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Okay, Beginning Skater, you’ve laced up your skates and are ready to get on the ice and have fun. But, wait, before you do, take a couple of extra minutes to warm up. This is important for ALL skaters, regardless of their level.
For the Beginning Skater, here are some special warm-ups to allow you to become accustomed to the task of balancing on those 1/8” wide steel blades.
These exercises can be done anywhere on the rubber matting in the rink.
Note: The black or dark-colored rubber matting that’s around the rink and near the skate rental counter is there to protect the blades. DO NOT WALK ON CONCRETE IN ICE SKATES! Whether they’re rentals or your own, concrete will damage the blade.
For the initial part of your off ice warm up, just walk around a small area, feeling what it’s like to maneuver around in figure skates.
Question: What are those funny looking claws on the front of the blade?
Answer: Toepicks. All figure skating blades have them. They’re designed to assist you with your jumps and spins. When skating backwards, you stop with them. The only thing you need to know about the toepick at this stage is to keep from tripping over it. That’s why good balance is essential.
Squats: the Best Warm-Up You Can Do
Stand up straight, arms in front of you, feet hip distance apart. This enables you to find your center of balance. Squat slightly. Just a tiny bit, to get you used to lowering your center of gravity. Do this about 3 or 4 times.
Next, squat further, not all the way down, but until you really feel your knees are bending. Here’s a skating secret: if you can’t bend your knees, you can’t skate! The stronger your knees are, the better of a skater you’ll be. Again, do the more advanced squats a few times. You will probably find yourself putting a lot of weight on the toepick. Finally, go down as far as you can.
Remember, your arms are out in front of you and you’re
looking straight ahead. You may fall, but so what, it’s just how this sport works. Falling happens to ALL skaters from beginners to Olympians. So here is the breakdown of the first off-ice warm up.
Level I Squat [slightly bent knees] 3 to 4 times
Level II Squat [fairly well bent knees] 3 to 4 times
Level III Squat [fully bent knees] 2 to 3 times
If you’re unable to do the Level III Squat, don’t worry. It’s not necessary for everyone and if you’re not in the best physical shape then refrain from trying.
Almost Ready to Skate!
Before you step onto the ice, please observe the rules of the rink. These rules are usually posted throughout the rink and are usually standardized. No food and beverages are allowed on the ice for obvious reasons. Skate in the same direction as the other skaters, which is often in the counter-clockwise direction. Many rinks have a Reverse Skate and this allows people to strengthen their other side, or for the skater who’s naturally inclined to be a clockwise skater, to feel at home for a few minutes! Other rules revolve around not smoking, no fighting, cursing or horseplay and rules of courtesy towards others.
Playing ‘Crack the Whip’ is not tolerated in most rinks, nor will groups of skaters be allowed to hold hands or link arms. Two or three skaters are certainly allowed to do this, especially if a more experienced skater is being of assistance.
The first rule you’ll observe is to watch the entrance and make sure there is no one in your way. In a crowded session this is even more important.
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