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Champion Cords for Improved Crossovers (Sheila Thelen)
In this short video, figure skating specialist coach and Champion Cords inventor Sheila Thelen explains and demonstrates how to use the cords to improve forward and backward crossovers. Young skaters in particular struggle with shoulder turn as well as arm and body tension. Using cords to feel the tension and have visual feedback about the… …Continue reading →
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Simulated Post-Jump/Spin Speed Drill (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau teaches an exercise that simulates the situation where a skater lands a jump or finishes a spin and then needs to gain speed quickly and control that speed with another element or skill. To start this exercise, the skater pushes back into a landing position at the center near the… …Continue reading →
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IJS Footwork Tips – Part 3 (Karen Olson)
Coach Karen Olson continues a series of videos talking about how to approach IJS footwork sequences (choreographed sequences or step sequences) in order to prepare skaters for higher levels and to maximize points in competition. See Part 1 here and Part 2 here. NOTE: The rules of the International Judging System (IJS) are constantly changing.… …Continue reading →
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Edge Drill – How The Legs And Feet Turn (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna shares an edge drill intended to help skaters feel how to properly use their feet and ankles, as well as their legs and hips when creating edges. Historically, edges have typically been taught as sideways leans (into the circle) on a static circle. That kind of rudimentary static edge development is… …Continue reading →
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Circle of Crossovers With Extensions (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau teaches a crossover exercise that is performed on a single circle. It is a sequence consisting of 3 forward crossovers followed by an inside mohawk with an overhead arm extension and then 3 backward crossovers followed by a step forward with another extension. Kate wants deep knee bend and a… …Continue reading →
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The Snowman Crossover Exercise (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau teaches a crossover exercise she calls “The Snowman” where skaters perform crossovers in 3 large circles down the ice. The skaters go around the circle one and half times each for the base and body of the snowman and just a little less than a full circle for the head.… …Continue reading →
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All About Forward Crossovers (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau offers insights and exercises for forward crossover development. She starts with how she teaches beginners. The classic “step over” non-gliding sideways walk is very helpful for beginner skaters to learn balance and the basic weight transfer of a crossover. The focus is simply on balance and lifting the knee to… …Continue reading →
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Starting a Cantilever (Sheila Thelen)
Figure skating specialist coach Sheila Thelen discusses the process of learning a cantilever. The cantilever is a well-known balance skill made famous by Mr. Frick (Werner Groebli) in the old days of Ice Follies, as Sheila notes. The cantilever has enjoyed a bit of a renewal in interest in recent years as a number of… …Continue reading →
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What is Proper Alignment? (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna discusses and demonstrates proper skating alignment, including a way for coaches and skaters to test for it. Historically, proper alignment was taught in detail on test figures or school figures, meaning that each new generation of coaches had a thorough understanding of proper alignment. After figures were eliminated from competition, the… …Continue reading →
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Challenging On-Ice Strength and Balance Exercises (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau demonstrates a fun and challenging exercise for improving strength and balance. The exercise consists of a continuous glide with a spiral, a shoot the duck, and an upright victory position (y-spin). Kate says, “This is for some leg strength, and really some grit out of your skaters.” She recommends this… …Continue reading →
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On-Ice Flexibility Exercises (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau demonstrates a series of on-ice flexibility exercises. These are all front catch foot positions with different hand grabs. These have obvious application to the I-spin (also called the needle) but also enhance overall flexibility for spirals and spin positions in general. The exercises are same side toe grab, same side… …Continue reading →
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Grapevine Variations and the Salchow (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna continues his presentation on his “grapevine” exercise. In the first video he demonstrated how to perform the grapevine and how to teach it in sections. In this video, he explains how to create useful variations by picking up the feet at specific moments, rather than skating the entire grapevine on two… …Continue reading →
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20 Minute Warm-Up Edge Class – Part 7 (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau finishes a multi-part series where she shows a complete 20 minute warm-up edge class. Kate has her skaters start slow and then she picks up the pace, both with the skating and the music for the class. This warm-up is done to music. In Part 1 she shared initial exercises… …Continue reading →
