[2014.11.21] Team Brian

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/チーム・ブライアン-ブライアン・オーサー/dp/4062191733/

Source: https://tieba.baidu.com/p/3607241795?pn=1

 

The man who led Yuzuru Hanyu to the top. The world's strongest figure skating coach reveals the story of meticulous strategy and heated battles. Includes a conversation between Orser and Yuzuru! The man who led Yuzuru Hanyu to the top.

The world's strongest figure skating coach reveals the story of meticulous strategy and heated battles.

Includes a conversation between Orser and Yuzuru!

 

Table of contents of this book

Preface: Brian Orser & Yuzuru Hanyu, teacher-student conversation

Chapter 1: Mr. Triple Axel

Chapter 2: Kim Yuna

Chapter 3: Yuzuru and Javier

Chapter 4: The Sochi Olympics

Chapter 5: Team Brian's coaching

Final Chapter: After the Sochi Olympics, looking to the future

[yuzurujenn]

Preface

 

Spoiler

The Sochi Olympic season was an incredibly inspiring one for me. My student, Yuzuru Hanyu, won the gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the World Championships. Javier Fernández from Spain also won the bronze medal at the same World Championships. Four years earlier, during the Vancouver Olympics, my student, Kim Yuna from Korea, also won the gold medal. As a result, the media referred to me as the "coach with back-to-back Olympic victories." Additionally, as an athlete, I won silver medals in the Sarajevo and Calgary Olympics, so I have been recognized as a "successful" individual both as a competitor and as a coach.

 

When both Yuzuru and Yuna won their respective titles, many coaches, athletes, and media outlets asked me, "How can you make your student win a gold medal?" Many people likely assumed that just by following my guidance, one could achieve a gold medal. In fact, after Yuzuru's victory, many top-level skaters from around the world rushed to request my coaching.

 

However, I don't believe my students' success is solely due to my efforts or any special technique I have. That notion is absolutely incorrect. I have simply been fortunate enough to encounter many exceptional people, spending every day with trustworthy and talented individuals. What I cannot forget, as people call me a successful coach, is to express my respect and gratitude to the many people who have supported my athletes in the past.

 

Yuzuru, Yuna, Javier, and all the other athletes each started under various coaches who discovered their talents and helped them develop the qualities of top-tier athletes before they joined me. While Yuzuru's success rate with the quadruple jump improved after coming to Toronto, the ability and foundation for executing a beautiful quad jump were developed long before. If I were to take credit for making him capable of doing the quad jump, that would be a grave mistake. When Yuzuru, at 17, first joined me, his spins and jumps were already outstanding, and he had twice the passion of others. It is clear how much credit his previous coach deserves for this.

 

I also want to acknowledge the contributions of the coaches who guided Yuzuru until 2012, such as Nanami Abe, as well as many other coaches, trainers, and those who supported him mentally. Thanks to all these people, we have the Yuzuru we see today. Yuzuru's gold medal is absolutely not just my accomplishment.

 

The same goes for Nam Nguyen (Canada). When he won the 2014 World Junior Championships, the first thing I did was send an email to his previous coach, saying, "A part of this championship belongs to you. Thank you for developing him to this point."

 

However, since Nam's previous coach was Canadian and we had met before, I was able to thank him directly. When Yuna and Yuzuru won their titles, I didn't have the chance to thank their previous coaches. I don't know how many coaches they had before me, and I never spoke with them. Nevertheless, all those coaches had already made outstanding contributions before I came into the picture. I cannot claim all the credit by myself.

 

On the day of the free skate at the Sochi Olympics, I was merely sitting beside Yuzuru in the K&C area and happened to be interviewed by media from around the world.

 

Let me talk about myself as an athlete for a moment. Before I became a student of Doug Leigh, during a brief period when I was between 5 and 7 years old, I followed a female coach. Her skating was very elegant, and she carefully taught the young me how to skate, which made me fall in love with the sport. Though I was still very young at the time, her skating and teaching have stayed vivid in my memory. Even though Doug Leigh became my coach from the age of 7 onward, I still carry the memory of those early days with my coach, and I often feel grateful for them.

 

Therefore, when I had the chance to write a book as a figure skating coach in Japan, I could never forget to pay respect to Yuzuru’s previous coaches. They all contributed to making him an Olympic champion.

 

What is truly gratifying is that various athletes, each with their unique quirks and styles, have come under my guidance. Whenever I think about the kind of training they had before joining me, I always find that the previous coaches had poured so much effort and emotion into their development.

