Millie Nowell
Introduction
Assignment 1
As an assistant coach at Bodmin Leisure centre, I am going to be training
a figure skater, who competes for the nationals. I am going to create a
training programme designed specifically for them, which will assess my
knowledge of the sport. The head coach has requested that I demonstrate
my understanding of the characteristics, demands, movement patterns,
energy systems used, and factors that may influence the figure skaters
training…
A1- Characteristics of sport
Duration- Each figure skater is given one official practice on their
competition ice surface, before the event. This enables them to check for
any problems with the timing of the music to their program. In a figure
skating competition, there are two main segments: a short program and a
long program. During competition, each group of skaters share the ice to
warm up for a few minutes, then the athlete performs their program alone
on the ice. A short program lasts 2 minutes and 40 seconds and is the first
out of the two segments that will be performed. There is then a break to
resurface the ice, where skaters can reflect on their performance and talk
to their coach about any advice that may be needed for the upcoming
“long program”, which will last around 4 minutes. This break will also give
them chance to mentally prepare for their next performance.
Contact- Figure skating is mainly a non-contact sport but when
performing as a pair, most elements require contact. For a single figure
skater though, contact is banned as it can be extremely dangerous to land
jumps/exit spins close to another athlete due to the blades on athletes
figure skates. To reduce the risk of contact occurring on the ice, ice patch
sessions are designed which have a limit of how many people may be on
the ice at one time. This ensures skaters have the space they need, whilst
the chance of unnecessary contact is minimized. These patch sessions
also have entry requirements where the athlete must be spatially aware, a
certain level, and confident to attend them, meaning the risk of contact is
further reduced.
Training- Figure skating is a skill-based sport, meaning when athletes
take part in lessons or off-ice training, it is designed to improve and
develop their abilities. For example, a forward drag is hard to learn, but as
the athlete builds up their confidence and practices, it will become second
nature to them. This is also because frequent training will improve their
muscle memory of each skill they intend to improve. Training should be
frequent so the athlete can also maintain their abilities. This should aim to
,be at least one day on the ice a week, and at least 3-4 days off-ice
training/ undertaking their fitness plan.
Types of competition- Figure skating is mainly a winter Olympic sport,
where the season officially begins on July 1st, but competitions generally
run from August to April. There are many different forms of competition
within figure skating, such as the national championships and grand prix,
which take place annually. Competitions are also based on levels and age
groups: senior, junior and novice. This means training throughout the year
will be focused closely on targets for the athlete’s level of competition,
which sets realistic goals for their own category. Alongside this, many
figure skaters take part in local competitions too which usually occur
every few months of the season. These help to showcase athletes’ skills to
a wider audience, whilst also enabling them to practice for other
competitions later on in the year. There are many types of competition
within figure skating such as singles, pairs, and ice dance.
A2- Fitness Demands of sport
Fitness Demand Definition Impact on a figure skater
Strength Strength is the Figure skaters require lots of
ability of a muscle strength in both their legs and
to apply force and core. Stronger leg muscles
overcome allow them to complete jumps
resistance, or the explosively by having increased
amount of force a jump height, and a stronger
muscle can exert core improves the exertion of
under pressure. the landing position, allowing
This depends on the skater to hold their position
the size of the for a longer time. During
muscle. execution of the “axel” jump,
having adequate strength
ensures the athlete can acquire
a high enough jump height to
complete a full rotation in the
air, before hitting the landing
position.
Cardiovascular Cardiovascular Figure skaters require
Endurance endurance is the cardiovascular endurance to a
ability for the sufficient level as they are
cardiovascular expected to be mobile on the
system to supply ice for extended periods of
the working time. During exercise, the
muscles with muscles require more oxygen
oxygen in order to to give them more energy,
maintain aerobic making sure they perform
exercise for better for longer periods of
extended periods time. During a competition
, of time. when figure skaters are
required to perform many
repeated step sequences, a
good cardiovascular endurance
ensures the athlete can
execute this without muscle
fatigue.
Muscular Muscular Figure skaters benefit from a
Endurance endurance is the good muscular endurance as
ability of a muscle the muscles can work more
to complete effectively without becoming
repetitive fatigued. This allows them to
movements perform challenging skills for
against an applied longer periods of time without
force for an overworking the muscles.
extended period of Muscles in figure skaters core
time with no and legs are constantly at work
fatigue. during their time on the ice,
especially whilst jumping.
When demonstrating the “loop”
jump, the athlete needs
sufficient muscular endurance
in order to display this without
fatigue.
Explosive Explosive power is Explosive power is useful for all
Power the ability to exert jumps in figure skating as it is
a maximal force in important to achieve a high
as little time as enough jump height to
possible for the complete the desired rotation
athlete. The in the air. Doing this effectively
equation to requires lots of power and
calculate power is accuracy when pushing off the
strength x speed. ice surface, meaning adequate
explosive power will improve
the athlete’s ability to land for
example a “loop”. This requires
a take off at an angle unlike
some other jumps so the skater
needs to generate more power
than usual (using their maximal
force) for a short amount of
time.
