A Basic Guide For Improving Your Skating Prowess This Summer

By Paul Lubanski


Today's blog is designed for the coach (or parent) that be a bit intimidated when it comes to working on improving their players or child's skating mechanics this off-season. If you just happen to be in that group, have no fear and simply read on. You see, you do have to be, nor have been, a world class skater to help your player improve upon the basics: posture, balance, stride, etc.

I came to this realization after spending many years attempting to learn and subsequently teach players to become more adept at THE most important skill required to compete effectively, skating. I just assumed that many of you felt the same frustration and confusion, leading me to devise a teaching methodology that is really quite simple to implement.

I call it the four L's of skating.

LOWER: The vast majority of players at all ages do not seem to clearly understand what it means to lower their center of gravity, or "play from the ice up" as I like to refer to it. In other words, they must deeply bend the knees and strive to align the knees, toes and shoulders. Head and chest are up and "looking out," and foot weight is distributed onto the balls of the feet.

LONGER: The strong posture detailed above can and will lead to a longer and more efficient and effective stride. So make certain that your players embrace/master the "lower" concept and then encourage them to consistently work on lengthening their stride. REMEMBER:  an ample stride length combined with an exaggerated/fast recovery is what we are ultimately seeking.

LOOSER: I witness a multitude of youngsters that display body language that is far too stiff and almost robotic in-nature. We must emphasize that an athletic or "looser" approach will ultimately lead to grater efficiency, especially so as it applies to the rhythm required to execute the proper arm motion or "swing."

LINEAR: Refers to the very crucial notion the shortest distance between two points is, of course, a straight line. Similar to a champion race horse, or Indy-type car, the players must realize that all moving parts must work in tandem and remain "on course." The arms must swing freely in a forward-to-back direction. NOT side-to-side. The rule-of-thumb is to never allow the gloves/arms to cross an imaginary line drawn through the midpoint of the body.

BONUS TIP: Properly fitted skates, along with sharpened blades are the core building blocks that can and will lead to skating mastery. Make certain that your players/children have been fitted by a knowledgeable professional ... the problem I most often witness is skates that are too long/large -- please be wary of that fact.


Paul Lubanski





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