Figure skating coach Nick Perna offers a set of drills intended to improve a skater’s alignment and get them comfortable with their feet under them. These drills fall under the category of “skating skills.” Alignment issues plaque skaters of every age and level so mastering these drills is important for all skaters. A large percentage of adult skaters are uncomfortable keeping both feet close together and under themselves. This drill is particularly useful for those skaters.
Nick begins by having the skater skate forward in a straight line on both feet with the feet crossed and touching. He has the skater switch which leg is in front and which arm is in front, for a total of 4 different forward drills. After mastering forward, he has them skate backward in a straight line with all 4 arm and leg combinations.
After mastering this 2 foot gliding, he has the skater do the same series of drills in a straight line, but now he repeatedly alternates between which skate is on the ice by picking one up, then the other, etc. He has them do this both forward and backward for a total of 8 combinations.
Finally, after mastering the straight line version of this drill, Nick moves it to a circle. Because it now matters which edge the skater uses, there are a total of 16 combinations that the skater needs to master. Many skaters will automatically be good at some of the combinations, but may need to work extensively on some of the others to master this entire series of drills.
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