Lace Up and Glide: A Beginner’s Guide to Figure Skating

Figure skating, a mesmerizing blend of athleticism and artistry, can seem daunting to a beginner. But with the right approach and dedication, anyone can learn to glide across the ice, master basic skills, and even perform simple routines. This comprehensive guide will take you from your first steps on the ice to executing basic figure skating elements.

## Getting Started: Gear and Preparation

Before you even think about gliding, you need the right equipment and mindset.

### 1. Skates: The Foundation of Your Journey

* **Choosing the Right Skates:** Don’t opt for hockey skates. Figure skates have a longer, straighter blade with a toe pick at the front. As a beginner, you have a few options:
* **Rental Skates:** These are a good starting point to see if you enjoy skating before investing. They’re often less supportive and less comfortable than proper figure skates, but they’re readily available at most ice rinks.
* **Entry-Level Figure Skates:** These offer better support and comfort than rental skates and are designed for beginner-level skills. Brands like Riedell, Jackson, and Edea offer excellent entry-level options. Look for skates with a relatively soft boot for better ankle flexibility in the beginning.
* **Used Skates:** Buying used skates from a reputable source can save you money, but ensure they’re in good condition and haven’t been overly worn down.
* **Proper Fit:** Fit is crucial. Skates should fit snugly without being too tight. Your toes should lightly brush the end of the boot when standing, but shouldn’t be cramped. When you bend your knees, your heel should stay firmly in place.
* **Professional Fitting:** It’s highly recommended to get your skates professionally fitted at a skate shop. A knowledgeable fitter can assess your foot and recommend the best size and model for your needs.
* **Breaking In Your Skates:** New skates will feel stiff. Wearing them for short periods at home before hitting the ice can help break them in. You can also use skate-specific heat molding to speed up the process. Your skate technician can assist with this.

### 2. Apparel: Dress for Comfort and Warmth

* **Layers are Key:** Dress in layers that allow you to move freely and adjust to changing temperatures. Avoid bulky clothing that restricts movement.
* **Base Layer:** Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from your skin.
* **Mid-Layer:** Add a fleece jacket or sweater for warmth.
* **Outer Layer:** A lightweight, water-resistant jacket or vest provides protection from the cold and any potential ice spray.
* **Pants:** Wear comfortable, flexible pants such as leggings, yoga pants, or skating pants. Avoid jeans, as they can be restrictive and cold when wet.
* **Gloves or Mittens:** Essential for keeping your hands warm. Mittens tend to be warmer than gloves.
* **Socks:** Thin, moisture-wicking socks are ideal. Avoid thick, bulky socks, as they can make your skates feel too tight.

### 3. Safety First: Protective Gear

* **Helmet:** While not always mandatory, a helmet is highly recommended, especially for beginners. A hockey helmet or multi-sport helmet will provide adequate protection.
* **Knee Pads and Elbow Pads:** Optional but recommended, especially when learning jumps and spins. They can help prevent injuries from falls.
* **Padded Shorts:** These can provide extra cushioning for your tailbone and hips, making falls less painful.

### 4. Mental Preparation: Embrace the Learning Curve

* **Be Patient:** Learning to skate takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t master everything immediately.
* **Set Realistic Goals:** Start with small, achievable goals, such as learning to stand upright and glide comfortably.
* **Stay Positive:** Maintain a positive attitude and celebrate your progress, no matter how small.
* **Listen to Your Body:** Rest when you’re tired and don’t push yourself too hard, especially in the beginning.

## On the Ice: Your First Steps and Basic Skills

Now that you’re geared up and mentally prepared, it’s time to step onto the ice. Follow these steps to learn the fundamental skills of figure skating.

### 1. Getting On and Off the Ice Safely

* **Entering the Ice:** Approach the ice carefully. Hold onto the boards for support as you step onto the ice one foot at a time. Keep your knees bent and your core engaged for balance.
* **Exiting the Ice:** Exit the ice in the same way you entered, holding onto the boards for support. Be mindful of other skaters and avoid blocking the entrance/exit.

