If you were an elite figure skater, who would be your coach?

[Magill]

I'd talk Yuzu and Benoît Richaud into a collaborative effort.

Oh, I thought we were to choose between the coaches who already are working as coaches.. But if we can choose whoever we want, I would go for Yuzu and Jason Brown. Definitely

 

[Mathematician]

For pure coaching ability then its hard to say, since I'm not familiar with the best men's coaches, but by the looks of it Plushenko's Angels is a really fun club in general.

Lots of skaters there I'd like to be around, I see them doing lots of fun club activities together, lots of ice show opportunities, highest level of resources and seemingly very fair treatment of athletes.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

I would like to stay with Mr. Huth in Oberstdorf as well Seems like a great place, great environment and great coach

 

[lilimum]

I would pick Brian Orser. First of all , his students have very clean jumping technique I don't like all this pre-roations and all this loops that are sold as Flip or Lutz. And second he is such a nice person. I think is was documentary about Javier Fernandez (Rompiendo el hielo) where it was said that Brian adjusted the training schedule according Javis livestyle. I don't know any other coach who is so caring about his students personality like Brian (and Tracy).

 

[TallyT]

I would pick Brian Orser. First of all , his students have very clean jumping technique I don't like all this pre-roations and all this loops that are sold as Flip or Lutz. And second he is such a nice person. I think is was documentary about Javier Fernandez (Rompiendo el hielo) where it was said that Brian adjusted the training schedule according Javis livestyle. I don't know any other coach who is so caring about his students personality like Brian (and Tracy).

I would go for Brian too (along with Tracey and Ghislain, pretty?) even though I'm still mildly boggling at the idea of me as any sort of skater let alone elite. But hey, just look at the staggering medal haul that his three biggest stars achieved when under his watch, along with quite a few others...

 

[Weathergal]

If I were a singles skater:
Brian Orser and Tracy Wilson
Runner-up: Michael Huth

Or if I were a pairs skater:
Bruno Marcotte
Runner-up: Tamara Moskvina

Or if I were an ice dancer:
Carol Lane
Runner-up: Scott Moir and Madison Hubbell

LOL I guess I'd be moving to Canada! I love Canada although I don't like the cold.

 

[Diana Delafield]

I would pick Brian Orser. First of all , his students have very clean jumping technique I don't like all this pre-roations and all this loops that are sold as Flip or Lutz. And second he is such a nice person. I think is was documentary about Javier Fernandez (Rompiendo el hielo) where it was said that Brian adjusted the training schedule according Javis livestyle. I don't know any other coach who is so caring about his students personality like Brian (and Tracy).

Kirsten Moore-Towers is like that for her pairs. None of this autocratic "You do things my way or else! And if you can't learn, then it's your fault!" She adapts her approach to her skaters' needs as individuals or together as a pair.

 

[el henry]

Kirsten Moore-Towers is like that for her pairs. None of this autocratic "You do things my way or else! And if you can't learn, then it's your fault!" She adapts her approach to her skaters' needs as individuals or together as a pair.

absolutely the best approach. Leads me to a Frank Carroll story:

I attended a small summer comp in 2017 where Frank had skaters entered. You sat on benches right up against each other. During the men's SP, Frank Carroll sat *right* behind me. He had to ask me to move my stuff to sit down. Dice Murakami, who he was coaching, sat with him. So of course I was eavesdropping intently and heard almost every word they said.

Frank and Dice were discussing a jump combo. Frank wanted Dice to do the combo. Dice demurred. Frank said, do you know what your highest score was in NHK, due to this combo.? Dice still said he didn't feel comfortable doing the jumps, giving a technical reason I didn't understand.

Frank did not push further. Frank did not argue. Frank did not shame him. Frank did not say, what do you mean, do you want to lose, or any other ridiculous statement like that. Frank said, in his calm steady manner, Well, think about it. That was all "well, think about it". That was it, end of discussion, treating Dice like an adult, onto the next topic.

But I dislike the desert, so even if he were still with us, no Frank Carroll coaching for me.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

absolutely the best approach. Leads me to a Frank Carroll story:

I attended a small summer comp in 2017 where Frank had skaters entered. You sat on benches right up against each other. During the men's SP, Frank Carroll sat *right* behind me. He had to ask me to move my stuff to sit down. Dice Murakami, who he was coaching, sat with him. So of course I was eavesdropping intently and heard almost every word they said.

Frank and Dice were discussing a jump combo. Frank wanted Dice to do the combo. Dice demurred. Frank said, do you know what your highest score was in NHK, due to this combo.? Dice still said he didn't feel comfortable doing the jumps, giving a technical reason I didn't understand.

Frank did not push further. Frank did not argue. Frank did not shame him. Frank did not say, what do you mean, do you want to lose, or any other ridiculous statement like that. Frank said, in his calm steady manner, Well, think about it. That was all "well, think about it". That was it, end of discussion, treating Dice like an adult, onto the next topic.

But I dislike the desert, so even if he were still with us, no Frank Carroll coaching for me.

Do you like a Mediterranean environment? B/c if so and Frank was still with us, you'd be okay where he coached on the outskirts/coastal area of LA.

 

[adhara]

I've had 15 coaches in my years of skating. Here's what I would do if I could start as a child again.

John Kerr -> Charlie and Tanith -> IAM

John Kerr is an absolute sweetheart and he very much knows the way. He coached many top names (especially in solo dance) through their developmental years and he gives a very solid foundation to build off. I think he'd be a wonderful first coach and he is absolutely always willing to take on new students which is something I love about him.

Charlie White is the main coach where I'd be taking a gamble. I do know a few people that have said that they did not like him as a coach, but the reasons that were stated are things that don't matter to me that much. Charlie and Tanith seem dead set on a healthy coaching environment which is something I heavily believe in and know I would need as an elite skater. I think he'd be an amazing coach to get me to a place where IAM would take me.

Long term: IAM. I feel like expanding on this is not necessary but I will. First, I think the healthier training environment is a major plus. It's something that has proven to be very important to me. Ice dance coaching (read: Canton, WASA, etc) tends to be very, very toxic. And, skating is inherently political. They're clearly good coaches who also have a political boost. If IAM-O starts showing similar success, that would likley be my pick instead. Moir and Hubbell are amazing people who I have met, so obviously I'd choose them over someone I don't actually know.

I need to think about this for singles. I think that would be very interesting.

 

[Mathman]

If the thread title refers to the dance team of Chock and Mathman, I am OK with Marie-France's group.

 

[RobinA]

If we're talking back in the day when I was actually young enough to aspire to be an elite skater, Frank Carroll or Don Laws. If we talking today, I'd say Brian Orser. But not before I wrote a letter to Brian Boitano begging him to consider coaching. Choreographer Christopher Dean or Gorsha Sur. Maybe Lori Nichol.

 

[meem]

Frank Carroll as coach, Lori Nichol as choreographer. And I'd want to consult with Raf re: jump technique. What a great pipe dream thread.

 

[yelyoh]

Fantasy on all counts.

Raf as coach with Alissa Czisny for spins Jeremy Abbott for SS

Choreos: Shae-Lynn, Rohene, Misha (Ge), Akiko Suzuki

 

[moonvine]

Gracie of course. She loves to coach adult skaters.

 

[FaustinaF]

That's interesting!!
I would probably choose Carolina Kostner (please note it's just a pure coincidence that we are both Italians...), because I see her as a very good coach when I saw the incredible progress Yuma Kagiyama has recently done with her.