The ice skating season is getting underway and whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skater, there are some simple techniques to help get the most out of your skating. In this blog post, I’ll be discussing some basic moves with simple ice skating techniques that will work for everyone from beginners to advanced!
In addition, I’ll also share tips on how to properly maintain your skates so they last longer and don’t cause injury. So if you’re interested in learning about these topics then keep reading!
First off, a little bit about me. I learned to skate when I was four years old and absolutely loved it. As a matter of fact, skating has been one of my favorite sports for as long as I can remember! There’s nothing better than gliding across the ice with the wind in your face –
That’s me at 8 years old with my first coach.
I became a competitive figure skater at the age of 12. I had won several regional championships and competed internationally for Puerto Rico in countries like Brazil, France, Spain, Switzerland, etc… My amateur career eventually ended after 10 years but ever since then I have continued to skate both recreationally and for fitness. These days I usually practice 2 to 3 times a week or more if I’m training for an upcoming competition.
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Skating is actually part of Crossfit!
Even though I’ve been skating for over 20 years, I still love to learn new moves and refine my techniques – it’s something that never gets old to me. From time to time I find myself thinking back on moves that I haven’t done for years and then deciding to go out on the ice just to see if I still have it. At one point, people who saw me skating probably thought I was crazy because they probably couldn’t believe how old I am! It really doesn’t matter what age you are – you can always learn new things and get better at skating. The only limit is the one that you set for yourself.
Best Ice Skates For Beginners – Unbiased and Ultimate Guides And Reviews
Simple Ice Skating Techniques For Beginners
Now I am going to talk about some simple steps for starting skate on ice. I will discuss some tips and steps that you should follow. These may sound kind of basic, but it is very important to emphasize these points because they will help keep you safe and make your skating experience a lot better:
1) Protect yourself first:
It’s important to first protect yourself with the proper gear like helmets, wrist guards, knee pads, etc… It doesn’t matter how good of a skater you are, falls happen. But by wearing the proper gear, you can help reduce possible injuries. This is the first way to save yourself for the step of simple ice skating techniques.
2) Wear the proper clothing:
Make sure to wear clothes that are heavy enough for your activity level but light enough to allow your body to stay warm. Also, make sure that your clothes are not too loose. Loose clothing can cause you to trip and fall so make sure your clothing fits properly.
3) Pay attention:
If you’re skating with other people, then pay attention to what they are doing and how they are skating. Skating with other people is fun but it’s important that everyone follows the same rules.
4) Always hold on to the barrier:
If you feel unstable for any reason, then always hold on to the barrier. This will help keep your balance and prevent falls.
5) Keep your blades sharpened:
If you want your skates to work properly, then it’s important that your blades are sharpened by a professional skate technician or yourself if you know how to do it. It is common for beginners not to be able to sharpen their own skates but once you learn how you’ll save lots of money in the long run! There are many places where they offer this service at reasonable prices or even free depending on what type of skate they are servicing.
6) Properly lace up your skates:
This is very important! If your skates are not tied tightly enough, it can cause falls or even injury. Also, make sure that the laces are not too tight because they might force your feet to go forward when you really don’t want them to.
Some common mistakes when ice skating:
One of the most common is leaning back after pushing off with your legs because it will cause you to lose stability and make it harder for you to balance yourself on your blades. You should also try and keep your upper body as straight as possible and lean forward slightly instead (almost like a ski jump) if this is something we typically do in sports such as skiing or snowboarding.
FAQ
⚫ What is the easiest way to ice skate?
The easiest way to ice skate is by going with someone who already knows how to skate and holding on to them while they lead you. If you are skating alone, then the best thing for beginners is to use a rope or leash because it will allow you to maintain some connection with your instructor without having your hands occupied. There are also skates that have two blades connected together at the front of the boot making it harder for new skaters to fall since there is no free foot in case they lose their balance.
⚫ What equipment do I need?
If you’re just starting out, then all you really need is something comfortable that will keep your feet warm and prevent injuries if you fall – this means wearing gear like helmets, wrist guards, knee pads, etc…
⚫ Do most people start on ice skates?
No, but it is what I would recommend. If you already know how to roller skate then it will be easy for you to learn to ice skate because skating on solid ground is similar to skating on ice with the exception that slipping usually does not happen in roller skating. That’s why I think somebody who knows how to roller skate should use ice skates when they are teaching somebody else. Otherwise using regular sneakers might be more convenient if your rink offers rentals or if you have old skates at home. However, choosing between starting on ice or inline skates really depends on an individual’s preference so it doesn’t matter too much which one you choose as long as you know how to skate on your chosen method!
⚫ I want to learn more about roller skating, what should I do?
First, make sure you properly lace up your skates. Next, make sure that you adjust the length of your toe stops for stability and control. You can then practice pushing off with one leg until you are comfortable gliding across the rink floor. After that, try pushing off with both feet at the same time until you are ready to move forward. Last but not least, hold on to the barrier if needed while making sure that you keep your feet under yourself so you don’t fall or lose balance.
