The Forward Outside Mohawk (Amy Brolsma)

In this figure skating turn and steps video, Amy Brolsma explains how she teaches a forward outside mohawk. As with the forward inside mohawk, Amy uses a cone to bring the mohawk into a tighter circle with a more pronounced body lean. Notice the focus at first simply on edge control and proper body positioning and alignment, with the free leg extended behind. Without control of this edge and position, the turn will simply not be consistent.

Next Amy ensures that the skater can bring the free foot to the instep of the skating foot without losing the edge, the body lean, or rotational control of the shoulders. To do the turn itself, Amy teaches to press back on the free side, then quickly twist the hips and shoulders and step onto the back outside edge.

Notice the use of marker tracings on the ice for guidance. Skaters that can see what the transition should look like often get this very quickly. Any explains that she often draws a “teepee” on the ice which helps skaters be aware that their feet stay to the outside of the circle while the body leans back into the circle.

Amy explains the foot position as, “We’re going to have that foot coming inside the instep, and then afterwards we’re going to have it in T-position.” She also offers suggestions for keeping the body lean into the circle (hand on skaters back). A common error is for skaters to release the body lean and actually lean out of the circle. This will almost always create a step to an inside edge (and often a change to an inside edge even before the step).