Coach and choreographer Kate Charbonneau continues her presentation on the USFS Bronze Skating Skills test (formerly USFS Juvenile Moves in the Field Test). In Part 1 she discussed Forward Crossover Power Circles and in Part 2 she offered insights about the second pattern, Stroking: Backward Power Circles. In Part 3 she discusses the Eight-Step Mohawk Sequence and in Part 4 she shared insights for the Forward and Backward Free Skate Cross Strokes. In this video she offers tips for Backward Power Three-Turns.
Kate begins by having the skater demonstrate the pattern while critiquing it for us. She notes that the pattern is typically difficult for skaters at this level, and it is common for skaters to struggle with their non-dominant rotation direction. Kate likes the arms to scissor rather than helicopter and the entire pattern should be smooth. Higher speeds can make control harder, but Kate wants the speed and is willing to have it be wild at first while building control over time. The free leg placement is hard for many skaters, and Kate likes it stretched up and away.
Next Kate talks about the process for adding more push power in this pattern. She recommends gathering the feet together after the forward mohawk to allow for a more powerful backward push or cut. She notes that “power” is in the name of the pattern, so coaches and skaters should focus on it. Kate then skates the pattern herself to show more clearly what she likes. Trying for 5 backward power three-turns in each direction is a good goal.
