FIGURE SKATING SOURCES OF ENJOYMENT AND STRESS ALONG THE JOURNEY TOWARD ELITE STATUS

By Dr. Jack Singer

Certified Sport Psychologist

The information below is the result of several studies of national-level figure skating competitors.

SOURCES OF ENJOYMENT:

• Skaters who strive to skate flawlessly but not insisting on perfection
• Psyching out and showing up other skaters at practice
• Performing in front of an audience when doing a spirited performance and the audience reacts positively
• Social recognition is enjoyable but demands a lot of time

SOURCES OF STRESS:

• The need to skate flawlessly (perfectionism)
• Being psyched out or shown up by better skaters
• Performing in front of an audience and suddenly falling
• Having social recognition diminish
• Self-doubt, lack of confidence, fear of falling in front of others, worry about what coaches and family would say about one's performance

(Note:  These are such powerful sources of stress that they are even present in National Title winners)

• Parents who criticize and generate financial guilt
• Poor relations with coaches
• Missing academic, social, or work opportunities because of the time demands of skating
• Performance expectations of oneself and parental expectations causes significant stress and increases after winning titles
• Struggles to maintain weight and disordered eating habits
• Placing most of one's self-esteem on skating performance, and have limited external and internal resources, leading to over-identification as a figure skater, so that a poor performance is disastrous for one's self-esteem
• Balancing skating with school (or work) and having a reduced social life due to training demands can lead to unhealthy coping skills, such as alcohol or drug use

SPORT PSYCHOLOGY INTERVENTIONS:

• Mental Practice Techniques
• Goal Setting
• Focus, Concentration & Mental Toughness Training
• Self-Talk and Mental Rehearsal Techniques
• Optimal Activation (intensity) Training
• Skating Program Blueprinting
• Imagery Training
• Self-monitoring During Practice
• Hypnotherapy
• Healing Enhancement Training
• Pain Control Training

Dr. Jack Singer-Sport Psychology Bio

Dr. Jack Singer earned his BA in Psychology from UMASS, his MA from Bowling Green State University, a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and a post-doctorate in Clinical/Sport Psychology...both from Colorado State University. During his post-doctoral work, Jack was fortunate to study under the tutelage of Dr. Richard Suinn, former President of the American Psychological Association and one of the fathers of modern day Sport Psychology!  Dr. Suinn is world renowned for his work with the U.S. Olympic Skiing Teams and his Anxiety Management and Anger Management Training protocols for athletes are used all over the world.

Dr. Jack has taught in the Psychology departments of seven universities, including an assistant professorship at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he worked with the football team in the area of injury prediction and prevention.  Working with professional athletes and teams, college athletes and nationally ranked juniors, Dr. Singer teaches all of his clients how to consistently maximize their performance, regardless of the inevitable obstacles that come their way. 

In addition to earning a Diplomate from the American Academy of Behavioral Medicine, Jack maintains a special Certification in Clinical Hypnosis, from the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. A firm believer in "Mind-Body Medicine," Jack is one of only a dozen or so Sport Psychologists around the U.S. who has this Clinical Hypnosis Certification and he teaches powerful, self-hypnosis skills to all of his athletes.  This is truly the "difference maker" for every athlete who wants to not only maintain her/his peak performance skills consistently, but for every athlete who wants to have an "edge" on their competition...truly the athlete's Unfair Advantage.  Of course, since hypnotherapy protocols are also extremely powerful for most medical conditions and diseases, Jack also uses these programs with injured athletes.

Jack has recently been recognized by the National Institute of Sports, Division of Psychologists, as a Certified Sport Psychologist and NIS also recognized him with a Diplomate in the Field of Sport Psychology.  This recognition is only granted to ½ of one percent of all psychologists who apply for it!

In addition to working directly with athletes, Dr. Singer works with teams to select players, and to develop cohesion and communications skills between coaches and athletes. Jack is also a professional speaker and for the past 25 years he has been privileged to speak for Fortune 1000 companies and associations, from Miami to Malaysia. Jack uses the same skills that motivate athletes to inspire and motivate employees of companies, associations, and large professional practices.  His skills for developing teambuilding and cohesion within companies and designing company re-TREATS have even been featured in USA-TODAY. 

Dr. Jack has recently launched a "Core Sports Performance" CD hypnosis series, along with an "Accelerated Sports Healing" and "Advanced Sports Pain Management" CD series.  These cutting edge programs really empower the serious athlete to unleash their true potential.

Jack is a frequent guest on ESPN, FOX-SPORTS, CNN, MSNBC and countless sports radio talk shows throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Reid Spencer's famous golf show, "On the Green."   In  Southern California, Jack is the "go to" regular guest of Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton on Sports Extra. Lee is recognized as the premier Sports Talk host in the U.S.  Jack also is on the advisory board for Championship Performance, and his articles are frequently featured in that periodical, as well as sports, human resources, medical and psychological publications around the U.S.

Dr. Jack Singer consults with athletes and teams throughout the U.S. and he can be contacted at:  1-800-497-9880 or via contact form.  In addition, you can learn more about his speaking services by visiting his website at www.funspeaker.com