 

For every athlete who joins my team, I dedicate myself fully to their training. To help talented young people like Yuzuru and Yuna get as close as possible to success, I focus on seeing the direction they should go in and guiding them accordingly. Based on their success, I believe the training life in Toronto provided a positive and synergistic environment that helped their talents flourish. If I played any role in this, it was simply providing the environment for them and lighting the fuse for their talents to explode; nothing more.

 

At my coaching base, the "Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club" (referred to simply as Cricket Club in the text), there are more than 20 coaches besides myself, working as a team to guide the athletes. Without any one of them, Team Brian could not exist. Each of them takes on an important responsibility. In this sense, the athletes' medals are not only my achievement but also the result of the efforts of their previous coaches and the coaches at Cricket Club. This sense of gratitude is the core of why I formed the Brian Team.

 

I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who have supported my athletes in the past. In particular, I intend to record my coaching journey to pay tribute to the Japanese coaches who helped develop Yuzuru. It feels like my skating travel diary. I hope that the words "Thank you (arigatou)" can be conveyed to all those in Japan.

 

This book is based on interviews with Coach Brian Orser conducted in July 2014 at the "Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club" in Canada, and a discussion between Coach Orser and Yuzuru Hanyu in August 2014 at the same location. The interviewer was Mie Noguchi.

 

 

 

Brian Orser & Yuzuru Hanyu Conversation

 

Spoiler

About half a year after the Sochi Winter Olympics, in early August 2014, Brian Orser and Yuzuru Hanyu resumed their discussion about the next four years. About the next Olympic cycle, future goals, and future dreams. Through the conversation, the master and apprentice made a new resolution.

Section 1: Exploring "Yuzuru's Skating Style"

Note: Yuzuru Hanyu is referred to as Y, and Brian Orser as B in this text.

 

—It’s been half a year since you won the gold medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics. First, could you each share what you would like to say to each other after the Olympics?

B: First of all, congratulations on winning the gold medal. You can still get even stronger, so don’t stop here, and let’s continue to improve together.

Y: Although it’s only been a short two years since I came under Brian’s guidance until the Sochi Olympics, we trained and communicated together, and that allowed me to make progress and show my abilities at the Olympics. When I first came to Toronto, there was a language barrier, but Brian was always able to understand what I was thinking and what I wanted to do. It’s really impressive how Brian, as my coach, always thought ahead and considered what I needed.

B: When Yuzuru first came to Toronto two years ago, he was already a talented skater. The first time I saw him was at the 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, and my first impression was that a really exceptional skater had appeared. When I saw him again at the 2012 World Championships in Nice, alongside Javier Fernández, he had already grown into a strong competitor. He was young and passionate, and he was definitely someone to watch in the near future. So, when I heard that he wanted to come here to train and join our team after that World Championships, I was really surprised.

Y: I saw Javier’s quadruple jump improve significantly during the 2010-2011 season, and his success rate went up. Whether in competitions or public practice, his quad jumps were very impressive. I heard he switched to train with Brian, so I thought there must be some kind of secret to it. Since the quadruple jump is my biggest weapon, if I could stabilize my quad jump, there would be a possibility of improving other aspects like my skating and expressiveness. That’s when I decided to train with Brian.

 

—After arriving in Toronto in 2012, I heard that you didn’t initially focus on the quadruple jump but instead started from the basics. Is that true?

B: In the spring of 2012, when Yuzuru first came to Toronto, I took him to various rinks around the city, and we skated together. This was actually an experiment. I had him try various footwork and connecting moves, and I observed his skating technique and the characteristics of his movements from different angles. I found that many of his techniques were quite random and changed depending on his mood. So I thought, if his technique fluctuates depending on his emotions, he won’t be able to jump consistently.

Y: As Brian mentioned, before coming to Toronto, my performance on the ice was a bit influenced by my mood that day. Even in my routines, things like speed and the number of crossovers were random, and I could feel it myself.

 

—So, did you start training from the basics because of that?

B: Yes, it all started with having in-depth communication with Yuzuru. The key was to find a technique that suited him and then set goals. Everyone has different skating techniques and habits, and recognizing that is really important. Before focusing solely on the quadruple jump, we needed to solidify the basics, particularly his skating technique. I’ve found a suitable technique for both Javier and Nam Nguyen, so I began exploring “Yuzuru’s skating style.” In fact, even after two years, we’re still in the process of figuring it out, but sooner or later, he will need to master his own style.

Y: Although I trained in skating technique when I was younger, this was the first time I received a thorough re-training in skating technique after I transitioned to senior competitions. At first, it was very difficult. Actually, I still find it difficult even now (laughs). But I understand that the focus on skating technique will benefit me in the future, and it will also improve the overall program.