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The Hydroblade (Sheila Thelen)
Figure skating specialist coach Sheila Thelen shares her insights on how to teach and master the hydroblade. Hydroblading is a relatively easy move for advanced skaters, and even skaters at relatively low levels with good edge and body control can hydroblade. The most common version of the hydroblade is demonstrated here. It is performed on… …Continue reading →
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The Grapevine (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna shares a skating drill he calls “The Grapevine.” The exercise gets it’s name from the off-ice grapevine agility exercise, which includes twisting and alternating foot positions. Nick explains that this is a fun exercise that all skaters can master with a little practice, and most skaters find it to be very… …Continue reading →
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20 Minute Warm-Up Edge Class – Part 6 (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau continues a multi-part series where she shows a complete 20 minute warm-up edge class. Kate has her skaters start slow and then she picks up the pace, both with the skating and the music for the class. This warm-up is done to music. In Part 1 she shared initial exercises… …Continue reading →
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Improving Beginner Crossovers (Audrey Weisiger)
World and Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger continues her lesson with a young (about 8 years old) male skater. The first part of this lesson focused mostly on the backspin, and this part focuses on forward and backward crossovers. Skaters at this level typically struggle with keeping the head up and looking where they are going,… …Continue reading →
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20 Minute Warm-Up Edge Class – Part 5 (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau continues a multi-part series where she shows a complete 20 minute warm-up edge class. Kate has her skaters start slow and then she picks up the pace, both with the skating and the music for the class. This warm-up is done to music. In Part 1 she shared initial exercises… …Continue reading →
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On-Ice Core Exercises and Position Work (Page Lipe)
International figure skating coach Page Lipe offers 3 on-ice drills that are particularly helpful for developing core strength and stability, as well as leg strength. The first exercise is a spiral, shoot-the-duck, spiral sequence down the ice in a straight line. The second exercise is a spiral, lunge, spiral sequence. The final exercise is a… …Continue reading →
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Teaching a Bigger Reach on Backward Crossovers (Page Lipe)
International figure skating coach Page Lipe shares a trick for getting beginner skaters to create more “reach” on backward crossovers. The concept is simple, and involves the coach gliding along inside the skater’s circle, and asking the skater to reach out with the skate all the way to the coach, placing the skate onto the… …Continue reading →
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Choctaw Development – USFS Junior Choctaw Sequence Part 3 (Karen Olson)
Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson continues her presentation on choctaws and in particular, the Junior USFS Moves in the Field Choctaw Sequence. Some of the information in this video is independent of the moves pattern and is applicable to every skater learning choctaws. In Part 1 of this series, Karen… …Continue reading →
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20 Minute Warm-Up Edge Class – Part 4 (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau continues a multi-part series where she shows a complete 20 minute warm-up edge class. Kate has her skaters start slow and then she picks up the pace, both with the skating and the music for the class. This warm-up is done to music. In Part 1 she shared initial exercises… …Continue reading →
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Using Objects/Toys for Twizzle Development (Amy Brolsma)
Coach Amy Brolsma shares a valuable tip for skaters working on advanced turns and twizzles. Many skaters struggle with core stability when learning advanced turns like rockers and counters as well as twizzles. Having objects or toys to hold with both hands either in front of the body or over the head help skaters engage… …Continue reading →
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Choctaw Development – USFS Junior Choctaw Sequence Part 2 (Karen Olson)
Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson continues her presentation on choctaws and in particular, the Junior USFS Moves in the Field Choctaw Sequence. The information in this video is independent of the moves pattern and is applicable to every skater learning choctaws. In Part 1 of this series, Karen introduced the… …Continue reading →
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20 Minute Warm-Up Edge Class – Part 3 (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau shares a helpful exercise to develop stopping skills (on both feet), knee action and rhythm, and upper body control. As Kate notes, this exercise is fun and skaters will enjoy learning it and performing it regularly. The forward exercise is slightly different than the backward exercise, so there’s really two… …Continue reading →
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Using Objects/Toys to Improve Basic Skating (Amy Brolsma)
