Hop on a bike Endurance is the most important aspect of skating fitness, closely followed by strength and flexibility, according to Simon Briggs, director of coaching for the National Ice Skating Association. “Skating is the best way to get fit to skate, but our skaters also do a lot of cycling to build endurance.”
Have a vision “When entering a jump, visualise how good that jump has felt when you’ve pulled it off perfectly and copy that feeling,” says Briggs.
Think forwards Scared of falling? “The worst way to fall is backwards,” says Briggs, “but this won’t happen if you keep your weight slightly forwards when moving across the ice.”
Transfer your weight The most common jumping mistake is not transferring your weight into the rotation. “Most people jump to their right side, so you need to move your weight that way – otherwise, it’s a bit like trying to walk up stairs without transferring your weight forwards,” says Briggs.
Strengthen your core “Core strength is essential because it stabilises the body – the less body movement there is during a jump or manoeuvre, the better,” says Briggs. “Our skaters do Pilates and a weekly class of capoeira, which helps balance and stability.”
Build it up If you’re learning a new jump, don’t launch straight into it. “For a double axel, perfect your single axel, then try it with another half rotation, before adding a full second one.”
Make a commitment “The most serious falls happen when you try to stop yourself halfway through a jump or throw,” Briggs says. “It’s best to commit to it 100%, even if you know it’s gone wrong.”
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