TURNING AND WEAVING
Barbara Aidelbaum

All players skate forwards and backward with some success. Quick starts and turning maneuvers are the skating skills that coaches factor into their decision when picking their team. The last issue of ICETIME covered the explosive forward start, and now I am going to describe to you the easiest way possible, how to execute the tight forward turn.

DEFINITION:

A tight turn is like a “U turn” in shape. It is used to escape opponents or weave through traffic. You skate forward with both feet staggered and pointing in the same direction. Using your hip as a steering wheel, you turn to the desired direction (usually as tight as possible) and explode out of it with a forward crossover when heading in the other direction…..if only it were that easy!

Tight turns must be practiced at slow and moderate tempos. When the technique is solid and you have good balance and no skidding, then it can be practiced at a higher speed. You must be able to execute it with and without the puck. The ultimate goal is to perform the turn at top speed while carrying the puck and to increase speed upon exiting the turn, while holding off the opponent.

THE SKATE BLADE:

I like to section the balance points of the blade into 4 parts.
Part 1: toe to the ball of the foot
Part 2: ball of the foot to the middle
Part 3: the middle to the back
Part 4: the heel (Your weight should very rarely be centered over part 4. I only ever utilize part 4 if I’m working with an excellent skater playing pro hockey.)

PROPER POSTURE:

• Feet hip width apart when skating forward, and shoulder width apart when turning or stopping
• Bend you ankles and knees beyond the level of comfort
• Knees aligned ahead of your toes
• Body angled forward from the hips
• Back straight
• Shoulders held back as level as possible for good balance
• Head in the center of your shoulders

TECHNIQUE FOR THE TIGHT TURN OR WEAVING AROUND OPPONENTS:

Rob is demonstrating the turns in a counter-clockwise direction in the photos, therefore I will refer to the right and left body parts according to the turn he is performing. There are three phases of the tight turn: the glide phase, the forward “C” cut, and the explosion phase.

THE GLIDE PHASE:

• As you enter the turn, pick up the left foot and step into it with the centered over part 3 of the blade to prevent skidding and loss of speed.
• Both feet must be staggered or scissored on a track that is about shoulder width apart (deeper edges and a smaller radius turn require more knee bend and a wider stance)
• Set the edges with a very strong knee and ankle bend well beyond your comfort zone
• The left foot is on an outside edge, the right foot is on an inside edge
• The left hip leads or steers into the turn
• Keep the left shoulder pressing up to remain parallel to the ice surface

THE “C” PHASE:

• After the first third of the turn is completed, start to execute the “C” cut
• The right foot inside edge circles around the front left foot like a pencil circling around a compass
• It is very important to keep the hips moving at this part of the turn
• As the turn in either direction becomes tighter, keep the inside shoulder up on your forehand and the shoulders level on your backhand
• The weight is now centered over part 3 of the blade (middle to the back)
• As you circle at this point, you may have to press the right shoulder down to stay balanced (counterbalancing technique)
• You should now be facing the intended direction of travel after the “C” cut

THE CROSSOVER PHASE:

• As you are facing the direction you want to go, shift your weight to the left foot and bring your right foot and hip around for a very explosive quick crossover
• The left foot pushes underneath on the outside edge to complete the crossover
• Both hips and feet then open into the forward skating “V” position to continue skating forward

KEY POINTS:

• Start by practicing with your stick position to the side so that you can lead with the hips and protect the puck
• Keep arms and hands away from the body for stick work and checking
• Upper body must be isolated from the lower body (doing two different things)
• Left shoulder must be parallel to the ice for balance
• Strong knee and ankle bend while on edges
• Keep the hips moving

This technique is used for 180, 270, and 360 degree turns. Remember there are no short cuts to hockey success. You must work on hockey and skating skills and hockey-specific conditioning. Stretching must be a part of your everyday life, as well as adequate rest and excellent nutrition. As if you haven’t heard it from everyone before – now you have to hear it from the Skating Coach!