Sheila Thelen

Sheila Thelen is a PSA Master Rated coach with more than 25 years of coaching experience. She currently teaches in an around the Twin Cities in MN. She has also been a presenter at PSA, CFSA, and ISI International Conferences.

Sheila is the Designer and President of Champion Cords which produces training aids for skaters that teach alignment, position, muscle memory, body awareness, and technique. She is also the President of Champion Skating Harness, a company that specializes in off-ice harnesses for jump air position training. She is also the Executive Director of Grassroots to Champions. She was also the Skating Director of a large skating school in Minnesota for over 10 years.

Sheila does seminars worldwide and can be reached directly through her Champion Cords website.

Most recent videos at the top…

Toe Loop Jump – 3 Rule Breakers Plus Other Tips (Sheila Thelen)

Figure skating coach Sheila Thelen gives a very concise presentation on some of the most important aspects of the toe loop jump. These ideas and tips apply to single and double toe loops as well as triples and quads! Sheila gave this presentation because there is still so much misunderstanding about this jump, and she sees this […] Continue reading →
Stationary Off-Ice Harness, Jump Air Position Training – Part 3 (Sheila Thelen)

Coach Sheila Thelen continues her short series showing how to properly use a stationary off-ice (or on-ice) harness for developing jump air position. In Part 1 she discussed the desired fundamental h- and d-positions, and it Part 2 she put a skater into the harness and showed the overall process. In this video, she works with […] Continue reading →
Stationary Off-Ice Harness, Jump Air Position Training – Part 2 (Sheila Thelen)

Coach Sheila Thelen continues her short series showing how to properly use a stationary off-ice (or on-ice) harness for developing jump air position. In Part 1 she discussed the desired fundamental h- and d-positions. In this video, Sheila puts a skater into the harness and shows the process. She begins by putting the skater into the […] Continue reading →
Stationary Off-Ice Harness, Jump Air Position Training – Part 1 (Sheila Thelen)

Coach Sheila Thelen begins a short series showing how to properly use a stationary off-ice (or on-ice) harness for developing jump air position. Most skaters simply learn this position as a backspin and then do their best when learning double and triple jumps. But it is possible to train the air position as though the skater […] Continue reading →
Improvements to USFS Moves in the Field (Sheila Thelen)

Figure skating coach Sheila Thelen shares three recommendations for improving the US Figure Skating Moves in the Field. This video is intended to spark a discussion on these topics so please leave comments below. Coaches and skaters from other countries may offer insights based on similar tests or requirements in their home countries. The first aspect […] Continue reading →
Speaking Out Loud to Learn Figure Skating (Sheila Thelen)

In the video below, Sheila Thelen shares an important figure skating tip to improve learning that is largely overlooked in the sport. Sheila discusses a technique she uses with skaters to keep their mind actively engaged in what they should be thinking about in the air while learning or improving their jumps. The technique involves […] Continue reading →
Fixing a Double Toe Loop (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen works with a skater to correct a double toe loop take-off. This video addresses a relatively common double toe loop take-off problem in which the jump pivots “too far” and jumps around rather than straight through. You can see the jump at1:04 in the video. First and foremost, a skater must “buy in” […] Continue reading →
Split Falling Leaf Figure Skating Jump (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen explains how to do a split falling leaf figure skating jump. This jump belongs in the split jump family, but it’s an edge jump rather than a toe jump like standard and Russian split jumps. The take-off is very similar to a loop jump and one of the keys is simply to jump […] Continue reading →
Teaching a Russian Split Jump (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen teaches a Russian split jump to a skater with a solid split jump but no experience with the Russian split. She begins by having the skater sit in the hockey box and feel the “air position.” Sheila explains the position and gives the skater a target of getting the shins to the hands. […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Split Jump with Champion Cords (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen explains the details of the split jump. As the split jump is considered a relatively easy skill in figure skating, it rarely gets much attention in seminars and workshops so coaches often struggle with how to teach it. Most coaches typically have skaters that can just automatically do it well and others that […] Continue reading →
DISCLAIMER: Don’t try this at home (Sheila Thelen)

