Know your edge terminology

Each skate has two edges, called the inside edge and the outside edge. Remember also that each skate can go forwards and backwards. It’s important to understand how your skates can move. Here’s an example of what I mean. “Right back outside” means that your right skate is going back and on an outside edge. There are eight ways that your skates can move on an edge and they are:

• “Right forward outside” (RFO) which means right skate is going forward on an outside edge.
• “Right back outside” (RBO) which means right skate is going back on an outside edge.
• “Right forward inside” (RFI) which means right skate is going forward on an inside edge.
• “Right back inside” (RBI) which means right skate is going back on an inside edge.
• “Left forward outside” (LFO) which means left skate is going forward on an outside edge.
• “Left back outside” (LBO) which means left skate is going back on an outside edge.
• “Left forward inside” (LFI) which means left skate is going forward on an inside edge.
• “Left back inside” (LBI) which means left skate is going back on an inside edge.

Finally, when your skate is not on an edge, we say that you are skating on a flat.

It’s important to have these terms be second nature to you. You may be learning a sequence of steps, a jump, etc. where your coach may be telling you “right back outside” and it’s nice to not have to think about it and just have your body react. Also, your coach may draw our certain turns and patterns and will likely use these acronyms.

Which direction do you spin and jump?

Which direction do you spin and jump?

After you’ve skated several times, you may be asking yourself if you should be spinning and jumping in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction. There is no right or wrong way. Although most people spin and jump in a counterclockwise direction, it is all about what feels comfortable and “normal” to you. I know plenty of skaters who jump and spin in a clockwise direction, and even skaters who jump in one direction but spin in the opposite direction! My best advice is to experiment and see which direction you are most comfortable with. Eventually, your body will tell you which way to go.

You may also be influenced by how your coach spins and jumps. Skating is very visual and being able to relate to your coach in his or her movements becomes important. If they spin and jump in one direction, it may be easier to imitate their moves if you are the same way. Keep in mind that a good coach can always work with a student who goes in the opposite direction, so don’t let that difference be too much of an influence in your decision to stick with a coach.

Six-time national champion Todd Eldredge spins and jumps in a clockwise direction as you will see in this high energy Big Band program:

Four-time national champion and 1988 Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano spins and jumps in a counterclockwise direction as you will see in the following piece:

Lesson goals

Taking group lessons is a terrific way to start learning some basic skills. You also have the opportunity to observe other skaters and learn from each other. Also important is the chance to interact with a variety of instructors. At some point, you may decide to begin private lessons and a great way to choose a coach is based on your experience in their group lessons. When I decided to focus on private lessons, I used a combination of asking other skaters (whose skating I particularly liked) who their coach was and also drew on my group lessons experience to help me figure out what kind of coach I wanted and needed.

As you take from different coaches, you’ll appreciate what each has to offer.  Perhaps someone is a great skater but not a great teacher so you learn more from watching them demonstrate certain moves. Conversely, someone is a good skater but moreso an excellent teacher, so their words and instruction resonate more with you as you learn certain moves. Also consider a coach’s personality - Do you learn best in a relaxed atmosphere or do you prefer a more business-like feeling to the lessons? I’m pretty goal-oriented so I look for coaches who can focus their time exclusively on what I’m trying to learn.

The one constant during my 15 years of skating with different coaches has been this: After every lesson, I jot down some key points to remember for the next time I step on the ice. Over the years, my notes have ranged from “deep forward outside edge stepping into a spin” to “keep chin up during spiral”. To this day, whether I’m skating for myself or teaching others to skate, I still remember my notes!

Getting started

I don't know about you, but I lose weight over the winter. I gain more muscle, lose fat, feel healthier, stronger, more vibrant and generally am happier when the temperature drops. How you ask? I'm a figure skater who is addicted to skating outdoors. Hopefully I can convert some of you to become addicts like me, or at the very least, try ice skating as a regular activity during this 2007-2008 season.

I started this blog to share my observations and experiences in my 15+ years of skating in NYC. I've taught my share of children and adults and have learned so much about what makes me and them tick (and ticked off). If I can inspire you to try a sport that is not within your comfort zone, great! If you're already an addict, I know you will relate to some of my stories. Either way, I would love to read everyone's comments, for you to share your skating stories and ideas and tips, and help me to form a truly supportive community for us.

So, when fall rolls around, I do a mental check on 3 things before stepping onto outdoor ice:

• Proper skates – I make sure my skates fit snugly with good ankle support. If you're not certain if they're fitting properly, ask for assistance or advice from pros at your rink on how skates should feel if laced correctly.

• Proper attire – Skating is all about movement so I wear comfortable clothing that will move with me (usually they include stretchy yoga pants and a sweater). And of course, my gloves, because when my hands are cold, it's completely distracting and I can't get the "My hands are cold!" out of my head.

And most importantly…

• Great attitude – After every skate, there is always something I did that was better than the previous skate. I'm proud of these accomplishments, big or small!