Olympic coach Michelle Leigh continues her lesson with two young skaters. The first part of the lesson focused on a series of warm-up drills prior to jump training. In the second video, Michelle had the skaters do waltz… Continue reading
Spin specialist Kim Ryan continues with her class on camel spin. In the first camel spin video, Kim focused on the entry and positions of the camel without actually winding up and doing a spin. In this video,… Continue reading
During a spin clinic, figure skating spin specialist Kim Ryan works with the class on camel spins. To start, Kim mentions and demonstrates that she wants the lower back down and the body forward on the entry of the… Continue reading
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire answers the age-old question about “how to spin fast.” This is one of the most common questions we receive here at iCoachSkating.com, especially by adult skaters and young coaches. Right off the bat, Bobbe notes… Continue reading
World and Olympic figure skating coach and choreographer Pasquale Camerlengo goes through a few on-ice warm-up exercises for more advanced skaters. This is a continuation of his warm-up videos for lower level skaters (Part 1 and Part 2). In… Continue reading
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about the sit spin and the sit spin variation she calls the clam (sit back on forward foot). On the clam she likes to have the skaters turn their heads to the side because… Continue reading
Olympic coach Michelle Leigh continues her lesson with two young skaters. The first part of the lesson focused on a series of warm-up drills prior to jump training. In the second video, Michelle had the skaters do waltz… Continue reading
In this video, we get a closer look at the off-ice TAPS program developed by Olympic coach Kori Ade for the development of her skaters. In the first part of this series, Kori explained the purpose of these sessions.… Continue reading
Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger continues her discussion on the process of developing the backspin. In the preceding video, Audrey discussed the details of starting a backspin from a standstill. In this video, Audrey shares her thoughts on the… Continue reading
World coach and adult figure skating advocate Nick Perna continues his discussion on correcting a common jump issue for adults that figure skate. He calls the problem “adult leg syndrome.” In Part 1, he discussed the problem and… Continue reading
World coach and adult figure skating advocate Nick Perna addresses a common jump problem for adults that figure skate. He calls it “adult leg syndrome” and it’s characterized by landing with the free foot to the side or behind… Continue reading
Spin specialist Bobbe Shire talks about the corkscrew spin, which she likes to call the spaghetti spin. This is somewhat similar to the crossfoot spin but unlike the crossfoot, the skater is only spinning on one foot in the… Continue reading
With so many coaches now using smartphones and tablet computers, air time measurements are easy for everyone to make. As discussed in the article below, minimum jump air time estimates are incredibly important. But it is necessary to… Continue reading
In this figure skating video, Olympic coach Michelle Leigh continues her lesson with two young skaters. The first part of the lesson focused on a series of warm-up drills prior to jump training. In the second video, Michelle… Continue reading
In this off-ice training video, strength and conditioning specialist and figure skating coach Kristina Anderson discusses skipping. Skipping is an overlooked training tool for figure skaters. This is probably because it’s simple and everyone already knows how to… Continue reading
Page Lipe works with a skater on drills intended to fix an edge change problem on a double flip. Little coaching information is shared in the video. Instead, this video shows how a coach like Page uses a… Continue reading
In this figure skating video, spin specialist Bobbe Shire continues her explanation of how she teaches a crossfoot spin. In the first video (Part 1), Bobbe explained why the crossfoot spin is important and how she prefers to develop it.… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Bobbe Shire explains how she teaches a crossfoot spin. This spin is generally misunderstood by skaters and coaches and few coaches know how to teach this spin properly. A crossfoot spin is a spin… Continue reading
NSCA certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and figure skating coach Kristina Anderson shares more information about off-ice agility ladder training. General athleticism, good coordination, and quickness are important for anyone aspiring to be a better figure skater. In… Continue reading
