- Joined
- Nov 19, 2010
The last time Patrick had a coaching change, followed by a rise in his technical difficulties, he had the disastrous Olympics, followed by 8 falls in the first two GP events, coming in second at COR 2010. That was when I joined the forum, to go against the perceptions of the status of his abilities, talents, and future in figure skating. Tremendous success followed. It is now time for a different stage of his career.
An important difference is that the last time was during and immediately after the Olympics, when top skaters retired or took their rest. This time is pre-Olympics. when everybody, including rising youngsters, are tuning up to peak their skills and performances, for which Patrick himself has set an extremely high standard. As well, this time he is the one everybody is gunning for, with the biggest target on his back. The scrutiny and the pressure levels are intense and building. However, Patrick has now matured into a seasoned competitors, with experiences and better self knowledge to cope.
Patrick has got all the goods. The most important factor he must master is his mind, as it is for all skaters. With the next Olympics in mind, time is a consideration. He needs to know what he needs and get it now, not next season. If it's a new coach he needs, he should get him/her by mid season. Krall had a way to calm Patrick at competitions, well known for their playing Old Maid while he waited for his turn. Johnson may be a good coach with body and movement, which I think is much more valuable than people give credit for, but competition is not her expertise. She too needs to up her coaching know how.
Patrick has been jumping well at practices and warm-ups, so it's not a technical issue but the confidence level during performances at competition. He downgraded his quad at SC, something he had never done since including the quads at competitions. He always attacked and fully rotated them even if he fell. In a way he did what many other skaters do, and what some critics advocate - downgrading the difficulty to avoid falls. He needs to find his way back to the winner mindset, with fire in his eyes at the start of his programs. Johnson, if she really knows him well, must figure out how to settle his nerves and keep his confidence high at competition. Or Patrick has to find his own way and his winning self. Maybe all he needs is a little more time to be completely comfortable with the new programs. However, if something needs to be added, a coach, a training structure, or a superstitious ritual, whatever it is that he can have faith in, they need to find it soon. Make adjustments or even radical changes within the next couple of months, not later. From the later half of the season, it's about getting into the groove and rising with the new rhythm. All the way to Sochi.
I believe Patrick will find what he needs.
An important difference is that the last time was during and immediately after the Olympics, when top skaters retired or took their rest. This time is pre-Olympics. when everybody, including rising youngsters, are tuning up to peak their skills and performances, for which Patrick himself has set an extremely high standard. As well, this time he is the one everybody is gunning for, with the biggest target on his back. The scrutiny and the pressure levels are intense and building. However, Patrick has now matured into a seasoned competitors, with experiences and better self knowledge to cope.
Patrick has got all the goods. The most important factor he must master is his mind, as it is for all skaters. With the next Olympics in mind, time is a consideration. He needs to know what he needs and get it now, not next season. If it's a new coach he needs, he should get him/her by mid season. Krall had a way to calm Patrick at competitions, well known for their playing Old Maid while he waited for his turn. Johnson may be a good coach with body and movement, which I think is much more valuable than people give credit for, but competition is not her expertise. She too needs to up her coaching know how.
Patrick has been jumping well at practices and warm-ups, so it's not a technical issue but the confidence level during performances at competition. He downgraded his quad at SC, something he had never done since including the quads at competitions. He always attacked and fully rotated them even if he fell. In a way he did what many other skaters do, and what some critics advocate - downgrading the difficulty to avoid falls. He needs to find his way back to the winner mindset, with fire in his eyes at the start of his programs. Johnson, if she really knows him well, must figure out how to settle his nerves and keep his confidence high at competition. Or Patrick has to find his own way and his winning self. Maybe all he needs is a little more time to be completely comfortable with the new programs. However, if something needs to be added, a coach, a training structure, or a superstitious ritual, whatever it is that he can have faith in, they need to find it soon. Make adjustments or even radical changes within the next couple of months, not later. From the later half of the season, it's about getting into the groove and rising with the new rhythm. All the way to Sochi.
I believe Patrick will find what he needs.
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