Collaborative Coaching

By Terri Milner Tarquini

There is power in numbers.

“Paying attention to coaching trends, not only in the U.S., but the world, it’s obvious that a team approach to coaching is what is happening,” said Derrick Delmore, a 22-year coach of regional, sectional, national, international, World and Olympic competitors who currently sits on the PSA Board of Governors.

“Every successful skater has a team behind them. Even if there is only one person at the boards, there are definitely other coaches who helped get that skater there.”

Peter Kongkasem, Starr Andrews, and Derrick Delmore after the Ladies’ Long Program at the 2020 World Junior Championships

The marketing and education theme for the 2020-2021 season is Team PSA, promoting collaboration among coaches—and Delmore is proof the approach works.

“When I first started coaching, I was still competing on the East Coast,” said Delmore, who has served as head coach for skaters on the U.S., China, Great Britain, Hong Kong and Singapore international teams; and has coached multiple U.S. National Medalists. “At the time I began coaching and the area I was in, team coaching was definitely more of an exception than the norm. I tried to do it all myself—off-ice training, moves in the field, music editing, choreography, jumps, spins, and on and on – because that’s how I learned to coach from my coaches. While I’m grateful to have had experience with a broad range of coaching skills, as the sport has progressed and become much more difficult and specialized, it is impossible for one coach to do everything, especially if they have multiple students.”

While Delmore works with many different coaching teams, his core circle is Peter Kongkasem, Ivan Dinev, Angela Nikodinov, and Anastasia Sharenkova.

The team coaches at The Rinks- Lakewood in southern California and draws strength from each its individuals:

Delmore is a World Junior champion and competed at 18 consecutive U.S. Figure Skating Championships and was a member of the U.S. International Team for 14 years

Kongkasem competed internationally for Thailand and is a two-time U.S. national medalist, an international medalist and world competitor

Peter Kongkasem, Derrick Delmore, Anastasia Sharenkova, Ivan Dinev, and Singaporean World Junior competitor Chadwick Wang pose for a picture after practice

Dinev is a three-time Grand Prix medalist, an 11-time Bulgarian national champion and three-time Olympian

Nikodinov is a two-time U.S. Figure Skating Championships medalist, a three-time World Figure Skating Championships competitor and is a Four Continents and Skate America gold medalist

Sharenkova, who worked with Dinev and Nikodinov during their competitive careers, is a European champion in rhythmic sport gymnastics, who Delmore says focuses on agility skills, program enhancement, and off-ice

“We are definitely all from different backgrounds,” Delmore said, “which I do think can go a long way in relating to skaters on a multitude of levels. We have a lot of diversity and everyone draws on their own backgrounds to coach.”

Dinev and Nikodinov, married since 2008 and winners of the PSA President’s Excellence Award in 2019, and Delmore and Kongkasem, have a long history, having even competed during a similar timeframe, while Sharenkova rounded out the team five years ago.

Ivan Dinev, Peter Kongkasem, Angela Nikodinov, and Derrick Delmore enjoy some time together outside of the rink at a colleague’s wedding in 2015

“We’ve collaborated together for so many years that we know how each of us works and what value each one of us can bring to each skater,” Delmore said. “Loyalty gives us real security as a team. We can be ourselves, be straight-forward and communicate without beating around the bush.”

Confidence in what you and your fellow coaches can bring to the table can be valuable in a multitude of ways.

“Sometimes coaches can get superprotective of their athletes and are concerned another coach is going to come in and steal their business. Of course, this can be a valid concern, especially in a time of financial strife like many are experiencing now,” Delmore said. “It’s really important to take a long-term view: If we can all work as a group, the benefits multiply. The door can open so you’re not just working with your 10 skaters, but you’re also working with the other coach’s 10 skaters. You have the ability to help so many more athletes. We work with about 50 skaters per week; there is no way any one of us could do that on our own.”

The team works side-by-side developing high-level talent through LA Elite Ice, a competitive training camp, located at the Lakewood facility.

Ivan Dinev, Peter Kongkasem, Angela Nikodinov, and Derrick Delmore heading to Junior Ladies practice at the 2017 US Figure Skating Championships

“It’s important to have a directing coach for each skater, but sometimes that takes a little time to figure out who is the best fit,” Delmore said. “Our whole team will be there for every skater and we all have the technical expertise, but it’s important to discover who is best at competition time with each particular skater and knows what final words to say as they leave the boards.”

Determining which coach is running lead is an important piece of the collaborative coaching puzzle— and one that is vital to success.

“Even if there’s been a discussion amongst the team with differing viewpoints, there needs to be a person making the final decision,” Delmore said. “Sometimes people can think that team coaching can lead to ‘too many cooks in the kitchen’—identifying who has the final say can help nullify that potential problem and lead to a lot less confusion with the skater and the parents and it helps the coaching team know where the responsibilities lie.”

Peter Kongkasem, Sebastien Payannet, and Derrick Delmore pose for a picture after practice at The Rinks Lakewood Ice.

For coaches reticent to warm up to collaborative coaching, taking a bigger-picture look is advisable.

“Be open to the idea,” Delmore said. “Be willing to communicate with other coaches. Get past your own insecurities. Check your ego at the door. Realize in the end that it is beneficial in every way—expanded education, finances, personal fulfillment and, eventually, success. It is good for you as a coach, good for the skater and good for the sport.”