Mental Performance Coaching for Figure Skating
One-on-one mental performance coaching for competitive figure skaters, via Zoom, worldwide.
Certified coaches. 40+ years. Every level from juvenile to senior.
What Is Mental Performance Coaching for Figure Skaters?
Figure skating mental performance coaching is one-on-one virtual training that helps skaters clear the mental barriers keeping them from their best programs on competition ice — anxiety before programs, fear of falling in front of judges, lost confidence after a popped jump, and the gap between how they skate in practice and how they skate when it counts. At Peak Performance Sports, certified mental performance coaches use the Athlete’s Mental Edge Framework and the Athlete’s Mental Aptitude Assessment (AMAP) to build a personalized mental game plan for every skater.
Research shows psychological skills training produces an effect size of 0.83—a significant, measurable performance gain (Röthlin et al., 2024, Sports Medicine).
Trusted by competitive figure skaters since 1991 · All levels · Worldwide via Zoom
Call us today: 407-909-1700
Founded by Dr. Patrick Cohn, Ph.D. (Applied Sports Psychology, University of Virginia) — 40+ years coaching national champion figure skaters and Olympic athletes. Meet our certified coaching team
Recognize Any of These?
You know your program. You’ve landed that jump a hundred times. Then competition day arrives and something shifts — your body tightens, your focus narrows, one mistake snowballs into three. That gap between practice and competition is a mental problem. Does this sound like you?
→ “I skate so much better in practice than I do at competitions.”
→ “I’m terrified of falling in front of judges, so I hold back on jumps.”
→ I lose my confidence after one popped jump and it ruins my whole program.”
→ “I evaluate myself while I’m skating instead of staying in the moment.”
→ “I can’t recover in the kiss-and-cry waiting for scores.”
What Happens When the Mental Game Clicks
“Kayleigh Handled the Pressure Very Well”
“Kayleigh handled the pressure very well while many of the girls around her crumbled. She skated very well & ended 6th among the top 40 in the country. She achieved her personal best in both her short program & overall & tied her personal best in the long. I think you have really helped her!”*
–Kathy Maksymec, parent
“She Won the Short, Won the Long, and Had Her Personal Best”
“Ashley placed very well at her competition this past weekend, thanks to you! She won the short, won the long, and had her personal best. She now looks at competitions like ice shows and has fun. She is focused and confident. We definitely attribute this to you.”*
~Brenda Glassco, Figure Skating Parent
Ready to Take Your Practice Game into Competition?
Schedule a free introductory Zoom session with a mental coach or get more details about our coaching:
Available worldwide · No travel required · No commitment · Zoom · FaceTime · Phone
Mental Training Works. The Research Confirms It.
Psychological skills training produces measurable performance gains: A 2024 meta-analysis in Sports Medicine (Röthlin et al.) reviewed 111 studies on psychological skills training with competitive athletes at the regional, university, and professional level. Effect size: 0.83 — a significant, measurable performance gain.
90% of reviews confirm mental skills training improves performance: A 2023 review in the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology examined 30 systematic reviews across four decades. 90% concluded psychological skills training enhances athletic performance.
Your skating is good enough. The mental game is what’s in the way.
A 4-Step System Built for Competitive Skaters
Every program starts with an assessment and ends with tools you can use at your next competition. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Assessment
Take the Athlete’s Mental Aptitude Assessment (AMAP) to pinpoint mental game strengths and gaps specific to figure skating. Your competition scores and program grades of execution set the baseline. You’ll know exactly where your mental game is costing you.
Step 2: Strategies and Tools
Learn mental performance strategies built for figure skating — pre-program routines, focus techniques for staying present during programs, jump confidence tools, and composure skills for the warm-up and ready room.
Step 3: Review and Preparation
Between sessions, work through the Athlete’s Mental Edge audio and workbook. Skills get reinforced and applied to your next competition or test event.
Step 4: Application
Use customized pre-program mental preparation and guided imagery for jump sequences and spins, focus techniques for staying present through a full program, and composure recovery tools for mid-program falls and errors.
What is the Athlete’s Mental Edge Framework?
