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ICSome figure skaters step out onto the ice and instantly pull your attention towards them… Here’s why
1.) Lack of “performance” energy. In skating a key word that’s written in the rules is CARRIAGE. How you carry yourself. How skaters carry themselves as they are skating is what is noticed first.
2.) No clear movements or elements. Everything is just mushed together and it’s sloppy.
3.) when skaters perform their programs and miss musical moments it falls flat FAST and when a skater does hit those musical moments it just hits and you’re engaged. You WANT to keep watching.
4.) Not connecting with the judges or audience. No smiling, no eye contact, nothing. Just flat. It’s not all about the jumps and spins it’s about everything put together as a whole!
5.) My personal favorite and what truly makes a difference when I’m watching a skater is if they look like they are enjoying it. Skaters that skate with pure joy and heart, you can tell. It’s real, not faked, not rehearsed, just authentically happy to be skating.
I’m Mary Beth Marley and I was a team USA world competitor and have been coaching figuring skating and developing skaters for 12 years. Combining my competitive experience & my coaching experience I can confidently tell you the 5 reasons above are the truth and if you feel like you are not standing out on the ice here’s what you can do...
📌pick one of the five things above and work on it every practice, every lesson, & everytime you go on that ice. Look at your skating and your goals and see were you can make changes - for example if it’s not being able to hit the music, maybe you don’t connect with it? Try another song or practice interp to help become more comfortable skating and hitting musical notes while doing skating elements.
📌film yourself, watch ur skating & analyze what would make you want to watch you more. Start comparing ones you did well to ones you did REALLY well & see the slight differences.
📌practice performing like the skater you want to become every second you are at that rink. Skate like the skater you want to become.
What do you think makes a skater stand out? Share in the comments💬
#iceskatinglessons #iceskating
@iceskatingcoachmb
