Level 5

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Take the outside-edge control you developed going forward and learn to hold the same type of edge while traveling backward.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Begin by moving backward around the circle in a controlled skating position.
2. Use a push, push, lift rhythm while learning.
3. As your balance improves, progress toward push, lift so you spend longer on one skating foot.
4. Position your arms around the circle and lead with the arm on the side of your direction of travel.
5. Keep your shoulders organized with the circle instead of allowing the upper body to twist away from it.
6. Allow your weight to move slightly toward the inside of the circle to establish the backward outside edge.
7. Transfer fully onto the skating leg before lifting the free foot.
8. Lift only when the skating leg already feels secure.
9. Hold the edge for a short time first, then gradually increase the length of the glide.
10. If you lose the position, step down and reset rather than trying to rescue an edge that has already gone.

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Bring the new skating foot underneath your body, transfer your weight onto it, and create a controlled backward inside edge.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Begin by pushing backward around the circle with your upper body organized toward the direction of travel.
2. Use push, push, lift while learning, then progress toward push, lift as the transfer becomes more controlled.
3. After the pushing leg extends, bring that foot back underneath your body.
4. Do not leave the new skating foot outside your body and then try to balance on it from there.
5. As the foot comes underneath you, begin transferring your weight onto it.
6. Complete the weight transfer before lifting the other foot.
7. Transfer enough weight to stand securely on the new skating leg.
8. Do not transfer so far that you move through the inside edge and fall onto the outside edge.
9. Think about the sequence clearly: push, foot underneath, transfer, lift.
10. Practice the weight transfer itself before worrying about holding a long one foot glide.

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Connect backward pushes and controlled lifts into continuous chasses around a circle.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Break the element into separate parts before trying to connect everything.
2. Practice the backward push around the circle first without adding the lift.
3. Point the toe as the pushing leg extends.
4. Finish the push before changing your weight.
5. Lean slightly into the circle during the pushing portion.
6. Understand which skating leg is carrying your weight before you try to lift the other foot.
7. After the push, allow the body to rise slightly as the foot lifts.
8. Think about the rhythm as push, lift, push, lift.
9. Avoid rushing the lift before the weight transfer is complete.
10. Keep the leading arm organized toward the direction you are traveling.
11. Practice both directions around the circle.
12. If one direction feels harder, give that direction more repetitions rather than avoiding it.

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Connect your forward outside and inside edges by stepping one foot across the other while traveling around a circle.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Keep your arms and shoulders positioned around the circle as though you are hugging it.
2. Keep your head looking around the circle toward the direction you want to travel.
3. Lean into the circle instead of allowing your body to fall outside it.
4. Keep your knees soft. Standing too upright makes it harder to establish the outside edge and step across.
5. Begin by establishing the outside edge before attempting the crossover.
6. Lift the free foot and step it across onto an inside edge.
7. Practice that single outside-edge-to-inside-edge step before trying to repeat crossovers.
8. Keep your balance around the center two wheels as the crossing foot moves across.
9. Avoid moving too far toward the front wheels, where you increase the chance of catching the EDGE pick.
10. After the foot crosses, establish your balance before trying to step out again.
11. One controlled crossover is more useful than several rushed crossovers.
12. As your control improves, let the crossing foot move smoothly in front while the other foot returns underneath and behind your body.
13. Your Forward Chasses already taught you the outside-edge and inside-edge relationship. Use that foundation here.

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Perform your first Forward Outside Three Turn from a controlled start by combining an outside edge, knee action, and upper-body rotation.

COACH'S POINTS

1. Begin from a controlled position on a forward outside edge.
2. Organize your arms for the direction of the turn before beginning the rotation.
3. Bend the skating knee as you enter the outside edge.
4. Bring the leading arm forward as you prepare to turn.
5. Imagine there is a table in front of you and bring your hands toward the table.
6. Rise through the skating knee as the turn happens.
7. The turn can happen by slightly lifting a wheel or by rotating on the center wheels.
8. Do not keep rotating after the turn. Open the arms into the new backward position.
9. Let your hips finish in the backward position with the rest of the body.
10. Keep your eyes looking in the direction you are traveling after the turn.
11. Avoid allowing your weight to fall too far toward the rear wheels after the turn.
12. Aim to finish with the weight around the center wheels or slightly farther forward.
13. Hold the backward exit position rather than immediately stepping away from it.
14. Practice the turn on both feet.