UPDATES ON MY DREAM TO LEARN TO ICE-DANCE...WISH ME LUCK!!

[overedge]

@FSWer to lift a partner you have to have good basic skating skills, so that you can do the lift safely for both of you. Same thing with leaning. When you start lessons you won't be learning the hard moves, but if you don't have good strong skills like stroking and edges, you will never get to do the harder skills. Everything in skating builds on good basic skills, so you need to learn those before learning anything else.

 

[FSWer]

Can you all post pics. of the moves I will be learning?

 

[overedge]

@FSWer pictures won't really help you because stroking and edges are things you do while you are moving. And what you start learning first will also depend on what your coach thinks you should start with.

 

[FSWer]

Ok. I'm a little confused. I would think you would learn all that in Ice-Dancing. As long as you took it long enough.

 

[overedge]

@FSWer not everyone can learn everything in ice dancing. Some people just aren't physically able to do the more advanced moves. Some people take so long to learn, or to become good enough to do more advanced moves, that by the time they are ready their bodies won't move that way. Other people can't move in time to the music, or have trouble remembering the steps, or can't do the steps on the right edges.

The good thing about ice dancing, though, is that because it doesn't have jumps or spins (in the compulsory/pattern dances anyway), skaters can do it for much longer than other kinds of skating. I have seen skaters in their 70s and 80s doing the compulsory dances, and doing them really well.

 

[FSWer]

Well,I go back to Newington tomorrow for On-Ice-Training. I'll let you all know how it gos.

 

[FSWer]

Ok Friends!!!! Here's my first On-Ice Ice-Dance Training Report...Today Nick with me on a 2-Foot-Glide, (which I caught on real easy with)...a 1-foot Glide, (I must admit like he told me today...I'm not used to standing on 1 Flat, because my foot keeps sliding back when I do it. Anyone know what I'm talking about,and if THAT is supposed to happen)? He also had me do a 2-foot turn off the wall. We all practiced the 2-Foot-Glide around the Rink. We also had a big crowd of Skaters on the Ice today. I will be going back next month for more On-Ice-Training.

 

[misskarne]

Oh, I am so happy for you that it went well, FSWer! That's great news!

Do you mean that your skating foot seems to slide back when you do it? This is something a lot of people struggle with when they are learning this, it is about having your balance in the right place on the blade. If you don't, you end up with that feeling of it sliding back.

 

[Clarice]

Yay! I'm glad you had a good lesson!

The trouble you're having with your 1-foot glide is probably because when you pick up one foot you're changing where your weight is on the blade you're standing on. It should be the same as when you are gliding on two feet. You're probably shifting forward towards your toes a little. Think about keeping your weight over the middle of your blade, whether you're on 1 foot or two feet. You can practice standing on 1 foot off-ice, and think about where your weight is on your foot - not up on your toes, not back on your heel, but in the middle.

We'll be looking forward to your next report!

 

[FSWer]

Oh, I am so happy for you that it went well, FSWer! That's great news!

Do you mean that your skating foot seems to slide back when you do it? This is something a lot of people struggle with when they are learning this, it is about having your balance in the right place on the blade. If you don't, you end up with that feeling of it sliding back.

Yes MissKarne. Is THAT supposed to happen? OR am I supposed to be able to keep my Skating foot level (if that is the right word) with the Ice? Something I need to get used to?

 

[purple skates]

Ok Friends!!!! Here's my first On-Ice Ice-Dance Training Report...Today Nick with me on a 2-Foot-Glide, (which I caught on real easy with)...a 1-foot Glide, (I must admit like he told me today...I'm not used to standing on 1 Flat, because my foot keeps sliding back when I do it. Anyone know what I'm talking about,and if THAT is supposed to happen)? He also had me do a 2-foot turn off the wall. We all practiced the 2-Foot-Glide around the Rink. We also had a big crowd of Skaters on the Ice today. I will be going back next month for more On-Ice-Training.

So glad it happened!

