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 a curve” and is balanced.  Nick continues, “An active edge is an edge producing power.”

An important insight that Nick shares is: “As far as I’m concerned, any time we’re changing feet or any time we’re turning, we really should be getting some kind of action from the edge to make us go faster.”  Nick offers mohawks and three turns as examples of elements with an active edge that has at least some “crunch.”

Nick continues, “Now this especially applies to jumping because jumps do not come off of passive edges.  The jumps come off of active edges.”  Nick demonstrates what he means and lays the groundwork for a better understanding of all jumps.  When discussing the take-off edge of the axel, Nick says, “That edge has to actually cut before we go up.  There’s an action there as we go up into the air.”

These are important basic concepts that all coaches and skaters should understand thoroughly to be able to create proper skating elements such as steps and turns and jumps and spins.

Add to "My Favorites" (Beta testing)