Reversing from ice-skating forward to backward in a single movement takes time and effort to master. If you are comfortable moving and turning forward on your skates, learning to reverse allows you more possibilities. To revers...
While individual and pair figure skating consist of many of the same moves, pair figure skating allows for a handful of unique moves that a single skater would not be able to perform.
In skating sports, such as ice hockey, figure skating and speed skating, different levels of friction are created by skaters to speed up or stop on the ice. While skating at high speeds can be achieved through a reduction in fr...
"Inertia" is defined as an object's state of motion or state of perpetual rest, as long as it's not acted upon by an external force. "Momentum" relates to inertia in that when a mass changes momentum, by eit...
Speed, power and the ability to quickly change direction are attributes of being good on your skates. The mohawk turn is a skill move that allows you to change direction without losing precious speed. Hockey defensemen most oft...
A backward wag, as some call it, is the act of skating backward. When ice-skating backward, you must wiggle your hips, similar to the way a dog wags his tail. This helps to propel you backward while maintaining your balance on ...
Bladerunner adjustable ice skates are designed for children who are beginners to ice skating. The adjustable mechanisms are meant to accommodate your child's feet as she grows. Children experience growth spurts, and their feet ...
When ice skating, you can take long strides or short strides, depending on your activity. Long strides give you more top-end speed but less turning ability, while short strides create less overall speed but more agility. Test b...
When high-level amateurs and professionals play hockey, the skating appears to be so natural that players don't even have to think about that aspect of the game. However, they do have to work on it in practice. In addition to d...
Whether you are a conditioned athlete or a beginner, working out muscle groups that you typically do not exercise can often lead to soreness in those muscles. During ice skating, you can experience soreness in certain areas dep...
Competitive figure skating and ice hockey come with far more risk. But even recreational skaters know that a fall on hard ice can hurt and knee injuries can result.
While hockey players must find a way to put the puck in the net, it's their skating ability that will give them the opportunities to do so. Figure skaters must have the endurance and athletic ability to perform leaps and jumps,...
That can be a problem when it's time to head out to the local skating rink for a day of fun. The skates that fit your kids perfectly last winter may well be too small. One solution is adjustable ice skates, which can accommodat...
Ice skates for beginners are often called recreational skates. Getting the right fit is essential for the beginning skater. You don't want to mar your first experiences on the ice with an ill-fitting pair of skates and grow dis...
Healthy feet and ankles are important for ice skating. Injuries caused by skates due to an improper fit can lead to blisters or skate bite on the ankles, making skating difficult. Abrasions on the ankles may result from skates ...
Ice skating is an excellent physical activity, burning up to 500 calories per hour for a 150 lb. person. Since skating often is seen as a winter sport, particularly if you skate on natural ice, it's not uncommon to go several ...
Hockey players always have to work to get better. The most important aspect of any hockey player's game has to be skating. Players have many skating drills to get quicker and more capable on the ice. When the full length of the...
Figure skating is a sport that involves a variety of spins, jumps and intricate footwork performed on ice skates. Although professional skaters can compete in a variety of official tournaments and competitions sanctioned by the...
By understanding the physics behind ice skates, you may be able to improve your skating skills.
Ice skating is a type of recreational sport that has a professional arena as well. To skate on ice, you need a pair of ice skates, which you can buy or rent at local skating rinks. Moving or gliding on the ice may be intimidati...
It's fascinating to watch ice skaters perform scratch spins, camels and jumps on the ice. With strength and grace, they are able to spin seemingly without effort. Yet, what is even more fascinating than watching a skater perfor...
Ice skating is one of the most effective cardiovascular workouts available. Whether you are a competitive hockey player, a figure skater or just looking to have some winter fun, skating is a great way to burn calories and spend...
But before you head out onto open water, remember that natural ice is not regulated like an indoor rink and as such can be dangerous and even deadly. The area in which you skate and the thickness of the ice should be checked be...
You can easily burn a lot of calories when you take to the ice -- up to 511 calories an hour for the averaged sized adult. Because of high energy consumption and physical activity in a cooler temperature setting, staying fueled...
Outdoor ice skating can be a fun and safe way for kids to exercise and enjoy the winter environment. It can also be dangerous and has cost lives when children go skating unprepared and unaware. Fortunately, keeping on the safe ...
Ice skate sizes do not match up with street shoe sizes, and each manufacturer has its own method of assigning sizes and widths to its skates. The process for measuring the skater's foot is standard. Keep in mind, though, that y...
Ice is slippery and hard, which is a dangerous combination, especially if you are a beginner and prone to falling. Ice rinks employ professionals to monitor and maintain the ice to maximize safety. For example, professionals us...
