Off-Ice Training with Matthew Blair Davis

[Isk8NYC]

Matthew Blair Davis has a number of excellent videos on Off-Ice workouts.

http://www.youtube.com/user/fsutrainer

For example: Increasing A Figure Skater's Jump Power by Matthew Blair Davis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q78hUhKxRJ0

[lindafmb]

Matt IS awesome. He's worked with several skaters I know, included one I work with now who relocated to my area. If you happen to be in his area, check him out. He does both small group and individual training. He's also one of the best when it comes to youth training, which is important since many skaters start as younger kids. It's a specialized skill to develop especially strength training programs for developing bodies, and especially ones tailored to the intricacies of this sport.

I highly recommend him!

Linda

[miraclegro]

How does the ball on the string thing / smacking it back and forth on the wall help with the jumps exactly?

[davincisop]

How does the ball on the string thing / smacking it back and forth on the wall help with the jumps exactly?

It's working her core so she has strength there and doesn't drop her shoulder or fall out of jumps.

[rsk8d]

The ball against the wall with the rope is a great core strengthening exercise, working on resisting rotational forces, the same as you would when checking out of a jump.  With the skater in the video, I would use a smaller ball, as she is using too much trunk and shoulder rotation in the exercise.  This means the weight of the ball is too hard for her.  If you try this exercise, you need to keep your abdominals in to maintain a neutral spine position. Also, in the exercise where this same skater in lying down and coming into a sit-up position, throwing a medicine ball at the wall, she has way too much lordosis in her back (excessive arch).  Again, the exercise is too difficult for her, as she can't stabilize her spine with her abdominals.  The spine should not curve into a lordosis.  Very important for anyone trying this exercise!

Matt has some great ideas out there; it's too bad that off-icestrength.com folded.

[Isk8NYC]

Oh, that's too bad that off-icestrength.com folded.  The economy's been terrible.

[miraclegro]

Okay, i see.  I was thinking of how in the world it was supposed to help with leg strength.  Core is essential!  Makes total sense now. 

Maybe i need to try that!