From: rjudy@dime.cs.umass.edu (Judy Ruot)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: How do I skate backwards?
Date: 10 Nov 92 18:07:24 GMT
Reply-To: rjudy@dime.cs.umass.edu (Judy Ruot)
Organization: University of Massachusetts, Amherst

In article <tp923083.721266747@vine> tp923083@vine.canberra.edu.au (Simon Porritt) writes:
>In <1992Nov6.001057.15490@analog.com> paul.collins@analog.com (Paul Collins) writes:
>
>>-How do I skate backwards?

     I'm not exactly sure how to teach a beginner how to skate backwards
     but I do have some tips that will help. First of all, keep your
     knees bent and your behind low and your weight slightly forward and
     on the balls of your feet. With your weight on your left (or right
     it doesn't matter which you start with) leg and your left toes
     pointed in slightly, carve out a "C" with your left skate while
     pushing off on the "inside edge" of the wheels on your left boot.
     As you finish carving that "C", shift your weight to your right
     leg and begin the process all over again (except with  your right
     skate, you will be carving out a backwards "C").  If it's too much
     to think about trying to carve the "C", just work on pushing off
     from the inside "edge" of your wheels, alternating left, right and
     shifting your weight accordingly.  Remember, first good, then fast.

>>-Could someone describe a backwards crossover to me?

   I'll try. If you are skating backwards in a circle, keep your weight
   on your inside leg and again, your knees bent (the knee on your
   inside leg should be centered over the toes of your inside leg),
   butt low, weight slightly forward and on the balls of your feet.
   Also, when you get going, lean your hips into the turn (same as
   with a forward crossover).  I guess the best way to start would
   be to get moving backwards as described above.  Lift your outside leg
   up and cross it over in front of your inside leg. As you bring the
   outside leg down, shift your weight to it and push off on its inside
   "edge."  After you've pushed off with your outside boot, shift your
   weight back to the inside one and start the process all over again.
   You may fall, that's  part of learning how it's done and where your  
   balance is and all.  A drill you can try is to stand with weight
   even on both skates. Shift your weight to one or the other foot. Pick
   the other one up  and cross it over the one with the weight on it.
   Then, shift the weight to the foot that just crossed over and pick
   the other one up and cross it over the one with the weight on it,
   etc.  

   There is this very good drill called the "shake 'n bake." It involves
   doing an exaggerated backwards crossover. What it teaches you is how
   to skate better overall and where your balance is. You will probably
   fall a lot doing this drill but that, so I am told, is how you learn
   where your balance is.  Get going backwards, get up a little speed.
   Take one leg and kick it high and up and out to the side and cross it
   over in front of the other foot, putting your weight forward onto
   it as it comes down (like the top of a T) in front of the other foot.
   Then pick up the other foot and kick it out and bring it down in
   front of the other foot, repeat the process. I've only done this 
   drill a few times and it has helped all my skating tremendously.
   I find it easier to do on ice skates but it's doable on 'blades.



Judy


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