Yeah I wonder if it's something that adults appreciate more than kids because adults prefer the discipline, precision, etc. of working on edges rather than trying to go do jumps right away.
I assume this is when they're trying to work on skills independently, rather than with a coach. Practice with a friend or with their own music in headphones during freestyle? I do my basics every time I get on the ice and they're like my me-time. For a kid the repetition is probably really boring, but that's kind of the sport. If they can learn to get in the right "zone" - with whatever tricks or bells and whistles help them get there - that'll really be an asset to them as they build skills. Because MIF are just the beginning of how repetitive and boring the sport can get when it comes to training, lol.
PreliminaryWhich moves? How old is the skater?
Skater knows this and does practice moves, just doesn't do it enough to satisfy coach. Practices every session for short periods of time then moves on to the fun stuff.Bottom line is the skater doesn't have to enjoy them, but does have to master them if they want to move up in freestyle, so that's a built-in carrot.
yesI assume this is when they're trying to work on skills independently, rather than with a coach.
Coins won't motivate kid but some money reward might. It's a thought...My coach says that back in her day, when working on edges, her coach would put dimes (or some other type of coin, forgot) on the top of her hand when doing them. (Note that the palms are facing down when doing them.) If she could make it all the way down the line with for example consecutive backward outside edges with the coins staying on top of her hand the entire way, then she got to keep them.
I can suggest that, certainly might work.Not sure if something like this will work, but just throwing it out for discussion... How about turning the MIF exercises into a "game"?
This sounds like a solid idea. That way they are having a little bit of fun and it's not so tedious. Good thinking!Could you intersperse it with other things kind of like an obstacle course (not physical obstacles) like one mitf pattern down the ice and then practice five jumps, a mitf pattern down the ice and then five spins. You could make up a whole course that way it feels more like a fun course rather than practicing boring skills. Plus then practicing the more fun things is kind of like a reward for completing the boring part.
One of my skater's group lesson instructors says Moves/Edges/Figures are the green vegetables of skating. You don't have to like them, you just have to do them.
So I guess you can consider edges as peas and jumps and spins as carrots!
So true especially for the ones that like to jump.
I remember when my skater passed her Senior MIF, I was the one jumping up and down.
Could you intersperse it with other things kind of like an obstacle course (not physical obstacles) like one mitf pattern down the ice and then practice five jumps, a mitf pattern down the ice and then five spins. You could make up a whole course that way it feels more like a fun course rather than practicing boring skills. Plus then practicing the more fun things is kind of like a reward for completing the boring part.
I will suggest these ideas to him.
The issue is I’m a parent. I’m not on the ice with him. I can’t coach from the stands (not allowed). So all I can do is suggest stuff or pull him off the ice when all he wants to do is doubles.
He just complains “Moves are soooooooo boring!” In the saddest, whiniest voice.