Coach Amy Brolsma shares a valuable tip for helping skaters at every level improve their skating skills and their turns. By using objects or toys that the skater can hold with both hands, the coach can reduce the uncontrolled arm movements and help skaters feel their movements and stabilize with their core. Amy likes to… …Continue reading →
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Partner Skating – Backward Skating Drill for Cadence and Unison (Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue)
Two-time World Ice Dance Medalists Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue teach a backward crossover drill in high Kilian. The purpose of this drill is to develop the correct up and down timing of the knees and match partner movements, as well as to work on tracking. This is not a “power” exercise and is not… …Continue reading →
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20 Minute Warm-Up Edge Class – Part 2 (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau begins a multi-part series where she shows a complete 20 minute warm-up edge class. Kate has her skaters start slow and then she picks up the pace, both with the skating and the music for the class. This warm-up is done to music. In Part 1 she shared initial exercises… …Continue reading →
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On-Ice Warmup Sequence – Part 3 (Amy Brolsma)
Coach Amy Brolsma continues her presentation on a sequence of warm-up drills that she uses as an on-ice warmup with her skaters. The primary goal is to get the skaters moving and fully warmed up, but coaches can also monitor the warm-up to better understand the focus and motivation level of a skater on a… …Continue reading →
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Straight Leg For Jump Air Position – Initial Exercises (Audrey Weisiger)
World and Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger is giving a lesson to a young skater who is struggling with straightening the legs. We spend so much time in figure skating telling skaters to bend the knees that we sometimes forget to address the value of completely straightening the legs. Having a straight and locked axis leg… …Continue reading →
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On-Ice Warmup Sequence – Part 2 (Amy Brolsma)
Coach Amy Brolsma continues her presentation on a sequence of warm-up drills that she uses as an on-ice warmup with her skaters. The primary goal is to get the skaters moving and fully warmed up, but coaches can also monitor the warm-up to better understand the focus and motivation level of a skater on a… …Continue reading →
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Push Pull Partner Exercise (Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue)
Two-time World Ice Dance Medalists Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue share a fun and helpful partner exercise intended to build partner connection and control while also demonstrating how speed and power can be achieved with and without push with a partner. The initial drill is very simple. Two skaters simply grab right hands (thumbs up,… …Continue reading →
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20 Minute Warm-Up Edge Class – Part 1 (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau begins a multi-part series where she shows a complete 20 minute warm-up edge class. Kate has her skaters start slow and then she picks up the pace, both with the skating and the music for the class. All videos in the series: Part 1 – intro, initial exercises emphasizing slow… …Continue reading →
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Coaching Tips for Skaters with Fear (Michelle Leigh)
World and Olympic coach Michelle Leigh discusses the challenges of helping skaters work through fear issues associated with certain aspects of skating. She mentions the common fears of skating fast, jumping high, falling, and the fear of not succeeding. As she notes, very few skaters will openly admit they are afraid (and many skaters don’t… …Continue reading →
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Where Does Power Come From? (Chris Conte)
In this video, International coach Chris Conte gives a power lesson to a skater at a seminar. Chris begins this lesson having the skater press away from the barrier with just the hands and arms, first with lots of bending of the arms, and then with just quick plyometric movements of the wrists. He’s basically… …Continue reading →
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Blade Usage and Drills for Turns (Karen Olson)
Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson talks at length about blade usage in turns, and she demonstrates drills to help skaters master the necessary rocking on the blade. Few skaters have complete mastery of their blades, and even improving this skill a small amount can have huge benefits for turns and… …Continue reading →
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On-Ice Warmup Sequence – Part 1 (Amy Brolsma)
Coach Amy Brolsma shares a sequence of warm-up drills that she uses as an on-ice warmup with her skaters. The primary goal is to get the skaters moving and fully warmed up, but coaches can also monitor the warm-up to better understand the focus and motivation level of a skater on a given day. Amy… …Continue reading →
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Exercise for Power and Stability (Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue)
Two-time World Ice Dance Medalists Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue share a valuable exercise for improving power and stability. This exercise is simple and well-known, but Zach and Madison offer insights on how to do it well. The idea is simple: Stand on the red line at the end of the rink and with one… …Continue reading →
