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Coaches’ Corner


Kim Hansen


ISI National Skating Programs & Events Director


GR8 SK8 Tips


One of ISI’s goals is to draw our community of coaches together to network and share advice for the betterment of the ice skating industry. Below, you’ll find tips from several ISI coaches on specific skating moves and techniques. A sincere thank you to the coaches who participated.


Interested in sharing your GR8 SK8 Tips with readers, or have a topic you would like addressed? Please send to editor@skateisi.org.


Teaching the Scratch Spin COACH 1:


• Using the hockey line, start skater standing still on the line. Next, have the skater push forward outside edge back to the line (with left arm forward for counterclockwise spinners; right arm for clockwise spinners), three turn and start spinning.


• Use washable markers on the ice to draw the pattern to help skater visualize the start of the spin.


• Don’t add back crossover entrance until spin on the line is strong and the skater’s core is steady.


COACH 2:


Prior to teaching the scratch spin, I think it is important for the skater to have a strong one-foot entry into their one-foot spin and the ability to balance with the free leg extended in front for a minimum of three to four revolutions. When introducing the scratch spin, I


take the skater to the wall and discuss the free leg position prior to pulling the leg in. Ten we discuss the bending of the free leg knee until the back of the free foot touches the knee of the spinning leg. I make a point to explain to the skater that both the skating and free knees will be facing the same direction while


30 COACH 3:


• Te skater should begin perpendicular to a line.


• He or she should push onto a deep forward outside edge to skate a half circle back to the line. Te circle should become deeper as the skater gets closer to the line.


• Te skater should increase the knee bend till momentum stops, then turn a forward outside three turn to then begin the spin.


• He or she should stay down in the knee bend until balance is established, rise


spinning to prevent traveling. Once the free foot has reached the standing knee, we practice pushing the free foot down along the outside of the spinning leg while flexing the free foot. Tis is all done on the wall. Ten we practice doing the same thing while doing a one-foot glide. We start in the basic upright spin position and then draw the free foot in just as we did on the wall. I also practice squeezing the arms in at this point. I usually have the skater squeeze their elbows in as they draw their hands together. Once the skater has a good understanding of how to control the upper and lower body and how to use them together, I let them try the scratch spin, paying careful attention to the axis on entry and maintaining balance on the inside edge while spinning.


straight up as they maintain balance and pull arms and legs in.


• Te skater should keep the arch of free foot close to the knee.


COACH 4:


A good back scratch begins with a forward right inside three turn The blade rocks over from the forward inside edge to the back outside edge (leaning by the right pinky toe). I tell the skater Try to spin as close to the end of the three turn as possible. Imagine an umbrella. Try to tuck the spin under the umbrella at the far end.


n.. er de side righ


skater: h


d f After rotating into a backward outside


edge back spin, it is important for the skater to find their balance over their right hip or their rotating axis. He or she should extend their right arm to the side and left arm in front, trying to balance on the ball of their foot or where their toes meet the rest of their foot. As he or she starts pulling in their free leg and arms over the right side of their body, he or she will feel the centrifugal force they are creating and will spin fast. Te goal is to try to create small circles on top of each other.


I instruct the skater as follows:


• Practice lifting your left leg up and check back as you exit into a landing position.


• Squeeze your stomach muscles to your spine and don’t lean forward or arch backward.


ISI EDGE WINTER 2016


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