07/26/2023
GOE & PROGRAM COMPONENTS (part 2)
The second part to this conversation is this: your program components are 100% in your power, you just need to know how to work the system!
Now that we are down from 5 to 3 components, itâs a little easier to grasp and understand. A big part of the PC points, especially as the coach, is to zoom out and be less attached to outcome.
That sounds silly, I know, but hear me out: being hyper focused on your technical calls, while important, is doing a disservice to your overall product. A banana is a banana, but if itâs mushy and brown, itâs far less desirable because it is a lesser quality banana.
Work on the program as a whole, see the bigger picture of what
youâre creating with your skaters, make them well-rounded and honour the program choreography from start to finish!
âBut if I donât get the calls, I wonât get the pointsâ
True, but also, reframe that thought!
Letâs consider the point values of each element, each level you are working towards, and then do your math. When we try higher levels, the difficulty goes up, and your skaters need to be able to attain that. Is it attainable for them? If youâre on the fence about it, create a strategy that involves a plan B, C, D, ⊠higher levels = higher points, but not if they arenât attainable for the skaters. Higher difficulty means higher likelihood of poorer skating skill. It means needing to take more of your time to work on that specific thing to get your skaters up to the standard. Do you have the time to put in to this? If youâre answering no to any of these, you are better off with the lower level and reaching for those positive GOEâs.
Hereâs the thing â your key aspects in GOE (shape, unison, speed&flow) are also your Program Components. What the judges are looking for to reward GOE, are also the things they are looking for to reward higher PCâs.
Unison is expressed in both Composition & Presentation. Your shape, or spacial awareness, is also expressed in both of these. Speed & Flow is written specifically under skating skill. What we need to focus on in order to gain these points is to step back from âam I getting the call?â And focus more on âam I skating this well?â Quality over quantity, and ironically when we focus on the quality of our teams performances, that is when we will see more points, ie quantity.
Moral of this long winded story is this: knowing the rules is definitely important, thereâs no doubt about that⊠but understanding the nuances from the rest of your score card, ie your GOE & Program Components scores, and how to capitalize on them is where the magic lives. Gain clarity on these two topics and youâll have such a stronger foundation in your synchro programs!