Olympic coach Michelle Leigh continues her lesson with two young skaters. The first part of the lesson focused on a series of warm-up drills prior to jump training. In this video, Michelle has the skaters do waltz jumps… Continue reading
Olympic coach Michelle Leigh guides two skaters through a series of warm-up drills prior to jump training. These exercises help skaters get used to jump movements while focusing on air position and alignment details that will be important skills… Continue reading
Chris Conte begins a multi-part series on jump development exercises. As Chris explains, the series focuses on a series of warm-up exercises with important drills embedded in them. The purpose of each drill is to improve the skills… Continue reading
Coach Page Lipe shares an important figure skating tip for jumps. Page calls this the “Cheat Exercise” and notes that it’s very helpful for skaters who are afraid to rotate multi-rotation jumps. It can be especially helpful as… Continue reading
Figure skating coach Sheila Thelen shares three recommendations for improving the US Figure Skating Moves in the Field. This video is intended to spark a discussion on these topics so please leave comments below. Coaches and skaters… Continue reading
This video is the third and final part in a series with Nick Perna teaching an on-ice air turn class. In the previous two videos in the series Nick showed several very helpful jumping exercises for skaters (see Part 1… Continue reading
Olympic coach Kori Ade shares one of the secrets of her skaters’ success. Most coaches focus strictly on skating technique and physical development with some emphasis on musicality or artistic movement. But very few coaches address the emotional… Continue reading
The figure skating video below is the second in a series of videos covering on-ice air turns with Nick Perna. In part 1 Nick taught several air turn drills down a line to help skaters move jumps across the… Continue reading
In the figure skating video below, Nick Perna teaches a class about “on-ice air turns.” This is the first of a three part series. (Recommended: See Nick’s presentation of off-ice air turns. This was part of a 7… Continue reading
In this video, NSCA certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Kristina Anderson shares some agility ladder drills for off-ice training. General athleticism, good coordination, and quickness are important for anyone aspiring to be a better figure skater. Kristina demonstrates… Continue reading
In the video below, World and Olympic figure skating coach and choreographer Pasquale Camerlengo continues his class on edge and stroking drills. (Please see the first part of these stroking drills.) At the beginning of Part 2, Pasquale… Continue reading
In this figure skating video, World and Olympic coach and choreographer Pasquale Camerlengo teaches an outstanding class for improving skating skills, stroking technique and edge quality. Pasquale starts with a short discussion of “Russian stroking” or “Russian steps” which… Continue reading
This off-ice training video is the final part of a multi-part off-ice jump class by Kori Ade. In Part 1, Kori had the class do heel clicks and air turn variations. In Part 2, Kori has the… Continue reading
In the video below, Sheila Thelen shares an important figure skating tip to improve learning that is largely overlooked in the sport. Sheila discusses a technique she uses with skaters to keep their mind actively engaged in what they… Continue reading
In this figure skating video, Amy Brolsma continues her explanation of choctaws. In Part 1, she introduced an exercise at the wall and then showed how she works with a skater to develop the step away from the wall.… Continue reading
In this figure skating video, Amy Brolsma continues her explanation of choctaws. In Part 1, she introduced an exercise at the wall and then showed how she works with a skater to develop the step away from the wall.… Continue reading
In this figure skating video, figure skating strength and conditioning coach Kristina Anderson shows some more exercises to help a skater increase vertical jump height. Jump height on the ice is a critical factor for successfully completing double jumps,… Continue reading
This off-ice training video is a continuation of a multi-part off-ice jump class by Kori Ade. In Part 1, Kori had the class do heel clicks and air turn variations. In Part 2, Kori has the class… Continue reading
In the figure skating video below, figure skating strength and conditioning coach Kristina Anderson shows some exercises to help a skater increase vertical jump height. Jump height on the ice is a critical factor for successfully completing double jumps,… Continue reading
Moves in the Field expert Karen Olson discusses backward cross strokes as required on the USFS Juvenile Moves in the Field test. Karen starts the skater at a standstill and slowly builds the feeling of the turned out hips… Continue reading
