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How
many players tie their
skates real tight, all the
way to the top? And
tape the ankles as well?
How
many players tie them so
loosely that the feet wobble
around in the skates?
Skates
need to be laced securely
from the balls of the feet
to the tops of the ankles.
Skaters' feet need to be
well supported by the boots,
but not laced so tightly
that the skates act as
"casts". |
Above the ankles the skates can
be laced fairly loosely.
Many high level skaters choose not to
lace them at all above the ankles
because support is not needed above the
ankles.
For effective edging capability players
must be able to strongly flex their
ankles inward and outward. Therefore
skates must offer good support while at
the same time allowing the skater to
"roll" the ankles inward and outward.
Knee bend is also critical. In
order to bend the knees, the feet and
knees must be able to flex forward. If
skates are laced too tightly at the
tops, or if the ankles are taped, the
effect is the same as putting the feet
in casts. They become immobile and
un-usable. And it's pretty hard to
bend the knees!
I also suggest that players keep
the tongues of the skates over the shin
pads rather than inside them. This
allows them to bend their knees more
effectively.
Bending the knees and rolling the ankles
is crucial for Great Skating.
