Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 18:31
We recently had our first day of our Learn to Skate program for the new winter session. For this program, we see all types of ages and abilities. The basic fact is that it still comes back to understanding that skating development is a progression.
One of the classes in particular sticks out in my mind. It was a beginner class filled with 3- and 4-year-olds in which this was their first time being on the ice. Our first lesson at this level starts from the beginning, learning how to fall down and get up, learning how to march with hands “on the table” out in front of them, and if they are really advanced, trying to touch their toes as they march.
Most of this is taught through games so the kids have fun while not even knowing they are actually working on fundamental skating. Anyways, as the young skaters left the ice after the half-hour lesson, I had a parent approach me asking why they didn’t work on stopping and backwards skating. Now keep in mind that these kids are 3- and 4-years-old, so if we can get them to fall down and get up on their own during the first class we have accomplished our goal.
While learning to skate and learning new skills, we have to understand this is a process. A process that takes time, energy and patience. If we aren’t willing to spend the time and energy it takes to get better, we cannot get better and will not progress.
Learning to skate does not happen “right now.” Rather, it is a series of skills that are accomplished, each one getting more difficult than the next. The key is to have the right progression so we have a better chance at succeeding at each new skill rather than getting overwhelmed and frustrated.
The point of this article is not to rant and rave but rather to understand that skating is a progression. Every new skill learned gets tougher to execute, but if the skater has learned all of the lead-up skills, he/she should be able to accomplish the new skill. It’s when we skip steps and try to go from point A to point D that the skater will become very frustrated because it will seem to be too daunting of a task.
I will explain a progression from when a young skater is just starting out. The first-timer should obviously learn how to fall down and get up. Believe it or not, this will take time. Each beginner should do this over and over again. The instructor should help the skater stabilize one foot but let the skater do this on their own.
The skater should then learn how to march, perform a two-foot glide then proceed to a one-foot glide. The general idea is to get the skater progressing forwards. When marching, the youngsters are trying to pick their feet up off the ice rather than just shuffling.
The one-foot glide is the first step to really challenge a skaters balance. You will notice the skater will only be able to hold their foot up for a split second or so but with repetition this will get better.
Once the skater is able to march and move forward, the skater will learn how to do a forward swizzle, which is actually the first edge drill they will perform. From there, the skater can learn how to do a snow plow stop, a backward wiggle and backward swizzles. This is basically what we would teach all of our first time skaters throughout the eight-week session.
Over time, we can move on to more advanced skills such as forward pushing, edges, hockey stops, power turns and forward and backward crossovers. Finally, our most difficult maneuvers are quick starts, strides, transitions and mohawk turns.
As you can see, each one of these skills seem more difficult as the skater progresses. However, if the skater has developed the core skills and is starting from a good base, these skills definitely can be achieved.
Everyone needs to understand that skating just takes time, practice and a bit of patience. Enjoy learning and enjoy improving. Skills will come, some easier than others but the more quality repetition put in, the more the skater will get out of it. Remember to not put the cart before the horse, and always make sure your young skaters have fun.
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.
