Skating skills 7. Steps.

We worked a lot on basic stroking and crossovers, and now we are getting into more creative stuff - steps and turns.

I can compare steps and turns to a difficult, but beautiful puzzle. After you study and master each piece, you can create a masterpiece.

It could be connecting steps between elements, a step sequence, or a whole program.

Depending on your creativity and level of skating, you can build simple footwork or a complicated sequence of highest level of difficulty.

After all, a beginner skater and an Olympic champion both use the same types of steps and turns in their programs.

We will start with 6 types of steps.

1. Forward and backward chasses.

   Simple connecting step, similar to crossover. Great for edge work, power and extension. Add some Port de Bras for more difficulty. Remember, Port de Bras refers to arm and upper body movements. You can find more information in my other blogs: https://www.styleskating.com/blog/ballet-exercises-for-figure-skaters-1

   https://www.styleskating.com/blog/skating-skills-2

2. Forward and backward power pulls.

   There are many variations of power pulls, which I will cover in my future videos.

   I picked only two kinds today. First one we start from a stand still position and free leg on the side of your skating leg. This way we make sure to create power only by using your skating leg.

   Second variation is more advanced and has more difficult arms and free leg position.

3. Forward and backward cross rolls.

   Two exercises for cross rolls. We added arm movement for the first one to work on coordination. Second exercise has different timing, which helps to develop an understanding of rhythm.

4. Toe steps.

   I love this one. It is so many different variations of toe steps, I will have to make a separate video for that.

   I think it is underrated, because not everyone sees right away all benefits of toe steps. I will just mention one of them - build strong foot and ankles, similar to releve-plie exercise in ballet.

5. Mohawks.

   I have 2, 3, 4 and 5-step Mohawks here. Outside and inside. Different patterns. Pick whichever you like!

6. Choctaw.

   This is the difficult one, but I think you can learn this exercise starting at Pre-preliminary level.

   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.