B: That’s right. This is where Yuzuru shines—he embraced the basic skating training. It may also be because he didn’t have another choice (laughs). At the Cricket Club, all the skaters undergo skating training led by Tracy Wilson. The differences in their abilities are clearly evident, and everyone has to work hard to catch up. Yuzuru also realized that he shouldn’t let his emotions affect his skating. By skating with other skaters, he deepened his understanding of basic skating techniques.

Y: It’s true. After coming to Toronto, I truly realized the importance of skating technique. It affects the stability of your skating, and it is related to the quadruple jump as well. I feel that both the take-off and timing of my jumps have improved.

 

—Besides skating technique, what other aspects are emphasized in your overall training?

B: My coaching style places a lot of emphasis on communication. The more talented the skater, like Yuzuru, the more important communication becomes. Some coaches might give orders like “You have to do this move like this,” but I believe every skater has already mastered different techniques, so it’s the coach’s job to adapt to each skater’s characteristics. So with Yuzuru, I don’t force him to jump in a particular way, but instead, we look for the jump that suits him best.

Y: It’s true. Brian and I discuss everything thoroughly. Even when practicing jumps, we record the jumps and then watch them together. He asks me, “How does it feel?” and I’ll answer, “It feels like this.” Then Brian will suggest, “How about trying it this way?” Through repeated discussions, my jump technique eventually took shape.

B: What’s important is the “good feeling.” Through training together, I realized that Yuzuru and I are quite similar in that we both care deeply about the feeling of the jump. The training method that works well for this type is to record the “good-feeling” jumps and analyze the videos objectively, looking for successful patterns. Things like breathing frequency, body condition, rhythm, knee usage, glide path, and posture during the jump—all these things need to be explored.

 

—I see, this is really a very theoretical approach to training.

 

[yuzurujenn]

 Aiming for Two Consecutive Olympic Golds

 

Spoiler

In the second Grand Prix event, the NHK Trophy, Yuzuru Hanyu's performance was stunning. Since it was held in his hometown of Sendai, and in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Yuzuru hoped that through his exceptional performance, he could bring hope and courage back to the people of Tohoku. It wasn’t about himself; he was competing for the people of the Tohoku region. His passionate performance brought a perfect result. I think this was a great motivator. Of course, for Team Brian, winning the title meant qualification for the Grand Prix Final. Since the Olympic test event would be held in Sochi afterward, this was a competition we wanted to experience in advance.

 

There were two main purposes for participating in the Grand Prix Final held in Sochi. First, we wanted to present an excellent performance. But more importantly, the second goal was to “start becoming aware of the Olympics.” Whatever the awareness might be, we hoped that by participating in the Final, Yuzuru would experience the Olympic atmosphere, as the Olympics were soon becoming a reality. By experiencing the test event in Sochi, we hoped to trigger his awareness of the upcoming Olympics.

 

Even though it was still 14 months before the actual Olympics, we were already in the beautiful venue, breathing in the foreign air of Sochi. Products related to the Olympics had started to be sold, and we slowly began to feel, "Ah, it’s the Olympics, how amazing." In that moment, the athletes’ perception shifted from “It’s still a long way off” to “It’s almost here.” Suddenly, we realized how short this time period actually was.

 

One day before the competition, we jogged lightly along the coast. We alternated between running and walking, stretching our muscles, and chatted along the way. Yuzuru shared a lot with me. Among the things he said, the most powerful words were when he told me, “I want to become the Olympic champion in Sochi, and I also want to become the Olympic champion in Korea next time.” He didn’t wait for me to ask; he said it on his own—he wanted to win two consecutive Olympic titles.

I told him, “That sounds great.” The excitement about the upcoming Olympics in Sochi in 14 months must have inspired him to think that way. But I was very happy that Yuzuru was able to express this desire to me so openly, and I was a little surprised. At that moment, I silently promised myself that I would do everything in my power to support Yuzuru in achieving his dream.

 

At the end of December 2012, I participated in the All-Japan Championships for the first time. I had heard that the atmosphere of the competition was very intense, but I didn’t expect it to be so passionate. I was completely stunned by the high level of the top-level skaters. My impression was, “Is this really a domestic competition?” Whether in the women’s or men’s singles, the skaters who placed in the top 6 or 7 were all capable of stepping onto the world podium.

 

The performance of Daisuke Takahashi, the king of men’s singles, was fantastic, and Yuzuru also delivered an outstanding performance. In terms of results, Yuzuru won the title. For him, it was his first national championship, and I felt very proud to be there to enjoy that moment with him. Becoming a national champion in Japan is more difficult than becoming a world champion, just like in Canada and the United States.

