Level 2

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Use the marching movement from Level 1 to rotate around yourself and change direction while staying in control.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Begin in your skating position.
2. Decide which direction you want to turn before you begin.
3. Lift the leg on the side you are turning toward first.
4. Continue marching while gradually rotating around yourself.
5. Keep your head upright and looking ahead rather than twisting it around with every step.
6. Keep the steps small enough that you remain balanced throughout the turn.

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Reverse the foot position used for Forward Marching and begin creating controlled backward movement.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Begin in your skating position with your arms slightly forward.
2. Turn the toes inward so the feet form a reverse V.
3. Lift one foot at a time rather than trying to push backward immediately.
4. Return each foot toward the center after every step.
5. Only lift the next foot once the previous foot has returned toward the center.
6. Do not let the feet continue moving farther apart. If they spread too wide, you can lose control and balance.

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Create forward movement without lifting your feet by opening both skates outward and then drawing them back together.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Begin with both feet close together.
2. Bend your knees as you allow both feet to move outward.
3. Turn the front of the feet inward to begin the return.
4. Stand slightly taller as you actively draw the feet back together.
5. Feel the legs working as you pull the feet toward the center.
6. Aim to keep your eyes forward rather than watching your feet.
7. Allow your weight to move naturally through the available balance zones as the feet travel out and back in.

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Change direction while continuing to glide forward on both skates.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Build some forward speed before beginning the curve.
2. Move into a controlled Forward Two Foot Glide.
3. Rotate your shoulders and arms slightly toward the direction you want to travel.
4. Allow the skates to respond to the upper-body rotation rather than forcing them around.
5. One foot may naturally move slightly ahead of the other as you follow the curve.
6. Either foot can lead. Try both positions and use what feels comfortable and controlled.
7. Practice the movement turning both left and right.

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Learn two ways to reduce your speed and stop using either a T-slide or the EDGE pick.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Keep most of your weight over the leading skating leg.
2. For the T-slide, allow the trailing hip to turn outward.
3. Place the trailing skate across the direction of travel and let it slide behind you.
4. Keep the shoulder on the trailing-foot side slightly forward so your upper body does not rotate around.
5. For the EDGE pick stop, place the EDGE pick behind you while keeping your weight over the leading leg.
6. Begin the EDGE pick position from standstill so you understand where your weight needs to stay.
7. Practice both stopping methods with either leg leading.
8. Add speed gradually. Control comes before speed.