Yes MissKarne. Is THAT supposed to happen? OR am I supposed to be able to keep my Skating foot level (if that is the right word) with the Ice? Something I need to get used to?

@Clarice gave you good advice above. You can practice off ice what it should feel like on ice for a one foot glide.

 

[quartz]

@FSWer, you rock!

 

[Shyjosie]

That's great news, FSWer! I see that you and your coach get along well together! Keep it going!

 

[treesprite]

Awesome! I'm glad you finally got your first on-ice lesson.

 

[Skittl1321]

It sounds like you had a great lesson!

Will your staff be able to take you to the rink anytime in the next month to practice? Or will you only skate when you have a lesson?

 

[overedge]

@FSWer with the 1-foot glide - think about what happens when you walk on the ground. You are on two feet, then you lift one foot, and then you are on two feet again. You already know how to balance on one foot when you are walking. It doesn't feel quite the same on the ice, because you are on skate blades and you are moving - but if you think about how you balance on one foot on the ground, that can help you with gliding on one foot on the ice.

You can also practice off the ice for the one-foot glide. Just stand still on two feet, and then lift up one foot and hold it up for as long as you can. This can help you focus on what it feels like to balance on one foot, and then you can use that feeling when you are on the ice.

 

[FSWer]

Should I START with my Blade on the Flat,and then slowly lift my leg up? OR should I start on my EDGE,and slowly lift my leg,and bring myself slowly TO my Flat?

 

[gkelly]

When you're first learning, you should probably stay with your blade on a flat (skating in a straight line.

After you get comfortable gliding on one foot, then you can start working on the edges (gliding on curves).

But let your coach show you what you should work on. It's much easier to understand if you see someone do it than if you read a description in words.

 

[overedge]

@FSWer don't worry about whether you are on an edge or on a flat right now. When you get better at doing this, you can work on being on an edge while you glide. But right now it is safer to stay on a flat because it will be easier for you to find your balance on a flat. Once you are comfortable gliding on a flat, then you can work on gliding on an edge.

 

[KCC]

I'm really happy that you had a lesson on the ice! It sounds like you are comfortable already with some gliding - the very start of your dream to learn ice dancing! i look forward to following your progress.

 

[FSWer]

@FSWer don't worry about whether you are on an edge or on a flat right now. When you get better at doing this, you can work on being on an edge while you glide. But right now it is safer to stay on a flat because it will be easier for you to find your balance on a flat. Once you are comfortable gliding on a flat, then you can work on gliding on an edge.

You know something Overedge...that is really feels kind of funny to me. As I've always found it EASIER to balance on my Edges. Because,I found myself shaking on my Flat. Though Nick told me it's because I'm just not used to standing on my Flat. BTW. I go back to Newington on the 18th. So I'll have a report. I also feels really good to be able to share my dream AND personal life with you all!!! It really shows you ALL are really SAFE people.

 

[overedge]

@FSWer it is easier to glide on an edge, because only one side of the blade is touching the ice. So there is less to slow you down. When you are on a flat you are on both edges, so you are going to go slower because of that. But if you can't balance on a flat it is hard to balance well on a edge.

Also, when skaters and coaches talk about being "on an edge", they don't just mean being on an edge when you start or finish a move. They mean being on the edge for the entire move - and they mean being on a clean edge, with no wobbles or scrapes. That is something that takes a lot of balance and control.

If you ever get the chance to look at the ice after really good ice dancers have performed, you will see that they are on one edge or the other for almost everything they do. They hardly skate on the flat of their blades at all. When you think about how fast ice dancers move, and how complicated their moves are, to be on a clean edge for all of that is really an accomplishment.

 

[FSWer]

@FSWer it is easier to glide on an edge, because only one side of the blade is touching the ice. So there is less to slow you down. When you are on a flat you are on both edges, so you are going to go slower because of that. But if you can't balance on a flat it is hard to balance well on a edge.