 

Of course, there were moments when it didn’t feel easy. Daisuke Takahashi, who built Japan’s golden era in figure skating, had to give way to the new generation. Yuzuru won the title, but it seemed like he was a bit confused, and he didn’t seem truly happy from the bottom of his heart. From the opposite perspective, I’ve experienced something similar. I was a pioneer in Canadian figure skating, having won 8 consecutive Canadian national championships. But when Kurt Browning came onto the scene, a generational shift was bound to happen. After Kurt and I both retired, we worked together in our post-competitive careers. It’s a process like that.

 

Daisuke Takahashi has the charisma of a leader, a good personality, and many fans. Everyone should respect him, thank him, and admire his achievements. Even so, the moment of generational change will eventually come, and for Yuzuru to become the true king of Japan in the future, I told him, while celebrating his victory, not to forget to honor the pioneers who came before him.

 

At that time, Yuzuru had just turned 18 and might not have fully realized what it meant to carry the weight of Japan’s figure skating legacy. Because of that, I, as his coach, had to take a strong stance. To win the Olympic gold in the next season, Yuzuru must become Japan’s true champion. The moment of generational change will always be emotionally complicated for everyone involved. This is a conflict that Yuzuru would eventually have to face and overcome.

 

 

The All-Japan Championships Worth Watching

 

Spoiler

The All-Japan Championships, which determined the representative for Japan in the Olympics, took place at the end of December in Saitama. Yuzuru Hanyu had won the Grand Prix Final, and I had hoped that this victory would secure him an Olympic spot, but it didn’t happen. “OK, that’s fine. Let’s go all out and fight for it,” was my mindset at the time.

 

Yuzuru returned to Japan a bit earlier than me to adjust and prepare. Five days before the competition, I met up with him and the rest of the team. Before that, Yuzuru had been training individually with his mother and physiotherapist, Mr. Kikuchi. Unlike in Toronto, he was able to train in a quieter environment where he could focus, which was a rare opportunity.

 

In the short program of the All-Japan Championships, Yuzuru performed exceptionally well, and in the free skate, he only had a fall on his quadruple salchow. Daisuke Takahashi, who was battling through an injury to his hand, competed valiantly, and everyone was fighting for an Olympic spot. The competition was truly exciting to watch. Yuzuru dominated this fierce battle.

 

If I had been worried about athletes peaking before the Olympics, it could have caused confusion, so I chose to separate the Olympics from other competitions in my mind. Therefore, the All-Japan Championships were simply a matter of giving our best effort. Afterward, we didn’t slack off but kept the momentum going forward. Yuzuru passed through that period in an excited state.

 

By the time the All-Japan Championships concluded, it was already late at night. We had a series of discussions with the Japan Skating Federation, and we also made some requests to President Seiko Hashimoto on behalf of Team Brian: "The only person in the world who can beat Patrick Chan is Yuzuru. Please prepare these and these for him.” For example, we asked that Mr. Kikuchi, the physiotherapist, be granted an Olympic coach’s ID, that a training rest area and appropriate meals be provided, and that a translator be available. We anticipated what could happen in the unique environment of the Olympics and wanted to create the best possible setting for Yuzuru to perform at his highest level. While the Japan Skating Federation didn’t meet all our requests, we had a productive discussion.

 

When I worked with Yuna Kim, since she was the only top skater in Korea, it was relatively easy to receive special treatment. Yuna didn’t stay in the Olympic Village; she had a specially arranged hotel, and all the necessary personnel were given access passes. But Japan is different—there are many athletes who have the potential to compete for medals. So, after making some compromises, I urged the Japan Skating Federation to ensure that they could be flexible in addressing any problems that might arise on-site. Since Yuzuru would come across as somewhat spoiled if he made such demands directly, we expressed Team Brian’s requests strongly from our side. After that, I returned to Canada.

 

Yuzuru temporarily went back to Sendai, while I visited my father, who, due to illness, would be spending the winter in warm Florida. Javier returned to Spain to compete in the Spanish Championships in December. We agreed to meet in Toronto after the New Year. We all spent the New Year with our families and quietly welcomed 2014.

 

The short break at the end of the year came to an end, and upon returning to Toronto, we held our final strategy meeting. It was a "summit meeting" with me, Yuzuru, Javier, and Tracy. We shared our experience of the Olympics with them, saying:

 

“We are a team. We will be wearing the Spanish and Japanese team uniforms during the competition, standing by your sides. Your competition times might be very close, so we’ll be by the rink during the official competition, cheering for you and feeling proud of you. And remember to enjoy the Olympics.”

