Forward inside edges

[Cush]

I'm quite new to skating, and have attended just over one year total of sessions of adult classes. There were two 4-month breaks in between for ankle injury from skating and knee injuries from running - just coming back now from my last break.  For 4 weeks before the last break I actually had a private coach (that was a big deal for me  )! He taught me A LOT and my confidence really improved. He had started having me do the basic consecutive edges. I didn't get a lot of practice then before I got hurt, but now I'm trying them again. No coach now (yet), just the group lessons in which we're not doing the consecutive edges yet.

I seem to manage to be steadiest on the forward outsides and backward outsides. But when I try to do the forward inside my lobes are all funny-shaped. I seem to start the lobe ok, but coming back into the axis line I can't control my curve well enough and I turn too steeply making a curve of a smaller radius than I started. I have no idea what I'm doing with my body that's not right and any tips would be appreciated. Backward inside is another issue altogether...I will tackle those after I have a handle on the forward ones.

[SynchKat]

I would guess from your description you are squaring off as you approach the line again.  Just make sure to keep your should/arm and hip in the lead until you get to the end of your lobe and then do a quick change to start the next one.  You are probably just anticipating the next step.  Many people will shortchange their lobe and try to start the next one too early.  Just hold it and trust your blade.

[Doubletoe]

Yes, keep your weight aligned over the skating side, even counter-rotating the shoulders so that your shoulders are checked to the right on the RFI edge and checked to the left on the LFI edge.  Also make sure you don't drop your hip on the free side.

[ONskater74]

What they said.
Make sure you're actually on the edge, not the flat. If you're trying to steer the skate, you're on the flat. If you strike a deep edge, and it will take time to get the "feel" and knowing , it will carry you around as long as your pushoff is firm and strong and your check is firm and not wavery. Inside edge, inside arm and shoulder lead...the hand should be over the proposed line of travel, outside arm shoulder slightly behind and outside the circle. If you keep the free foot in mind, you can use it to counterbalance the natural tendency to spiral inwards and keep the smooth even arc. try holding it over the tracing behind you, then try holding the toe just inside the circle then just outside the circle. I usually keep the free foot pointed down, turned out, just to the inside of the tracing until the top of the circle. My coach always insisted I bring my feet together into a neutral position before striking the next edge...always in total control. What really ruins my circles is a messy pushoff, that second or two when you are out of alignment will screw up everything and you have to scramble to get in position over the blade. Ride the edge, stay still, be calm, and don't steer the blade if you can help it. I'm just finally solidifying this myself, so I know how tough perfect edges can be.

[Cush]

Thank you guys for all the advice.
SynchKat, I agree that I might be squaring off my shoulder as I come in on the second half of the lobe.
And thanks for mentioning about thinking to counter-rotate my shoulders Doubletoe. You guys are right, now that I think about it, I do feel my upper body spiraling into the circle when I lose control.

I was not sure what I should be doing with my arms.  I recall being told to start with my free leg out back then at the midway point I should switch that leg to the front, and also my arms should switch? ONskater what you've said makes me wonder about this switch. It looks like it is when I switch my arms that I go offtrack. So I suppose I shouldn't be switching my arms at all.

About to head to the rink. Hoping that tonight's public skate won't be quite so crowded and could get a corner somewhere on the ice to try this again.

[platyhiker]

I was taught to switch my arms at the midway point.  My coach teaches skaters to switch the arms by lowering to be very close to the torso and legs and then gently raising them in the new position.  This keeps the arm motion very calm, gentle and controlled.  I see some skaters do the switch by rotating the arms horizontally.

Your head position can also affect your edges.  You may want to try looking more to outside of the circle during the second half of the lobe.

[SynchKat]

I would say change your arms with your leg both at the mid point.  You might be trying to do the switch too quickly and that is throwing you off.  I would suggest having your arms quite low and dropping them to pass them through.  This is an old fashioned figures style of skating but I find it is the best way to get and keep control.  And take your time.  You don't have to have them switch super fast and throw you off.  I also suggest thinking of keeping your arms over the tracing.  This will ensure that you are checked enough. 

Platyhiker mentioned about the head position.  I would suggest looking where you want to go.  We experimented with this the other day.  If you skate forward on two feet and look to the left you will most likely also twist your body and veer left, same goes obviously for the other way.  So if you want to go to a certain point look there and you should head there. 

[Cush]

Public skate was both delayed by a hockey game and crowded. Ice had a million gouges in it too. Anyways, I didn't get to practice my edges much. The little I got confirmed that when I switched arms is when I deepened my turn.  If I kept my shoulders and arms perfectly still after starting the lobe, I was able to make a really smooth even lobe.  Next time I go to practice (hopefully on Monday) I will have to try what you have said about my head position and exactly HOW I am doing the switch. Thank you so much for the tips 

[SynchKat]

I would guess you are just rotating your arms too aggressively.    Yes I said that.  Just try to make it easier going and smoother.  If you do movement in a jerky manner you will be pulled off the edges.

[Cush]

Hahaha I wouldn't disagree that my switch might be jerky. I do not always realise some of the things that I am doing. I will pay close attention to it. Next practice might be sooner than I thought - A friend from the adult group class pinged me to go with her this afternoon. So I will report back here tonight hopefully with some progress.

[ONskater74]

I try to go to the 2/3's point before bringing the free leg alongside then ahead and the release of the arm/shoulder check happens at the same time as the free foot coming alongside. the purpose of the strong beginning check- inside arm in front outside arm behind - is to keep you going until you can release it and allow yourself to coast in to center. At least that is how I see it. If you bring the free foot/leg/hip forward and release your check too soon the inward spiral begins and you lose your arc. I have struggled through this and have finally found what works for me. Everyone is built differently. My inside and outside edges right now are super strong forwards. Back is coming along too, but still working hard on them.
Key for me starts with a rock solid and strong pushoff...no slipping of thrusting foot....no sloppy posture, precise from the beginning. wobbly corrections ruin everything.

[Cush]

Thank you! thank you! thank you!!! I am overjoyed at finally making decent looking lobes tonight. Not on every one but enough times to feel what it should feel like. I waited till after my approach back to the line started flowing before switching (kinda like the 2/3 point ONskater74 mentioned). Then when I make the switch I did it real easy taking maybe 2x as long to transition as I normally would. What a big difference these two changes made.

Side note:
Last night I also started trying to force myself to just attempt the Mohawk starting with LFI. Always been terrified to even try this side. Also attempted some forward inside three turns. Both techniques resulted in me hitting the ice multiple times, sprawling with no grace whatsoever in middle of public skate. But tonight after having some inside edge success maybe I was in better frame of mind. Being with my friend also was a big factor that helped me to keep trying (thank you L  ). Inside Mohawks happened! Not perfect for sure but one step at a time.

[SynchKat]

Sounds like you are making progress.  Good for you.  Just don't rush things and you will get them. 

[icedancer]

What they said.
My coach always insisted I bring my feet together into a neutral position before striking the next edge...

I thought you didn't have a coach...

[ONskater74]

Had one briefly until she moved away.