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| Recreational Figure Skating FAQ - Questions and Answers |
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Last-modified: Apr 4 2004
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1. Questions and answers
1.1 Should I buy skates or rent them?
If rental skates are available the best path is to go with rentals for
at least a half-dozen sessions until you are reasonably sure that you
are making progress and intend to keep skating long enough to justify
the investment. The only contrary objection would be if the rental
skates at your rink are in really horrible shape, in which case you
may want to check if the shop or any rink/club bulletin board has used
skates for sale.
1.2 Should I buy figure skates or hockey skates?
While the obvious response is "it depends on what kind of skating you
want to do", in reality the beginner has to learn a set of basic
skating skills starting with balance, posture, stroking and stopping,
and these can be learned on either type. So, which type of skate is
better to start with, and how much the two types of skating really
differ?
The toe picks on figure skates need *getting used to*. They are *not*
used for very basic skating (stroking, cross-cuts) but are required
for proper execution of many jumps and spins. You get more of the
fundamentals when you learn on figure skates (perhaps because the
lessons concentrate on technique).
The blade of the figure skate is wider than hockey skates. The profile
or rocker is intended to have the right radius of curvature along the
blade for moves where you are shifting your weight to the front or
back of the skates. There are different styles of blades for dance,
figures and free-style. Hockey blades are short, narrow, with a deep
grind and highly rockered, especially at the ends and are designed for
maximum agility . Blades for goalies aren't as rockered and have a
shallower grind.
Hockey skaters tend to skate more hunched over and are much more
concerned with quick stops, starts, and changes of direction. Figure
skaters tend to skate more upright, and have more fluid movements. And
they don't spit on the ice ;-)
Figure skates generally cost more than hockey skates. The boots are
usually made of leather and require maintenance. Figure skates have
heels (about 1 1/2 inches).
Figure skates should not be used for playing hockey. The blades
protrude more and can cause injury. Hockey skates can be used for
figure skating (even for jumping) but your progress will be limited.
1.3 Why are there different kinds of blades for figure skates?
There are four kinds of figure blades:
-- Freestyle, which have large toepicks for jumps, deep grind so you
won't skid and less rocker for more acceleration.
-- Patch or figure, which have the shallowest grind for maximum glide
and tiny toepicks (only used for pushes and stops). Since the removal
of figures from eligible competitions, most blade manufacturers have
discontinued figure blades. It is possible to transform a normal
freestyle blade into a patch blade by regrinding the hollow to about
1'' radius and shaving off the lowest toepick.
-- Dance, which are shorter blades so you won't step on your own or
your partner's blades. Compared to freestyle, they have smaller
toepicks, and more rocker to make turns easier. They are also narrower
and a deeper grind, to allow deeper edges.
-- Precision or synchronized skating blades, which are also shorter
than freestyle blades.
1.4 How often do I need to sharpen my skates?
If you're skating only a few times a week, every six weeks to two
months is probably frequent enough. You should get in the habit
inspecting them each time you dry off the blades, and when there are
dulled or there are a lot of nicks, get them sharpened. The usual test
for sharpness is dragging a fingernail lightly over the edge - if it
planes off a little sliver, they're sharp, if it just slides, then
they're dull. It is not unusual for blades to wear unevenly. For
example, the inside edges may wear more quickly than the outside edges
or the fronts more quickly than the tails.
Of course, the real test is in the skating, and you'll gradually learn
the clues that point to a dull blade. You instructor can also help,
and if the skate sharpener is competent, he or she will do the minimum
necessary to your skates, perhaps just a quick pass with a hand stone
to knock off a nick.
Remember that every time you get your blades sharpened you shorten the
life of the blades and there's a bit of a re-adjustment for you to get
used to the new feel. It's almost always "better", but you get used to
when the blade will slide and when it will grab over the period as it
gets dull, and you may be caught off guard by the new behavior.
1.5 Are hand-held sharpeners useful?
Although opinions vary, the consensus is that hand-held sharpeners
cannot replace a good machine sharpening. You cannot change the hollow
radius easily and you should not use them on tapered blades. Having
said that, they can be very useful to maintain a sharp edge or get rid
of small nicks, particularly if you don't get the chance to get a
proper sharpening as often as you would want because of lack of
reliable competent sharpeners in your area.
1.6 Will figure skates give me enough ankle support?
A good quality pair of figure skates provides *at least* as much ankle
support as any pair of hockey skates. You can get figure boots that
feel like steel, if you are so inclined. However, you must select
boots of adequate quality and correct fit so that the boots help your
ankles stay erect as you condition your ankles and balance to control
the skates. Most cases of "weak ankles" are due either to cheap
department store skates, or to floppy, worn-out or oversized rental
skates.
