Coaching Changes...Good or Bad?

[Medusa]

Can I answer the question of the topic. NO. I don't know if the change was worth it. He's lost his Otonal which enhanced his already style. I believe Galina was trying to make him more bravuro with the use of so many mannerisms. Hard to tell if it worked in the GPs with Evan faultering. We'll see more at the Worlds.
Joe

Did the change help his artistry or his style? No, I don't think so. He didn't lose his grace, fluidity and elegance on ice, but the choreography of his programs, especially the long, doesn't emphasise his qualities and is rather simple. But I don't think he went to Mrs. Zmievskaya in order to improve his artistry. If you compare Johnny from the 2003/2004 and the 2004/2005 seasons with the Johnny today - then the change wasn't worth it. But Johnny didn't just have great choreography and programs during these seasons, he was also very consistent.

But in 05/06 and 06/07 he rarely had a clean long program and only a few clean shorts, he left out jumping passes, he fell, popped jumps, had scratchy landings... Even The Swan wasn't pretty anymore if he didn't land the jumps. I also have the feeling that Johnny loses the program if he does a major mistake.

After last season he probably had two choices: retire and skate lots of Otonals, Swans, My Ways and Ave Marias at shows and then go on with his life, become a designer etc. - or try to get back on track. He went for the last one and if you ask me if the change was worth it - I compare the last two seasons with this one and have to say - yes. Just seeing him skate a program without having to save every landing, watching the rideout of his jumps connecting with the fluidity of his basic skating - it was so worth it.

It is like playing the Moonlight Sonata - it doesn't matter how beautiful you can play the slow hypnotic parts, if you can't play the difficult fast parts - the magic is just gone. It can still be emotional and touching, but the magic of the Moonlight Sonata is that you have to have the technique for the bravura parts in order to make the touching slow parts shine.

(His zillion devoted fans will love him whatever.)

It's probably futile - but could you try not to make us sound like a bunch of screaming girlies at a Justin-Timberlake-concert?

 

[Hsuhs]

I don't know if the change was worth it. He's lost his Otonal which enhanced his already style. I believe Galina was trying to make him more bravuro with the use of so many mannerisms. Hard to tell if it worked in the GPs with Evan faultering. We'll see more at the Worlds. (His zillion devoted fans will love him whatever.)

Joe

ITA

Oh yeah, but I also think that not the choreo but Johnny's weakened and fragile health will prevent him from medaling at the Worlds.

 

[jennylovskt]

While Johnny was looking for new coach last year, he contacted Tarasova, and Morosov, and several others. It was Marina Anissina who first suggested him to go to Galina Zmievskaya. Johnny knew Victor from COI. It was the best choice at the time.

Marina Anissina really did some good for Johnny. First she choreographed two handsome programs for him last year. (Many of you hated those programs) (Sadly Johnny did not pay enough effort to maximize his own potential.) Then she suggested him to go to Galina.

I think the main principle of going to Galina is right. Johnny needs someone who can push him to work. Whether Galina could bring him the result we are all waiting for, is not totally up to the coach. He does changed as we all have seen.

The choreographies of this year's programs are very plain for sure. I've said it early this season and I will say it again. Imagine Marina Anissina's programs with Coach Galina, how good would that be?!

 

[NatachaHatawa]

I really think that the question isn't really about coach changes being good or not, it's about who you change to. Obviously changing coaches every day isn't ideal, but skaters need to find the right coach for their specific needs at a specific time. Coach changes either spoil a skater or make him/her evolve.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

It's probably futile - but could you try not to make us sound like a bunch of screaming girlies at a Justin-Timberlake-concert?

he he. I'm not comparing Johnny's fan base to any pop stars (I think he would lose on the screaming.)

Well, I would say Johnny has as much male fans, like me, as well, but for me it is important that the best performance that day and only that day should win the gold. Of course, it's sujective. The whole sport is close to being subjective in its entirety

Did you see him in2004 US Nats? or 2004 Worlds? That was the year so many fans understood what I was talking about since 2001 US Nats which I saw on TV. Savoie, Weiss, Goebel were fighting it out and Johnny skated in his budding flow style and got 6th. At 2004 Worlds, he had Plushenko, Joubert, Weiss, that Austrian guy (name escapes me at the moment). He had to move up to the last group to let the world see the talent that was there. There was all that beautiful flow of his. That was before he spent a summer with TT which I believe came in 2005 (not sure, please correct). It was TT's choreo that got him so much alocades. I think in the past two years, he has changed a lot, and I'm not sure it is for the better.

Joe

 

[Winnipeg]

I agree and I'll say it was a very bad decision, IMO!!!

It depends on the situation if it is bad or good.

Why DID Sasha leave tarasova?

 

[Tonichelle]

I like Johnny's LP this year... I think Denis did a great job with the choreography.

 

[lrn2sk8]

Coaching changes should be made on a basis of connection, if your connection is bad and does not improve there is little choice, you should change coaches. If your connnection is good, you should consider your reasons very carefully, be honest and tell your coach. That is the only way you can have a amicable split if necessary. Success is more likely through good intentions.

Wier's change showed his intentions were to become a better skater, and it seemed as if his coach, wanted the same for him. The subjective nature of figure skating seems less important when you see someone skate with enjoyment and good heart. Bad intentions, greed or jealousy will destroy your relationships, and the next coach will probably suffer the same fate as the first. So consider your intentions first. Wier seems to be skating from a good place, that comes from hard work, it could have more to do with Lysacek than his past, present, or future coach.

 

[Mathman]

Just a thought stolen from Kierkegaard

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."

Always one of my favorites. Whatever happened to her, anyway?

Mikkeline Kierkgaard