Crazy Minnesota figure skating coach Sheila Thelen demonstrates an uncommon skill that you should probably just avoid doing yourself. Disclaimer: iCoachSkating.com does not recommend the activities shown in this video. Use common sense and stay safe at all times! This video is provided for entertainment purposes only. (Professional driver on closed course…well, not really.) Yes, […] Continue reading →
Back Camel Spin – Developing the Back Camel (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen provides a process for improving a back camel spin. The back camel spin is a difficult skill to learn for a number of reasons. First, nothing really “swings around” to help create rotational energy for the spin so the skater needs to create all of the spin energy directly from the edge on […] Continue reading →
Flying Sit Spin Tips (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen offers some insights into the flying sit spin. Sheila offers a great tip regarding the knees to help develop the feeling of the tuck. She also notes that many skaters don’t take off with enough rotational energy to rotate properly for the spin or even turn enough in the air for the spin […] Continue reading →
Axel Jump In Figure Skating – Alternate Entrance (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen suggests an alternate axel entrance for skaters that tend to hook their axel take-off edges. This method can be very effective at straightening out the take-off edge for some skaters. It is also an effective tool for correcting some alignment issues on the step forward as well as minimizing uncontrolled shoulder rotation during […] Continue reading →
Champion Cords To Improve Body Lean (Sheila Thelen)

In this very short video, Sheila Thelen offers a way to use Champion Cords to get a skater to lean into the circle they are skating on. Sheila shows how to attach the cords to the skater and she demonstrates how the coach can stand in the center of the circle and help create skater […] Continue reading →
Champion Cords Figure Skating Training Tools Improve Posture (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen offers a great tip to help skaters keep their head up while skating. In this video, Sheila explains and demonstrates exactly how to attach Champion Cords to a skater to apply tension to help the skater remember to keep the chin up. As Sheila notes, this is a powerful drill and does not […] Continue reading →
Lay Back Spin Improvements With Champion Cords (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen offers some tips to improve layback spins. She initially explains what she’s looking for in the layback including free foot position and free knee position. Sheila then shows how to use Champion Cords to help the skater develop the proper awareness of these details. As she notes at the end of the video, […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Basics Video: Life And Death Balance (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen offers a clever if not slightly diabolical concept to help skaters clearly remember their proper alignment side for jump air positions (as well as most take-offs and landings). Continue reading →
Figure Skating Training Tools: Champion Cords Aids Crossovers (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen explains several ways to use Champion Cords to improve crossovers. Continue reading →
Figure Skating Balance: Improve Your Jumps (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen offers one of the best and simplest tricks ever for preventing pre-rotation of the head on jumps. Head pre-rotation is one of the most common major errors in jumping. Continue reading →
Champion Cords Help Skaters Spin Faster: Back Spin & Toys (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen continues her discussion of the backspin (see the first part here). Continue reading →
Champion Cords Help Skaters Spin Faster: Back Spin (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen shows how to use a Champion Cord to help skaters cross their feet in the back spin. First Sheila shows how to attach the cord to the skate and how to hold it properly. Continue reading →
Figure Skating Boot Heaters – For Coaches (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen shares a coaching secret for keeping her feet warm. Continue reading →
Learn To Ice Skate For Kids: Basic Jumping – Part 5 (Sheila Thelen)

This is the fifth and final video of Sheila Thelen teaching a young skater in a private lesson. Sheila’s skater is a 6 year old boy named Milan. Continue reading →
Learn To Ice Skate For Kids: Basic Jumping – Part 4 (Sheila Thelen)

This is the fourth in a series of videos of Sheila Thelen teaching a young skater in a private lesson. Sheila’s skater is a 6 year old boy named Milan. Continue reading →
Learn To Ice Skate For Kids: Basic Jumping – Part 3 (Sheila Thelen)

This is the third in a series of videos of Sheila Thelen teaching a young skater in a private lesson. Continue reading →
Learn To Ice Skate For Kids: Basic Jumping – Part 2 (Sheila Thelen)

This is the second in a series of videos of Sheila Thelen teaching a young skater in a private lesson. Continue reading →
Learn To Ice Skate For Kids: Basic Jumping – Part 1 (Sheila Thelen)

This is the first in a series of videos of Sheila Thelen teaching a young skater in a private lesson. Continue reading →
Figure Skating Training Aids – Jump Rope Training Video (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen offers an simple way for coaches to earn a little extra income. She suggests teaching an off-ice jump rope class. Continue reading →
Grassroots To Champions Ankle Buzzer Video (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila demonstrated an Ankle Buzzer developed by Audrey Weisiger and available from Audrey'sGrassroots to Champions site. Continue reading →
Learn Figure Skating: Double Loops In Combination (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila talks about doing multiple double loop drills. These kinds of drills have become more and more popular for skaters to learn flow in combinations. Sheila talks about the need for quickness and one of her skaters demonstrates doing 5 double loops in a row. Continue reading →
Ice Skating For Beginners Tips – Champion Cords Help Cross Feet (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila uses a Champion Cord to help her skaters learn to cross their feet in jumps. Continue reading →
Ice Skating For Beginners Tips – Crossovers For Young Skaters (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila offers some insights about teaching young skaters. She makes the point that stories can be especially effective. Continue reading →
Figure Skating Tips For Axels With Champion Cords (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila offers a tip for using a Champion Cord with the axel. This tip is particularly helpful for skaters that don’t naturally kick their knee through at take-off. Continue reading →
Champion Cords Figure Skating Training Aids – Starting Axel (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila discusses an axel drill for young skaters. She also shares some tips that make the drill more effective (using a Champion Cord and a toy). Continue reading →
Ice Skating Tips For Beginners Video – Starting Axel (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila talks about how she teaches the axel. She offers some tips to help young skaters understand the concept of the axel but not be too intimidated by it. Continue reading →
Ice Skating Tips For Beginners Video – Fun Basics (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila suggests a fun way to “spice up” a basic lesson with younger skaters. Never underestimate the power of toys! In this video, Sheila addresses skating posture. Continue reading →
Champion Cords Improve Figure Skating Posture And Landings (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila talks about skating posture and gives some tips to help young skaters understand and improve their posture. Continue reading →
Champion Cords Improve Figure Skating Spiral Video (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila shows how to use a Champion Cord to improve the stretch of a spiral. Continue reading →
Figure Skating Spiral Variations (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila talks about 2 fundamentally different ways to do a spiral and why a coach would want to choose one over the other. Notice that she talks about hip tension to help keep the free leg higher on one method. Continue reading →
How to Figure Skate: Spiral Stretching Technique (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila discusses one of her favorite ways to help her skaters get more split on their spirals. This is so obvious and logical that many coaches may overlook it. Continue reading →
Dartfish Set Up: Figure Skating (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen coaches in Minneapolis, Minnesota. See her video analysis setup. Continue reading →
Figure Skating Spins: Intermediate Spins (Sheila Thelen and Nick Perna)

Sheila Thelen and Nick Perna lead a spin class for less advanced skaters. Continue reading →
Figure Skating Spins: Advanced Spins (Nick Perna and Sheila Thelen)

Nick Perna and Sheila Thelen conduct a spin class for advanced skaters. This is a long video and it’s filled with many tidbits of helpful information. Continue reading →
Figure Skating Spiral Stretch Exercise (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila demonstrates a stretching method she learned from Janet Champion to improve spiral positions. An assistant (in this case the coach) helps the skater during this stretch. Continue reading →
Figure Skating Video Shows Double Axel In Harness (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila demonstrates how to use a harness for double axel. She also gives a few tips regarding the double axel and she talks briefly about the skid/no-skid on take-off issue. Continue reading →
Figure Skating Safety Equipment Video – Jump Set Ups (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen discusses more ceiling harness safety issues. Then she demonstrates common jump setups for use with a ceiling harness. Continue reading →
Figure Skating Safety Equipment Video – Basics (Sheila Thelen)

Sheila Thelen shares important basics and safety tips when using an overhead harness system. She also offers tips for getting skaters in and out. Sheila used to own a harness company so she knows a thing or two about it. Harness safety is often overlooked by rinks and clubs and there doesn’t appear to be any […] Continue reading →