Moves in the Field expert Karen Olson discusses forward cross strokes as required on the USFS Juvenile Moves in the Field test. To begin the discussion, Karen touches on an aspect of cross strokes that is somewhat controversial. … Continue reading
This video is a continuation of a multi-part off-ice jump class by Kori Ade. In Part 1, Kori had the class do heel clicks and air turn variations. In Part 2, Kori has the class do exercises for… Continue reading
Spin specialist Charyl Brusch shares a ton of information about how to do and teach the challenging backspin. Typically the backspin is an element that takes a long time to develop. Charyl notes that she often starts with… Continue reading
Olympic Coach Frank Carroll offers insights about proper blade usage. As Frank explains, skaters often don’t think much about what part of their blade they should be skating on. So he offers an easy to remember “speedboat analogy”… Continue reading
In this short video, Amy Brolsma continues her explanation of choctaws. In Part 1, she introduced an exercise at the wall and then showed how she works with a skater to develop the step away from the wall. … Continue reading
Amy Brolsma explains how she teaches choctaws. Choctaws are a relatively advanced skating step. Amy starts with a relatively simple drill at the wall and she explains that the skater must fully shift weight or the drill is… Continue reading
Figure skating strength and conditioning coach Kristina Anderson discusses important concepts related to off-ice strength and conditioning training for figure skaters. In particular, Kristina addresses the myth that off-ice training will “bulk up” female figure skaters or make them… Continue reading
Page Lipe continues her discussion of compulsory figures (also called school figures). In the previous videos in this series, Page laid out a set of circles without using a scribe , discussed the forward outside 8, briefly demonstrated the… Continue reading
Olympic coach Tom Zakrajsek teaches an axel class at the Grassroots to Champions Supercamp held in Faribault, MN in July/August 2013. This video is the seventh and final video in a multi-part series by Tom sharing the information he… Continue reading
Olympic coach Tom Zakrajsek teaches an axel class at the Grassroots to Champions Supercamp held in Faribault, MN in July/August 2013. This video is the fifth in a multi-part series by Tom sharing the information he covered in his… Continue reading
This video is a continuation of a multi-part off-ice jump class by Kori Ade. In Part 1, Kori had the class do heel clicks and air turn variations. In Part 2, Kori has the class do exercises for… Continue reading
Nick Perna discusses the flip jump. This is the first part of a multi-part video series on the flip jump by Nick. The flip is probably the most overlooked of the 6 primary jumps in figure skating, largely… Continue reading
Amy Brolsma shares some tips for teaching and properly executing an inside slide chasse or slip. This element shows up as a major part of the US Figure Skating Intermediate Moves In The Field Test. Although this element… Continue reading
Olympic Coach Frank Carroll continues his previous discussion about jump air position with a description of the backspin and common air position or backspin errors. Even though Frank is talking about the backspin in this video, he’s really discussing… Continue reading
Karen Olson continues her discussion of power pulls. In two recent videos she covered forward power pulls and backward power pulls as independent elements and as they relate to the US Figure Skating Pre-Juvenile Moves in the Field… Continue reading
Sheila Thelen explains how to do a split falling leaf figure skating jump. This jump belongs in the split jump family, but it’s an edge jump rather than a toe jump like standard and Russian split jumps. The… Continue reading
Figure skating strength and conditioning coach Kristina Anderson talks about how the relative dimensions of a skater’s body affect the ability of a skater to attain a “nice looking” sit spin position. In particular, the length of the femur… Continue reading
Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she teaches a butterfly. This discussion contains further details from Charyl on this spin as she already discussed the butterfly here. The butterfly is often confused with an Arabian. Charyl explains… Continue reading
Olympic coach Michelle Leigh uses walley jumps to warm up her skaters for double axel and triple jumps. In this video, Michelle shares an exercise she uses to warm up the walley. It’s a walley – double bracket… Continue reading
This video is a continuation of a multi-part off-ice jump class by Kori Ade. In Part 1, Kori had the class do heel clicks and air turn variations. In this part, the class focuses again on quickness… Continue reading
