Toe Pick Times
Club Updates
Recognizing Cathy Grygar
The Dallas FSC would like to recognize Cathy Grygar, Adult skater, former DFSC Secretary, School Principle and now an AUTHOR! Her first book, "DONKEY IN THE DOORWAY" reflects upon the fun moments of a life lived well. Life is a party. A chapter on flamingos and another on the work "Why" makes "DONKEY IN THE DOORWAY" a must read ........ because Life Is Fun
Club Members in the News
Jennifer Wester and Daniil Barantsev
At Skate Canada, Jennifer Wester and Daniil Barantsev placed 6th in the CD, 7th in the OD, and 7th in the FD for a 7th place final. Jennifer gave shout out to DFSC after free dance. www.Ice-Dance.com asked her to blog from event - available on their website (center Skate Canada).
DFSC Qualifiers
A Job well done for the DFSC Qualifiers. If you missed the event live, the following is the link to Icenetwork.com and all the protocols for the qualifying events at Southwesterns.
Southwestern Regional Championships
Angela Maxwell
She received a bronze at JGP Britain in Sheffield, England.(She had her personal best!) She now qualifies for the Junior Grand Prix Final in Goyang City, Korea. The Junior Grand Prix (JGP) is on Dec. 10th-14, and will be on icenetwork.com.
ISU JGP J. Curry Memorial
Total Score 147.46 18.10.2008
Short Program 51.25 16.10.2008
Free Skating 96.21 17.10.2008
Congrats Angela, we are very proud to have her as a Dallas FSC member!
General Club Updates
Signature on Competition Forms Clarification:
Every competition entry form requires Home Club Officer verification. Upon DFSC membership renewal, you will receive a "Good-Standing" letter. Please make several copies of this letter. Mail a copy with every competition entry form. It provides the sufficient verification needed. This form can be used for any non-qualifying competition, but it cannot be used for a Regional competition. The Regional competition requires the actual signature of a Dallas FSC club Officer.
USFS Rule Books
The 2009 USFS rule book should be available towards the end of September. If you are interested in ordering one, please email Susan Enriquez at senriquez001@tx.rr.com. The cost for the rule book is $18. The cost of the binder, which is optional, is $7. Please email Susan with your request, include your mailing information, and she will finalize the cost for shipping and email a total cost for the order. Once payment is received, the rule book will be mailed.
DFSC Seeking Announcers
Have you ever had a desire to be an announcer at skating competition or test but did know how to get involved? The DFSC is seeking your help. Please contact Karen Smith ka3crowns@aol.com for more details.
Volunteers Needed
Get involved with your child's sport...... there is a Special Place in Heaven for Volunteers! Even the smallest amount of your time can make a big difference. Please Contact Mary Pottenger PairOfPairs@aol.com
Coaches Corner
Successful Goal Setting
By: Mary Pottenger
Regardless of age or level, all skaters should be encouraged to develop goals with their coach. This is the beginning of your athlete learning to take responsibility for their sport. Short-term goals, daily or weekly, are crucial to the skater's success when they are set 'SMART' - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Track-able.
The coach needs to be specific by clearly defining what the skater should do. Make sure the goal is measurable so the athlete can record the progress made. An example is to count the number of revolutions in the spin combination with the goal to increase the total. Most importantly, make sure the goal is attainable and realistic. You want the goal to be challenging, but at the same time reachable so the athlete can experience success. Lastly, keep in mind track-able short term goals build into long term goals.
An example of a long term goal or "dream goal" is "to win a National Championship". Although long-term goals are beneficial by helping to motivate the skater to practice and train hard, they can also create problems if the athlete only has a dream goal. When the goal seems so distant and the athlete is not experiencing successful short-term goals, the skater can lose motivation. Keep in mind there is no way to know immediately if it is realistic or not.
There are two types of goals that athletes can set: Outcome Goals and Process Goals. Outcome Goals focus on the end result. An example is "to qualify out of Regionals". Because Outcome Goals are dependant upon the performance of the other skaters, they are uncontrollable. Process Goals relate to the process of performance. An example is "to maintain the technique for a particular jump". Athletes and coaches should concentrate on the Process Goals.
As the parent, you should schedule a time for the coach and your skater to develop goals. Then follow-up by reinforcing what the coach has emphasized, and help your skater focus on individual improvement.
Goal setting and follow-up is a learning process that will evolve over time, and nurture your athlete through their entire skating career.
Weekly Words to live by
The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.
Article 2 Release 11/5/2008
