Skating lessons 3/13/00-3/20/00

[Brieanne]

Hey everyone! i hope that you guys don't mind, but i thought that i would start our very first skating practice thread. This way, everyone can come here and talk about their skating lessons, practices, etc. with the rest of us <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON STOP--> we could start a new skating lessons thread each monday. i'm going to practice tommorrow, so i'll tell you guys how it goes tommorrow, and everyone else can share there skating practices throughout the week. Anyone can start the new threads each monday! hope to hear about everyone's skating practices and lessons!

[wunderbere]

I'm in alpha class where we're learning the basic stuff like T-stops and crossovers. Today, we tried backwards crossovers for the first time. Very tricky! I also had my blades sharpened about a week ago, so I'm still getting used to them. I am the only adult in my class, so I always have to make an effort not to run over any of the little kids. After all, one of my strokes (from my sheer size in comparison) can easily overtake three of the little kids' strokes.

We're also working on spins--mostly two-footed. I know you're supposed to find the sweet spot on your blade, but I have such a hard time keeping my balance as I'm spinning. On the other hand, one-foot glides are going great.

I always keep the rink pass stickers from my lessons. They are dated, so I stick them in a notebook and jot down whatever I worked on that particular day. It's a good way for me to keep track of my progess.

[axelkid]

This is great for sharing different things we learn. It's good for me to write it down to.

Sit spin - I'm trying to do the thing sarah hughes does when she is down in her sit spin. She sort of holds her leg and leans forward onto her leg so she doesn't look like she's sitting upright, she's bent forward. One thing that I learned was to get into the sit spin position, center, put both hands on the free leg, and learn forward with your ribs. I made the mistake of grabbing my legs before I centered and then actually trying to bring them up to my half bent over torso. It'll totally throw the spin out of whack.

Axel - it's all about the take off edge. I also learned that I'm checking the wrong way. I land on a right back outside edge and I should have my left hand in front and right out to the side. Right now I have the habit of doing the opposite. Also, start the rotation earlier...the rotation needs to start while you are still moving up into the air. Not after you start descending. Then it becomes a delayed axel.

Double loop - one of the more difficult take offs (imho). I think one trick is to NOT rush the entry and take off. Delaying it slightly will actually let the edge hook around a little more which will allow you better rotation. Sharp skates help too.

Double flip - a straight back helps you stay straight in the air. I tend to hunch over as I pick and then when I go into the air, I pull back to far. Result: I land and fall flat on my behind. If your back is already straight as you pick, that's one less thing you need to worry about.

I hope this helps someone. I'd love to hear what you all have to say!!

[Brieanne]

well, i had a pivate lesson yesterday and skated in the freestyle session. my coach had cut my music so she started to show me the first half of my program, which will include half toe walleys, a half lutz, possibly a waltz jump, one foot spin, footwork, and spirals on both feet. i did pretty good except the spiral on my bad foot was horrible and out of control. i almost ran into another girl <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eek --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON STOP--> other than that, i pretty much just praticed my loops and flips, but i couldn't get up the courage to work on my lutz <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :( --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":("><!--EZCODE EMOTICON STOP-->

wunderbere-i know how difficult it is to learn spins, it took me forever to learn a one foot spin. i could be competing in a higher level as far as the jumps are concerned but the one thing that is holding me back are the spins. those are my weaknesses. that sounds like a great idea, keeping track of your progress w/ each lesson. i think i should start doing that.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON STOP-->

axelkid-that did help. i'm working on a sit spin right now and i'm terrible, but that advice will help, i'm sure. also, i tend to lean over real far when i go into the flips too, so next time i should remember to keep my back straighter so i can land them more consistantly. thanks for sharing

[icesk8r1]

well, this is my lesson in freestyle ice..

Spirals- ever since i fell and landed on my hip which really hurt but im gwetting over my fear of it my coach had me do it on both feet and on edges it was fun i was laughing the whole time im also doing a backward spiral on my own which looks really cool

Spins- she has me do aa 2footer and i keep rocking but there getting better my 1 foot is off and on, like one minute i get it the next i dont but im working on it and hopefully it will be in my program and good enough by June!

Edges-argh!these pecky things i have a problem with my arms and bringing them through the thing about these is you cant practice them in public sessions because the little kids keep getting in the way

Next time- my coach says next time were going to work on walleys (what are those?) and ballet jumps which are very fun to do so c ya next time!

[axelkid]

So today was not such a good day on the ice.

Double flip - popped everytime. I can not seem to get my non picking leg into the back spin position, slightly crossed over the other, toes POINTED. I think I was tired today.

Double loop - once again...the timing. Sometimes, it's good not to build up a lot of speed because your timing needs to be very important. You can get a good double coming in fairly slow if you retract to a good position.

Hydroblade - that was working today. One of the only moves that worked for me today. Sometimes if you lean in more, it'll sharpen your back outside edge to the point where you are basically travelling in a very small circle. It's almost like you are doing a death spiral.

[Jackylutz]

I went skating today with my brand new skates. I think my skates are going to break me before I break them in. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON STOP--> I felt like I was starting to skate all over again. Now that I learned not to tie your lace all the way, it helped so much just by doing that. Oh my god, I just wish they would get softer soon. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :( --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":("><!--EZCODE EMOTICON STOP-->
Needless to say, I didnt do much. I did some flips and waltz jumps, and some spirals......
I was happy that I did an outside edge spiral.....I always do an inside edge because I find it a lot easier to do inside edge. To do a good inside edge spiral, just lift your free at an angle to your left side (ie think of Michelle's inside edge....).

[aehodman]

Fun adventures in skating this week....

Well, my injured ankle has flared up again (just a note: adult skaters PLEASE be careful when trying floor jumps! I severly sprained my ankle while working on off-ice double toes)!! My lutz/toe doesn't seem to be affected, but man, my flip is a disaster area. Every time I try to pick off the toe on it, my ankle gives out and I end up barely landing the jump and looking like Quasimodo while doing it. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :( --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":("><!--EZCODE EMOTICON STOP--> Oh well. At least the harder jump is still working, right?

Backspin is getting MUCH better -- it's still pretty darn slow but I'm getting about 7 or 8 revolutions on it. The sit spin is slowly improving, too. I'm hoping it will be ready for State Games in 7 weeks <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eek --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON STOP--> :. Geez, is it THAT soon already??????

Well, please keep your fingers crossed for me for my lesson tomorrow, everyone -- my ankle is kinda hurting and I have a bad feeling about it.....<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :( --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":("><!--EZCODE EMOTICON STOP-->