Level 4

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Maintain a one foot glide on a forward outside edge while following the curve of a circle.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Begin with Forward Stroking around the circle to establish your direction and rhythm.
2. Keep your arms positioned around the circle as though you are hugging it.
3. Let the leading arm and shoulders follow the direction of the circle.
4. Transfer your weight fully onto the skating foot before lifting the free foot.
5. Lift the free foot slightly forward rather than pulling it tightly into the skating leg.
6. Keeping the free foot slightly forward can help you maintain the outside edge around the circle.
7. Aim to balance on the center two wheels.
8. Moving slightly toward the front two wheels may also feel comfortable, but avoid sitting too far onto the back two wheels.
9. Keep your body organized over the skating leg rather than allowing your weight to fall outside the circle.
10. Practice the edge on both the left and right foot.

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Transfer your weight onto the inside skating foot and maintain a controlled forward inside edge around a circle.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Begin by skating around the circle with a controlled two foot position.
2. Keep the upper body organized around the circle without leaning as deeply as you would for the outside edge.
3. Stand slightly more upright so your weight can move onto the inside skating foot.
4. Bring the feet closer together before attempting to lift the free foot.
5. Transfer your weight completely onto the skating foot before lifting.
6. If your weight remains between both feet, lifting one foot will pull you away from the edge.
7. Bend slightly before lifting the free foot.
8. Aim to balance on the center two wheels.
9. Avoid moving too far onto the back two wheels, as this can make it harder to maintain the curve.
10. Practice the same transfer on both the left and right foot.

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Progress from Backward Marching into longer backward strokes with clearer pushes and weight transfer.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Begin with the same inward foot position you used during Backward Marching.
2. Start with Backward Marching, then allow both skates to glide before adding the stroking action.
3. Keep your knees soft and bend before each push.
4. Push with one foot while transferring your weight onto the other skating foot.
5. Avoid keeping your weight centered between both skates.
6. Aim for a slight outside edge on the skating foot.
7. Staying straighter while you are learning is fine, but understand that the outside edge is what you are developing.
8. Do not force the edge so deeply that you lose your balance.
9. Point the toe as each pushing leg finishes its extension.
10. Keep the sequence continuous: bend, push, transfer, point the toe, then repeat on the other side.

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Connect a forward outside edge and forward inside edge into one continuous movement around a circle.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Think of the chasse as a combination of the forward outside and inside edges you have already practiced.
2. Begin around the circle with the correct arm position for your direction of travel.
3. Push onto the forward outside edge.
4. Lift the free foot briefly rather than holding the longer one foot glide used in the earlier outside-edge lesson.
5. Bring the feet back together before moving onto the inside edge.
6. Transfer your weight and briefly lift again through the inside-edge section.
7. Think about the rhythm as push, lift, push, lift.
8. Keep your upper body upright rather than leaning too far forward over your skates.
9. Lean into the circle enough to maintain the curve.
10. Keep your head looking where you are traveling.
11. Practice each section separately if connecting the full chasse feels difficult.
12. Practice both directions and give the weaker direction more repetitions.