 

At that moment, I deeply appreciated having two young men on Team Brian. Compared to my time with Yuna, the atmosphere was entirely different. Both Yuzuru and Javier were eager to compete in Sochi, full of energy and anticipation. The sense of unity and reassurance within the team was different from when I worked with Yuna. If there were any signs of panic or unusual behavior, I could usually sense it. But both of them were perfectly fine, which is exactly the kind of ideal environment Team Brian has always worked to create.

 

 

Silent Embrace with Patrick Chan

 

Spoiler

Why did Patrick Chan perform the way he did at the Olympics? The reason lies in his inability to maintain his peak form. Last year, after the Grand Prix Final in Fukuoka, Chen lost his confidence and momentum. He no longer had the drive, and it seemed he was just aiming to complete his program without mistakes. Both he and his coach lacked the experience of competing for a medal at the Olympics. Furthermore, Chan arrived at the Sochi venue at the end of January, which was quite an unbelievable decision. He had become accustomed to competing in European events, where he would usually enter the venue and do two to three practice runs before performing. So why did he arrive so early in Sochi? He came more than two weeks before the individual competition, which was completely unnecessary. I saw reports about his "desire to get accustomed to the venue," and it was then I realized his unease.

 

After the free skate performance, I met Patrick Chan. He had trained at the Cricket Club when he was younger, and although he was not my disciple, we shared an understanding as Canadians. Before the award ceremony, while waiting, I walked up to him, and we embraced in silence. There were no words. It would have felt strange to apologize, and I couldn’t congratulate him either, nor could I say "I’m sorry" or "What a pity." So, we simply embraced without saying anything.

 

Chan was very disappointed. But it seemed different from how I felt at the Calgary Olympics. In my case, both my opponent and I had performed perfectly, and I lost by a narrow margin, so my regret stemmed from that. However, for Patrick Chan, he was blaming himself.

 

I can’t forget Javier either. He was just a little bit away from a bronze medal. Because he turned his 4S into a 3S, the last jump was marked as zero points due to the rules.

 

In reality, his 4S becoming a 3S was something we had never practiced in the competition or in training, and we hadn’t prepared a detailed plan for such a situation. I had failed to prepare Javier in advance by telling him, "If this happens, change the jump sequence." Javier is the type of skater who can’t adapt on the fly during the competition. So, the moment he turned his 4S into a 3S, I knew, "This is trouble." I had to give Javier a brief instruction to change his jump while he was still performing. My eyes were locked on him, and I was anxious.

 

If Javier had continued with his original jump plan, there would have been two traps according to the rules, where the jump would have scored zero points. In the 3F triple jump, the 3S turned into a 2S, so that was the first trap, and Javier had managed to avoid it. But for the last 3S, it should have been a double or a 2A, and Javier went ahead and executed it as originally planned. During the performance, I didn’t even realize the second trap was there. It was an unexpected "script."

 

When Javier’s score came out, I was surprised. I checked the score on the computer and then realized, "Oh no, the jump sequence violated the rule." I was really shocked. In other areas, his strong 3A had an unstable landing, and he missed a lutz jump. If he had avoided those mistakes, he would have easily secured the bronze medal. I only realized the various issues afterward and felt guilty toward Javier.

 

 

The Free Skate Without the Magical Moment

 

Spoiler

The Olympics should be a competition filled with magical moments, where countless touching moments unfold. But in the Sochi men's singles free skate, this didn't happen. It was disappointing for the audience as well. I had dreamed countless times of Yuzuru winning the gold in a completely different way, so that competition was truly regrettable. Moreover, in my mind, I imagined Javier standing next to Yuzuru on the podium, and that made me feel even sadder.

 

It was a very strange night. Even though I was the coach of the Olympic champion, Yuzuru went to the press conference, underwent drug testing, and didn’t finish until late at night, so I didn't get to see him. Javier, the Spanish team coaches, and I spent that night together, not even drinking a single drop of alcohol. Everyone was disappointed and sad.

 

When Yuna Kim won the gold medal at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, we celebrated with champagne in the hotel room, sharing our thoughts, expressing gratitude, and Yuna was moved to tears. It was a touching night. But the schedule in Sochi was so late that it was impossible to have such a celebration.

 

The next day, I finally saw Yuzuru. We drank beer with the relevant people, talking about Yuzuru's victory. Yuzuru's parents expressed their gratitude to me. Coaches couldn’t enter the area during the medal ceremony, so I watched the ceremony among the audience. Then, I returned to Toronto without even having the chance to touch or see the medal in person.

