practice

[figureskater10]

i am 13 and i have just started private skating lessons. i've only had 3 and already passed skate uk levels 1,2,3 and i am hoping to pass all 10 and then do passports. i had my most recent lesson on thursday (31.05.07) and i was hoping to get level 4 but i didn't, so i guess its getting hard now.

i really want to do this, i want to become really good and get into competitions.

i was just wondering how many times and how much hours i should practice a week? at the moment, i have one half an hour lesson a week, and then practice for about 2 and half hours after. and that's usually it for 1 whole week.

but is that enough?

i have my lessons at a london rink, and i suppose i could go up there after school but it would take a good hour to get to the rink/get my skates on etc.. and i'll have homework etc to do as well. other rinks near me are hemel and slough, but hemel is rubbish and slough is quite far so i am not sure if my mum would drive me up there after school, as the sessions are only 2 hours long and by the time i would get there i would only have 1 hour left.

i am willing to do any exercises at home to help.

please, please help! i am dedicated to this sport and hope to make it big some day

nikki

[sweeneytodd]

It is worth trying to get to the rink another time a week at least,  and extra in school holidays when you can.   If Hemel is nearest rink and not that good, it could be  worth bearing in mind for basic skating skills,  (got lots of practice on one of the temporary rinks over Christmas, poor ice but it helped on basics).
Also ask your coach for exercises or classes to help off ice at home, that may be easier to get to.   Such things as dance  or pilates can all be useful.  Also try asking others at rink what they do off ice for exercise, as they  can come up with  useful suggestions at times.

[Anon]

Hey
well done on passing  1,2 and 3 that was good for only 3 lessons!
it will get harder as you move up the grades but don't worry
i skate competitions, they require alot of work and practise you could maybe try to get there one more time a week if you can.
You could try pilates as that helps you to become more flexible (which you need alot of when you skate competitions!)
you could try to basic stretching exercises at home as they really help your balence as well.
hope this helps, sorry if i rambled at bit!

 

[figureskater10]

thank you for your help

much appreciated!

i did pilates last year for about 3 months with a friend then i gave it up but i am now thinking of joining a class again because i need to be more flexible!

what sort of stretching exercises do you recomend?

nikki x

[Anon]

Just stuff like touching your toes with out bending your knees and then utting your hand flat on the floor etc...
Later you could practise balences on one leg which will help when you come to do spins.
Backbends and things like that also really help.
Pilates would be a really good idea cos i can't explain some of the more difficult balences!!

Hope i helped 

[figureskater10]

ok

thanks a lot!

how long have you been skating for? and what level are you on?

nikki x

[Paul 2]

Well done nikki, getting level 3 after only 3 lessons. I have had 6 lessons to pass level 2, but then I am old enough to be your dad ( or maybe even your grandad!)

I have decided I have no natural ability at skating, it seems such hard work, and the lessons are so short.  I can't do any of the level 3 requirements. Good luck with your aspirations!

Paul
Skate UK Level 2
Frustration Level - off the scale!!

[figureskater10]

thank you!

i am not even sure if i did level 1 elements ... my coach just gave me my badge + certificate after my first lesson without going through any of the requirements!

i think for level 3 you have to do backward sculling. is that when you push off one foot and then chasse the other one?

skating is hard work, but you should never give up, whatever your age. How long are your lessons? I suggest if they are quite short then maybe you should practice for an hour or so afterwards until you conquer 1 element - or maybe go more often, but don't give up!

Nikki

[sweeneytodd]

I found level 3 is one of the levels   where you really start having to work.  Have to admit it wasn't too bad for me  but most of the people in  my group started struggling there.   Don't give up though, you will find that certain things just click.  It's quite often a  very minor adjustment and  things suddenly become easier..  It's a real nightmare waiting for them to click though.

[figureskater10]

Yeah, I know what you mean.

When I can't do an element I get very frustrated, but I know one day it will click.

What level are you on?

[sweeneytodd]

I'm working for  Novice field moves in free,  but also working on Silver passport in dance.  I will probably get the passport Dance by the time I put in  for the Nisa level1, but I'm only taking the dance passport to try and improve my free skating,  (I'm not very graceful)