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Ice skating is a beautiful winter sport. It is a healthy activity that helps keep the body in shape even in winter , when we may not feel like playing sports. The whole family can participate in it, young and old. Step onto the ice with the right foot, we'll show you how! And it doesn't matter at all whether you are small or large...
Where you can ice skate
Skating is a popular sport here too. Not only as a slipper sport in front of the TV, when we watch the graceful movements of figure skaters, but also in winter directly on the ice. You can skate:
- on public rinks in cities and towns
- in winter stadiums, where there is also year-round operation
- on natural bodies of water (ponds, lakes, dams...), but be careful, you must be sure that they are sufficiently frozen
How to dress for ice skating
Since it is a winter sport, a winter jacket is required, for example thermal underwear and insulated leggings for the legs or, for men, insulated functional trousers . If the weather is fine in winter, maybe a vest or a warmer sweater with a scarf will be enough. In the beginning, gloves will certainly fit well, as you will not avoid falling. And a winter hat or a winter headband is a matter of course.
Tips on how to start skating
If you know how to skate on roller skates, the transition to ice will be easier. If not, don't worry, it's not hard to learn, it just takes patience and practice.
If you have chosen your own ice skates or borrowed some from a rental shop to begin with, it is a good idea to tie them tightly. The leg must be stable when skating . It is also advisable to have sports socks , for example for inline skating, or ski or hiking socks. And you can start:
- First, try to walk on the ground while wearing skates and maintain your balance . If walking is not a problem for you, you can start doing, for example, squats or try standing on one leg . Look ahead, at the beginning you may have forearms or hands.
- If you are already on the ice, try your balance and doing squats there too . Try standing on one leg, then the other.
- Next, you can continue with this movement, for example : gently bounce forward with one leg to the side and bring the other leg in, then switch legs. Repeat these movements as many times as you like until they are pretty smooth. Gradually start adding more power and speed on the bounce and begin to gently bend the knees.
- If you like these movements, you can start trying different arcs, trees, passing between cones or other objects
- Don't forget that everything takes time and some learn better, some take longer. Give yourself as much time as you need.
- Learn to brake and fall on skates, or stand up.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf_uOPK0FvA
How to brake on ice skates
An important part of skating is knowing how to brake. This way you will avoid unpleasant falls, bumps or collisions with another person. There are several options and techniques for braking. Try them all and choose which style of braking will suit you. Remember that even when practicing braking, you will definitely fall a few times, but this is not unusual.
Plow
Braking by plowing is similar to when skiing . It is as if you are creating the letter A in front of you with your legs. You need to bend your knees and gradually move from parallel skating to the shape of the letter A. You can brake with both feet at once or only one, stronger one . When braking, you extend one leg in the opposite direction.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH3ozA7e3zw
T-STOP
If you can skate on roller skates and want to learn ice skating, you may have used this style of braking before. You can create the shape of the letter T by placing one foot perpendicularly behind the other while driving, or the blades of the skates form a right angle - the letter T. You should brake with the back foot and its outer edge . The outer edge creates more pressure and grind on the ice. To prevent you from spinning around when braking, it is necessary to extend your arms.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5qqCPJw6dw
Hockey style
The hockey braking style is named after hockey players brake with this style if they want to stop at high speed or change direction. With this method of braking, it is your own fear that can hold you back. Especially if you are a beginner. You have to turn your body in the direction of the driving lane, while your head is still looking forward. This style of braking is probably the most challenging, but it just takes trying and trying and trying... So how does it work?
- before braking, you have to put your feet together, put them together
- it is necessary to bend the knees
- first turn to the side of the shoulder, then the legs and hips to a 90 ° angle
- the front foot is on the inside edge, the back foot is on the outside edge
- the pressure goes to the front leg and this movement needs to be done quickly enough
- so that it doesn't turn you instead of braking, you have to maintain that turning moment in the direction of travel
Freshly sharpened skates are not completely suitable for this style of braking, a bit duller ones are better.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuQJpQ15k5w
Other types of how to brake
As a beginner, you may also use other types of braking at the beginning, for example, with a handrail or ladies with teeth on skates. However, it is good to learn one of the options mentioned above so that your skating gets the right style.
WARNING! – never try to stop in such a way that you want to grab another skater!!! You can cause an unpleasant injury not only to yourself, but also to him.
Falls on ice
Opinions on how to properly fall on ice also differ among experts. Some recommend falling forward on your hands, others prefer falling backwards on your butt. But the truth is that sometimes you don't choose the direction of the fall. But it is important to get back up quickly. Skate blades are actually sharpened knives, so you don't need to risk someone running over your fingers. The best way to stand up is to get on all fours. Then you lean your hand on one bent knee, then on the other and stand up. Carefully and slowly at first to keep your balance.
The benefits of skating
Like any sport, ice skating has many benefits for both mental and physical health . For example:
- ice skating is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that improves breathing and heart activity
- staying outside even in winter contributes to better immunity , strengthens the body and increases lung capacity
- skating improves balance, coordination and flexibility
- improves overall body posture , contributes to its strengthening
- strengthens the muscles of the legs, abdomen and back
- reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- builds physical and mental endurance
- like any sport - improves mood and has a relaxing effect , increases your self-confidence
Don't forget about safety
If you are going ice skating on a natural pond or lake, never go alone . There should be ice sufficiently strong and thick, at least 15 cm, which is sometimes difficult to detect. Monitoring the weather can also help you, when temperatures should drop at least below -5°C for 5-7 days in a row. Pay particular attention to the edge areas where water can flow out or flow in.
Be careful even on public rinks where there is a large concentration of people. The ice is hard and hitting your head can cause discomfort. Skate according to your abilities, or on marked places for beginners.
How to teach children to ice skate
It depends on the age of the child, but in the end it is necessary to choose the same technique as for adults. For children, it is recommended to start from the age of about 4 years . It is necessary for children to first learn how to walk dry on skates and to be able to maintain their balance by doing squats, for example. Aids such as bars to maintain balance, which they can lean on, are also suitable for children. For some, especially older people, they tend to get in the way. Their use should be considered and tried to see who suits them best.
EXI tip: For children's first steps on ice skates, don't forget children's gloves and a ski helmet is also a good aid. In the event of a fall, it will protect the child's head from injury.
Here is a guide to what procedure you can choose for children:
- if the child is smaller, introduce him to the ice so that he can hold it and understand that it is possible to slide on it
- it is good to tell him in advance that he will definitely fall while learning , which can sometimes hurt
- as we mentioned above, he has to keep his balance on the skates , the skates should not tilt towards each other or away from each other
- at the beginning, bending the knees slightly apart, arms outstretched in front of them or braced will help them maintain balance
- it is good to try to transfer your weight from one knee to the other
- gradually try to balance on one leg
- teach children how to get up quickly and easily if they fall
- if they have mastered this, try as if gently walking on ice, stomp and gradually make a slight forward movement
- the next step should be to touch the skate with your hands , once with one, once with the other and then in the cross; the work of the knees will deepen and stability will increase
- then start with a gentle bounce of the leg to the side, the other needs to be brought closer and vice versa - this needs to be repeated until it goes as if by itself and gradually increase the strength of the bounce and the speed
- then you can try various games such as kicking the puck, driving between objects , etc.
EXI tip : Buy children's ice skates, the size of which can be adjusted up to four sizes. They will last you several seasons and you can customize them individually.
We believe that we have motivated you and your children and ice skating will become your favorite winter sport. If the first attempts do not turn out exactly as expected, do not give up. Motivate your children too. Everything just takes time and practice, practice and practice. Your reward will be time together with loved ones and support for your health.