### 2. Finding Your Balance: The Foundation of Skating

* **The Stance:** The foundation of all skating movements is a good stance. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and your weight centered over your feet. Your back should be straight, and your core engaged.
* **Finding Your Center of Gravity:** Practice shifting your weight from side to side and front to back to find your center of gravity. This will help you maintain balance as you move.
* **Holding the Boards:** If you feel unsteady, hold onto the boards for support. As you gain confidence, gradually release your grip and try to maintain your balance independently.

### 3. Basic Movements: Walking, Marching, and Scooting

* **Walking on Ice:** Start by simply walking on the ice, taking small steps. Focus on maintaining your balance and keeping your knees bent.
* **Marching:** Once you’re comfortable walking, try marching. Lift each foot slightly off the ice and place it back down with a gentle tap. This will help you get used to the feel of the blades on the ice.
* **Scooting:** Scooting involves pushing off with one foot while gliding on the other. Start with small scoots and gradually increase the distance as you gain confidence. Keep your knees bent and your core engaged.

### 4. Falling and Getting Up: Essential Skills for Safety

* **How to Fall Safely:** Falling is inevitable when learning to skate. The key is to fall safely to minimize the risk of injury. When you feel yourself losing balance, try to bend your knees and fall to the side, rather than forward or backward. Protect your head and face with your hands.
* **Getting Up:** To get up, roll onto your stomach and get on your hands and knees. Place one foot flat on the ice and push yourself up to a standing position, using your hands for support if needed. Again, holding onto the boards for support is perfectly acceptable in the beginning.

### 5. Forward Gliding: The Key to Moving Around the Rink

* **The “Duck Walk”:** Start with your heels together and toes pointed outwards (like a duck). Push off with one foot, bringing it back to meet the other as you glide forward on the supporting leg. Alternate legs, keeping your weight centered and your knees bent.
* **Forward Push-Offs:** Once you’re comfortable with the duck walk, you can start practicing forward push-offs. Place one foot slightly behind the other, angled outwards. Push off with the back foot, gliding forward on the front foot. Bring the back foot forward and repeat with the other foot. Focus on generating smooth, controlled pushes.
* **Maintaining Glide:** The key to gliding is to maintain your balance and keep your weight centered. Look ahead and avoid looking down at your feet. Keep your knees bent and your core engaged.

### 6. Stopping: A Crucial Skill for Control

* **Snowplow Stop:** The snowplow stop is the most common and easiest stopping technique for beginners. Bring your heels together and angle your toes inwards, forming a V-shape with your skates. Bend your knees deeply and push your heels outwards, creating resistance against the ice. The harder you push, the faster you’ll stop.
* **T-Stop (Introduction):** The T-stop is a more advanced stopping technique, but it’s good to introduce it early. Glide forward on one foot. Then, position the other foot behind the gliding foot, perpendicular to it, forming a “T” shape. Apply pressure to the back foot to slow down. This stop requires more balance and control.

### 7. Backward Skating (Introduction)

* **Backward Scooting:** Similar to forward scooting, but you push off backward with one foot while gliding backward on the other. Keep your eyes focused in the direction you’re moving and maintain a low center of gravity.
* **Backward Crossovers (Future Goal):** These are more advanced and involve crossing one leg over the other to generate momentum while skating backward. Don’t worry about these at first. Focus on the basics of backward scooting.

## Intermediate Skills: Building on Your Foundation

Once you’ve mastered the basic skills, you can start working on more challenging elements.

### 1. Forward Crossovers: Gaining Speed and Agility

* **Inside Edge Crossover:** Skate forward on a circle. Place your outside foot across the front of your inside foot, pushing off the inside edge of your outside skate to propel yourself around the circle. Maintain your balance and keep your knees bent.
* **Outside Edge Crossover:** Skate forward on a circle. Place your inside foot behind your outside foot, pushing off the outside edge of your inside skate to propel yourself around the circle. This crossover requires more control and balance.

### 2. Backward Crossovers: Developing Backward Skating Skills

* **Inside Edge Crossover (Backward):** Skate backward on a circle. Place your outside foot across the back of your inside foot, pushing off the inside edge of your outside skate to propel yourself around the circle. Maintain your balance and keep your knees bent.
* **Outside Edge Crossover (Backward):** Skate backward on a circle. Place your inside foot in front of your outside foot, pushing off the outside edge of your inside skate to propel yourself around the circle. This crossover requires more control and balance.

