Ice Skating Tips and Techniques

Ice skating enthusiasts use skates with steel blades to slide on indoor or outdoor ice rinks. The first ice skates were made in 3000 BC. Honed animal bone was used in making these skates and it was attached to the feet with leather straps. In fact, the origin of the word 'skates' is Dutch, which means 'leg bone'. Iron blades were first made and used in Holland in 1250 AD. It garnered popularity as a winter sport among the Europeans, in the 1600s and 1700s. The International Skating Union is the authoritative body in skating, which oversees all the international ice skating competitions.

The Beginner's Guide to Ice Skating

Always get an expert coach to assist you with the basics of ice skating. A good coach helps minimize the risks involved and also ensures you learn the correct way of skating. It is important to understand that ice skating doesn't come naturally to everyone. A beginner has to learn by getting used to the ice rinks. It is a safe option to rent the ice skates initially, to get acquainted with ice skating. If you remain interested in the sport, it is best to buy your own pair of ice skates with a proper fit. This way the blades will remain sharp, when you actually decide to master the sport.

Ice Skating Tips

Beginners will find that their muscles strain, while skating. However, it is a normal phenomenon and within a few practice sessions, one can get used to the strain. It is also important to relax and avoid locking your knees. They should be bent in the forward direction to avoid falling or tripping backwards.

Patience and a determined effort are a must, while learning ice skating. Initially, many people find it difficult to balance on skates and the time taken to get used to using them, is different for each individual. Therefore, never give up, and give it a good try. Learning the first moves can always be crude; but never get discouraged. Regular practice will ensure graceful and deft movement.

Ice Skating Techniques

The most important aspect of mastering skating, is learning how to fall. In fact, it is sort of a 'requirement' when getting used to skating. There are certain ways in which you can minimize chances of an injury on falling. Preferably use the best quality ice skating equipment or protective gear which consists of a helmet and pads for wrists, knees, elbows, hip and tailbone.

• When falling forward, keep your chin up; and when falling backward, press your chin into your chest. Relax your body as much as possible because a stiff body is more likely to get injured than a limp one.
• Try not to let your knees, elbows or wrists hit the ice surface first. Try to land on your bottom and tuck your arms in while falling, to avoid getting run over by other skaters.
• If you are using an outdoor surface, make sure it's hard enough to avoid falling through the ice, especially on frozen lakes or ponds. Professional guidance is a must, while learning the art of falling.

Another important area to master for a novice, is how to stop. A simple snowplow stop involves skating forward, pushing the legs apart away from each other. This should be done, while bending in your knees and leaning back slightly. Shoulders should be straight, facing forward and the arms outstretched.

Marching on the ice surface before gliding, is a good way to understand balancing and gain familiarity with the skating surface. Start gliding after familiarizing with the conditions by mastering the two-foot glider first. Stand away from the edges of the rink or obstacles in order to avoid getting hit and also try to learn without support. Once you balance yourself on your knees, move your right foot forward and keep your left foot at an angle of 45 degrees with right one. Slowly, begin to move forward by slightly bending in the knees and moving the left shoulder ahead, followed by the right and so on. Once two-foot gliding is learned, start with stroking by starting with short and quick gliding sessions.

Swizzle involves propelling forward without lifting your feet. The toes should point outwards and heels should be together. Slide the feet apart and then bring the toes in together. The motion should replicate the design of an hourglass.

Crossovers can be perfected to help skate at the boundaries, or edges of a rink, and are especially needed, while playing ice hockey. The outside skate or the skate closer to the edge can be placed over the inside one, while gliding around the corners.

So what are you waiting for? Get your gear and a trainer, and start skating. It would definitely be a rewarding experience!