
When I was skating, double flips were my worst enemy. It all started when I didn’t have a rocker left on my blade so all of my landings on my jumps I would fall straight backwards…especially the double flip. I would pound myself into the ice doing jump after jump after jump. Why no one stopped me, Ill never know. When I became a professional skater I avoided the double flip as much as a I could, but two years into my career it was put into a program. I would get so worked up every time I had to perform a double flip even if it was just practice. I would get short of breath and automatically want to tear up. Double lutz’s great, double loops even better. Shoot I would take a triple over a double flip! It came to the point where I knew I had to do something in able to perform. My mother had mentioned a hypnotist and I thought she was crazy, but I was desperate. After a few session, I could go out a do a double flip just like any other jump with no hesitation, short of breath, or anxiety. The hypnotist put me in the hypnosis state, and would have me think of a double flip and then immediately think of a specific good, relaxing memory. Now every I set up for a double flip, I think of that single memory he had me relate to. I know it sounds great, but thats why I say “Dont knock it til you try.”
Here is a great article with some great ways to help psych yourself down before a test or competition.
No matter what you do there will be stresses and changes that are outside of your control. You can try to make your day as routine as possible, but remember that there are limited things that you are in control of. You are in control of your body and your mind. You are not in control of the temperature of the rink, the quality of the ice, or what time of day you skate. Remember to focus on the things you are in control of instead of the things you are not. Most of all remember, you can. You wouldn’t have signed up for the test or competition if you are not ready. Believe in yourself, and believe in the power of your own skating.
BREATHE….