Last Updated on Thursday, 28 February 2013 10:40
By Diane Ness
Last week we discussed the importance of having a solid outside edge. Whether you’re cornering with crossovers or a power turn, a strong outside edge is the key.
Along with having a strong outside edge, the skater must also have a good body lean. Having a good body lean should not be confused with bending at the waist or back. In order for a skater to have a good body lean, he/she must have a strong outside edge. In order for a skater to build speed out of a corner, he/she must have a good body lean; it all goes hand in hand.
Speedskaters are the fastest athletes on the ice. The also have some of the best technique. You will notice how low speed skaters are able to corner. This takes incredible leg strength as well as body positioning and edge control. One great drill (left photo) any skater can do is to tape five pucks together, or use a pop can, and have the skater corner in that position. This will force the skater in a position that is out of their comfort zone. The skater can work on power turns and/or crossovers while trying this. The key is to get comfortable in a position that is uncomfortable.
Also, a skater needs to aim on staying solid on their edges. The first few times trying this, the skater may “slip” on the Tuuk or the boot of their skate. The more a skater practices, the stronger their edges will become.
Notice in the picture the skater in not bent at the waist or back, but leaning in towards the circle. You can also notice a correlation between the drill and when the skater is doing full crossovers with his stick.
The long and short of the physics of skating is this: The more a skater can lean and cut the angle of their body to the ice, the faster a skater will corner. As hockey players, we obviously will not corner like speedskaters. After all, hockey players will have a stick in their hands. But the principal is the same. A combination of a good body lean, a strong knee bend and solid edges are the keys to a faster corner.
Diane Ness has been a full-time professional skating coach for over 35 years. She has coached both figure skaters and hockey players alike and is a former U.S. gold medalist in figure skating. She is the Director for the Pro Edge Power hockey camps and the Learn to Skate program at Highland Park Arena. Ness is the skating coach for the New Jersey Devils, the University of Minnesota men’s and women’s hockey teams and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team. She has trained players in the NHL, AHL, NCAA, USHL and NAHL.
