I think for on ice nerves it is more about managing them. I have been at this and competing for the better part of my life, I still get butterflies.
Absolutely. I've been a performing musician for pretty much my entire life, and I still get butterflies when I go on stage. That's a normal and expected response to the adrenalin rush of performing. In fact, I wouldn't want it any other way - it keeps the performance from being flat and mechanical. The trick is to learn how to manage it. If it gets out of control to the point my breathing is compromised (I play a wind instrument) or my hands shake, then my performance will be negatively impacted. Like I said before, what works best for me is to focus on my breathing right before I play, almost like doing yoga breathing. It calms and centers me, and allows me to put the extra energy into the performance. That works on the ice to an extent, too, although it's more difficult for me to control the nerves out there. It's a weird feeling - I don't FEEL scared or nervous, but my legs can get shaky. Coaches recommended that I run and do deep knee bends right before competing to burn off some of the excess energy, and I've found that helpful. (It also helps if I watch my caffeine intake on competition day!)
Topic: Conquering on ice nerves? (Read 8063 times)