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On-Ice Warm-Up Routine and Exercises – Part 2 (Kate Charbonneau)
Figure skating coach Kate Charbonneau continues her discussion of an on-ice warm-up routine and additional warm-up exercises that she covered in Part 1. In this video, she discusses the importance of pressing the shoulders against the hips (twisting). Skaters that can get good twist through the core as well as a strong knee bend with… …Continue reading →
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Backward Outside Three Turns (Karen Olson)
Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson discusses the backward outside three turn. This is a continuation of Karen’s series of videos focused on issues faced by adult skaters, but the information in this video is applicable to skaters of all ages. Right from the beginning, Karen focuses on proper alignment for… …Continue reading →
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Subtleties of Partner Skating – Basic Stroking (Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue)
Two-time World Ice Dance Medalists Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue teach a class on the foundational details of partner skating, and in particular, basic stroking with a partner. For those interested in partner skating (pairs or ice dance), there is a ton of great info in this video. Zach is clear about the starting position,… …Continue reading →
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Backward Inside Three Turns, Especially for Adults – Part 2 (Karen Olson)
Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson continues her explanation of some important details about learning the backward inside three turn, with special emphasis on the challenges faced by adult skaters with this skill. As Karen notes, this is a challenging skill because it requires good blade usage and initially uncomfortable (and… …Continue reading →
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Exercise to Build Power (Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue)
Two-time World Ice Dance Medalists Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue work with a class of skaters on a single exercise for learning to generate power. In this video, Madison and Zach explore this exercise in detail, and explain the concepts in a variety of ways. One of the biggest challenges that all coaches face is… …Continue reading →
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Warming Up (Douglas Webster)
Professional choreographer Douglas Webster teaches a class of skaters a warm-up sequence. He begins with some breathing exercises, followed by a simple relaxation exercise that includes an exhale and bending of the ankles, knees, and hips. Next he does a series of squats or dips and holds the last in the down position, and then… …Continue reading →
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Backward Inside Three Turns, Especially for Adults – Part 1 (Karen Olson)
Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson explains important details about learning the backward inside three turn, with special emphasis on the challenges faced by adult skaters with this skill. As Karen notes, this is a challenging skill because it requires good blade usage and initially uncomfortable (and vulnerable) positions. Karen recommends… …Continue reading →
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Natural Acceleration (Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue)
2018 World Ice Dance Silver Medalists Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue work on acceleration with a class of skaters at a seminar. Zach initially shows an exercise intended to allow skaters to feel acceleration and deceleration while on a flat and simply using body movement. This drill does not actually cause a speed increase after… …Continue reading →
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Tips For Power and Speed (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna talks about speed and power and offers some tips for developing more speed and power. To begin the video, he stresses the need to encourage skaters to “crunch” the ice on every push. He says, “If you listen to good skaters, you’re going to always hear a crunch. Every time they… …Continue reading →
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Skater Development Insights (Chris Conte)
In this video, International coach Chris Conte continues a lesson with a male skater who he had worked with earlier on skating skills. You can watch those videos here Part 1 – Tips on Forward Stroking and here Part 2 – Tips On Forward Crossovers. Chris notes that he thinks this skater has potential in… …Continue reading →
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Building Powerful Pushes (Douglas Webster)
Professional choreographer Douglas Webster works with a class on ways to generate more power from basic pushes. Many of these concepts are similar to those Doug has already shared here at iCoachSkating. To begin this class, Doug explains that skaters can move across the ice without doing correct pushes. This is somewhat unfortunate, as many… …Continue reading →
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More Partner Skating Drills (Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue)
2018 World Ice Dance Silver Medalists Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue teach a class of skaters a couple more partner skating drills. This video builds on the earlier videos in the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. The first new drill in this video has the skaters facing each other and one… …Continue reading →
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