How to Ice Skate: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Have you always wanted to move gracefully on the ice without getting your butt on the ground? Do you go upside down every time you hit the track? Every beginner is bound to fall sometime, but if you commit yourself to the practice you can learn to skate like a pro. You will need the proper equipment, a place to skate and a lot of willpower.

Steps

Part 1 of 7: Proper clothing

Step 1. Wear suitable clothing

When skating you should always wear comfortable clothes that you can move around without problems and that don't get heavy when wet. You need to be able to feel free and not too covered up. Remember, skating is exercise, so your body will warm up as you move.

• Don't wear jeans. They are usually stiff and bind movements. If you fall, they will get wet making skating more difficult.

  

• Instead, try warm, heavy leggings or leggings, a t-shirt, jacket, gloves and a hat.

  

Step 2. Get some good skates

The skates should be comfortable and come in almost any size. There are many good brands that you can buy, but for the first few tries, rental skates will do just fine.

• It is a good idea to try both, as one can be larger than the other. Also, keep your foot width in mind while sitting.
• You will always have the feeling that they are tight. For this reason, having the opinion of an expert will help you determine if the measurement is correct.

Part 2 of 7: Getting started

Step 1. Try walking

Most skating rinks have rubber runners that you can walk on. Practice learning how to keep the center of gravity straight, but remember not to remove the blade guard.

• In this case, the trick is to feel comfortable on the skates. The more you wear the skates, the better your body will find balance. This is a step that needs to be learned step by step, so don't expect an immediate result.

  

• If you feel unsteady while skating, focus on one point with your gaze and let your body find the right balance.

  

Step 2. Go to the ice

Calm and technique are the secret to being able to skate, so relax and try to keep your legs as still as possible. Learning to walk will strengthen your ankles and help you get used to the friction of the ice.

• Go around the track while keeping to the edge. This will help you familiarize yourself with ice.

  

• Start slowly. It won't feel natural at first, but do slow, fluid movements, avoiding the jumbled ones. It can help you imagine that you are a bird that soars gracefully.

  

Part 3 of 7: Perfecting the Balance

Step 1. Learn to maintain balance

As you exercise, remember to move slowly. In the end, the faster you go, the easier it will be to keep your balance, so if you manage to have no problems moving slowly, increasing your speed will be a breeze.

• Start with your arms out just below shoulder level.

  

• Try not to stiffen your body. Skating would become more difficult. By keeping the body relaxed, sliding on the ice will be easier.

  

• Bend your knees slightly and lean forward, not back. Your knees should be bent just enough to prevent you from seeing your feet, while your shoulders should be projected forward, above your knees. Try not to stick to the edge of the track, but remember that it is always there to serve as a support.

  

• You will fall a couple of times. Get up, ignore it and move on. Rome was not built in a day.

  

Part 4 of 7: Practice Basic Skills

Step 1. Once you have good balance, try to skate a little faster

If you feel like you're falling, bend your knees and open your arms outward, as if they were wings.

• If you stumble while skating, you are probably overusing the tip of the blade (toe-pick). Make sure that the blade rests its full length on the ice and that the tip does not touch first.

  

Step 2. Do squats

Squats will help you strengthen your thighs by improving your balance.

• Start from a standing position with your feet hip-width apart and your arms forward. Lean down enough to find your center of gravity and repeat a couple of times until you feel stable.

  

• When you're ready, try to do a deeper squat by bending your knees further. Always look forward.

  

Step 3. Practice falling

Falls are part of sports so it is natural that they happen. Doing it with the right technique will prevent you from getting injured, allowing you to stay on the ice for longer.

• If you feel you are about to fall, bend your knees into a deep squat.

  

• Bring your hands forward in a fist to prevent another skater from stepping on your fingers.

  

• Open your arms to cushion your body's contact with the ice. In this way the fall will be less harmful.

  

Step 4. Practice getting up

Get on all fours with one foot in your hands. Repeat with the other foot and lift yourself up to a standing position.

Step 5. Move forward

Lean onto your weaker foot, then onto your stronger one, pushing yourself with diagonal movements.

• Pretend you want to clear snow back and to your right. This movement will push you forward. Bring the right foot back in line with the left and repeat with the other.

  

Part 5 of 7: Slip

Step 1. Make deeper movements and try to skate by sliding

Bend your knees, adapting your body to each thrust.

