Over the years, my husband and I came to realize the importance of two words before any competition performance (or any performance, for that matter). The words work for your own athletes and are a good thing to say to anyone right before their performance.

 Those two words are

Have fun!

Chrissy and Mark having fun performing at the 2009 European Championships. (Photo by Liz Chastney)

I remember reading in a book a number of years ago that athletes perform best if they don’t think too much and just stay out of their heads. After all their training, muscular memory will take over anyway. 

Skaters already know the importance of doing well if it’s a high-stakes competition. They don’t need to be reminded.

Focusing on having fun is a great way for skaters to stay out of their heads. And it keeps things in perspective. The hard work is done, and it’s time to enjoy performing. Sometimes, after I say, “Have fun!” I might add, “Enjoy performing!” or, “Enjoy performing for the audience!”

Before your athlete competes, do you say, “Have fun,” or something similar?