How to Learn the Basics of Figure Skating
Figure skating is a sport that requires a lot of grace and skill. You’re probably going to fall down a lot in the beginning, but a big part of learning the basics of figure skating is also learning how to get back up.
- Know that before you attempt to do a triple axel you must first learn how to put your skates on. Start by loosening the strings on your skates, then slide your feet inside. Tighten your skate laces from the bottom up. Make sure your skates are very tight so your ankles don’t have much room to wobble when you skate. Make sure your pair of skates fit well.
- Step out onto the ice and hold onto the rail as you skate. Let the rail be your training wheels and take them off when you feel you’re ready.
- Try to fall on your knees when you lose your balance. You may even practice falling a bit to gain some confidence.
- Work yourself away from the rails and into the center of the rink when you’re ready. Do not swing your arms like you would if you were running, you’ll lose your balance. Ice skating is mostly in your legs, knees and hips. Bend your knees a bit and push forward one skate at a time.
- Moving on skates means you’ll need to also learn how to stop. You’ll see a figure skater make a lot of sudden stops, and this is one of the hardest arts of skating to master. Use the edges of your skate blades to dig into the ice and push all your weight to the ice to stop.
- Learn the above five steps and then you can begin trying to master figure skating moves like the triple axel. You can also find professional figure skating videos to help you with the basic and more advanced techniques.