1.7 How do I know my skates are worn out?
There are some relatively objective signs that a boot has worn out or
is being used beyond it's limitations and others that are purely
subjective or require reference to a coach. Certainly, a skate is
finished if the leather in the boot has started to wear out --
fissures in the inner lining, rips/tears in the outer boot or a
cracked/crumbling sole that won't hold screws.
Judging when a boot no longer offers adequate support is more
difficult. If the top flops over of it's own accord, it's obvious, but
more subtle signs are when the normal creases which afford forward
flexibility begin to look like accordion pleats that go all the way
around the skate -- a sign the a the boot is free to flex sideways at
the ankle.
Some more subjective signs are the feeling that you need to tighten
the laces more to make things work, even though they are still tight,
or the feeling that your foot is free to slide around in the skate, or
your heel lifts even when the laces are tight. You might also feel
that you're having trouble keeping your ankles erect or holding clean
edges on tight edges, turns, spins or jump landings.
On the final front, your coach/instructor may make observations that
your boots aren't doing their job or suggest that it's time to
upgrade. This may be based on close observation or rule-of-thumb.
Asking your instructor is always a good idea, while talking with other
skaters can either be helpful or lead to a lot of confusion.
Keep in mind that boot requirements are highly relative. Given the
model of boot that you have and the amount of "wear" you've put on
them, they may be entirely adequate for what you're doing, or they may
be an obstacle to further progress. A recommendation on buying new
skates might differ depending on whether you're skating recreationally
and just interested in picking up some jumps, or planning to go from
singles to triples as quickly as possible to get into serious
competition. Also, the recommendation for a petite woman would be
different from that for a mid-sized athletic woman or a mid-sized or
larger man...
1.8 What is skating leg, free leg, outside edge, inside edge, LFO, RBI, etc.?
At various times throughout these pages, you will notice references to
the skating foot, skating leg, free foot, etc. When you are skating on
one foot, this is your skating foot. The foot which is off the ice is
your free foot. The entire side of the body on the side of the free
foot is the free side, hence the terms, free leg, free arm, etc.
Similar terms apply to the skating side.
You will also note references to LFO, RBI, etc. This is a short-hand
term referring to which edge you are using. The bottom of a skate
blade has two edges, with a concave space between them. The edge
closest to the other skate is your inside edge. The first letter
indicates the skating foot, left or right. The second letter indicates
whether you are skating forward or backward. The third letter
indicates whether you are on an inside or outside edge.
1.9 Why do I skate mostly on my inside edges?
Chances are it's just a matter of confidence. You might be on your
inside edges because you have your feet spread apart, or because your
skates don't fit properly or are worn out.. When you're on an inside
edge, you've got your other foot to catch you. On an outside edge,
there's nothing between you and the ice but thin air.
Try one foot glides, straight at first and then on shallow outside
edges until you can securely glide for extended distances. Do them
near the boards at first if it helps to know there's something to grab
onto if needed. Like riding a bicycle, going faster will help you
balance. Be sure to practice on both feet equally.
Remember to keep your weight towards the rear of the blade, since
letting your weight shift forward puts you on the sharply curved,less
stable part of the blade profile.
Have the skates sharpened if necessary. You can't hold an edge on dull
skates. And have the skates checked to make sure the blades are
mounted properly.
1.10 Why do most skaters spin and jump counterclockwise?
Most people have a more or less strong innate preference for rotating
counterclockwise. This is because a counterclockwise rotation tends to
be controlled predominantly by the right shoulder, which is the
dominant one for a majority of people (although it is not true that
all right handed people prefer to turn counterclockwise!). In
addition, most rinks impose a counterclockwise direction of travel in
public sessions, which may reverse an initial predilection for turning
in the other direction.
Some beginner skaters seem not to have a strong natural direction
preference and are able to master some of the basic jumps in both
directions, but their instructors push them to settle on one side or
the other before moving on to more advanced skills. Part of the reason
for this is that spins are used as stepping stones to jumps. The back
spin in particular is used as a preliminary to the loop, which is in
turn used as a preliminary to the Axel. Ultimately, rotation for all
jumps is the same and it all comes from the backspin.
Although there is no reason why most skaters should not be able to
learn spins and jumps in both directions, in the practice you don't
get sufficient credit from the judges to make it worth the trouble of
learning to do them in the weaker direction. The only skating program
where reverse jumps are eventually required is ISI.
