This page is set up specially for skaters to send in their
problems faced during skating and get the answers to their problems right
here! I will try my best to get solutions for all the questions posted
here. I hope that this page will be an aid to many other skaters who face
similar problems in their skating.
Please post your problems to me at paulsen@oocities.com
1. Posture problems
This is a common problem faced by many skaters worldwide. In
all disciplines of figure skating, posture is very much emphasized. Figure
skating is a performing art and sport, what we eventually show the spectators
is our posture, our arms carriage, our gestures, our footwork and not whether
we suceed in executing jumps or spins. Moreover, skaters with bad postures
tend to do ugly-looking spins and may not land their jumps successfully.
Carriage of the head is equally important, therefore an advice to the skaters browsing this page :
NEVER LOOK ON THE ICE!
And that means NEVER! I used to take a last look of the ice before my jumps and was pointed out by my coach. When I really try not to take any last look of the ice, not only I found it difficult to do so but I also realised that the "feel" for the whole jump was completely different. It took me a few months to break that bad habit.
One other thing, do not hunch!! You may be surprised to see some 18-yr-olds
skating like an elderly person while Kurt Browning may do it like an 18-yr
old! Therefore posture is important as it gives skaters their grace and
poise on ice. Arms carriage, too, should be given as much attention. In
no occasion (unless specified in the choreography) the arms should be allowed
to droop. Anyway, the best posture is demonstrated by ballet dancers. So,
start observing them!
Direct
all comments to me at paulsen@oocities.com