Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 October 2015 15:02
By Andy Ness
Gliding happens when a skater stops moving his/her feet but will continue to move. Gliding is done all over the ice and all the time. It is actually the skill most used while playing in a game. Hockey is a game of bursts followed by periods of gliding. There is much more to gliding than just putting your feet together and letting your skates do the work. This is skill, which if done properly, can keep a skater “moving downhill” without even having to push. It is so crucial in being efficient with energy while in constant motion.
The key is understanding what part of the blade to use. The skate blade is made up of your inside and outside edge, along with your hollow or “flat.” Gliding should be done on the flat of the blade when moving in straight line forward as grinding your edges too deeply in the ice will create friction and slow you down. Gliding while turning is obviously done on your edges. The same principal applies: The less friction made into the ice, the less speed you will lose. Gliding can be done with every skill you do as your feet will not always be constantly moving.
Body positioning is also very important when trying to glide properly. Just like in the photo, a skater should make sure to flex the ankles forward in his/her skates. The skater should also bend his/her knees, as well as sinking their hips down towards the ice. This should get the skater in a good forward lean position that will allow the skater to really get the most power out of the glide. Sometimes skaters may be a little more upright or on one foot, but the basic idea is always the same. Keep a good forward lean and keep your speed. As soon as a skater leans back, he/she will dramatically slow down.
The question is, after a skater stops moving, does the skater stop? This is why we always encourage our skaters to concentrate on forward movement after each push. Allow yourself to “feel” what it is like after each push. The skater can also concentrate on sound. Too much sound means a skater’s skates are “rutting” into the ice which will result in slowing down. It can sometimes be such a simple concept that is hard to grasp. Remember, body positioning and blade positioning is key to “skating downhill.” Good luck.
Andy Ness is the head skating and skill coach for the Minnesota Wild. He has also been an assistant skating instructor for the New Jersey Devils, the Universty of Minnesota men’s and women’s hockey teams and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team.
