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Adult Hockey Tip # 7 - Backwards Skating
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Here’s your “Tip of the Week” from Canlan Ice Sports’ National Head of Athlete Development, Cyndi Henry (NCCP Level 2 in Hockey & Ringette).The Hockey Academy Presents: Backwards Skating
Backwards Skating
The key to accomplishing proper technique in all areas of skating is to develop the coordination required so that both legs can work independently. When both legs are of equally strength, a player’s speed, balance and power is improved.
Backwards skating is not a natural movement or an easy skill to perfect. When first learning how to backward skate you must understand your edges and be aware of how the movement feels.
When first learning the proper movement of going backwards, you should learn the backwards sculling (swivels) motion first. This motion is when both skates use their inside edges and execute the “C” cut or half moon pattern at the same time.
Use the inside edges starting from the front inside toe of the skate and push their weight out and backwards. Your skates will push out together at the same time, then glide and come back to the recovery position (skates glide back underneath the player.). Your knees must start off and remain bent, back straight, and head up. This will allow you to feel the edge, understand the motion and help generate speed.
Once you have trained your muscles, on the backwards sculling or swivels motion, the backwards “C” cut movement will be a lot easier to execute. Remember: one backwards “C” cut at a time, ensure after you drive the leg out and perform the backward “C” cut to glide the skate leg back underneath you and to the recovery position. This will allow you to gain more speed and power as you will be executing the backward “C” cut with your full skate leg.
Here are some additional pointers to keep in mind:
- Glide backwards on both skates, with skates straight underneath your body.
- With the right skate and knee turned inward, while the left knee is bent and glides.
- Prepare to push the right leg outward, place your weight on your right skate and bend your knees deeply.
- The power/push comes from the inside edge toe of the skate
- The inside edge toe of the right skates pushes downward and out using the inside edge, making a “C” cut or half moon pattern, moving you backwards.
- As the stride leg fully extends out in the “C” cut/half moon position the knee and ankle slightly lock to achieve the full leg extension.
- The toe of the skate, knee and ankle executing the “C” cut or half moon, then begins to turn outward, gliding back together to meet the opposite gliding foot.
- Once the “C” cut or half moon is completed and both feet are back together in the recovery position, the next skate or same skate may begin the “C” cut or half moon pattern.
Put these tips into practice during your next game or by registering for one of our Hockey Academy Programs! For full program details including locations, session dates, class times, and registration information, please visit this webpage:
http://www.icesports.com/HockeyAcademy_HomePage.ashx?lang=en
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call or e-mail the Program Manager at your nearest Canlan Ice Sports facility. We look forward to seeing you in one of our classes soon!
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