Coach and choreographer Kate Charbonneau begins a presentation on the USFS Bronze Skating Skills test (formerly USFS Juvenile Moves in the Field Test). She takes a moment to name all the patterns in the test, and she explains that the demonstrating skater is about a month away from testing this level. The first pattern in the test is Stroking: Forward Power Circle and Kate refers to it simply as Forward Crossovers. As she notes, this pattern is supposed to gain speed, pace, and size. This skater like many others is working to improve extension and body control and stillness in order to generate more power.
Kate acknowledges that most skaters are more comfortable doing forward crossovers in a counterclockwise direction (and she suggests a couple of potential reasons why). To help her skater stabilize the position and alignment, Kate holds the back arm in the desired position so her feet can do exactly what they are supposed to do. This assistance also helps keep the body from leaning forward too far, and Kate reminds the skater to also keep the chin up and the front arm still.
In a note to coaches Kate says, “Any errors that you see your skaters making are not just going to go away. Over time they are going to get better but [skaters] are going to need constant reminders.” She continues, “The skater cannot see themselves skating. So it’s really your job (coaches) to tell them what you see, and what you want to start seeing.”
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