Independence is important to every person, and when that independence is imposed upon by a disease that affects your every movement, the challenge may seem insurmountable. As foreboding as a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease may...
While watching a pair of skaters, differentiating between pairs figure skaters and ice dancers can be a challenge because, though the similarities are obvious, the differences can seem small. If you watch the skaters' movements...
Finding the right ice skates can be a tricky process. What type of skates do you want -- figure skates or ice hockey skates? What size do you need? Ice skates usually do not correspond to shoe size, being 1.5 to 2.5 sizes smal...
An ankle fracture can occur as the result of any twisting, rolling, fall or direct blow to your ankle. Ankle fractures can occur in individuals who participate in ice skating -- including figure skaters and hockey players. This...
Ice skating is an exhilarating but physically challenging sport in which ankle pain and injuries can occur. The Ice Skating Institute notes that the design of your lower leg makes ankles uniquely vulnerable to injury and stress...
Ice skating is an ideal winter pastime, but it also can be dangerous. Poorly-fitting skates, incorrect posture and other variables can result in foot pain and injury. By taking a few precautions before you step on the ice and k...
Since its inception, ice hockey has always involved men on ice skates shooting a puck into a net using a curved stick. While technology has evolved drastically since then, learning how to ice skate like a hockey player hasn't g...
Like all sports, those done on the ice require specific equipment. Because figure skating, hockey and speed skating require different movements, they all require different types of skates. Each type of skate is designed to help...
Your ankles play an important role in your success and abilities as an ice skater. Your ankles help you to speed up, slow down and maneuver along the ice. Proper bio-mechanics and skates that fit well are important to the preve...
Your ankles are important in steering, stopping, accelerating and shock absorption, according to the British Columbia Podiatric Medical Association. Problems with your ankles can affect your overall performance and potentially ...
Figure skates have more support, have longer, wider blades and have a toe pick for doing tricks. Hockey skates, conversely, have shorter, thinner blades that make it easier to make sharp turns on the ice. Be aware of these diff...
Nancy Kerrigan is an American figure skater, who was one of the top skaters in the world in the early to mid 1990s. Kerrigan realized great international success competitively, and was thrust into the spotlight in the early 199...
When it comes time to purchase new ice skates, there's a variety of places to shop around for the best prices. The important thing to remember when purchasing ice skates is to make sure they properly fit your feet. This may inv...
Ice skating is a popular sport all over America and the city of Seattle hosts a variety of figure skating shows throughout the year. Shows are performed by both professional touring companies and by local skating clubs. Seattle...
Kristi Yamaguchi became known internationally after her successes in figure skating at the World Championships and Olympics. But her accomplishments continued outside the ice rinks with books, television and charitable work. He...
The best ice figure skates for a particular skater depend on that skater's skill level and the skater's weight, flexibility and the shape of the skater's feet. Several skate manufacturers produce excellent figure skates for ska...
One of the keys to being a successful skating teacher is helping your students get past plateaus. By breaking the process down one step at a time, you can help your student set goals and become a dynamic skater.
When done properly in competition, this jump can increase a skater’s score significantly, because the judges recognize its high degree of difficulty. Only more advanced skaters should attempt this jump, since it takes a g...
Ice skates have been around for nearly 4,000 years, according to a December 2007 article on BBC.co.uk. Ancient skates used horse bones to make contact with the ice, but modern skates use a thin blade of metal. This thin blade o...
Riedell Skates makes ice skates for skaters at every level of expertise, including beginners. Riedell offers three beginner models. Any one of the three might be best for a particular beginning skater depending on the skater's...
The proper fit for an ice skate ensures that your ankles are protected and your toes are not crammed into the skate. In addition to going by your shoe size, try several skate brands and sizes to determine the best size and styl...
Even if you don't ice skate or ski, you can still enjoy winter sports if you hop on a sled. Sledding does not take any special skills, other than hauling your sled back up the hill, and can be thrilling for all ages. Some sleds...
For some kids, though, flat feet can be a painful and debilitating condition. There are a number of methods that can keep youth ice skaters with flat feet pain free while on the ice. Orthotics and stretching help alleviate the ...
Friction is the biggest enemy of movement, as the topmost layers of liquid on the ice refreeze, causing skating difficulty.
The right attire for ice skating depends upon whether you are skating casually or regularly, for fun or in competition. Making do with what you have is practical for a fun one-time trip to the ice rink, while you may want to st...
Ever since the first adventurous skaters attached animal bones to their footwear to help them glide over frozen rivers, people have enjoyed maneuvering on the ice. History of Skating notes that recreational skating was introduc...