Also, when skaters and coaches talk about being "on an edge", they don't just mean being on an edge when you start or finish a move. They mean being on the edge for the entire move - and they mean being on a clean edge, with no wobbles or scrapes. That is something that takes a lot of balance and control.

If you ever get the chance to look at the ice after really good ice dancers have performed, you will see that they are on one edge or the other for almost everything they do. They hardly skate on the flat of their blades at all. When you think about how fast ice dancers move, and how complicated their moves are, to be on a clean edge for all of that is really an accomplishment.

So you mean,even if I don't learn to balance on one foot on my Flat,it won't matter?

 

[FSWer]

Also,to you all...and I know I've said this before...and I'll say it again...You ALL have been so really nice to me about giving me advice,AND...after ALL the years of chatting here,it makes me feel so...GOOD that I can actually TRUST you ALL with MY personal life and all. I'm glad you ALL understand about me having disabilities and having a Case-Worker and all. Not too many people would. I thank you...ALL for supporting me through this....You ALL are the...BEST!!!! BTW.,I am looking at the 18th to go again. I have to see if Nick is averable. If not,then I'll see about the 25th. Watch for my next report.

 

[Clarice]

So you mean,even if I don't learn to balance on one foot on my Flat,it won't matter?

No, being able to balance on one foot is an important skill. Keep practicing!

 

[FSWer]

@FSWer it is easier to glide on an edge, because only one side of the blade is touching the ice. So there is less to slow you down. When you are on a flat you are on both edges, so you are going to go slower because of that. But if you can't balance on a flat it is hard to balance well on a edge.

Also, when skaters and coaches talk about being "on an edge", they don't just mean being on an edge when you start or finish a move. They mean being on the edge for the entire move - and they mean being on a clean edge, with no wobbles or scrapes. That is something that takes a lot of balance and control.

If you ever get the chance to look at the ice after really good ice dancers have performed, you will see that they are on one edge or the other for almost everything they do. They hardly skate on the flat of their blades at all. When you think about how fast ice dancers move, and how complicated their moves are, to be on a clean edge for all of that is really an accomplishment.[/QUO

 

[FSWer]

@FSWer it is easier to glide on an edge, because only one side of the blade is touching the ice. So there is less to slow you down. When you are on a flat you are on both edges, so you are going to go slower because of that. But if you can't balance on a flat it is hard to balance well on a edge.

Also, when skaters and coaches talk about being "on an edge", they don't just mean being on an edge when you start or finish a move. They mean being on the edge for the entire move - and they mean being on a clean edge, with no wobbles or scrapes. That is something that takes a lot of balance and control.

If you ever get the chance to look at the ice after really good ice dancers have performed, you will see that they are on one edge or the other for almost everything they do. They hardly skate on the flat of their blades at all. When you think about how fast ice dancers move, and how complicated their moves are, to be on a clean edge for all of that is really an accomplishment.

Ok,I'm confused. What does Overedge mean here?

 

[Clarice]

Let me ask a question first. When you say you can balance on your edges, do you mean on two feet or one foot?

 

[overedge]

@FSWer we've talked before about how the blade on a skate has two edges. The bottom of the blade looks like a tiny curve, like this ^ except round (like half a circle). So the two edges are the ends of the curve, and the two edges are the parts of the blade that touch the ice.

If you are on a flat, you are standing on both edges at once. If you are on an edge, you are balancing and leaning to the left or to the right. If you do that, only one edge (the inside edge or the outside edge) of the blade is touching the ice.

You can be on a flat if you are on one foot or if you are on both feet. And if you lean in one direction or the other, you can be on one edge or the other edge on one foot or on both feet.

It isn't whether you have one foot or both feet on the ice that puts you on a flat or on an edge.

 

[Kecasyl]

Ok,I'm confused. What does Overedge mean here?

Overedge has explained in detail again to you. But if you still don't understand then my suggestion for part of a lesson for you with Nick, is to ask him to describe to you what really being on one edge or another means and what it means to be on a flat. That way he can show you and it will hopefully make more sense to you. Have fun, I am excited to hear about your future lessons!