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About Dianne DeLeeuw
Expertise
I can answer questions about figure skating, choreography, ISI or USFSA. Also questions about competing (my Olympic experience or your own competition). I`m a National referre for ISI. Recently I also have been appointed a National Technical Specialist for US Figure Skating. But remember I am not your substitute for a coach! They can see what you are doing!
Experience
Experience: World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist, coaching all levels of skaters at in California. I coach all levels and ages of skating from tiny tots to adults, first timers to International competitors. I also do choreography, music editing, teach specialty classes and give seminars. Organizations: USFSA, ISI, PSA, Los Angeles Figure Skating Club Publications: Recreational Ice Skater, The Edge Awards: 1976 Olympic Silver Medalist, 1975 World Champion, 1976 European Champion, 6 time National Champion, US and Canadian Double Gold Medalist, 1999 ISI Great Skate Award, 2002 Woman of the Year
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You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Figure Skating > Figure Skating > Mental block with a single axel
Expert: Dianne DeLeeuw
Date: 5/2/2008
Subject: Mental block with a single axel
Question
My son 10 year old has been landing a very good single axel for close to 2
years. ( He started landing them when he was 7 and a half. ) In February this
year he changed over boots to a stronger boot Gam 95's because he grew out
of his old ones Gam 50's. The blades were the same brand Cornation Ace but
longer ones to fit the new boots. The new boots were his older brother's who
is also a competitive skater so they are well broken in. Ever since then his
skating has taken a nose dive and he has been struggling in edge work,
started skating really sloppy, lost his double Salchow and basically started
"popping" his axel all the time. His axel was at a 100% landing rate...very
trusty, good technique, and never failed him at competition In the begining
he was landing his axel once in a while then he started "popping" them. Now
he can't land his axel at all. He would ride the edge "set up" then pop the
jump. All of our coaches are baffled. His self esteem has taken a nose dive
and sometime he comes off the ice almost in tears from frustration.
I don't know why but it seemed like changing equipment was the trouble. His
coach does not understand why as the boots are already broken in. His axel
now seems to be almost a mental block for him. No one can figure out why
as they think it is quite young at 10 to be creating a mental block. He has
just moved up to "competive" level (Pre-Juvenile) so this losing an axel thing
is like a nightmare. The coaches have tried to re-teach him his axel but he
would keep popping them. I don't know what to do now as I think that he is
close to quiting from frustration. He has been skating since 5 and he is not
the "cautious" type of skater. In fact he is quite the dare-devil type. Please
help me if you could shed some light on this problem. Thanks!
Answer
Hi,
Sounds like a skate issue for sure. Every skater needs a different blade mount to suit them. My guess is your son needs the blades adjusted for him. Have your coach really look at how he stands on each edge. Even a small adjustment, especially if you guys make a fuss that you "fixed" his skates for him.
Good luck,
Dianne
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