What should Jeremy Abbott do next?

[Vash01]

Once again, Jeremy Abbott had a fabulous US Nationals but very disappointing world championships. What should he do next?

[Cheylana]

I picked work with a psychologist, but I don't really know. Jeremy's extremely talented but he doesn't seem to have a good head for competition, at least not consistently. And he can't seem to peak more than once per season.

Objectively speaking, eighth place is not terrible, but it's a bummer to see someone with Abbott's talent not contend for a medal. And in particular it's a bummer to see him take himself out of the running with two mistakes in the short.

One other thought: perhaps his programs are too busy for him to perform at a high level consistently? I hate to suggest he scale back on his beautiful choreo, though.

[Vash01]

I picked work with a psychologist, but I don't really know. Jeremy's extremely talented but he doesn't seem to have a good head for competition, at least not consistently. And he can't seem to peak more than once per season.

Objectively speaking, eighth place is not terrible, but it's a bummer to see someone with Abbott's talent not contend for a medal. And in particular it's a bummer to see him take himself out of the running with two mistakes in the short.

One other thought: perhaps his programs are too busy for him to perform at a high level consistently? I hate to suggest he scale back on his beautiful choreo, though.

I was going to add- 'change choreographer' as one of the options, but decided not to. I see what you are saying. Jeremy may be better off simplifying some parts of his program if he cannot perform it consistently clean, or may be simplify only the SP so that he can get the benefit of a clean SP. However, my gut feeling is that his problems are mental, because he seemed to perform those complex programs well at the nationals. He seems to have some kind of mental block against worlds and Olympics; he does fine in other international competitions. That's why I think working with a psychologist and/or pacing himself to peak at worlds may be good for him. The only risk is if the USFSA goes strictly by results at the USN, he may not make the team, like in 2011.

[Cheylana]

Yeah, I really felt for Jeremy last year because it really seemed like he was afraid to peak too early, and then he ended up not making the World team...which meant no peaking that season. :(

[professordeb]

Scaling back on his program might be a good place to start until such time as he can go cleaner in comps other than US Nats. I enjoyed his free program and the potential it had. Sports psychologist -- wasn't he working with one at one time? or am I confusing him with someone else (wouldn't be the first time).
I would have liked to have multiple choices but I'll go with the psychologist.

[centerpt1]

He's said in interviews he's worked with sports psychologists for years (and is currently working with one)

I voted other. Go home, debrief Worlds with coaches and psychologist, see if anything can be improved. It may be he's reached the limit of his abilities.

[Vash01]

Brian Orser had struggled with nerves for a long time, and had worked with a sports psychologist. He finally won his world title in 1987, and did very well at the 88 Olympics too, although he missed the gold by a sliver. Liz Manley had also worked with a psychologist, and did very well at the 88 Olympics. She was a surprise silver medalist. During the 1992 Olympics they had mentioned Paul Wylie working with a psychologist, but in his case I think it was more a matter of not having to worry about his studies/grades at Harvard anymore.

It's possible that many other skaters work with sports psychologists, may be for shorter durations, but we don't hear about them because they may not be top tier skaters. Tamara Moskvina is the psychologist for the skaters she coaches. I think she has a doctorate in psychology (I am not 100% sure about this).

I think it's too early for Jeremy to retire.

[centerpt1]

I think it's too early for Jeremy to retire.

I hope he doesn't retire. Even Jeremy bombing to 8th is better than any of our other men could have done this year. It was a strong field at Worlds. It's just frustrating because Jeremy has the talent to be on the podium.

Plus, I love his creative programs each year.

[judgejudy27]

He just cant handle the extreme pressure of being expected to medal in a top caliber event. Granted he was never the runaway favorite but in 2009, 2010, and 2012 there were many thinking he had a real medal shot (a gold shot in 09 and 2010) and he flopped hard each time. Dont know if even a psychologist can help him. Like Csizny I think his problems run too deep to the core. He has admited to being so scared to go out for events he came in with high expectations he threw up backstage.

[judgejudy27]

Brian Orser had struggled with nerves for a long time, and had worked with a sports psychologist. He finally won his world title in 1987, and did very well at the 88 Olympics too, although he missed the gold by a sliver. Liz Manley had also worked with a psychologist, and did very well at the 88 Olympics. She was a surprise silver medalist. During the 1992 Olympics they had mentioned Paul Wylie working with a psychologist, but in his case I think it was more a matter of not having to worry about his studies/grades at Harvard anymore.

It's possible that many other skaters work with sports psychologists, may be for shorter durations, but we don't hear about them because they may not be top tier skaters. Tamara Moskvina is the psychologist for the skaters she coaches. I think she has a doctorate in psychology (I am not 100% sure about this).

I think it's too early for Jeremy to retire.

I dont see Orser as similar at all. Orser was actually an extremely consistent skater. His only poor performance in a major event from 1982-1988 in any free skating phase was his LP at the 86 Worlds. His so called problem with nerves is a media myth IMO. Other than maybe Boitano and Hamilton I cant think of a stronger and more consistent competitor in the 80s. He didnt win more major events due to figures like many skaters who werent the best in figures back then, plus competition from Hamilton, Boitano, and Fadeev. If it werent for figures he would have been the 84 Olympics, 84 Worlds, 86 Worlds, 88 Worlds, and maybe even 88 Olympics and 83 Worlds Worlds Champion.

[Rex]

I picked work with a psychologist, but I don't really know. Jeremy's extremely talented but he doesn't seem to have a good head for competition, at least not consistently. And he can't seem to peak more than once per season. This. I owe you a meat patty ;).


Objectively speaking, eighth place is not terrible, but it's a bummer to see someone with Abbott's talent not contend for a medal. And in particular it's a bummer to see him take himself out of the running with two mistakes in the short. This is how I used to feel about Emanuel Sandhu.

[love_skate2011]

Jeremy is a headcase ala Alissa
but many still think he is the best us male skater
until the new blood steps in ( Jason Brown )

so chances are, just complete his cycle and retire after 2014

[dinakt]

I just hope he does not retire till 2015.
I cannot imagine anybody being more down on Jeremy than Jeremy himself. I think he is doing everything he can, and it comes down to whether he can find more inner resources. Plus- start is a talent like anything else- it's not necessarily a person's achievement to have it ( it's more of a personal achievement to percevere, like Carolina or P/B).

[museksk8r]

Maybe he should go to Richard Callaghan or Lee Barkell.

[Rex]

Maybe he should go to Richard Callaghan or Lee Barkell.

Hell, at this point, I'd say go to Dr. Phil :shuffle:.