1.10.1 Is there an easy way to tell what my "natural" spinning direction
is?
The best way to find out which way you prefer to rotate is to try a
spin or a simple jump in both directions. You will probably be able to
predict your natural preference simply by noting in what direction you
can perform turns most easily.
If you are not sure what your preference is, picking your stronger
direction can be trickier. Gus Lussi (a famous skating coach from a
few decades ago) recommended choosing the jumping direction according
to your best side on back outside edges (because that will be your
landing edge).If your right BO edge is stronger, jump and spin
counterclockwise.
You can try to determine your best side by catching a flying object or
hitting a spot with a ball, (try both throwing and kicking the ball,
as spins and jumps require coordination from both the upper and lower
body). Try with both hands/legs. If you consistently get better
results with your right side, rotate counterclockwise.
There are also practical issues to consider: For example, it can take
a lot of nerve to set up jumps in crowded sessions if you are a
clockwise jumper (because you will be going against the traffic) and
there is probably an increased risk of colliding with other skaters.
That can be a good reason to choose the counterclockwise direction if
you don't have a strong preference.
Some people find it easier to spin in one direction and jump in the
other. In these cases it is often advised to reverse the spin
direction to match the jumping direction, perhaps because it is easier
to learn spins than most jumps in the weak direction -or perhaps
because it worked so well for John Curry :-) !
1.11 Why can I do X on my right leg but not my left?
Almost every skater has a strong side and a weak side. It may be due
to a difference in muscle strength or related to the preference to do
moves in one direction. Unfortunately, the tendency is to do the move
on the leg or direction that works and ignore the mirror image move on
the other leg, without even realizing it. It is good practice to
consciously do at least as much practice on the weak side as the
strong side. So for example, if you're working on inside three-turns,
alternate between the two feet.
1.12 What's the difference between a crossover and a progressive?
The difference between these strokes lies in where the new skating
foot sits on the ice at the beginning of the power stroke. In a normal
stroke, the new skating foot is placed alongside the skating foot and
the push is outward and slightly to the rear.
For the cross-over (aka cross stroke, cross pull), the new skating
foot is passed across the front of or over the skating foot and placed
inside and slightly ahead of the skating foot. The push has a strong
sideways component, as if you were "climbing stairs sideways".
In the progressive stroke the new skating foot is placed on the ice
along side the skating foot and then slides to a position forward of
the skating foot prior to the power stroke. While push is still
primarily outward, it has a more profound front to back component.
Note that new skating foot is *not* simply placed on the ice ahead of
the skating foot, which produces an uneven "walking" motion.
A progressive run (sometimes just called a run) is a merely sequence
of progressive strokes along the same lobe. The difficulty is in
making them clean power strokes in time with the music, and
maintaining the edge and aim. Dance students who haven't mastered the
progressive stroke tend to interpret runs as a sequence of short
choppy strokes or a sort of shuffle sequence.
Both the cross-over and progressive strokes can be executed in either
the forward or backward direction. They are more powerful than the
standard stroke because of the extended length of the power stroke and
degree to which that stroke can work against the weight of the body.
Backwards crossovers are extremely powerful and are often seen in
freestyle to regain momentum between moves, while progressive runs are
used in dance to add power without disrupting the flow of the edges.
1.13 Turns. What's a counter, rocker, bracket, 3-turn?
Three. A 3-turn is a change of direction (eg. forward to backward)
while skating on an arc of a circle (lobe). It is done without a
change of skating foot and always involves a change of edge (eg.
forward outside to backward inside edge). As it changes direction, the
skate traces the digit "3" in the ice; hence the term. The center of
the 3 always points to the center of the circle. There are eight
3-turns, depending on which edge you enter with, which is your skating
foot, and whether you enter the turn going forward or backward. The
turns are named according to their entry position, hence a LFO 3-turn
is a turn done on the Left foot starting from a Forward direction on
an Outside edge.
Bracket. A turn made on one foot from forward to backward (or backward
to forward) from one edge of one character to an edge of another
character, i.e. outside to inside or inside to outside, where the body
rotation is counter to the natural direction of progress causing the
cusp to print outward from the center of the lobe curvature. The edge
before and after the turn is on the same lobe.
Rocker. A turn made on one foot from a forward to backward (or
backward to forward) edge maintaining the same character, i.e. inside
to inside or outside to outside, where the body rotation is in the
same direction as the natural progress causing the cusp to point
toward the center of curvature of the first lobe. The edge before and
after the turn is on different lobes having opposite directional
curvature.
