Overcoming freestyle fears

[mamabear]

I took group lessons for about 3 1/2 year and would practice once or twice a week on a relatively empty daytime public session.   I was pretty comfortable with that but switched to private lessons about 8 months ago.  The lesson takes place during a figure skating session versus public and while I feel like I should practice the hour that I'm not in lesson I feel like I'm in the way, clueless and shouldn't really be there.  The skaters vary some but it's usually a mix of 4-5 high school/college students who are coaches and then 3-4 younger skaters.  They are all nice and friendly.   I thought I would get over my nervousness and fear but I don't feel like it's getting better.   And I think I need to just focus more on what I'm doing and not worry about what anyone else is doing but I find myself panicking that I'm going to get run into or run into someone else.  And I can't seem to figure out where anyone is headed at any given point in time. 

[nicklaszlo]

It takes practice to learn where people are going.

Your coach should be able to give you instruction in staying away from advanced skaters' patterns and in local etiquette.

Out of curiosity, do you have a similar problem with traffic?

Many people dream of skating on sessions with only 10 skaters.

[Doubletoe]

I wish I could tell you that it's OK to stop worrying about everyone else and just stay focused on what you're doing, but I can't.  On a freestyle session, everyone is skating on a pattern and on curves and you just need to heighten your awareness and learn what everyone's patterns are.  Keep your eyes moving 360 degrees around you at all times, look to the far end of the rink to see skaters starting to set up a jump or step/choreo sequence instead of waiting until they are right up on you, and when you hear someone's music starting, stay at the boards until you're sure whose program it is and where they are.  This awareness will make you a better skater in every way, so try not to be discouraged.  Having said that, you should NEVER think you are any less worthy of being on the session than anyone else!  You will earn their respect by working hard at whatever you're working on and trying your best to stay out of the way when they are in their programs.

[irenar5]

Hang in there-it will get better!  I was terrified when I started skating on a freestyle session with advanced skaters.
Even now I can't fathom sometimes how each one of them can run a program on a busy session and actually do it without any issues! 

Like doubletoe said- try to remember who does what music and where they generally go to set up a jump. Skaters in a lesson or running a program to music have the right of way.  Don't hang out in lutz corners and mix up practicing spots.    All that being said- there is a lot more responsibility on a higher level skater as far as controlling where they go.  Even though they may buzz by you within what is seems like inches, they have a lot of control and have good awareness of proximity to another skater.   Keep your eyes open and don't freak out.  Really, everyone paid the same for the freestyle session and have the same right to use the ice.  All the other skaters are there for the same reason as you are- exercise!   If you get in someone's way- be courteous.  It happens all the time- there is always someone yielding, but it should not be you all the time!

[mamabear]

nicklaszlo-I have actually given that a lot of thought and have realized how much I'm a person who likes tons of space around me.  My town doesn' t have much traffic thank goodness but the times I've driven in larger cities have been nightmares.  I dislike roaming the mall or mall walking because I don't like the mass of people.  I don't like having my office door shut because I feel hemmed in (even though I have a large office).  I know from reading here that our sessions are very low in the number of people and I am crazy grateful for that!

[Kitten23]

Gosh, I remember my first freestyle sessions: early morning, dozens of kids... I was the first adult at the rink who wanted to skate those sessions and had to get permission  from the rink to do them.  Add to the fact that I'm a lefty and, well, good times were born.  Not.

I feel your pain and uncertainty.  It's not going to be easy, but after a few weeks, you'll see everyone and everyone will see you.  Hang in there.  You belong on the ice as much as anyone else.

Good luck!!!!

[Rachelsk8s]

I feel your pain and uncertainty.  It's not going to be easy, but after a few weeks, you'll see everyone and everyone will see you.  Hang in there.  You belong on the ice as much as anyone else.

Agreed!! it does take some time getting used to but you will get used to it eventually, just as everyone has said keep your eyes moving constantly and be aware of whose skating what patterns where and setting up jumps. I used to be frantic at first and couldn't believe that I used to skate on freestyles when I was younger and didn't think twice about it! Each freestyle session has a "rhythm" to it, the more you skate on it the more you get used to it and others used to you. I remembered how true this really is over the summer when I skated at a freestyle session while on vacation in Maine!! But I do envy you having ice with so few people on it:) I typically skate on very busy sessions with 20-22 skaters!! Good luck girl, you can do it!! 

[nicklaszlo]

Spatial reasoning, depth perception, and eye tracking probably all contribute to navigating freestyle sessions (or busy streets).  It isn't unusual to have difficulty with one of those things, and I think they are all likely to improve with practice.

[Gabby on Ice]

During my first freestyle, I was intimidated by the high level skaters. It does take some getting used to, and it's safe once you know the rules.

[PhysicsOnIce]

As everyone has already told you, the best way to get rid of freestyle session fears is to skate freestyle sessions and get to know the advance skater's jump patterns. You might consider also watching and observing a session or two from outside the rink, and specially focus on the patterns. We are on average 28 skaters on our competitive freestyle sessions, and some skaters jump HUGE jumps. The best thing is to know who these skaters are and make sure you track them relatively often. You really have to know where they are almost always since at any moment they can be setting up for a jump. 

Also you do have to know that you have WON the right to be on that ice and you DESERVE to be on that ice as much as anyone else. Stand your ground, practice to the best of your abilities, be courteous and before you know it other skaters will be giving you the right away. 

typically my session have about 25 to 28 skaters so here are my personal right of way rules : 1) Anyone running music, 2) Anyone in a Lesson 2a) the week of MIF test anyone running their MIF patterns 3) Anyone setting up for a jump or circle large than mine 4) anyone in a footwork sequence. At times we do verbally give each other right of way by shouting things like " on your outside" or "watch out for (skater's name)" or things of that nature.  Most importantly though remember if you aren't moving you are hazard,  stay by the boards if you need to think/talk about something.

Best of Luck and don't worry you will get use to it and soon wont have to think about it. 

[Doubletoe]

I would add one more rule: Always yield to the faster moving object.  That's not a freestyle rule, just a basic law of physics that you'll be glad you followed.