Off Ice Training with Straps -
Part 1 of a 2 part series
Part 1 of a 2 part seriesBy Susan Ellis
One of the keys to making technical improvements or changing bad habits is to slow things down
to really FEEL what you need to feel off ice. By adding resistance to slow training you are
recruiting more muscle fiber and training them in the proper neural pathways to create the
exact motion you want on the ice.
Left push/ Right Cross
In the first photo above look at Chae’s basic position. Hips are tucked under, shoulders and hips square and level, left side is aligned on the left leg, right leg is fully extended, both feet pointed straight ahead. His right shoulder is almost over his left knee. (And yes, he shoulder have eyes forward rather than looking at his feet.)
2nd photo: He maintains a low hip under position while bringing his right knee up towards his left shoulder and maintains pressure under his whole foot, not just the heel or the ball by pressing hard in to the ground.
3rd photo: See how close he brings his knee under his chest! He can actually touch it with his chin. His whole thigh should remain there as he extends with his left now. Notice how his right shoulder is pressing down and he is pressing in through his right hip. The right hip should actually come very slightly forward of the left hip at this point.
4th photo: He continues to push and fully extend the left before touching down with the right.
5th photo: When he is fully extended with the left and the right has touched down. Notice the angle on his right shin when it lands. It is leaned and doesn’t land straight up and down. Watch the video
Right PushOn the right push sequence, again notice Chae’s starting position. Hips are down and tucked under, shoulders and hips square and level, left leg is fully extended, both feet pointed straight ahead. His right shoulder is over his right knee and right shin and knee pointed toward sternum.
2nd photo: To start the push on the right he presses down with his right shoulder, presses in with his right hip, Presses his right knee forward (while keeping his heel on the ground) and presses hard in to the ground with his right leg. Notice how close to the ground his left knee passes! And it stays close to his left leg
3rd photo: Still pressing shoulder down, hip in while driving his left knee up under his chest.
4th photo: Holding his left thigh under his belly while he continues to extend and push hard in to the ground with his right.
5th photo: Lands the right at the end of the left leg extension. Did you notice his upper body stayed in the same position throughout the movement? Watch the video
So how often do you need to do either Techni-cords and/or belts to create good habits? If you’re a younger skater maybe 3 times a week for 10 -15’ is good. For older skaters, especially if you don’t have ice, 4 – 6 times a week is needed for 20 -30’. Of course it depends a bit on what other training you are doing but you can always fit some of this type of work in to your warm ups. Not only will you build technique, but you will also be building very specific strength as well.
Many thanks to Chae Young Lim of the Saint John Club for your excellent technical work and participating in this video!
Next month – Working with Straps On ice
