I'm a beginner skater - please help!

[nyc.kcs]

I'm only in Alpha (isi) which I think is equivalent to basic 3. I noticed that a tend to forget to bend my knees. Whenever I try to my ankle keeps trying to bend forward. Is that suppose to happen? (my instructor told me to tie my skates so my ankle wouldn't bend)

[Skittl1321]

Ankle bend is a big part of "knee bend".  However, your ankles shouldn't be loosey goosey in your skates.

My coach has me only tie to the second to top hook to help increase my ankle bend.  However, I don't know what kind of skates you have- if they aren't very supportive, this isn't a good idea.  I'd trust your instructor's judgement- but your skates should not be SUPER tight, your ankles should not be floppy, but you should be able to bend them a bit.

Can you post a picture of how your skates are tied, and how far you can bend in them?

[nyc.kcs]

Ankle bend is a big part of "knee bend".  However, your ankles shouldn't be loosey goosey in your skates.

My coach has me only tie to the second to top hook to help increase my ankle bend.  However, I don't know what kind of skates you have- if they aren't very supportive, this isn't a good idea.  I'd trust your instructor's judgement- but your skates should not be SUPER tight, your ankles should not be floppy, but you should be able to bend them a bit.

Can you post a picture of how your skates are tied, and how far you can bend in them?

I have Jackson Classique skates. I'll take your advice and only tie the second to top hook. Btw I can't take a pic because my camera is broken right now. Thx for the help 

[Skittl1321]

You might try hair ties on the top hooks.  A few skaters on the forums have started doing that for a bit of stability but still allow bend.

[AgnesNitt]

Also, don't tie a knot at the ankle.

[Sk8Dreams]

I noticed that a tend to forget to bend my knees. Whenever I try to my ankle keeps trying to bend forward. Is that suppose to happen? (my instructor told me to tie my skates so my ankle wouldn't bend)

Short answer: YES.  I no longer tell my students to bend their knees.  Instead, I ask them to bend their ankles.  You can bend your knees without bending your ankles by sticking your butt out, and that is incorrect.  You cannot bend your ankles without bending your knees also, and that is correct.  Unless you are over 200 pounds, the Jackson Classique should give you enough support.  Make sure you tighten your laces from the very bottom and hold them tight at every step of the way.  When you bend your ankles, you should feel the pressure of the front of the boot against your shin.  If you don't feel that, then you are either doing nothing, or "sitting", knees bent, butt out.

BTW, I disagree with AgnesNitt.  I instruct my students to tie a knot at the ankles to hold the bottom tight before tying the hooks.  Ultimately, it's a matter of what works best for you.  IMO, tying laces is an art.

[sarahspins]

(my instructor told me to tie my skates so my ankle wouldn't bend)

I would honestly bet you that your coach meant sideways.  Being able to bend the ankle forward is essential for good knee bend, so don't worry about that at all, it's normal, and a GOOD thing   If your skates are loose enough that your ankle can wobble side to side, that would be really bad.

[MiaHoll]

I'm only in Alpha (isi) which I think is equivalent to basic 3. I noticed that a tend to forget to bend my knees. Whenever I try to my ankle keeps trying to bend forward. Is that suppose to happen? (my instructor told me to tie my skates so my ankle wouldn't bend)

Your ankles should bend only to the front.  The knee/ankle bend to the front in your skates should almost equal to your knee/ankle bend in your sneakers.  You should lace your skates tight at the bottom (just before the hooks) and then push the tongue all the way back against your shin then proceed to take up the slack as you lace to the top.  The top  (hook area) should slightly looser than the bottom (the area below the hooks).  Here is a link to a video better explaining lacing technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyNVjUp7F_E