Skating technique: edges - Forward Circle Eight

Edges - part 4.

I plan to use the section "skating technique" as a journal. I'll start with what I know, but I will keep updating as I learn more. Disclaimer: this is my understanding of the technique, it may be or not the correct technique.

This continues ideas from  previous blogs that covered an introduction to Edges and Lobes, Basic Forward Edges and Advanced Deep Forward Edges.

Forward Circle Eight is a more difficult skill, thou still in the beginners range (like an advanced-beginner), and is part of the Preliminary MITF Test and Adult Bronze MITF Test.  Here is the diagram. I was first thought to do it on a hockey circle, actually inside a hockey circle. Starting in the middle of the dot and shooting to touch the line of the circle at each half of the circle eight. But at test time you could be asked to do in the center of the rink, as the diagram shows. It's allowed to start with either foot.

As with all the skating forward, the point where you should feel your weight on the blade, is the back part of your foot arch. I find good posture with the core engaged and looking up is helpful at this level.
First circle: outside edge
1. You start from standing in a T-position with a good push both described here, with the upper body and arms set as for Basic Forward Outside Edges, so the back at the circle or same hand and foot forward. You need to keep a erect posture after the push, don't allow the body to drop forward, because you'll loose control and speed trying to balance. It is important to set the blade on an edge! Again, if you put the foot down on a flat edge, you will have to adjust your body to get to the outside edge and that will affect your balance and slow you down. When you learn this, is gonna be a continuous negations between the need for strong push to go around, and the ability to control the body after a push that is too strong.
2. After the push you bring the free foot at the back of the ankle of the skating foot. The skating foot will be a little bent. This bent knee helps with both keeping a good posture and keeping the weight over the skating hip. One tip in bringing the weight over the skating hip is to lift the free hip or don't drop the free hip...different words work for different people. Lean your body a little toward the inside of the circle. Stay square to the circle tracing (the direction of travel).
3. At half circle you bring your free foot near your skating ankle, simultaneously with lowering the arms. Keep you free foot touching the skating foot, if you let it go around you will loose the edge.
4. On the second half of the circle, in my coach's words, you lift yourself over the skating hip. You straighten the skating knee and bring your free arm and skating foot forward, over the imaginary tracing of the circle.  It's helpful to pigeon toe the free foot over the circle tracing. That will also help in holding the free hip up (I, for once, used to drop my hip) and the body square with the direction of travel.

Second circle: outside edge on the other foot
1. The arms starting position will the same as the ending position from first circle. The rest is the same.
Third circle: inside edge on the foot used on the first circle but same on same tracing as second circle
1. You need to change the arms position between second circle and third circle, so when you start the inside edge, you'll have the opposite arm from skating foot in front.
2. After the push you bring your free foot laterally near the ankle of skating foot. The skating knee is bent.
3. At half circle lower the arms.
4. Continue the arm movement, rise on the skating hip and bring the free foot forward over the imaginary circle tracing. Hold a strong core. Don't pigeon toe the foot this time but don't turn it out either as can  make you drop the free hip and loose balance.
Forth circle: Inside edge on the other foot.

I underlined what seamed to help me when I learnt it.
When I tested this  move, I didn't do everything I explained here. Some things I didn't understand at the time, some things I couldn't do consistently, or I just forgot to do when I tested (the pigeon toe comes to mind). Any skating skill is a work in progress and could be improved...

Here is a video of the outside edge circles, where I think I do everything I was describing, except on the second part of the circle, I should have brought the free foot over the circle tracing and I should have pigeon toed. I have to say that seeing yourself in a video is very, very useful, after I saw this video I always remembered to pigeon toe!