In this video, we get to sit in on an off-ice jump class held by Kori Ade for her skaters. This is part 1 of a multi-part series. In this video, Kori introduces the class and notes she… Continue reading
Karen Olson explains and demonstrates how she teaches backward power pulls for skaters just learning power pulls and those working to pass the US Figure Skating Pre-Juvenile Moves in the Field test. This is a continuation of a recent… Continue reading
Amy Brolsma explains and demonstrates how she teaches backward cross strokes. (This video is a follow-up to Amy’s video on forward cross strokes.) Cross strokes appear repeatedly in the US Figure Skating Moves in the Field tests and… Continue reading
Karen Olson explains and demonstrates how she teaches forward power pulls for skaters just learning power pulls and those working to pass the US Figure Skating Pre-Juvenile Moves in the Field test. Karen did a previous video on power… Continue reading
Olympic Coach Frank Carroll discusses some important details regarding figure skating jumping. Air position is especially important in triple jumps and quads jumps. In the video below, Frank answers the age-old question of which arm should come in first.… Continue reading
Figure skating strength and conditioning coach Kristina Anderson continues her discussion about the strength, flexibility, and control issues associated with making a sit spin lower. In the previous video, Kristina taught us the proper form for a squat. … Continue reading
Spin specialist Charyl Brusch answers a broad array of questions regarding the death drop flying spin. This video is a continuation of Charyl’s previous video on introducing the death drop. The death drop has become one of the most… Continue reading
In this video, we sit in as Kori Ade gives one of her skaters a lesson on triple flip. This skater is not yet ready to land this jump, and this video highlights teaching techniques and ideas that will… Continue reading
Nick Perna continues his discussion of the figure skating dice game he invented called FERTS for working on figure skating turns and steps and developing a clearer understanding of the definitions of the major turns in skating. As discussed… Continue reading
Figure skating coach Nick Perna discusses a dice game he invented called FERTS for working on figure skating turns and steps and developing a clearer understanding of the definitions of the major turns in skating. The FERTS game is… Continue reading
Amy Brolsma explains and demonstrates how she teaches forward cross strokes. Cross strokes appear repeatedly in the US Figure Skating Moves in the Field tests and are an excellent tool for choreographers to use with a skater to generate… Continue reading
Figure skating strength and conditioning coach Kristina Anderson talks about the strength, flexibility, and control issues associated with making a sit spin lower. The primary tool used to lower a sit spin is the squat and Kristina describes and… Continue reading
Figure skating spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how she teaches a broken leg sit spin. This sit spin has gained new popularity recently with the recent rule changes that give credit for a “sit side difficult variation.” The… Continue reading
Kori Ade shows the process she uses to develop the layback spin. She begins by having the skater master a simple upright spin that remains open. Kori calls this spin a “prep spin.” This foundational skill is… Continue reading
Sheila Thelen explains the details of the split jump. As the split jump is considered a relatively easy skill in figure skating, it rarely gets much attention in seminars and workshops so coaches often struggle with how to teach… Continue reading
Figure skating coach Nick Perna continues his discussion of a set of unnamed and unrecognized turns that he calls orphan turns because they don’t below to any family and they have no formal name. In the previous video, Nick… Continue reading
Nick Perna begins a discussion of what he calls “orphan turns” in figure skating. He calls them orphan turns because these “forgotten” turns don’t belong to any family and they have no formal names. These turns are generally… Continue reading
Master figure skating choreographer Chris Conte continues his discussion of how he designs high level skating programs. The previous video in this figure skating choreography series is here. In this video, Chris continues to show how he designed an… Continue reading
Master figure skating choreographer Chris Conte discusses how he builds higher level skating programs. This video picks up where he left off in his discussion of the tools of a traveling choreographer and building low level skating programs. … Continue reading
Kori Ade continues her demonstration of how she introduces the flying sit spin. In the previous video, Kori used one-foot waltz jumps, one-foot waltz jumps with a tuck and a walk-through exercise into a back shoot-the-duck to prepare the skater… Continue reading