Counter. A turn made on one foot from a forward to backward (or
backward to forward) edge maintaining the same character, i.e. inside
to inside or outside to outside, where the body rotation is counter to
the natural direction of progress causing the cusp to point outward
from the center of curvature of the first lobe. The edge before and
after the turn is on different lobes having opposite directional
curvature.
Here is some ASCII art to help.
A bracket is also on the same circle, but the pointy part of the turn
is on the outside of the circle, like a bracket }
___/\___ ___ ___
/ \ vs / \/ \
/ \ / \
bracket 3-turn
Counters and rockers, on the other hand, are at a change of circles.
In both cases, although you change direction, you do not change edge.
(assume you are traveling up the page...)
2. 2.
/ /
___/\___/ ___ ___/
/ / \/
/ /
1. 1.
counter rocker
1.14 Turns. What's a mohawk, choctaw?
The mohawk and choctaw involve a step from one foot to the other
during the execution of the turn.
Mohawk. A Mohawk is a change of direction (eg. forward to backward)
while skating on an arc of a circle. It includes a change of skating
foot and retains the same character of edge (eg. forward inside to
backwards inside). The edges before and after the turn are on the same
lobe. Because of the use of both feet, there are only 4 Mohawk turns,
depending on whether the entry edges is inside or outside and forward
or backwards. There are however, many variations on the execution of
the Mohawk turn within this analytical constraint.
Choctaw. A Choctaw is a change of direction (eg. forward to backward)
that involves both a change of skating foot and a change in the
character of the edge (eg. backward outside to forward inside). The
edges before and after the turn are on different lobes having opposite
directional curvature. Like the Mohawk, there are only 4 Choctaw
turns.
1.15 Are spin trainers any good?
Skating folks have a wide variety of opinions. On the negative side,
it is indeed possible to do something like a spin on it, although it
doesn't really feel the same as doing it on the ice. The center of
this spinner is in the center of your foot. Also it doesn't replicate
the normal approach to the spin -- if you step onto it with any linear
momentum, you'll go flying off again. DON'T consider using it anywhere
near anything you can fall onto -- you will literally get tossed off
the spinner if you balance wrong.
On the positive side, spinning takes a lot of practice. One lesson
with even the best coach will not turn you into a good spinner. And
the skate spinner costs about as much as one lesson (including ice
time). Thus, if there is a realistic way of practicing spinning
without having to pay the hourly charge of ice time, it is a Good
Thing.
The plastic spinner is one piece. The "rocker" bottom is pretty good,
but DON'T try it on a hardwood floor - if your weight shifts to the
back of the spinner for even an instant, the spinner will fly forwards
and you'll fly downwards! The spinner also works on carpet but wont
spin as fast. It can be a little hard to balance on, so if you're a
beginning spinner, it probably won't help you too much.
The metal spinner is two pieces - one steel plate sits on the ground,
and the other plate (steel but with rubber tread for traction - better
than slippery plastic!) which spins on top.
Here are a few exercises you can do on a spinner:
For Jump Landings: Stand on the spinner with landing leg, do NOT move
the spinner, hold landing position to count of 5, keep in mind
position, weight placement. KNEE OVER TOE.
Salchows: use the spinner for your 3 turn, jump off the spinner and
rotate, land as you normally would in a jump.
Loops: get into a loop position on the spinner, give yourself some
spin from the spinner, then jump off, rotate in the air and land.
SPINS: point of these exercises is not to increase your revolutions to
7 or even 10 times. It is to give you enough revolutions to help you
understand the feeling of your weight placement, your body position.
One Foot Spin and Scratch Spin: Very important to have your hips
square, start the spinner and maintain this position; you need to have
the free leg placed to the side and slightly in front of the spinning
foot. Push the spinner and feel the position of the hips and
shoulders. This one is tricky on the spinner, getting that first
push-off position is key to getting some revolutions
Backspins: are the easiest of the spins to do. Again hips should be
square, underneath the shoulders, feet directly parallel with one
another (side by side). Pull into your position. This one is important
to have as many straight, comfortable revolutions as you can. It will
teach you balance, keeping your back straight and your free leg
crossed.
1.16 Will inline skating improve my ice skating?
Although inline skating can be an excellent exercise for overall
fitness and some basic skills can transfer well to the ice, more
advanced figure skaters find that regular inlines are rather
unsuitable to practice advanced freestyle maneuvers. If you are
determined to do freestyle off-ice, consider purchasing Picskates or
Triax skates. They both have a toe-stop at the front which makes it
easier to jump. Triax skates seem to be more popular with former
roller skaters, while Picskates, with their rockered profile, are the
ones that most closely resemble an ice blade. Having said that, be
aware that most things will be harder to do on Picskates than on ice
and a few skills, like spins, are considerably harder.
