 |
If your searching the Web
looking for a magic pill to
make you a better skater
than the bad news is that
you won't find it
here...either! Becoming a
great skater still requires
a great deal focus and hard
work.
However in this article
Steffany Hanlen, passes on
some fundamentals that will
help you to begin to create
a great skating foundation.
|
1. Always buy
skates that fit.
You don't need to purchase the most
expensive skates, however, the skates
you purchase have to fit! You will only
ever perform to the level that your
equipment allows. Your skates are what
actually transfers the power from your
legs and hips to the ice. If your skates
are too big, or even too stiff, you are
leaving a ton power and speed on the
ice.
2. Don't Bend
your knees!?!?
Every skating coach says "bend your
knees" and we all know that we have to
do this... but it hurts. Our saying is
"Load your Legs". Then we teach you how
to do this based on the proper mechanics
of your body- and we insist on it.
Loading your legs teaches your body and
your mind what it is supposed to feel
like to get into the 90 degree knee bend
we all require in order to increase
speed. So STOP bending your knees...!
Load your legs!
3. Watch and
imitate players that are better than
you.
You can learn so much by watching great
skaters, teammates or even pro's on
television. Visualize yourself moving
the same way your favourite player moves
on the ice and see if you can create the
feeling in your own body that you think
they have. We are all built differently,
so we all skate somewhat differently,
however the key is that physics is a
science and gravity is a law. Harness
the power of both, imitate greatness and
you will become faster.
4. Stop
trying so hard!
Many players believe that you have to
SKATE HARD, all the time. In Quantum
Speed we say , "Work less get MORE!"
Proper technique makes your skating
stride more efficient, the result is
that the power from the muscles you use
for skating move you faster. Work
smarter not harder!!
5. Set goals
then find programs that will support you
in attaining them.
Choose instruction and development
coaching based on YOUR needs and
personal goals. Do your homework, to be
certain the program supports your goals.
The good ones create programs for YOU-
you don't do their program...get it?
6. Be the 'I'
in team during your training cycles.
When you join a program,
participate fully for your own
reasons. Sure, it is fun to go with a
friend to work out, however, eventually
you have to start getting better as an
individual. Ensure the people you train
with are as committed to their training
as you are. Be a focused
training partner and as a
result you both win.
7. Decide!!
Decide' to become a better
skater, and commit to what ever
it takes to do so. Being a great skater
is possible for anyone. See and treat
yourself as an athlete, stay on a
training path, and practice stride and
style repetitions correctly.
|
 |
Steffany
Hanlen is a skating coach
extraordinaire. For more
than 20 years Steffany has
been a full time power
skating coach. One of the
first skating coaches to be
hired by an NHL team
Steffany worked with the
Edmonton Oilers for 9 years
beginning in 1991 and is
currently with the St. Louis
Blues organization. She has
developed her skating
program called Quantum
Speed(TM) a three week over
three month skating
program. Steffany trains
skating instructors and
apprentices in the skills
and business of running
successful Quantum Speed
skating camps. For the past
three years she has applied
her knowledge to the
business of Athletic
Performance Coaching, and
Champion Training...'how
to be a champion in your
life.'
|
|
