I Learned to Skate Backwards in One Session: Here’s the Trick
The C-Cut of Success
I was terrified to skate backwards. My feet felt clumsy, and I kept catching an edge. An instructor gave me one, simple drill that made it click. She told me to ignore my other foot and to focus on just one foot making a “C” shape on the ice. I would push out to the side in a “C” shape, and then bring my foot back in. This “C-cut” or “swizzle” is the fundamental motion of backward skating. By isolating that one, simple movement, my brain finally understood the physics, and I was skating backwards confidently by the end of the session.
The One Balance Exercise That Will Stop You From Falling
The Art of the Two-Foot Glide
When I started ice skating, I was constantly flailing my arms to keep my balance. The one exercise that cured this was the simple “two-foot glide.” I would get a little bit of speed and then just put my feet together and glide as far as I could, with my arms out to the side. This taught my body to find its center of balance over the blades. It’s the most fundamental and most important skill in skating, and mastering it is the key to all the more advanced moves.
How to Stop on Ice Skates Without Crashing Into the Wall
The Snowplow Stop
My only method for stopping on ice skates was a controlled crash into the boards. I learned the “snowplow” stop, which is the easiest and safest way to stop for a beginner. You just bend your knees, point your toes inwards (pigeon-toed), and push your heels out. The inside edges of your blades will scrape against the ice, creating friction and bringing you to a gentle, controlled stop. It’s a simple, reliable technique that gives you the confidence to skate more freely.
I Tried My First “Spin” and Didn’t Get Dizzy: Here’s How
Spotting is the Secret
I was afraid to try a basic two-foot spin because I was sure I would get incredibly dizzy. A figure skater taught me the secret that dancers and skaters have been using for centuries: “spotting.” As you spin, you keep your head and eyes fixed on one single, stationary object for as long as possible. You let your body rotate, and then you whip your head around quickly to find that same spot again. This simple trick prevents the fluid in your inner ear from getting sloshed around, and it dramatically reduces dizziness.
The Difference Between Hockey Skates and Figure Skates
The Rocker and the Toe Pick
I didn’t realize there was a difference between hockey skates and figure skates. A hockey skate has a short, curved “rockered” blade, which allows for incredible agility and quick turns. A figure skate has a long, straight blade with a “toe pick” at the front. The long, flat blade provides stability for long, graceful glides, and the toe pick is used to dig into the ice for jumps and spins. They are two very different tools for two very different jobs.
The Easiest Figure Skating “Jump” for Beginners
The Bunny Hop
I wanted to try a “jump” on my figure skates. The easiest and safest first jump to learn is the “bunny hop.” It’s less of a jump and more of a small, forward leap. You glide forward on one foot, and then you just take a small hop, kicking your free leg forward and landing on the toe pick of your other foot before gliding forward again. It’s a simple, foundational move that teaches you the basic rhythm and feel of leaving the ice and landing safely.
How to Buy Your First Pair of Skates (And Not Waste Money)
The Ankle Support Test
I was tempted to buy a cheap, flimsy pair of skates from a department store. A professional fitter at a skate shop showed me why this is a terrible idea. He had me put on the cheap skate and then a proper, entry-level skate. The difference was the “ankle support.” The cheap skate was flimsy and my ankle could wobble from side to side. The proper skate was stiff and held my ankle securely in place. Good ankle support is the most important factor for both safety and performance.
The Most Common Mistake That Makes Skating Harder
You’re Standing Up Too Straight
My legs would ache after just a few minutes of skating. The problem was that I was standing up straight and stiff, which made me unstable and forced me to use all my tiny stabilizer muscles. The correct posture for skating is an athletic “crouch.” You have to bend your knees. This lowers your center of gravity, which makes you much more stable, and it engages your large quadriceps muscles, which are much more powerful and have more endurance. Bend your knees!
I Learned a Simple Routine from “The Cutting Edge”
The Thrill of the Performance
My friend and I loved the movie The Cutting Edge. We decided to learn a simple, beginner-friendly pairs skating routine. We learned how to skate side-by-side, how to do simple crossovers in unison, and even a basic lift. We practiced for a few weeks and then “performed” it during a public skate session. It wasn’t perfect, but the feeling of moving in sync with a partner, of creating a small piece of art on the ice, was an incredible and joyful experience.
The Best Way to Sharpen Your Skates for a Perfect Glide
The Hollow is Everything
My rental skates always felt dull and slippery. When I got my own skates sharpened, I learned about the “hollow.” The blade of a skate isn’t flat; it has a concave hollow ground into the bottom, which creates two sharp “edges.” The “depth” of this hollow can be customized. A “deep” hollow gives you more grip for aggressive turns, while a “shallow” hollow gives you a better, faster glide. Finding the right hollow for your skating style is the key to a perfect feel on the ice.