 

A few days later, after Yuzuru returned to Japan and then came back to Toronto, he showed me the gold medal. He put the medal on everyone and hugged everyone. It was his way of embracing everyone in Team Brian.

 

This Olympics was a reflection of many things, and it brought about many lessons. But as a coach, I believe I did the minimum required. The grand celebration will be saved for the next Olympic Games. Next time, it will be even more spectacular. By then, Yuzuru will be an adult, and we’ll be able to drink together. Most importantly, I sincerely hope to give Yuzuru the chance to experience an Olympic Games full of even more touching moments.

 

[yuzurujenn]

Chapter 5: Coaching of Team Brian

Section 1: The Composition of Team Brian

 

Spoiler

In the eight years since Team Brian was established, we have coached Yuna and Yuzuru to Olympic gold medals, and Javier to World Championship medals, creating the most beautiful harmony together. I would like to revisit the reasons why Team Brian has remained so united.

 

In the spring of 2006, I received a call from Tracy Wilson, and we decided that I would become the head coach at the Toronto Cricket Club. My first priority was to think about how to form the team. The first person I thought of was my mentor Doug Leigh and his coaching philosophy. Although he coached all the athletes, he didn’t try to do everything himself. When it came to choreography, he understood that his own level was not world-class, so he hired choreographers. If his ability in teaching spins wasn’t top-level, he would hire a specialist in that area. He used the same approach for other aspects in which he wasn’t as skilled.

 

Figure skating is not only about skating and jumping; it also requires skills in spins, footwork, and many other elements. Skaters must be able to execute all these skills with ease. Moreover, presenting a beautiful program is essential. Like Doug, I knew that I couldn’t teach all the elements myself. During my competitive years, I was very good at jumping, so I could teach jumping, but honestly, I thought it would also be fine to let other coaches handle the jumping instruction. I believed my role was to understand each athlete’s strengths and coordinate among the coaches and athletes.

 

Thus, I invited various skilled professionals to join Team Brian and work together. For choreography, I worked with world-class choreographers: David Wilson, Jeffrey Buttle, and Shae-Lynn Bourne, all based in Toronto, so we could always rely on them to create programs for the skaters.

 

For spins, I hired Paige Aistrop, an expert who had previously coached Nobunari Oda. She was always able to keep up with the changing standards of spins each year, helping our skaters achieve the highest level, "Level 4". Even when we travelled overseas for competitions, if there was something I didn’t understand, I would email Paige right away. “In this short program, this spin was rated Level 3. Could you check online and tell me what went wrong?” Paige would quickly check the spin positions and number of rotations and provide feedback, allowing us to make corrections for the free skate the next day.

 

Of course, my best partner is Tracy Wilson. Since I often accompanied the skaters to competitions overseas, Tracy, who could handle everything, became a core member of Team Brian. When I accompanied Yuzuru to a competition, Tracy would take care of Javier.

 

This is similar to running a business. To manage the whole company well, there are experts in marketing, finance, and advertising, and we hire the best talents for each area. The more talented people you can gather, the better the business will run. To nurture top skaters like Yuzuru, Javier, and Yuna, you need a system just like a top-tier company. You can’t think of doing everything yourself. Team members are indispensable.

 

In the summer of 2014, Lee Barkell joined the coaching team. He was a top coach who had developed Jeffrey Buttle into the 2008 World Champion. Although he had previously coached in a small town in the northern suburbs of Toronto, he also joined Team Brian. His expertise in jumping helped further strengthen the team.

 

With such a diverse group of coaches, when a new skater arrives, I have them work with different coaches to observe who they are most compatible with. The head coach is then decided, along with who will specialize in teaching spins, skating, and other areas, thereby creating a team of multiple coaches. For instance, Yuzuru and Javier were coached by me, but Tracy Wilson guided their skating, while Paige focused on their spins. This also includes several choreographers.

 

Of course, there are some parents who absolutely want me to directly coach their child. In those cases, we have group lessons, and after observing the situation carefully, I honestly tell them, “I will occasionally provide direct coaching, but this child actually works better with this coach and can showcase their talents more effectively.”

 

Currently, there are more than 20 coaches at the Cricket Club. Some specialize in working with younger skaters, while others are experts in specific skills. They are all outstanding coaches. Furthermore, in the eight years since Team Brian was formed, no one has left, which shows that we truly have been blessed.

