5.5 Approach to Improving Scores
So, how can one improve their score? We have done some research, and Team Brian places great emphasis on both Program Component Score (PCS) and Grade of Execution (GOE).
When it comes to PCS, ultimately, it all comes down to basic skating skills. Tracy Wilson is particularly good at coaching this aspect. A skater's score depends on how well every movement in the program is executed. Therefore, once their skating skills improve, all of their PCS marks can rise dramatically. I believe Yuzuru must have felt this quite strongly over the past two years. Javier also improved his PCS in Toronto. Three years ago, Javier's PCS was so low that he was only getting around 5–6 points. I told him, "This is the level at which the judges simply overlook you," and had him start working on his skating skills from scratch.
Earning positive Grades of Execution (GOE) is also crucial. If you receive positive GOE on all 12 to 13 technical elements, you can gain more than 20 points. Furthermore, during my four years working with Yuna Kim, we observed a correlation between GOE and Program Component Scores (PCS): high-quality technical elements tend to contribute to higher overall PCS. These components include skating skills, transitions, performance, and choreography, all of which ultimately play a role in determining the outcome of a competition.
Many skaters and coaches tend to place too much emphasis on jumps. While everyone focuses heavily on the quadruple toe loop (4T) and quadruple Salchow (4S), Team Brian places greater importance on every aspect of a program. Spins, in particular, are crucial. There are six spins in total across the short program and free skate, and one of Team Brian's major goals is to achieve Level 4 on every spin and earn positive GOE on all of them. If we can improve the quality of each spin and gain just one additional point per spin, that would amount to six extra points. That's a substantial number of points. This is why I always remind my skaters not to neglect spin practice during training.
Incidentally, Yuna Kim initially wanted to train for a triple Axel (3A). At the time, however, we placed greater emphasis on jump quality and maximizing Grade of Execution (GOE) scores. We also felt that pushing her to train the 3A could risk injury or cause unnecessary physical exhaustion, so it wasn't a wise decision. I told her, "If you want to work on the 3A, you should save it for after winning the Vancouver Olympics." Perhaps this was also one of the reasons she eventually left Toronto. She already had an excellent double Axel (2A). Although she had the potential to master the triple Axel, I deliberately chose not to let her train for it. I believe my strategy was the right one. It was precisely this focus on improving GOE and PCS that enabled Yuna Kim to win the Olympics by such a commanding margin.
Overall, I believe the current scoring system has improved the way figure skating is judged. Back when I was competing, the top podium positions were consistently occupied by the same two or three elite skaters. Today, however, any of the top dozen or so skaters has a realistic chance of reaching the podium or even winning at any given competition. The new scoring system goes beyond the traditional categories of "Technical Merit" and "Presentation" used under the old system. It evaluates dozens of individual elements, including jumps, spins, and skating skills, to determine a skater's final score. It is also a relatively open system, regardless of a skater's nationality or background. Since its introduction, we have seen the emergence of world champions such as Switzerland's Stéphane Lambiel, Olympic champions from Japan and South Korea, and World Championship medallist from Spain.
At the same time, however, we must not ignore the voices of figure skating fans. If programs that fail to win the audience's approval nevertheless receive high scores, the sport risks becoming insular and disconnected from its fans. I believe that spectators' expressions of dissatisfaction with the judging are also important forms of feedback that deserve to be heard.
5.6 Off-ice coaching
Off-ice training is another area that coaches must not overlook. When I was an athlete, I underwent rigorous strength training, although the methods were not particularly scientific. Nowadays, I place great importance on Pilates and yoga. These forms of training are essential for figure skaters, as they combine building physical strength with improving flexibility.
It is worth noting just how much muscle strength and flexibility figure skaters actually need. For female skaters, it is important to maintain an appropriate amount of muscle while keeping the body toned and supple. In figure skating, having more muscle does not necessarily translate into better performance. Yuna Kim, for example, has a very slender yet powerful physique without being overly muscular. Pilates helps build a strong, well-conditioned body without developing bulky muscles. Yuzuru is also ideally suited to figure skating, with his slender yet strong physique. His body is still developing, and he will naturally become stronger as he grows. He has inherited an excellent physique that is naturally lean and healthy.
Javier also inherited some excellent genes. He has a similar build to his father and was naturally born with a low body-fat percentage, along with lean, supple muscles. This is an ideal physique for a figure skater. Moreover, he can eat whatever he likes without gaining weight. Javier really is a lucky guy!
5.7 How to deal with the media
If there is one thing that did not exist in my day, it is social media. I advise my students to avoid using social media as much as possible. While it may serve as an ideal platform for those wishing to express their personal opinions, much of the content shared there tends to be negative. If coaches or athletes come across such comments, they might perceive them as one-sided criticism directed at them. For this reason, I encourage them to stay away from social media. If they happen to encounter such comments, I simply tell them to disregard them.
