Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: “Coaching and performing in shows are different in terms of finances. If there were equality, perhaps I would choose coaching.”
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva about coaching.
original source: Sports dd. 16th October 2024
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva posted about coaching in her personal blog on Sports. Here’s a translation.
“Hello everyone! The job of a coach is considered challenging, and it truly is. But I’m not afraid of difficulties! Today, I’ll share with you my experience and goals in this profession.
How I realized that being a coach is my calling
I enjoy coaching because it involves a field I understand and where results are evident. It’s very interesting for me. Time flies by, especially if it’s not too cold on the rink, haha. The kids respond well to my tips.
Of course, it’s very interesting to work alongside my own coach. I aim to absorb as much knowledge as possible from Alexei Nikolaevich Mishin. During training sessions, he occasionally gives me advice, but his favorite phrase is: “Listen to me while I am alive.”
When I said I wanted to try coaching, he didn’t give any profound advice. He simply said, “Of course, come, we are waiting for you.” He responded positively to my initiative. Last year it was more of a fleeting experience: I came on my days off, which were very few. Mostly, I had to recover before the shows. But this year, I approached it more seriously. And Alexei Nikolaevich said, “Now I see that you are treating this with interest and enthusiasm, which wasn’t the case last year.” I feel that I need this for myself, and my presence also helps some athletes. Feeling needed always gives you strength, inspiration, and the desire to work well.
I work not only with kids but also with group leaders
The training sessions go on as usual – the same as when I was actively skating myself. I mainly work on technique. There are little girls who are starting to learn the triple axel and quads; I sometimes help them. Mostly, I work with Gleb Lutfullin. I monitor his emotional state. And if Zhenya Semenenko is on the ice, I work with him too, but a little less.
The training sessions last an hour and a half, twice a day. There are warm-ups and cool-downs. There are also additional lessons – overall, nothing has changed: I live in the same regime as before. With the older boys at training, naturally, we use informal ‘you.’ Because we’ve been through a lot together, in the group for a long time. But with the younger generation, we maintain subordination; they address me formally. They understand that I am now a coach, not just a friend who used to sit next to them in the locker room.
I have already been to competitions as a coach – at the Panin Memorial, I supported Gleb. But I still can’t fully articulate my emotions. After all, these competitions were initial, not so grand. I was less nervous than when I performed myself. I just felt that everything would be alright, glad that I didn’t have to skate the free program myself. I understood calmly that it was important, but it was a passing stage, so I felt comfortable.
However, what will happen next, at more important competitions – Grand Prix, Russian Nationals – that’s certainly a good question. I think it will be much harder to stand by the boards there. Overall, this atmosphere is familiar to me. Although I now have a new role, it is pleasant and comfortable for me. I plan to travel to the Grand Prix stages and other major competitions with Channel One. And simultaneously, I will help the guys with training. I think I can handle such a combination.
What I told Lutfullin when he cursed at the kiss-and-cry
During the scoring of Gleb at the Panin Memorial, an awkward situation occurred – something that shouldn’t have been broadcasted got aired. I didn’t say anything to him; I think he understood everything from my reaction. Of course, it’s unacceptable; one must keep themselves under control in any situation. He’s an emotional guy, but I hope it won’t happen again.
An athlete should never lose face. They must maintain it in all conditions and in any situation, regardless of whether they receive too high or too low scores. I believe a coach’s role is not just to assist with skating but also to explain how to find one’s place in sports and to understand what you are doing it all for.
Why don’t skaters aspire to become coaches?
For now, I rely on my personal experience, encompassing psychology and mindset. I communicate through the prism of my feelings, trying to make it comfortable for Gleb. Regarding technique, I rely on my experience from training with Alexei Nikolaevich. At Lesgaft University, we didn’t cover the technique of figure skating exhaustively; I learned it practically. So, in coaching, as in journalism: there’s nothing better than practice. It is precisely through practice that you can become a good specialist.
After sports, not many skaters go on to coach. I think it’s split about 50/50. It’s a logical path for continuing one’s career and life. Yes, it’s challenging, but it’s understandable and interesting. However, many outright refuse to go into coaching, unwilling to tie their lives to figure skating after their careers. They want to exist separately, to find something new. Sometimes, a person wants to stay in figure skating, but they realize that coaching is simply not for them.
Some find their calling in it, and some really enjoy it. I’ve realized that I find this work very interesting. It’s not easy, but there’s a clear development vector, and you can achieve great results. It’s always interesting when there’s a goal, when you see what you’re aiming for, and know how to get there.
How to combine with shows and television?
Coaching and performing in shows are different in terms of finances. If there were equality, perhaps I would choose coaching, or at least, I would definitely spend more time on the ice as a coach. But for now, I have to combine the two.
After all, in shows and on television projects, you earn more – the figures are very different from a coach’s salary. Therefore, for now, I have to coach for myself since you can’t start from scratch in coaching; you need to grow. And I want this. Currently, I am not on a salary, just trying it out. So there’s no earnings from coaching, but I need the experience; it’s my requirement.
Of course, I want to be a full-time coach. But there isn’t that much time for it now. If I had more time, I would have already dealt with official employment. For example, I am now moving to Moscow for a few months to participate in “Ice Age.” So I will be out for a long while. The project ends in mid-December, followed by the Russian Nationals and work on Channel One. Then the New Year’s shows follow.
As a result, there is not much time left, only enough for selective work. I’m trying to combine different tasks. Next year, I want to deliberately choose what interests me more – and specifically engage in coaching. “I was lucky to learn from Mishin, I don’t need anyone else” I want to start working with Alexei Nikolaevich, in his group. Ideally, of course, I’d like to have my own group someday. That’s still a long way off, as I realize that I’m not ready yet. But for now, I am comfortable and in my place – being somewhere close to Alexei Nikolaevich and learning, practicing. In reality, I couldn’t be happier; it’s a real blessing to have such a specialist nearby. It’s very interesting to learn from him. After each session, you can jot down technical and strategic points he notices in a notebook.
During tours, I saw the work of other coaches. But it was different from what happens in regular training sessions. After all, a show is a big celebration for athletes. And there, there aren’t many chances to observe work on technique, for example.
Perhaps, athletes who trained under several coaches have adopted different philosophies, approaches. But I was lucky enough to learn from Mishin, I don’t need anyone else.”
Related topics: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva
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