Speed Speed is the ability Speed is crucial during most
to move one or skills in figure skating as it
many parts of your allows the athlete to maintain a
body as quickly as pace on the ice. Without this,
possible, or the the figure skater wouldn’t be
time it takes for an able to execute their skills
athlete to perform fluently as there would be a
Introduction
Assignment 1
As an assistant coach at Bodmin Leisure centre, I am going to be training
a figure skater, who competes for the nationals. I am going to create a
training programme designed specifically for them, which will assess my
knowledge of the sport. The head coach has requested that I demonstrate
my understanding of the characteristics, demands, movement patterns,
energy systems used, and factors that may influence the figure skaters
training…
A1- Characteristics of sport
Duration- Each figure skater is given one official practice on their
competition ice surface, before the event. This enables them to check for
any problems with the timing of the music to their program. In a figure
skating competition, there are two main segments: a short program and a
long program. During competition, each group of skaters share the ice to
warm up for a few minutes, then the athlete performs their program alone
on the ice. A short program lasts 2 minutes and 40 seconds and is the first
out of the two segments that will be performed. There is then a break to
resurface the ice, where skaters can reflect on their performance and talk
to their coach about any advice that may be needed for the upcoming
“long program”, which will last around 4 minutes. This break will also give
them chance to mentally prepare for their next performance.
Contact- Figure skating is mainly a non-contact sport but when
performing as a pair, most elements require contact. For a single figure
skater though, contact is banned as it can be extremely dangerous to land
jumps/exit spins close to another athlete due to the blades on athletes
figure skates. To reduce the risk of contact occurring on the ice, ice patch
sessions are designed which have a limit of how many people may be on
the ice at one time. This ensures skaters have the space they need, whilst
the chance of unnecessary contact is minimized. These patch sessions
also have entry requirements where the athlete must be spatially aware, a
certain level, and confident to attend them, meaning the risk of contact is
further reduced.
Training- Figure skating is a skill-based sport, meaning when athletes
take part in lessons or off-ice training, it is designed to improve and
develop their abilities. For example, a forward drag is hard to learn, but as
the athlete builds up their confidence and practices, it will become second
nature to them. This is also because frequent training will improve their
muscle memory of each skill they intend to improve. Training should be
frequent so the athlete can also maintain their abilities. This should aim to
,be at least one day on the ice a week, and at least 3-4 days off-ice
training/ undertaking their fitness plan.
Types of competition- Figure skating is mainly a winter Olympic sport,
where the season officially begins on July 1st, but competitions generally
run from August to April. There are many different forms of competition
within figure skating, such as the national championships and grand prix,
which take place annually. Competitions are also based on levels and age
groups: senior, junior and novice. This means training throughout the year
will be focused closely on targets for the athlete’s level of competition,
which sets realistic goals for their own category. Alongside this, many
figure skaters take part in local competitions too which usually occur
every few months of the season. These help to showcase athletes’ skills to
a wider audience, whilst also enabling them to practice for other
competitions later on in the year. There are many types of competition
within figure skating such as singles, pairs, and ice dance.
A2- Fitness Demands of sport
Fitness Demand Definition Impact on a figure skater
Strength Strength is the Figure skaters require lots of
ability of a muscle strength in both their legs and
to apply force and core. Stronger leg muscles
overcome allow them to complete jumps
resistance, or the explosively by having increased
amount of force a jump height, and a stronger
muscle can exert core improves the exertion of
under pressure. the landing position, allowing
This depends on the skater to hold their position
the size of the for a longer time. During
muscle. execution of the “axel” jump,
having adequate strength
ensures the athlete can acquire
a high enough jump height to
complete a full rotation in the
air, before hitting the landing
position.
Cardiovascular Cardiovascular Figure skaters require
Endurance endurance is the cardiovascular endurance to a
ability for the sufficient level as they are
cardiovascular expected to be mobile on the
system to supply ice for extended periods of
the working time. During exercise, the
muscles with muscles require more oxygen
oxygen in order to to give them more energy,
maintain aerobic making sure they perform
exercise for better for longer periods of
extended periods time. During a competition
, of time. when figure skaters are
required to perform many
repeated step sequences, a
good cardiovascular endurance
ensures the athlete can
execute this without muscle
fatigue.
Muscular Muscular Figure skaters benefit from a
Endurance endurance is the good muscular endurance as
ability of a muscle the muscles can work more
to complete effectively without becoming
repetitive fatigued. This allows them to
movements perform challenging skills for
against an applied longer periods of time without
force for an overworking the muscles.
extended period of Muscles in figure skaters core
time with no and legs are constantly at work
fatigue. during their time on the ice,
especially whilst jumping.
When demonstrating the “loop”
jump, the athlete needs
sufficient muscular endurance
in order to display this without
fatigue.
Explosive Explosive power is Explosive power is useful for all
Power the ability to exert jumps in figure skating as it is
a maximal force in important to achieve a high
as little time as enough jump height to
possible for the complete the desired rotation
athlete. The in the air. Doing this effectively
equation to requires lots of power and
calculate power is accuracy when pushing off the
strength x speed. ice surface, meaning adequate
explosive power will improve
the athlete’s ability to land for
example a “loop”. This requires
a take off at an angle unlike
some other jumps so the skater
needs to generate more power
than usual (using their maximal
force) for a short amount of
time.
Speed Speed is the ability Speed is crucial during most
to move one or skills in figure skating as it
many parts of your allows the athlete to maintain a
body as quickly as pace on the ice. Without this,
possible, or the the figure skater wouldn’t be
time it takes for an able to execute their skills
athlete to perform fluently as there would be a