 

 

Mental Control

 

Spoiler

During my time as an athlete, I received guidance from a mental coach, and I truly benefited from it. It’s because of the knowledge I gained then that, even now as a coach, I can confidently send my athletes to compete. I believe that as long as Tracy and I are there, we can fully take care of our athletes' mental well-being.

 

However, for athletes who often struggle to perform to their potential in competitions, a mental coach might become absolutely necessary. In such cases, not just anyone can fulfill the role of a mental coach. It must be someone who aligns with the team's atmosphere and is someone the athlete can truly connect with. It’s a very sensitive matter.

 

That’s why I even developed an iPhone app called peak.performance.skating. I wanted athletes to be able to use the app to maintain a calm and positive mindset. The app was developed in collaboration with psychologists and helps with image training. It provides a narrative of an athlete’s performance, skating, jumps, spins, choreography, the audience’s reactions, the judges’ evaluations, and the athlete’s posture after finishing their routine. This helps the athlete to visualize themselves performing in a real competition.

 

I’ve given this app to all the athletes on Team Brian. It was originally created for my own students, but now it’s available worldwide. Not only top athletes, but athletes of all levels experience nervousness. So, if this app can help most athletes, then it would be wonderful.

 

In fact, managing mental control is a very ordinary matter. It’s about how you prepare so that you can maintain composure during an actual competition. For example, when preparing for a presentation at work, you repeatedly review the material, press your comfortable suit, check the time, and ensure you’re fully prepared. It’s the same in figure skating. If athletes prepare accordingly in advance, they can enjoy the competition and perform at their best. This is the foundation of mental control. After that, it’s up to us coaches to pay attention to the athletes' daily training, and as long as we confirm that they’re maintaining a natural expression, everything is fine.

 

 

A Satisfied Team

 

Spoiler

As the head coach of Team Brian, there’s one thing I feel I’ve done particularly well: creating a sense of community on our rink. The people I trust, the people I learn with, and the people I work with all form a shared destiny. I believe this is the secret to the success I’ve achieved.

 

I’ve gathered a group of trusted professionals to build Team Brian. Moreover, to ensure everyone can work happily, Tracy and I often pay attention to all aspects of the work. If someone’s work is not getting the praise they deserve or if they can’t do what they enjoy, it could lead to dissatisfaction and jealousy. In those cases, if I notice something odd, I’ll have a conversation with the person right away to resolve the issue. Communication is key. While misunderstandings may occasionally arise, and conflicts between students and coaches may happen, we solve these issues through dialogue.

 

When talented athletes first join, they often train with several coaches, and then we assign the coach best suited to the athlete. The coaches who weren’t selected might feel jealous. Everyone wants to be the coach for an outstanding athlete and travel abroad for competitions. But if a different athlete comes next time, it’s okay for other coaches to take the lead. Even short-term training is fine. What’s important is communication and making sure no one feels dissatisfied.

 

All of this is like running a company: frequent conversations and creating a team where open discussions are encouraged is essential.

 

Now, when it comes to the team, what’s most important in this shared destiny is that all the coaches are part of the success of Yuna, Yuzuru, Nguyen, and Javi. When Yuzuru and Javier successfully land a quadruple jump in practice, all the coaches cheer for them. Yuzuru and Javier high-five the coaches. This boosts the athletes' motivation, so all the coaches contribute to the athlete's success. I believe the coaches also feel they are part of the success of the Cricket Club, enjoying the process of training and working together with great athletes. If that weren’t the case, it would have been impossible for no coach to leave the Cricket Club over the past eight years!

 

The Cricket Club is the best place for coaches to work. And because of that, it also becomes the best place for athletes to train.

 

[yuzurujenn]

Deciding on the Program for the New Season

 

Spoiler

The day after the World Championships free skate, on the day of the exhibition skate, I had a meeting with Yuzuru's team. From this point on, as the Olympic champion, Yuzuru would be surrounded by a whirlwind of ice shows, celebratory events, and interviews in Japan. I knew we would be temporarily unable to contact each other, so it was essential to have at least the minimum discussions about the next season. For instance, when would the choreography be done, and who would handle it?

 

When it came to this, Yuzuru didn’t hesitate for a moment about whether to take a break after the Olympic season, and he decided to create the new programs in April for the following season.

 

The choreography for the short program was once again entrusted to Jeffrey Buttle, while the free skate program was given to Shae-Lynn Bourne. Yuzuru expressed his thoughts on the short program, wanting to explore a style he hadn’t performed before, specifically trying a piano piece. Jeffrey and I brainstormed many ideas and incorporated Yuzuru’s suggestions, ultimately deciding to use Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G minor. For the free skate program, Yuzuru himself suggested he wanted to skate to The Phantom of the Opera. Shae-Lynn and I discussed how to stitch and edit the music. This season, using music with vocals was allowed, but the extent and type of vocal inclusion were very important. We played the music one piece after another on the ice, selecting which ones moved Yuzuru, and organized our ideas accordingly.

