Is there a change in Russian coaching style?

[Husky]

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Just saw this interaction between Plushenko and one of his pupils and thought that he is quite gentle and funny with the little girl. And not for the first time, did I see him like this, he really comes over as encouraging. In former times, Russian coaches looked always either bored or overly strict to me, especially when they were working with children. Is there a change of culture after the Soviet time? Or is it just him who has a natural gift to work with kids? There had been reports that Eteri is quite abusive verbally. How are the other coaches?

 

[Kateri]

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Just saw this interaction between Plushenko and one of his pupils and thought that he is quite gentle and funny with the little girl. And not for the first time, did I see him like this, he really comes over as encouraging. In former times, Russian coaches looked always either bored or overly strict to me, especially when they were working with children. Is there a change of culture after the Soviet time? Or is it just him who has a natural gift to work with kids? There had been reports that Eteri is quite abusive verbally. How are the other coaches?

I have my issues with the guy, but I've only ever seen Plush be kind and supportive to his skaters in the KnC.

 

[Karen-W]

I have my issues with the guy, but I've only ever seen Plush be kind and supportive to his skaters in the KnC.

Yup, agreed. I've actually been rather impressed by the way he interacts with his skaters in the KnC and at competitions in general. No red flags for me at all.

 

[caseyedwards]

I’m not saying it’s not real but there was a camera filming pretty obviously! He could be a more flies with honey person.

 

[rfisher]

I have my issues with the guy, but I've only ever seen Plush be kind and supportive to his skaters in the KnC.

Yeah, I think it's just who he is especially with the younger skaters.

 

[Kateri]

Yeah, I think it's just who he is especially with the younger skaters.

He always tries to make them laugh, when they had a terrible skate. It's lovely.

 

[Cachoo]

Maybe I'm wrong here but I had the impression both Mishin and Moskvina were demanding yet fair and decent to their skaters. Were Plush and Mishin together a long time? I'm glad to see this revelation. I only worry that the new mighty mite in Russian skating is performing so much that she risks injury. I bet Eteri wishes she would move to her camp.

 

[rfisher]

Maybe I'm wrong here but I had the impression both Mishin and Moskvina were demanding yet fair and decent to their skaters. Were Plush and Mishin together a long time? I'm glad to see this revelation. I only worry that the new mighty mite in Russian skating is performing so much that she risks injury. I bet Eteri wishes she would move to her camp.

They were and while Mishin might have been fine with the skaters, the atmosphere was not. Plushenko, Trankov and Smirnov all talked about the harsh conditions they experienced. They had no money and often slept in the rink. All of them were bullied by older skaters as some sort of rite of passage. It was probably somewhat different for those from St. Petersburg who lived with their parents and didn't have to rely on jobs in the rink to eat. Trankov said that was his motivation to succeed. Maybe they remembered their experiences and have tried to make things different for the kids, most of whom are never going to be serious competitors, but are skating for fun

This is one of the major differences between Russian and Chinese skaters and the West. Here skating is really for the kids whose parents either have money or are willing to make big sacrifices for their kids if they have the talent. In Russia and China, if you have the talent, the state gives you a chance, but you pay for that with blood, sweat and tears. That chance to rise out of poverty really drives some of the top skaters. It's similar to what pro basketball or football offers to talented but poor kids who would never get to college or earn comparable salaries (unless you sell drugs) in the US.

 

[kwanfan1818]

There were videos a while ago of Mishin coaching children that were quite delightful. I remember one where he was holding the big elasticized bands around their waists that allowed them to go over their edges without falling, to free them to get the feel of the lean.

 

[On My Own]

In Russia and China, if you have the talent, the state gives you a chance, but you pay for that with blood, sweat and tears. That chance to rise out of poverty really drives some of the top skaters.

Which Chinese skaters are poor? I've only heard of Shen Xue.

Yan Han especially I believe came from a rich family.

Chinese WAGs IIRC come from poor families often times, but I don't at all see how someone in a barely known winter sport in China might - you'd need money to get started before the 'state' noticed you.

 

[On My Own]

I’m not saying it’s not real but there was a camera filming pretty obviously! He could be a more flies with honey person.

Why can't you just take the W

 

[caseyedwards]

Why can't you just take the W

This whole thing is a big loser situation! He’s coaching for people who will never do anything and never amount to anything because Russia is banned. No wins here!

 

[On My Own]

 

[Bigbird]

He's different. I give them that.

 

[Karen-W]

This whole thing is a big loser situation! He’s coaching for people who will never do anything and never amount to anything because Russia is banned. No wins here!

Listen, my remarks about his KnC & coaching demeanor are my observations from back when Muravyeva was on the JGP, so I don't think it's something he's doing now simply because Russia is banned. I genuinely believe that Plushy treats his skaters, whether they're competing internationally or not, well.

 

[caseyedwards]

Listen, my remarks about his KnC & coaching demeanor are my observations from back when Muravyeva was on the JGP, so I don't think it's something he's doing now simply because Russia is banned. I genuinely believe that Plushy treats his skaters, whether they're competing internationally or not, well.

Maybe But again there are no stakes. There is nothing to create pressure. The whole program is show skating! Playing ballerinas or being pregnant

 

[Husky]

Plushenko, Trankov and Smirnov all talked about the harsh conditions they experienced. They had no money and often slept in the rink.

Ah, wasn't it too cold there? Esp. in winter? Did they even heat in the night? It was the time after the collapse of the USSR, when people had basically nothing.

 

[Husky]

The whole program is show skating! Playing ballerinas or being pregnant

No competitions at all? Nationals? Maybe some events with China. And aren't there ice shows to keep this sport alive in the public eye?

 

[caseyedwards]

No competitions at all? Nationals? Maybe some events with China. And aren't there ice shows to keep this sport alive in the public eye?

Channel one is the main sponsor and pays the skaters but it’s sanctioned for being pro war! So anyone who participates can never get back into real competitions and create real fame. And they will reduce the appeal of the channel 1 shows! Creating a doom loop!

 

[Husky]

Interesting. Never reflected about tv channels being sanctioned, too.

 

[caseyedwards]

Interesting. Never reflected about tv channels being sanctioned, too.

There are very few things that aren’t! You see these shows that are joint ventures of channel one and t bank and they are both under sanction for being pro war!