⚫ How do I stop on ice skates?
When you are first learning how to skate, then it’s important that you simply continue practicing until you become more familiar with the movements. If you need to slide to a stop at some point, then make sure your weight is evenly distributed over both of your blades and bend your knees slightly. It might take some time but eventually, you will get used to it!
⚫ Can beginners play hockey?
Yes, absolutely! There are many benefits for beginning ice skates vs inline skates, so I recommend checking out one of my articles about Whether Ice Skating or Roller Skating Is Better if this is something you want to consider participating in later down the road.
⚫ Is there any way I can improve my ice skating skills quicker?
As I mentioned earlier, you can hold on to the barrier while gliding around the rink floor until you feel comfortable putting your weight on one foot at a time. Some rinks also have skates that are designed for new skaters which will prevent you from falling since they have two blades instead of just one! You can always ask an instructor about these special skates if this is something that interests you.
⚫ What are some common ice skating injuries?
Some of the most common injuries are sprained ankles, falls, and collisions with other people or objects/equipment. Since no matter how well-trained or experienced someone is, each person has their own abilities and limitations (no matter what type of skating you are doing).
⚫ Do ice skates have to fit tightly?
It’s important that your blades are sharp. You should also loosen your laces so that the top of the skate fits snug against your ankle but not too tight where it hampers your movement. Make sure that there is about one finger width between the front of your foot and the inside of the skate. If you need more than that then it might be a good idea to get in contact with a professional who can help you out!
⚫ Can children ice skate without parents?
This really depends on how mature and responsible you think your child is when they’re skating by themselves. Certain rinks might require parents to stay nearby just in case something happens whereas others might allow kids to skate by themselves after they have completed a certain amount of lessons. Either way, you can always contact the rink ahead of time so that you don’t have to worry about anything unexpectedly occurring.
⚫ How should I adjust my equipment if I keep falling?
If you’re having trouble staying on your skates then it might be a good idea to practice push-ups or squats until you feel more comfortable. You should also make sure that your skates are sharpened regularly to make sure they are cutting into the ice properly. Additionally, you can always ask someone at the rink if they have any suggestions for helping you improve your balance!
⚫ Do I need to wear gloves when ice skating?
It’s never a bad idea since it will help keep your hands warm and dry which will help prevent any type of injury from occurring. It also helps with gripping onto the barrier to stay balanced which is definitely something that beginners need!
⚫ How many lessons do I need before I stop falling so much?
You should continue practicing as often as you can in order to become better at your form. You should also try to take lessons with an instructor if you feel that you are having too much trouble since they might be able to give critique on how you can improve your balance and stability!
⚫ How common are injuries when ice skating?
There are a fair amount of injuries but it’s important to make sure that you wear proper protection such as helmets, knee pads, wrist guards, elbow pads, etc. without these essential pieces of equipment it will put you at risk for getting hurt which is why I highly recommend wearing them whenever possible!
⚫ Do skates have heels?
No, not typically however there are certain types of skates that do have shorter blades than others so they look like figure skaters. Either way, you should always make sure that your blades are sharpened regularly since it will make skating easier and safer!
⚫ What do I need to start ice skating?
For starters nothing (if you can borrow some skates or rent them for just a few hours), however, if you’re serious about learning how to skate then I would suggest buying your own equipment so they don’t have to be shared by just anyone. You might also want to purchase knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, etc. since these items are very cheap compared to the cost of renting skates every time you go out on the ice!
⚫ How fast does ice melt in the sun?
Since ice is basically frozen water it is anywhere between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 0 degrees Fahrenheit which are the coldest and warmest temperatures that it can be! It usually melts around 50 degrees Fahrenheit so if you live somewhere with a lot of sunlight then there’s a good chance that your ice rink will have one of these conditions within a few hours. If not, then it likely won’t start to melt until much later in the day.
⚫ How does ice form?
Ice is basically frozen water molecules since they fuse together due to their attraction towards each other when they are extremely cold. Ice is most commonly found on objects that are exposed to sub-zero temperatures either above or below the surface of the earth although there are certain types of bacteria that are able to bring water down to sub-zero temperatures as well!
Conclusion
So there you have it! Just by following these simple steps, you will be well on your way to learning how to safely skate on ice. We all started out as beginners at some point, so just remember that if you fall down, then get right back up and keep trying again until you get the hang of things. When in doubt ask someone for help – most people would love to assist you with whatever problems you may encounter while practicing your skating skills. So get out there and get practicing your skating moves. Soon you’ll be impressing everyone on the rink with your skills!
I hope you learned something new from this article about ice skating techniques for beginners, please remember to share it with friends and family if you think they will benefit from learning some of these simple steps. Thanks for reading my posts! 🙂