December
THE CORNER LAY INThe entry lean, or corner lay in, can make or break a corner. It is the difference between accelerating in to a corner or simply drifting in.
In order to gain speed on the entry, your weight must accelerate forward in to the turn while leaning in to the turn at the same time. The acceleration of weight takes place off the right leg (you have completed your last straightaway push with the left and have landed the right foot for the first corner push). Some consider this to be part of the straightaway and don’t bother to lean until they take the first step in on the left. However, remember, it is the acceleration of the body weight in the direction of travel that gives you added momentum. You must accelerate your weight both forward and in to the corner to gain momentum. This means the weight must, as always, come forward to the ball of the foot at the same time as you lean.
A good lay in on your right skate helps to ensure you are already leaned when you put your left skate down, allowing you to be able to load and push right away again on your left.
Here are some drills to help you get a feel for the corner lay in. They are done on short track ice and are beneficial for both short trackers and long trackers. For long trackers, set out a 125m track instead of 111m track.
Bucket - Inside Track
Method:
The drill is done inside the track, going close to the markers.
- Prepare for the drill by getting some speed up inside the track. Keep the bucket to the left, and slightly ahead of you as you skate.
- Finish your straightaway with a good left leg push, E.I.: full extension, making sure to land your right just as you are finishing your left push.
- Your right skate should land pointing straight ahead with your weight very, very slightly to the outside edge and your weight on your heel.
- As soon as you finish your left leg push, your skate lifts off the ice and your left knee returns to a position just in back of your right knee as you bring your weight forward and in.
- As soon as your left skate leaves the ice you start to lean in on your right. Your right ankle bends, your weight shifts forward to the ball on the inside edge, and you lean hard on the bucket.
- As you approach the ball of the foot and the point of instability you should feel an increase in pressure in to the ice and an acceleration of speed as your skate carves and turns in to the corner.
- Now extend your right leg while bringing your left forward. Your left leg should not pass your right leg until you reach the point of instability on the right skate and have started your push.
- Your left skate should land very slightly ahead, and to the inside of your right skate. Your weight should be mid blade on the inside edge (closest edge to the inside of the track) on the landing. Don’t overreach as this will throw your weight back to the heel.
- Finish skating the corner and prepare the same way for the next corner. Skate 3 – 4 laps.
Entry Lean Inside Track
The next step is to perform the lay in inside the track with no bucket. Practice the entry motion slowly at first. You should feel your weight accelerating forward as you go from the heel to inside edge ball of foot. Hold the lean - don’t start the push until you feel maximum pressure under the ball of the foot in the power position.
It may help to skate a couple of laps with the bucket first, and then scoot the bucket away and continue the drill without it.
Entry Lean On Track
Now it’s time to move on to the track. It will help to skate deep in to the corner before starting your lean. Try to get to at least the first block. Skating a fairly narrow track will help simulate the same feelings you had inside the track.
Remember the key points:
- The entire body leans as one unit.
- Your weight moves forward and in to the turn. Lean while bending your ankle and moving your entire body forward to bring your weight to the ball of the foot before pushing.
- Keep the left leg behind you until you have reached the point of instability before bringing it forward.
- Use your arms to help with rhythm and timing.
Common Errors on the Entry Lean
- Left skate comes down before you have leaned on the right
Check:
- Left leg push was fully extended on the straightaway push to allow time for your leg to return to position in back of right leg
- Left leg was brought in from the side rather than from in back
- Weight stayed on heel or mid blade rather than coming to the inside part of the ball of the foot
- Weight stays heel on right rather than coming to the ball of the foot
Check:
- Chest stays down as you enter on right
- Ankle bend
- Timing – Your left should not land until your are almost finished the push on your right
- Rhythm and timing of arm swing
- Knee angle not below 90 degrees (some may need to be even higher than this)
- Right skate lands pointing out rather than straight ahead (check the direction of your knee on your recovery to make sure it is point straight ahead all the way through the recovery)
- Weight comes to the ball of the foot on the right but then returns to the heel as you push
- Check:
- Chest stays down as you start your push
- Opening the push backwards – that is allowing your knee to move backwards rather than staying ahead of your toe as you push.
- Timing – Your left should not land until your are almost finished the push on your right
- Over Step – Landing your left too far ahead or too far to the inside of your right.
Most of these common errors can be corrected with the help of Techni-Cords. Techni-Cords help you to slow down the movements to be able to make the necessary adjustments and can be used both on and off the ice. For more information check out www.technicords.com
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