1.17 What are USFSA, ISI, Skate Canada, NISA, etc?
United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) is the organization
with the tie-in to the International Skating Union (ISU), and the one
which sponsors the U.S. National Championships (and all the
competitions leading up to it) that result in the world team being
picked. USFSA runs a "learn to skate" program, schedules tests and
runs competitions.
Skate Canada (formerly known as Canadian Figure Skating Association or
CFSA) runs programs which are roughly parallel to the USFSA program.
They start with Canskate, which is a learn-to-skate program, followed
by Canfigureskate (basically a children's' program) and "test stream".
Other ISU member countries have got their own National skating
associations with similar aims as the USFSA and Skate Canada and their
own skating programs, such as DEU (Deutsche Eislauf-Union) in Germany,
NISA (National Ice Skating Association) in UK, FFSG (Federation
Francaise des Sports de Glace) in France, etc.
ISI (Ice Skating Institute) was formed out of a real need felt by
recreational skaters for a testing, instructional, and competitive
structure that did not devalue the "run of the mill" skater. It does
not only encourages participation in skating as a recreational sport,
but is also active in producing information and education material
directed to ice rink owners and operators and covering all aspects of
ice skating as a trade. Its program has been adopted by a large number
of ice facilities across the USA. ISI also has an international branch
with member rinks in 11 countries.
The ISI freestyle test requirements are listed in Appendix 2
1.17.1Should I join ISI or USFSA?
Both organizations have "learn to skate" programs, and both have
schedules of tests. Both host competitions. Skaters from either
organization may skate in competitions of the other without penalty,
but they have to abide by the rules of the host organization in terms
of assessing skating level, and in terms of program content, duration,
etc.
The more serious competitive track skaters generally skate USFSA.
However, in recent years USFSA has become increasingly aware that
there are many valid reasons to skate other than heading for Worlds,
and there are many dedicated skaters to whom the test and competitive
structure of USFSA was relatively "unfriendly". This realization has
led to the development of a test track and competitive outlets for
adult skaters.
Some skaters feel that ISI competition technical programs are too
restrictive ( content is strictly regulated according to test level
and elements from higher levels are not allowed ). On the other hand
some other complain that USFSA competition rules encourage
"sandbagging" (the practice of staying at a low test level in order to
have a better chance to place well at competitions, even through the
skater is capable of passing higher level tests).
Sometimes the choice boils down to a matter of convenience (not all
rinks or clubs are affiliated with both organizations). Many people
belong to both.
1.18 What are MITF?
Moves in the Field (MITF) are the new first half of the freestyle
tests of the USFSA. In the regular test track, the skaters must pass
the moves portion before they can take the freestyle portion. Moves
can also be tested without taking the freestyle portion. In the adult
test track, MITF are compulsory since September 2002.
The development of MITF was spurred by the elimination of figures as a
requirement for international competition, in the realization that it
would be impossible for USFSA to continue to demand figures of its
freeskaters. They were also an answer to complaints being voiced that
skaters were paying all their attention to jumps and spins and the
footwork and connecting moves in programs were getting poorer and
poorer in quality.
The moves consist of various stroking and turns done on the entire ice
surface with emphasis on power, edge quality, quickness, and
extension. Each move has a primary focus and a secondary focus. If
these are not met, the test will fail. The USFSA rule book is the best
reference for standards for these moves. Tapes of moves in the field
can also be purchased from the USFSA.
1.19 Sessions; freestyle, dance, open, public, patch ; what are they?
FREESTYLE SESSION is a period of time when the only skating allowed is
"freestyle". .... jumps, spins, footwork, Moves in the Field, spirals,
etc. This usually means that skaters have at least begun to do some
freestyle moves .... such as the first jumps and spins. Some rinks
distinguish in levels allowed on particular sessions. My rink has "low
test" and "high test" sessions, and sometimes even some "middle test"
sessions. Division into levels is made both in the interests of safety
(low test skaters tend to be more oblivious to traffic, less able to
get out of the way, etc.) and the interests of convenience -- it's
easier to gauge your moves if everyone on the ice is within a known
range of competence. The number of skaters allowed on the ice at one
time may differ from a low test to a high test session. At freestyle
sessions skaters may play their program music, and while their music
is on they have the right of way. At some rinks the person whose music
is playing may wear a ribbon or "pinney" to help other skaters know
whose way to stay out of.
You may also encounter these terms:
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