How To Skate On Ice – Make A Breakthrough For Newbies

Clothes

Wear lighter clothes. You don’t need to to run out and purchase a leotard, but you can wear clothes that comfort your movements, like a t-shirt and loose-fitting pants. With these clothes, you will be able to move around easily and not be burdensome when you are soaked. Especially, don’t wear jeans. They will become damp when you fall on the ice.

If you’re skating on an outdoor rink, wear similar attire. However, you may want to choose slightly thicker fabrics or add layers as it would be much colder than inside.

Also prepare some items that will keep you warm like gloves, a hat, a scarf and a jacket. As you won’t be moving around vigorously during beginner moves, go for a light jacket or coat.

Puting proper outfit would help you enjoy ice skating a lot. It is also light and moveable enough that it does not get in the way of your motions on the ice.

Skates

Learning how to skate on ice starts with finding skates that fit you properly.

Skates should be fitted for comfort and are available in most shoe sizes. When you first start ice skating, you can rent ice skates. This allows you to explore different brands and sizes to figure out what works for you. Go to a pro shop and get a fitted pair there.

Lace the skates from the toe up. Tie the final knot firmly so that they do not go unlaced during skating. You can even tuck the ends into the top of the skates for extra security.

Socks

Well, my painful lesson is that never wear cotton socks while you learn ice skating as they do not absorb moisture very well. They also tend to be bulky which can cause blisters on the feet. Keep your feet happy by wearing a thick pair of socks or tights. Thin wool socks will also work great. They should stretch up to your calf so they don’t fall down while skating.

Wear a helmet.

For your safety, wear a helmet. This will defend your head against falling

As you have prepared enough for yourself, what are you waiting for? Let’s have fun.

Doing a few warm-ups beforehand will help prevent soreness or cramping after you’re done, as ice skating can be a workout. First, stretch your legs over the rink barriers. Then, stretch your upper body by raising your arms out to your sides and rotating them in small circles. Do anything that makes your muscles get ready. After five to ten minutes of warming up, you’re ready to skate. Complete your warm ups before you put on your skates.

Tighten your skates securely. Ice skates that are too loose put you at-risk for falling or rolling an ankle. Whether your skates have straps or laces (or both), make sure they’re tight. It’s most important to keep your skates tight around the area where your foot and ankle bends, so pay special attention to that area. Ask a skating rink employee for help tightening your skates if you’re unsure how.

Stay near the rail at first. Do you remember how babies learn to walk? They do not stand up immediately, right? So, hold tightly to the rail as you skate. Rails are built into skating rinks to keep new and seasoned skaters upright. The rail can help you get used to the slippery surface until you feel more comfortable.

Now:

Coming to the most important part of the article today, how to learn to skate on ice as a beginner! Do not jump out on the ice until you finish reading my guide.

Bend your knees to stay balanced as you skate. This will help you maintain your center of gravity. Pretend like you are hovering over a chair and lower your bottom into a semi-sitting position. Lean forward to keep your center of gravity even, and hold your arms out at a 45 degree angle if you feel wobbly.

Step away from the rail gradually. When you’re ready, try lifting your hand away from the rail. Bend your knees and lean forward as you do to minimize the chance of falling. Stay within an arm’s length of the rail at first. So, if necessary, you can return your grip on the rail.

Start skating forward by gliding. Gliding is a simple method of moving forward, and it can be done slowly or quickly. Keeping your arms out, take small steps with your skates. Take slow steps at first, increase the speed as you gain momentum. Pick up one foot and then the other while skating until your feet move forward with little effort. Grab the rail if you lose balance.

Skate faster by bending your knees further. Add some speed by bending your knees deeply until in a full sitting position. Increase the power you put into your glide with more forceful steps. Lean forward as you skate faster so that if you fall, you’re less likely to hit your head. Take your time. You don’t have to skate as fast as a figure skater during your first day on the ice.

Turn using your dominant foot. Put your dominant foot forward and lean your body towards the center of the ice rink. Bend your knees to retain momentum as you turn. Hold this position until you have completed the turn, then switch back to gliding once you’re skating in a straight line again

Stop by using the flat part of your blades.

Push the flat part of your blades against the ice until you can feel it scraping. Put one foot out and, bending your knees, add pressure to the flat part again. This will bring you to a gradual stop.

This is a basic stopping technique called the “snowplow stop,” and it is ideal for beginning skaters. As you continue skating, you can try more complex techniques. Practice stopping safely so you know what to do in an emergency.

You have learned some basic moves for ice skating. It is important to keep you safe on ice. So, let’s check out part 4.

Practice falling. Falling is part of the sport so it’s natural that this will happen. Falling with the right technique will keep you from getting injured. To fall properly, do the following when you feel yourself losing balance:

• If you anticipate needing to fall, bend your knees and squat into a dip position.
• Fall sideways, lean forward, and place your hands on your lap. As soon as you fall, roll over onto your hands and knees.

One at a time, place your feet between your hands. Then, gently push yourself back up.

When on the ice, get up immediately if you are not hurt. I’ve seen many spectacular falls and injuries because someone lounged on the ice and another skater came along and ran over/into them or their fingers. To get up from a fall, roll over onto your rear and then to one knee with both hands on the ice. Next, stand up and remember to keep your knees slightly bent. Now you can start skating again. If you are hurt, call skate guards to help you.

Stay focused on your surroundings. Watch out for other skaters and give yourself plenty of room to practice. Keep your eyes focused ahead and use your peripheral vision to stay aware of what’s going around you. Avoid closing your eyes, especially if skating in a crowded ice rink.

Don’t wear headphones while skating, especially during your first time. Hearing is just as important as sight when skating.

Keep your head up while you skate. New skaters often make the mistake of looking at their feet. This not only distracts from your surroundings but also ruins your center of gravity. If you find yourself looking down, keep your head up and your eyes level with the horizon

Lean forward while you skate. Always lean forward slightly when skating. Bend your knees and keep your weight forward. Leaning back can cause you to fall backward onto the ice

Finally, practice frequently. Ice skating is difficult and takes years of practice. While you may feel overwhelmed at first, practice a few times a week. You’ll eventually get the hang of figure skating.