ON THE EDGE
Barbara Aidelbaum

Simple rules for great forward skating posture and stance

A player's posture and stance is the first thing to consider when giving technical skating tips. When I'm in the arenas, I usually hear very good skating pointers being offered by our certified coaches to their players. The basic stance is very confusing to many coaches and players however so I would like to offer the simple rules for great posture and stance. This way, the proper information is out there when a coach decides to use the plexiglass as a whiteboard and writes out the drills and key points with a red marker. When doing so the key points better be correct because this kind of mess never gets cleaned up until the night shift arrives and in the meantime, it's there for all to see.

POSTURE:

The skates should be turned out in a wide "V" for the forward skating stance so that we can use the inside edges. The ankles must be strongly flexed with the knees pressed out ahead of the toes. If the knees are bent but not the ankles we are not close enough to the ice. The hips should be low. The upper body is angled forward from the hips while the back is straight - shoulders must not slouch forward. The head should be in the centre of the shoulders for the best vision and balance.

STANCE:

Feet should be hip width (or less) apart when winding and unwinding in the forward stride…….or in plain English, when changing from one foot to the other. Just remember that in no time at all that Atom player you're coaching may become a 6'2" Bantam with a huge chest and big wide shoulders. If his feet are shoulder width apart his body weight will be in between his feet and lateral movement will be difficult. It will also put extra strain on the groin area.

When stopping quickly the skates should be shoulder width apart. When doing a side stop, this stance allows us to use both the outside and the inside edges. Also, it enables us to remain in perfect balance and prepares us to start quickly in any direction.

When executing a tight pivot turn, our stance should be wider than in most other movements. Our skates should be at least shoulder pads width apart. In this wider stance we can now use our edges to power through the turn and start to increase speed even before we explode out with the crossover.

I hope those simple rules keep you on the edge.