Coach and choreographer Kate Charbonneau continues her presentation on the USFS Bronze Skating Skills test (formerly USFS Juvenile Moves in the Field Test). In Part 1 she discussed Forward Crossover Power Circles and in Part 2 she offered insights about the second pattern, Stroking: Backward Power Circles. In this video she discusses the Eight-Step Mohawk Sequence.
Kate begins this presentation by addressing the desired circle size. Because power is a main focus of this pattern (along with quickness), Kate prefers a large circle even for smaller skaters. She acknowledges that younger skaters may have a harder time filling out a large pattern, but she would still shoot for it initially and then accept a smaller pattern only if necessary. Placing the pattern in the center of the rink, Kate wants the circle size to be large enough that the skater gets close to both red hockey circles on the end of the rink.
After the demonstrator skates the pattern, Kate talks more about the outside mohawk which is hard for most skaters at this level. This demonstrator used to jump to the other foot after the mohawk, which is a fairly common error. She also talks about step timing, and she encourages skaters to “two-count everything” meaning create a consistent cadence and count 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 throughout the pattern and step on the odd numbers.
The two most common errors for this pattern are the back outside edge of the outside mohawk and the overall pattern timing. Kate demonstrates the wrong mohawk step and how it affects the pattern. To help fix this issue she has skaters open the arms toward the outside of the circle and then maintain that open arm position after the mohawk. She also has her skaters practice outside mohawks on an actual circle (hockey circle or hand-drawn circle) to better see and feel the desired circle shape and edges.
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