Skating skills 3. Edges.

“Figure skating, sport in which ice skaters, singly or in pairs, perform freestyle movements of jumps, spins, lifts, and footwork in a graceful manner.

Its name derives from the patterns (or figures) skaters make on the ice, an element that was a major part of the sport until recently.” (Britannica)

To be able to make different figures on the ice we need to learn edges, and this is our lesson today.

In figure skating we have outside and inside edges, which can be performed on the right or left foot, gliding forward or backward. So, we have total of 8 edges:

RFO - right forward outside

LFO - left forward outside

RFI - right forward inside

LFI - left forward inside

RBO - right backward outside

LBO - left backward outside

RBI - right backward inside

LBI - left backward inside

We will use these abbreviations in the future for all skating skills exercises.

In the video I am using two variations of each edge. For the FO edges there are different arm position: first time the arm in front is same as your skating foot, second time the arm in front is opposite from your skating foot. For the FI and BO edges we have different positions of the free leg. And finally, for the BI edges we use different kinds of pushes.

Edges are the most important part of skating. Ability to skate on deep edges provides quiet, smooth and effortless gliding across the ice with great balance and extension.

Every skater works on edges from the first year of skating until the end of their skating career.

Here is the link to my youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@styleskating35 , where you can watch all these exercises. I hope you enjoy watching my videos and learn something new.