I have already recounted in Chapter 1 how the media reported on my silver-medal finish at the Calgary Olympics. From that day onward, I became determined to protect my athletes from the media, while also making an effort to build relationships with journalists who could truly understand our thoughts and views and convey them accurately. In fact, there are journalists who are trustworthy, respectful, and capable of handling media coverage in a calm and objective manner.
The media are indispensable. For athletes, news coverage on television, in newspapers, and in magazines can serve as a source of motivation, encouraging them to work harder and strive for improvement. Therefore, there is no need to avoid the media entirely. However, building relationships based on trust is crucial. Ideally, these relationships should be rooted in mutual respect.
5.8 Mental Management
When I was still competing, I received guidance from a mental coach, and I benefited tremendously from the experience. Thanks to what I learned back then, even now that I am a coach, I can confidently send my skaters out to compete. I believe that as long as Tracy and I are here, we are fully capable of looking after the skaters' mental well-being.
However, for skaters who frequently struggle to perform to their full potential in competitions, having a mental coach may become essential. In such cases, not just anyone is suited to the role. The person must be a perfect fit for the team's dynamics and be able to establish a strong rapport with the skaters. It is a very delicate matter.
To this end, I even developed an iPhone app called Peak Performance Skating. I wanted skaters to be able to use it to maintain their composure and a positive mindset. Developed in collaboration with a psychologist, the app is designed to facilitate "mental imagery" training. The app uses voice narration to guide skaters through a visualisation of their performances, including their skating movements, jumps, spins, choreography, the audience's reactions, the judges' evaluations, and even the pose they strike at the end of their programme. This helps skaters visualise themselves performing in an actual competition.
I have already made the app available to all the skaters on Team Brian. Although it was originally developed for my own students, it is now available for skaters all over the world to use. Skaters at every level, not just elite competitors, experience nervousness before competitions. So, it would be wonderful if this app could be of help to as many skaters as possible.
In reality, mental management is a fairly straightforward concept. It is essentially about how you prepare yourself to remain calm and composed when it comes time to compete. Think of giving a presentation at work: you might go over your notes countless times, make sure your suit is properly ironed and comfortable to wear, double-check the timing, and make all the necessary preparations. Figure skating is no different. When athletes prepare thoroughly beforehand, they can enjoy the competition and perform to the best of their abilities. This is the foundation of mental management. Beyond that, it is our responsibility as coaches to observe the athletes during their daily training. As long as they consistently appear relaxed and natural, there is nothing to worry about.
5.9 A Community That Brings Fulfilment to Coaches
As the head coach of Team Brian, there is one aspect of my work that I feel I have done particularly well: creating a sense of community at our rink. I have brought together people whom I trust, people with whom I learn and work alongside. Together, we form a close-knit team, sharing a common purpose and a sense of being in this together. I believe this is the secret behind my success.
I brought together a team of trusted professionals to build Team Brian. Tracy and I make it a priority to ensure that everyone on the team feels happy and fulfilled in their work. When people feel that their contributions are not appreciated or that they are unable to do the things they truly enjoy, dissatisfaction and even jealousy can arise. Whenever I sense that something is amiss, I address it immediately by speaking directly with the person concerned. Communication is key. Although misunderstandings and conflicts between skaters and coaches may occasionally arise, we work through them through open and honest communication.
When a talented skater first joins the team, they train with several different coaches before we select the one best suited to work with them. Naturally, the coaches who are not chosen may feel a little jealous. After all, everyone wants the opportunity to coach a top-level skater and accompany them to international competitions. However, when another skater joins the team, we can give a different coach the opportunity to take the lead. Even if it is only a short-term coaching arrangement, that is perfectly fine. What matters is maintaining open communication and making sure that no one is left feeling dissatisfied.
Much like running a business, it is essential to maintain regular communication and foster a team environment where everyone feels comfortable speaking openly and discussing things freely.
At the heart of this team, a community bound by a shared sense of purpose, is the belief that every coach is part of the success of Yuna, Yuzuru, Nam, and Javier. Whenever Yuzuru or Javier successfully lands a quadruple jump during practice, all the coaches applaud and cheer them on. Yuzuru and Javier, in turn, exchange high-fives with the coaches. These interactions help boost the skaters' motivation, making every coach feel that they have contributed, in their own way, to the skaters' achievements. I believe the coaches also feel that they are part of the Cricket Club's success. They genuinely enjoy training and working alongside great skaters as members of the same team, sharing in their collective achievements. Otherwise, I don't think it would have been possible for not a single coach to leave the Cricket Club in eight years!
The Cricket Club is the ideal place for coaches to coach. And it is precisely for this reason that it has also become the ideal place for skaters to train.
By
yuzurujenn ·