 

I could trust Jeffrey and Shae-Lynn to handle the choreography. I decided to take a break after the long Olympic season and enjoy an 18-day vacation. I told them, “Contact me if there’s an emergency, but I really haven’t had a break in a long time, and I hope I can rest properly during this time.” In reality, no one called me during those 18 days. During this time, both the short program and free skate gradually took shape. There shouldn’t be any problems. Both of them are world-class choreographers and reliable members of Team Brian.

 

Later, I watched Yuzuru’s short program, which had the potential to score the highest in the world. It might seem unbelievable, but both in terms of his jumps and his performance, Yuzuru’s execution was even better than the previous season. “The second year after becoming Olympic champion,” Yuzuru has now matured, and it’s this honed and refined experience that allows him to perfectly express this program. The first 12 seconds, although he was merely standing still, the atmosphere on the ice gradually began to build. It’s only when the athlete can release such a special aura that they have the ability to perform this program.

 

I felt the same way when I won the World Championship. The season after claiming the title, there was a sense of pride as the world champion, and when I skated, it felt different. It wasn’t because of the technical factors, but something on a mental level changed my skating. This phenomenon is now appearing in Yuzuru’s new short program.

 

As for the free skate, because we had a new choreographer, the program had a fresh feel. As the season progressed, the music arrangement could change as well. Even though it was now allowed to use music with vocals, the right degree of vocal inclusion was still being explored. Unlike ice dance, a full four-and-a-half-minute piece with vocals could become quite noisy and might not match the jumps. For sections like footwork, where the atmosphere is building, adding some vocal music to enhance the mood can work well. In particular, the vocal elements in The Phantom of the Opera music clearly distinguish it from previous programs skated by other athletes. Shae-Lynn, Yuzuru, and I all shared our opinions, taking into account the arrangement of the jumps and making some modifications along the way.

 

 

To Javier

 

Spoiler

I have a student named Javier, who is really a source of concern at times, but also incredibly endearing. Not long ago, I had him join me to give an ice-skating lecture for children. During that session, Javier showed great patience and a generous attitude toward all the young skaters, no matter their skill level. He was truly a charming coach. Even though he often makes me worry, I didn’t expect him to be so considerate toward others.

 

In Spain, figure skating is still not a widely popular sport. However, over the next four years, through his active participation, the sport’s visibility in Spain will rise. Through marketing efforts, we will gradually create the foundation where professional figure skaters can pursue skating as a career. This is another of my ventures. Additionally, Javier is very well-suited to be a coach, and I hope that one day he will be able to coach at Cricket Club.

 

 

To Yuzuru

 

Spoiler

If Javier is like a son who causes me concern but is also incredibly dear to me, then Yuzuru is like a twin brother who is exactly like the younger version of me. Every time I see you, I can’t help but think to myself, “I understand you,” and “You’re so young.”

 

However, now that I am a coach, I understand many things that I didn’t notice during my own time as an athlete. As a top-level competitor who competed around the world, I thought I was very good at managing pressure and distributing my energy during competitions. But I was wrong. When I was younger, I always tried to perform at my best during training and at all times, thinking that this would make the fans happy and that it was the duty of a champion. This was very much like Yuzuru now. Yuzuru always gives his best. Every one of the 365 days a year, he wants to deliver the most spectacular performance. But the truth is, it’s not necessary to go that far. If you always maintain peak performance, the result will be that you reach your peak during training, and then overexert yourself during actual competitions. Sometimes, it would actually be better to have a few mistakes before the competition. Only then will you reach your true peak during the competition. Of course, Yuzuru has already begun to understand this, and he will start to work on mastering the rhythm of "peak performances."

 

Yuzuru cares deeply about the people around him, so he believes that "if he can always show his best state, everyone around him will be happy." This is his kind-heartedness. However, being constantly under the spotlight for the next four years will also be quite exhausting. It’s not necessary to give everything every time. He also needs to relax and let others see his mistakes sometimes. The Japanese fans will wait for him, and they will empathize with the struggles he faces. Moreover, no matter the situation, Team Brian will always be by your side.

 

At the next Olympics, you will perform at your peak and then say, “I did it! I won!” as you make a victory gesture. I look forward to that moment. That will be the perfect conclusion for you, Yuzuru.