• To be able to slide forward, make sure both skates are parallel to each other. If they form the same angle you will go faster. It can help you imagine being on a scooter on ice.

  

• Tapping the toe / ankle after each movement will give you more strength and improve your technique faster.

  

Part 6 of 7: Stopping

Step 1. Learn to stop

To stop, bend your knees slightly inward and then push outward with one or both feet.

• Ideally, apply some pressure on the ice so that your foot doesn't slip off.

  

• Once stopped, you should have scraped some "snow" off the ice surface.

  

Part 7 of 7: Improving Your Skills

Step 1. Practice a lot

The more you practice, the better it will be. Don't expect to be perfect the first time you step on the track.

• Take group or individual lessons if you can afford them. A personal instructor can follow you by giving you targeted advice.

  

• When you can't ice skate, try rollerblading. The technique is similar and will remind your muscles of the learned movements.

  

Advice

• Don't be discouraged or worried by falls. Everyone around you has fallen and will fall again - it's an integral part of the learning process, worrying about it will only hinder your progress.
• Trust the ice. It may sound silly but you have to repeat yourself I have faith in ice! Only in this way will you feel more comfortable on the track.
• Have fun! There is nothing better than gliding on the ice feeling confident. And so soon you will be able to skate very soon!
• Find yourself an observer. It can help the first few times. If you fall, you will have someone who will help you get up! Once you have gained confidence, the observer can move away. But make sure he's already a good skater!
• The right clothing and well-sharpened skates are very important. The big toes should just touch the toe of the boot and the shoe should be tight enough to prevent the heel from lifting off the bottom.
• Free skating while chatting with a friend is a good way to calm your anxieties and build confidence.
• The first few times, hold on tight to the edge of the track and let yourself slip. Exchanging a few words with a friend will help you not worry about falling. Have fun!
• Dry the blades with a cloth after skating and remove the blade protectors to give air and avoid rust.
• Don't forget to relax! Otherwise you will fall continuously. You could use a walker to start! It will be useful for you to understand how to skate, learn about ice and your balance.
• Trust your skates. Try to feel the blades. In rental skates the blades are very blunt, staying on them won't be easy. On your skates, however, it will be much easier.
• Long blades are more stable for beginners. Nordic skates, hard cuffed boots and natural ice are the best combination the first few times.
• Try to start with figure skates instead of hockey skates. The difference is all in the toe-pick that figure skates have on the blade. It makes it easier to get around on the ice, while the hockey ones have a rounded blade on both the front and the back: you will be more likely to fall and you will not have a good balance.
• Wear skating socks or tights. Heavy fabric socks make the shoe tight and blister.
• Practicing rollerblading will benefit you in terms of center of gravity.
• Inline skates are also useful for balance. Having a friend watching you and encouraging you can also inspire you to do better and better.
• Uses standard inline skate protectors for the knees, elbows and wrists. If you are of a certain age and are concerned about your hips and sacrum, consider wearing a pair of padded pants such as those for motocross, snowboard or skateboard.
• Follow the edge for a while. When you start skating you won't be a champion right away. As soon as you have found the right balance, move towards the center of the track. And as soon as you improve, start making some figures.
• Start holding tight then gradually let go. Find someone who will support you until you can balance yourself.

Warnings

• Always wear gloves so your hands won't get hurt when you fall.
• In the event of a fall (which is very likely), Not stay on the ground for too long. If you don't get up after a few minutes, you risk another skater tripping over you or stepping on your toes.
• Never step on ice with skates. You could make small holes and fall off. Try to skate gently. Eventually ask for help.
• Remember that there are other skaters on the rink. Watch out!
• You will almost certainly fall, so wear a hard hat. You will probably be the only one on the slope wearing it, but it will allow you to avoid serious injury in the event of a fall. Beware of those who skate behind you: they may not notice your presence and come on you.
• Pay attention to the use of the toe-pick on figure skates. At first it will make you trip and fall face forward!
• Never use the blades to walk on surfaces other than ice. On the rubber runners it is better to keep the blade protectors.
• If you are about to fall, do not push yourself backwards in an attempt to regain your balance. Not only would you hurt your back, but you could also be seriously injured. Just try to bend your knees slightly and keep your hands in front of you.