This Practice is Dumb: Diffusing the Negativity.

“This practice is dumb.”

We’ve all heard it in one form or another. We’re at practice listening to the trainer explain the drill, and someone says that it’s dumb or they have already perfected the concept.

This can be frustrating for us freshies. We need to learn to let go of the negative comments in practices. Even for veteran skaters, comments like these don’t leave room for improvement.

I’ve noticed that skaters tend to say a drill is dumb for one of two reasons: the skater does not know how to execute the skill, or the skater feels that they are above the skill. In either case, I would (respectfully) like to say the skater is wrong.

In the first case, the skater is trying to deny that they have not learned a skill. I’ve personally felt that I hate certain drills because I can’t execute the skills. Trying to stay positive about the practice is hard, but not impossible. Make sure you aren’t the negativity in the air; it can seem off-putting to coaches and other skaters. You don’t actually believe that the skill is stupid; you believe that you are stupid for not being able to do it. Realizing that there’s a reason to practice, and that it’s okay to still be learning, will really help you be able to push through. Otherwise, this mindset can be debilitating.

If it’s the latter, however, it might be harder to change mind sets. Veteran skaters don’t often want to be told to practice a skill over and over that they feel they’ve mastered. My suggestion, if you are that veteran skater, is to challenge yourself. If you’re sick of snow plows, try to do them faster or vary the size of your plow. By changing up your skillset you add to your toolbox and become an even fiercer skater.

The key to overcoming this issue is to try to push through the feeling and acknowledge WHY you think the drill is dumb. Take a moment to reset your thinking. How are my actions and words being perceived? How does this affect MY skating? Am I a better skater for acting this way? How does this affect my teammates or new skaters?

You take away as much from practice as you put into it. Be the positive force in the air. I have a habit of diffusing my teammates’ issues of “I can’t do this!!!” sentiment by telling them “Yet.” It doesn’t mean you never will, or that you should give up because you’re not perfect. You have potential. Tap into it, keep skating, and level up.

Happy Skating!

Bitter Sweets <3

 

 Practice, practice, practice. Listen, Learn, Do.