidence issues. Injury or not, this result is likely to affect her psychologically. She seems to have a *very* close relationship with JD. I am not asking, "What do you think he actually says to her?" in those intimate moments after she leaves the ice, but what do you think a coach *should* say, both at that time and over the next 6-8 weeks?

Eager to hear your thoughts, Pepe Nero.

[brightphoton]

Nothing. I'd hug her and pat her back.

[Olympia]

Welcome, Pepe Nero!

What would I say to her? I'd remind her that yesterday notwithstanding, she's still the only American to get to the Grand Prix final. Two Japanese, two Russians, and Kostner, but no Americans except for Alissa. Then I'd make her take out the medals she won in her Grand Prix events and look at them with a nice light source gleaming over them.

I hope that both her leg and her confidence heal quickly!

[dorispulaski]

Welcome, Pepe Nero! We hope you post long and often.

I'd remind her how strong she is, and how she has risen from adversity before. And I'd definitely remind her that even being in the GPF is a big achievement.

[CoyoteChris]

Yes, she has to tell herself that she is injured and she did the best she could. Hopefully, she will be better by nats, but even if she is not, she is loved by many and of course she has her family and the rest of her life. Its all about perpective, and she will get through this. Just as Mao will get through her sorrow. Good article about AC in the current Skating magazine, along with the best pic I have ever seen of her inside (Not the cover pic)

[Kitt]

Yes, that is a lovely pic of her.

The injury definitely affected her; hope it's not serious and that she will recover soon enough to get ready for Nationals. I would love for her to have a three-peat! Go Alissa, lovely lady!

[Layfan]

I often wonder what coaches say. Depends on the coach I suppose. But all the above posts seem the right thing to say in this case. I suppose they also try to point out what might have gone wrong with a skate but also what went right (Hey, look at the way you hung on to those two landings. That shows mental toughness, or hey the judges obviously loved your skating in general given your short program score, that kind of thing.)

Well, I hope Alissa manages to be pain free by nationals. She is still the best American lady right now by some measures.

[christinaskater]

She is one of the top skaters in the world now together with Carolina, Mao, Akiko!

[christinaskater]

She can do it! She regroup and refocus!

Better to peak when it counts!

[drivingmissdaisy]

With someone who can be up-and-down like Alyssa, I think it helps that she can attribute her poor result to the injury. I'd tell her "you were bad because of your injury, not because you are going to be inconsistent again". So much of skating is in between the ears that if you can build your pupil's confidence they can really have better results than superior, but less consistent, skaters.

[Olympia]

This is one thread that I hope the skater reads. It's got loads of constructive commentary and reflects the affection and respect her fans have for her.

[Mathman]

I would say, "Good grief, girl, what was that?! OK, we've got that out of our system, now let's go get 'em at Nationals!"

[CoyoteChris]

Well, Mathman, no offense but I can just about guarrantee that her coaches didnt say that! I was watching Jason's body language and Alissa's eyes as he talked to her. If she wasnt injured, they might have said something like that...but an injury changes everything. I dont know J and Y hardly at all but from what others who do have said, I think she has the perfect coaches for her. I am sure they are very supportive of her and they have done wonders....from the little I have talked with her, and more importantly, her mother, I think she has a heart of gold, and that's worth much more than a chest of gold medals.....I am sayin' a little prayer tonight that she heals in time for nats....
Chris who doesnt heal quickly anymore

[PolymerBob]

Nothing. I'd hug her and pat her back.

As I remember, when Rachael skated injured at Worlds, she got raked over the coals pretty good.
Not many wanted to give her a hug and a pat on the back. She got slapped with a fine and a repremand.

[gold12345]

As I remember, when Rachael skated injured at Worlds, she got raked over the coals pretty good.
Not many wanted to give her a hug and a pat on the back. She got slapped with a fine and a repremand.

That's because Rachael hid the injury from USFS. Alissa clearly did not. She was under a doctor's care.