Playing goalie for a hockey team can be quite difficult, so a variety of drills can be helpful in preparing you for game situations. Although advanced techniques can be helpful at high levels of competition, learning basic skil...
Though it may seem like an oxymoron, an ice skating show in Reno, Nevada is not impossible. Whether you're truly fascinated with the athleticism of the participants or you're just using an ice skating show as an excuse to cool ...
Super Glide, a synthetic ice rink company, states that synthetic ice is a relatively new concept, with new technological advancements developed in 2008 that make the skater glide across the rink as if it were real ice. Cold tem...
The result is a world class boot ideal for either roller skating or ice skating. Riedell offers five distinctive lines of ice skates with something for every skater, regardless of skill level. Riedell skates also feature John W...
Ice skating was first explored in the 13th century as a way for Dutch villages to communicate via frozen canals during the winter. Later, when England adopted it as a recreational activity, the first ice skating rinks were buil...
The Reebok 5K was first released in 2007 as a mid-level model within the Reebok skate line.
Cold winters supply the ice that makes ice skating a popular outdoor activity in cold climates, and even those in warm climates can enjoy the sport by visiting indoor skating rinks. Buying ice skates for children can be a quick...
Five of New Jersey's state parks provide ice skating in season. These parks offer ice skating directly on frozen lakes so the skating season may differ slightly from year to year. However, visitors have the advantage of enjoyin...
To save money on your own ice skating dress, or for your child's skate dress, purchasing a used dress is wise. Unfortunately, when purchasing a used dress you may not be given the same assurances of quality as when you're purch...
To perform your best on the ice, you need the right type of skates. Since an important part of ice skating is having a skate that fits well and feels comfortable, try on several pairs before making your final selection. Special...
If you're concerned about the high cost of new ice skates, look for used sets of skates to save money. New skates often don't make sense for kids because of how quickly they grow. Even adult skaters can choose used ice skates i...
Skating not only provides a fun recreational and socializing opportunity, but also helps keep your child healthy and fit. Whether your child wants to glide around a frozen pond or join the school hockey team, properly-fitted sk...
Rusted ice skate blades prevent you from enjoying your time on the ice, and may even make it impossible to skate. Poor maintenance and skate storage allows moisture to corrode the metal coating and even the base metal underneat...
Power skating is an essential skill for playing ice hockey. The ability to out-skate your opponents can make a mediocre player good and a good player great. It is important to build your leg muscles if you want to become a bett...
Ice skating in hockey skates can be very different from skating in figure skates or rink rental skates. Hockey skates have a unique blade shape without the familiar front toe pick. The skate boots are stiff and designed to help...
Ice skating provides exercise during the winter months on outdoor rinks and year round on indoor ice rinks. The sport also comes with its share of dangers on the ice. Following ice skating safety rules keeps everyone safe on th...
Ice skating is a popular winter sport, but it presents some risks, especially for inexperienced skaters. Skating outdoors presents additional challenges, as you deal with the cold and with the quality of the ice. Keeping a few ...
Contrary to popular belief, ice skates do not have a sharp, pointed blade. The blade is actually several millimeters wide, though actual width varies by model. To create a sharp skate, the center of the blade must be run throug...
Hockey skates are quite different from figure skates, and you must push off and to the sides in order to generate speed and velocity. Hockey is a game of quick stops and starts, so you must know how to stop and go in an instant...
Many different types of ice-skating blades exist. Different skate blades are tailored to meet the demands of different sports, from the highly curved hockey blade to the extra-long, flat blade used in speedskating.
In hockey, it is not about how fast you can shoot the puck, how well you can pass it or how many shots you can block. Those are all factors but they are all secondary to how well you skate. Nearly every elite-level hockey playe...
Your desire to perform in sprints, team pursuits and all-around events must be equaled by solid posture and controlled arm movements.
The equipment needed for speed skating is distinct from hockey and figure skating events in...
You can learn to ice skate by trial and error, by renting skates and learning to balance in a rink. But if you want to get the most out of skating, consider lessons. Most public ice skating rinks offer some degree of instructi...
Forward crossovers are used to build forward momentum while executing directional control.
Start with your feet parallel. Bend your right knee and push your right foot away from your left, using the inside edge of your right ...
They are figure skates, hockey skates and speed skates. Figure skates have a toe pick, a heel pick and a long, flat blade. Hockey skates have no toe pick or heel pick. They operate on a short, rockered blade. Speed skates ...
Without leaning back, apply slight outward pressure over the backs of both feet. This will bring you onto the inside edge of each skate. At the same time your heels will separate until they point away from each other while yo...
