S6 E9: Athlete-Centered Skating w/Garrett Lucash

We had the honor of sitting down with competitive figure skating coach, Garrett Lucash, to talk about his athlete-centered approach to coaching figure skaters. Garrett is a former competitive figure skater himself, with countless accolades as one of the best skaters in the world during his prime (see his bio). However, Garrett’s meaningful journey extends well beyond his medals and outward accomplishments. He has paved a new way of coaching in competitive figure skating, known as ‘athlete-centered skating’. His unique approach aims to support athletes’ long-term growth and development as athletes and as humans in a sustainable and empowering way. His approach is based upon aspects of sport science, psychology, and education. This episode is filled with a depth and breadth of stories, wisdom, and insights that coaches can integrate into their day to day interactions with athletes.

Garrett Lucash is a retired competitive figure skater with accolades ranging from being ranked 12 in the world, being a 3-time US World Team Member (and 3-time Junior World Team Member), and a 2-time Olympic Team Alternate. His passion for the sport did not end once his competitive career ended; no, Garrett has gone on to coach competitive skaters since then for over 20 years. Garrett has won numerous coaching awards for his innovative ways of using sport science and psychology in his coaching, most recently earning the US Figure Skating 2023 Doc Counsilman Science and Technology Award. This award is given to the best coaches in all Olympic Sports. Garrett is a Team USA Coach; he is a member of the US Figure Skating Sport Science and Medicine Committee; he is Chair of the Professional Skaters Association Sport Science Committee where he creates curriculum for coaches continuing education; and he recently published a book titled “A Constraints-led Approach to Figure Skating”, published in 2022 by Routledge. Following his time in Boston at the Skating Club of Boston, Garrett brought his Athlete Centered Center program to the Detroit Skating Club where he is the Coaches Education Director.

Be curious. Be Open. Be well.

The ReidConnect-Ed Podcast is hosted by Siblings Alexis Reid and Dr. Gerald Reid, produced by CyberSound Recording Studios, and original music is written and recorded by Gerald Reid.

*Please note that different practitioners may have different opinions- this is our perspective and is intended to educate you on what may be possible.

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Show notes & Transcripts: https://reidconnect.com/reid-connect-ed-podcast