Figure skating strength and conditioning coach Kristina Anderson explains how to properly train the spiral position off the ice. This is an outstanding video, both for the detail of the instruction and for the quality of the demonstrated positions.… Continue reading
In the video below, Nick Perna continues his discussion of figure skating stops and skids and covers a whole range of advanced stops and skids. He demonstrates a back two foot stop and again recommends that all skaters learn… Continue reading
In the video below, Nick Perna begins a discussion of stops and skids. Nick starts by noting the importance of learning a variety of stops and skids. But he also acknowledges that beyond the very basic stops taught… Continue reading
Audrey Weisiger continues her discussion of toe-loop combination jumps with ideas for drills to build consistency and mental toughness. One of the primary issues with combination jumps is the reduction in flow or speed across the… Continue reading
Karen Heng Olson teaches forward inside loops. See Karen’s presentation on forward outside loopsbefore watching this video. As with the forward outside loops, the shoulders start twisted into the circle. Karen emphasized the need to… Continue reading
Karen Heng Olson teaches forward outside loops. As Karen notes in her introductory comments in this video, “as freestyle coaches, without taking as much time as they did for figures, it’s still a process to teach loops. … Continue reading
Karen Olson teaches the forward outside three turns and the forward inside three turns from the US Figure Skating Preliminary Moves in the Field test. At the beginning of this video, Karen shares an insight that is important for… Continue reading
Kori Ade demonstrates how she initially teaches a death drop. Kori starts with a flying camel and wants the skater to keep her chin up as a pre-requisite for starting death drop. Kori says, “So I describe… Continue reading
Spin specialist Charyl Brusch explains how to change feet in a spin, from a backspin to a regular “front” spin. Charyl shows how to do this without changing centers or traveling. The basic concept is to… Continue reading
Karen Olson explains and demonstrates how she teaches backward cross strokes. This video is a continuation of her video on forward cross strokes. Backward cross strokes are an important skating skill but they’re often performed incorrectly, especially at… Continue reading
Karen Olson explains and demonstrates how she teaches forward cross strokes. This is an important skating skill, and it first appears in the US Figure Skating Juvenile Moves in the Field Test. Karen starts these with an exercise… Continue reading
Strength and conditioning coach Kristina Anderson continues her discussion and demonstration of kettlebell training for figure skaters. In this video, Kristina explains the deadlift with a set of core twists at the top. She covers the… Continue reading
Chris Conte discusses figure skating choreography. In particular, he shares some of the tools of the trade for a traveling choreographer. Chris offers many valuable insights about choreography in this video. Notice that Chris places an emphasis… Continue reading
Audrey Weisiger offers some additional drills and explanations as she continues her discussion of jump landings. She offers these valuable drills: 1. After a skater has landed and stretched into the final landing position, have them return… Continue reading
Audrey Weisiger talks about jump landings. Right at the beginning Audrey notes that coaches often focus on every other aspect of a jump and expect the skater to simply land it. Obviously this assumption is often (usually)… Continue reading
Nick Perna discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of passive edges and active edges. He initially defines what each is and offers a demonstration of each type. As Nick notes, a passive edge “is just coasting on… Continue reading
Olympic coach Michelle Leigh finishes her 6-part on-ice jumps class for some young skaters. (On-ice jumps Part 1, On-ice jumps Part 2, On-ice jumps Part 3, On-ice jumps Part 4, On-ice jumps Part… Continue reading
Olympic coach Michelle Leigh continues with the fifth part of her multi-video on-ice jumps class to some young skaters. (On-ice jumps Part 1, On-ice jumps Part 2, On-ice jumps Part 3, On-ice jumps Part… Continue reading
Olympic coach Michelle Leigh continues with the fourth part of her multi-video on-ice jumps class to some young skaters. (On-ice jumps Part 1, On-ice jumps Part 2, On-ice jumps Part 3) In this video, Michelle… Continue reading
This is the third video in a multi-video series from Olympic coach Michelle Leigh as she teaches an on-ice jumps class to some young skaters. (On-ice jumps Part 1, On-ice jumps Part 2) In this video,… Continue reading