The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-13

2 In skating, as in other pursuits, there
s. G good style and a bad style A man
may be able to do many things on the
ice. and yet he will not give tue onlook-
or any pleasure at his performance. The
spectators will perhaps admire MS pluck,
RESOURCE and skill in overcoming the
difficulties of balance. yet they Wall look
on his performance merely as on a clever
arobatic feat. And then they see a sk;ai-
er possessed Of really good style, ana
they admire thoroughly. although there
may be no salient features of his shat-
dng which cam for special remark 1el
they envy him his execution, and would
emulate his ease and grace
i3nslish figure atins has Of late years
Improved TO astonishing extent, ana
Tile rules of the art have been SrlctlE
laid down. A very high standard OF sood
sfyle has also been arrived at. To
great extent this Improvement and the
consequent laying down of rules are due
10 the National Skating Association. Ih!S
association was first founded IN 1913 10
improve specd-skating, but i'll 1881 nSure-
skating also came more or less under us
Jurisdiction. The aim of the society, so
far as iiSure-skatinss as concerned, is 10
render. the art more popular by establish
ing three graduated tests OF merit. These
tests are Of progressive difficulty; to the
passer of each a suitable badge Is award
ed. known respectively as the bronze, the
silver and the gold badges.
BASIS OF GOOD SKATING.
The first rule and basis of all good
English skating is that the employed leg,
that is 10 say Tfle leg on whicsl the skat-
er is moving must be kept absolutely
syrairht To effect this the knee must be
hraced up ana consciously Suffered. AZ
ter this. roughly speaking, The rules lor
correct form are upright carnage OF 7ne
I,s.ay -
O. ttae arms, wilich must not be allowed 10
separate very far from the body, ard
apnroximaiion OF the employed to the I'M
t.nnloycd foot. All English skaters are
as,,ctty We'll agreed a TO these points. but
IN fI,e case of the carriage OF the unem-
7,iored leg, some differences are notlceabie.
Within the last THO years it has been
found advisable ny the \. S. a. TO dnsl-
Tute a fourth test. Such vas the I'M
s,roren.ent in skating, that a very large
number of people had passed the present
third test and * seemed wise and III
accordance with the principles OF the n
S A. 10 provide this additional test IN
order to encourage these skaters to so on
and conquer new realms of the art or
siSure-skat!ng. This new test has been
called the Diamond Test and during
East season two skaters were found OF
sufficient ability TO overcome its dlill-
Sulties. OF these one is 4 lady, Miss Tooth,
the other Mr. Hubert; uleSe Two may
then aie said 30 be the championess and
champion skaters of England Both have
learnt their skating in covered Kinks.
which says much for these places as a
training ground This new test includes
not only pure English skating, that is to
say. large turns at high speed and
-.ccmpined figures but also .kicked" IL
cures. in which the continuous stroke is
necessary Every candidate has. moreover
20 perform three .picture-tisures' or set
pieces. which they selec; or invent for
themselves
FALLS A NECESSITY
The beginner must realize from the mi
tial effort onwarsis that to learn to skate
fl is necessary TO fail. Skating has been
defined by a rlon-skater as "A fool upon
the ice:'' he did not add Mflcther the per-
CORNER was on skates or on his Back. but
She beginner must expect the latter AS
soon as the tyro can shuttle along at all
on his skates. ne must make up his mind
&c learn the art (even OF shuffiins) in
good style. The stroke must be made
sideways. That IS TO say. the skater. to
gain smpetus. must shove with the whole
Blade Q! the skate edwards and side
ways as he takes that foot from OFF the
See. The toe Is not to be used as the Inn
peIlins power.
Thds Is one OF the evils OF rink-slcatinE;
DDUnie get Into the habi. OF kicking on