Author Topic: Improving spirals  (Read 1896 times)

23inmyhead

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Improving spirals
« on: August 31, 2012, 01:40:56 pm »
I am rubbish at spirals mainly because I can't lift my free leg high enough to get it anywhere near hip height on account of being ancient and not very flexible! Can anyone please suggest exercises that would help me get my leg higher.

linny40

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Re: Improving spirals
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2012, 01:57:36 pm »
Someone has just posted this have a read it might help
http://www.skatingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=5408.new#new
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Lily

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Re: Improving spirals
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2012, 02:43:37 pm »
I'm also awful at spirals and i'm trying desperately to improve them by stretching every day. my flexibility is terrible.

I do a few laps of jogging or jog on the spot, and then do a general warm up of stretches. Then I've been placing my leg on a table/any higher surface and trying to hold it for a few minutes, keeping my leg straight. I've been able to gradually increase the height over time (by adding books, phone directories), once it starts to feel comfortable without any pull. I'm thinking about getting a maxiflex, anyone have one?

leg strength is really important for spirals, so i'm trying to build up strength in my legs by doing lunges and squats etc as well.
Skate UK 15/08/2012 - 25/02/2013
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23inmyhead

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Re: Improving spirals
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2012, 03:50:43 pm »
Someone has just posted this have a read it might help
http://www.skatingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=5408.new#new


Thanks but my balance is fine, that is not the issue. It's my flexibility or lack of that is making this move so hard for me.

Noorah101

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Re: Improving spirals
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2012, 04:55:39 pm »
I have the same problem.  I'm very flexible with a forward movement of my leg, or squats...but when extending my free leg behind, I can't get much height at all.  At this point, I'm not really doing anything to try to improve it...I'm just working on other things that don't require a back leg lift as high.

Rene
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CamelClare

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Re: Improving spirals
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2012, 08:16:45 pm »
I had this problem, but now I can get well above hip height.

Stretch, stretch, stretch, stretch! Flexibility helps, learning the splits will help with loads of figure skating moves, splits jumps, even if you fall into the splits it won't hurt as much.

Anyway,you need leg strength. You can be as flexible as you want but if you have no leg strength then you can't lift your leg up high.

Practise spirals, on and off the ice. Hold onto the barrier and raise your leg.

Do spirals off ice, holding onto something and without holding onto something.

Practising raising your leg over and over again

Good luck :)  :D  ;D

red_ruby

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Re: Improving spirals
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2012, 08:26:17 pm »
I've been placing my leg on a table/any higher surface and trying to hold it for a few minutes, keeping my leg straight. I've been able to gradually increase the height over time (by adding books, phone directories), once it starts to feel comfortable without any pull. leg strength is really important for spirals, so i'm trying to build up strength in my legs by doing lunges and squats etc as well.

this is a good idea.
and of course the good old splits would come in handy at improving flexibility, practise doing them. :)
Started Skate UK Feb 2012... Passed Gold Free 9/9/12... Working towards L1 FM

23inmyhead

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Re: Improving spirals
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2012, 08:53:22 pm »
Thanks for the responses. I can raise my leg to hip height forwards with no difficulty but trying to lift it behind me is hopeless. I think the only way I'll ever get it high enough is by tipping so far forwards my nose will be on the ice! I think perhaps the problem is down to a stiff lower back so maybe I need to get back to  Pilates exercises for loosening my back.



 

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