Lessons and Practise

On Saturday I had my next group lesson, once again in the intermediate class, where I was taught by Trevor instead of Lee, which was a nice change as he focused on different things. Both are great teachers but with their own unique styles.

Trevor got us working on our edges again, and we did more crossovers forwards and backwards (which believe me -- I cannot practise TOO much as they suck), and he also introduced us to the 3 turn. The three turn is a very important turn in skating, as it opens the door to jumps and spins. It is used very often to set up another move. Basically, it involves staying on one skate, gliding forwards along one edge (let's say inside) along the curve of a circle, then flipping the skate around to face backwards and skating along the OUTSIDE edge. This makes a distinctive '3' tracing in the ice; hence the name. The balance required to go from forwards to backwards and one edge to the other on ONE skate is quite demanding! As such, we started doing this by holding on the barrier with one hand. Then we were to move away from the barrier and practise. I think I'll be practising this for some time -- it's really difficult!

After the great lesson I continued to practise for another two hours. However, I've noticed that I'm a shy practiser (a term I've just coined). The ice rink works like a Daytona circuit. Almost all the skaters skate in one direction around the edges of the ice. That's the main group. In the middle of the ice there is some space there for people to have lessons with their coaches, and work on spins, jumps, footwork - whatever. This area can oftentimes be quite crowded with people learning and practising. I don't feel comfortable invading this space to practise my crossovers in a circle there. I feel kind of low taking away the space that people with lessons need. Other people do it all the time, and I know that it's okay, but I'm still too uncomfortable doing it unless there is plenty of room available. Hence, I really don't work on my crossovers in the opposite direction (to the normal counter clockwise skating direction) except in lessons. Hence, they are not progressing as fast as my counter clockwise crossovers. Somehow I know I need to summon the courage and conviction to get in there and practise them, or I'll never improve. I must do this tomorrow night in the Wednesday session. MUST!