The Athlete’s Mental Edge workbook system is used by mental coaches and sports team coaches. We have 22 easy-to-read, practical Mental Edge Workbooks. Each workbook focuses on a specific topic in sports psychology that will help accelerate your learning between your sessions.
What Changes Can you Expect?
Figure skating mental performance coaching clears the mental blocks keeping you from your best programs when it counts:
- Practice-level confidence on competition ice, including full jump attack
- Present focus during programs — no self-evaluation mid-element
- Fast recovery after a fall or popped jump, so one mistake doesn’t derail the program
- Composure through the warm-up, ready room, and kiss-and-cry
- Full commitment on jumps instead of holding back under pressure
Every program includes: the AMAP assessment, a custom weekly Mental Game Plan, weekly Zoom sessions, unlimited email support, and the Athlete’s Mental Edge audio and workbook. Call us at 407-909-1700 with your questions.
Your Certified Mental Performance Coach, via Zoom
Every coach on our team is certified and matched to your level and mental game challenges. See the full coaching team.
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Who Is Dr. Patrick Cohn?
Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D. is the founder and president of Peak Performance Sports, LLC. He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Sports Psychology from the University of Virginia under Dr. Bob Rotella and his Master’s from California State University, Fullerton under Dr. Ken Ravizza. Over 40+ years he has coached Olympic athletes, national champion figure skaters, PGA Tour professionals, and competitive athletes across 35+ sports. He created the Athlete’s Mental Edge Workbook Framework, the Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP) Certification, and the best-selling Confident Athlete program series.
Why Virtual Coaching Works for Figure Skaters
| Factor | Virtual (Zoom) | In-Person |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Anywhere in the world | Local area only |
| Scheduling | Flexible around ice time & competition schedule | Office hours, commute required |
| Session Format | Same structured 1-on-1 coaching | Same structured 1-on-1 coaching |
| Effectiveness | Research-backed, equally effective | Research-backed, equally effective |
| Getting Started | Within 1 week | Depends on local availability |
| Travel Required | None | Yes — drive to office |
| Tools Included | AMAP + Workbooks + Audio Programs | Varies by provider |
Questions About Mental Performance Coaching
What does a mental performance coach do for figure skaters?
A mental performance coach for figure skaters helps skaters identify and clear the mental barriers keeping them from their best programs in competition — managing competition anxiety, building confidence to attack jumps fully, staying present during programs, recovering after falls or popped jumps, and skating expressively under pressure instead of cautiously. At Peak Performance Sports, we use the AMAP assessment and the Athlete’s Mental Edge Framework to build a personalized mental game plan for every skater.
Can figure skating mental coaching be done virtually via Zoom?
Yes — virtual coaching via Zoom works well for figure skaters who travel for competitions or train away from home. Sessions are weekly, one-on-one, and scheduled around your ice time. Parents can join early sessions. Most skaters start within a week of reaching out.
How much does figure skating mental performance coaching cost?
Self-guided digital training programs start from $79. Virtual coaching programs are $600-700 per month and include weekly one-on-one sessions with a certified mental performance coach, the AMAP assessment, a custom mental game plan, unlimited email support, and the Athlete’s Mental Edge workbook. Contact us for full coaching pricing.
How quickly will I see results from figure skating mental coaching?
Most skaters notice improved composure within the first few sessions — in warm-up management, jump approach, and mid-program recovery. Measurable improvement in program scores and consistency typically develops over 4 to 8 weeks of coaching.
What age should a figure skater start mental performance coaching?
Most skaters benefit starting around age 10 to 12, when test events, competition pressure, and the practice-to-competition gap become noticeable. We coach juvenile through senior-level skaters. Parents often join early sessions to reinforce mental skills at home and rinkside.
Ready to Boost Your Confidence?
Schedule a free introductory Zoom session with a mental coach or get more details about our coaching:
Available worldwide · No travel required · No commitment · Zoom · FaceTime · Phone
Or call us: 407-909-1700
Disclaimer
*Testimonials found on this site are examples of what we have done for other clients, and what some of our clients have said about us. However, we cannot guarantee the results in any case. Your results may vary and every situation is different. No compensation was provided for these testimonials.
Last Updated on May 31, 2026