### 3. Edges: The Foundation of Figure Skating Movements

* **Forward Inside Edge:** Skate forward on one foot, leaning slightly to the inside of the circle. The inside edge of your blade should be engaged with the ice. Maintain a smooth, controlled glide.
* **Forward Outside Edge:** Skate forward on one foot, leaning slightly to the outside of the circle. The outside edge of your blade should be engaged with the ice. Maintain a smooth, controlled glide.
* **Backward Inside Edge:** Skate backward on one foot, leaning slightly to the inside of the circle. The inside edge of your blade should be engaged with the ice. Maintain a smooth, controlled glide.
* **Backward Outside Edge:** Skate backward on one foot, leaning slightly to the outside of the circle. The outside edge of your blade should be engaged with the ice. Maintain a smooth, controlled glide.

### 4. Basic Turns: Changing Direction with Grace

* **Three Turns:** A three turn involves changing direction while skating on one foot. The turn is executed on either the inside or outside edge of the blade. Start by gliding forward on one foot, then execute a small jump and rotate your body 180 degrees, landing on the same foot in the opposite direction.
* **Mohawks:** A mohawk is similar to a three turn, but it involves changing feet. Start by gliding forward on one foot, then step onto the other foot and rotate your body 180 degrees, landing on the new foot in the opposite direction.

## Advanced Skills: Exploring More Complex Elements

Once you’ve mastered the intermediate skills, you can start exploring more advanced elements, such as jumps and spins. However, it’s highly recommended to work with a qualified figure skating coach before attempting these skills.

### 1. Basic Jumps: Taking Flight on the Ice

* **Waltz Jump:** The waltz jump is the most basic jump in figure skating. It involves a forward outside edge takeoff, a half rotation in the air, and a landing on the opposite foot on a backward outside edge.
* **Toe Loop:** The toe loop involves a backward outside edge takeoff, a toe pick assist, a full rotation in the air, and a landing on the same foot on a backward outside edge.
* **Salchow:** The salchow involves a backward inside edge takeoff, a full rotation in the air, and a landing on the opposite foot on a backward outside edge.

### 2. Basic Spins: Creating a Whirlwind of Motion

* **Two-Foot Spin:** The two-foot spin is the most basic spin in figure skating. It involves rotating on both feet, keeping your weight centered and your body upright.
* **One-Foot Spin:** The one-foot spin involves rotating on one foot, keeping your other leg extended or crossed over. This spin requires more balance and control.
* **Sit Spin:** The sit spin involves rotating on one foot while in a seated position. This spin requires significant flexibility and strength.

## Tips for Success: Maximizing Your Progress

* **Take Lessons:** Working with a qualified figure skating coach is the best way to improve your skills and learn proper technique. A coach can provide personalized instruction and guidance, helping you avoid bad habits and progress more quickly.
* **Practice Regularly:** The more you practice, the faster you’ll improve. Aim to skate at least a few times a week.
* **Watch and Learn:** Observe experienced skaters and pay attention to their technique. You can learn a lot by watching others.
* **Cross-Train:** Engage in activities that improve your strength, flexibility, and balance, such as yoga, Pilates, or strength training. This will help you improve your skating performance and reduce your risk of injury.
* **Stay Hydrated and Nourished:** Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet to fuel your body and mind.
* **Get Enough Rest:** Allow your body time to recover between skating sessions. This will help prevent fatigue and injuries.
* **Have Fun!** Figure skating should be enjoyable. Don’t take yourself too seriously and remember to celebrate your progress along the way.

## Resources for Beginners:

* **Local Ice Rinks:** Search online for ice rinks in your area that offer figure skating programs and lessons.
* **Figure Skating Clubs:** Join a local figure skating club to connect with other skaters, participate in events, and receive coaching.
* **Online Resources:** Explore websites and YouTube channels dedicated to figure skating for tutorials, tips, and inspiration.

## Conclusion: Embrace the Journey

Learning to figure skate is a rewarding journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and a passion for the sport. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can develop the skills and confidence to glide across the ice, master basic elements, and enjoy the beauty and artistry of figure skating. So lace up your skates, step onto the ice, and embrace the challenge – you might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve!