It is not really mid month, but I have new thoughts. I was telling you I had the flu and it kept me down for a good week and I still feel I'm not back, now, after two weeks...
But a good thing came out of it. As I couldn't do much physically while I was sick, my mind was available, clear and involved in what I was able to do. I skated just twice a week but with more intention that I was able to put in lately. Now, as I get back to my regular, busy life, I will be busy, surely overwhelmed at points, late skating... so I want to pay attention and find ways to get my whole attention to skating while I'm on ice. When I was doing yoga, it was something that we were instructed to do at the beginning of the class, allow yourself to be there.
That was the only good thing that came out of the flue. The biggest bad is that I still don't breath right, so I'm getting tired easier on ice and I felt tired during the ballet class too. I was also coughing more during the weekend. The best thing I can do is to not push, rest and allow myself to heal. I will have my lesson today, but I won't push for adding Tuesdays to my skating schedule. I will also not push for adding the second lesson on Thursday. On the other hand, whatever skating I'm able to do, I'm happy with. That would be the moves, because the Ten Fox took a break, I couldn't push it while sick and also I couldn't partner it and get my couch sick. But the moves progressed, the ones that ask for power I feel I have more control and then I allow myself to go faster. The 3-turns are good(ish) for a while now, so good, that my coach wants me to keep the free leg out now. At this point I like to bring the free foot at the ankle of the skating foot as I turn, it feels safer. But, surprise! I can do them with the foot out... It's truly a miracle! The miracle of perseverance...
As for Ice Dancing, I'm smitten with the Foxtrot. I had the excuse of not being able to skate out the Ten Fox so I worked on the Foxtrot instead. I still have to think about what I'm doing. Not necessarily the steps, but how the upper body is set to step into the next step. That is because many of the Foxtrot steps are cross rolls, so the upper body has to stay differently (almost opposite) then on the regular strokes. I'm also working on the new Mohawk, the closed Mohawk, the one where you place the free foot, behind the skating foot and hold the free leg extension hold coming out of the turn. I feel I've got the idea at very slow speed. If I try to do in in the dance I panic. So I'll have to drill it a lot a low speed, and slowly increase the speed, just as I work on the dropped 3-turns.
The second bad thing coming out of me having been sick, is that I'm behind with my day to day life. I'm usually very busy, now I'm both behind and have some new things going on. I'm helping a lot the alley cats, more then before, if you are interested, read about it on my new blog: https://alleycatstales.blogspot.com/
Showing posts with label Mohawk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mohawk. Show all posts
Monday, February 10, 2020
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Ice Dancing: Fiesta Tango
Here is the the judging form for Fiesta Tango, Pre-Bronze pattern dance that includes the diagram with the steps of the dance. This dance felt more difficult to me, compared with the other two on this level (Cha Cha and Swing Dance). I felt that every single step is a new one... The hold for this dance is a reversed killian hold, meaning partners are lateral to each other, the women is at the left side of the man.
Intro Steps: forward strokes left, right, left, right, from the red X on the diagram towards West.
The Pattern Dance I'll describe in steps from the diagram grouped into lobes.
1.2. Left Forward Outside Edge, Right Forward Outside Edge (2-2,total 4 beats). These are very quick edges. I've learned that the only way to do them is by starting with the upper body towards the inside of the circle of the edge (so left for the left step) and as you rise to re bend for the next stroke you pull the edge (like power pulls) and turn the upper body to the right to basically "check" the rotation of the lower body. That will leave you in the right position to start the right edge. It is also important to step on am outside edge.
3.4.5. Left Forward Outside Progressive. (1-1-2, 4 beats total) Ok, this is not a new step, but it is the only one that is not new. What is new is that you don't "check" the upper body as you rise, you keep it toward the inside of the circle to be prepared for the cross roll.
6.7. Right Forward Outside Cross Roll and Left Forward Inside Cross (X) Behind. (2-2, 4 beats total). At the point when I learned this dance I haven't done Cross Rolls, in fact I'm just learning them right now. Very short instruction: Stroke, then bring the free leg over the skating leg (like a crossover) but crossing the free leg over the knee and twist the upper body towards the inside of the circle simultaneously with the free leg movement. Hold the outside edge and the upper body position to slide the free leg in the cross behind inside edge. The new free leg (right) goes forward, like a slide chasse.
8. 9. It is a Forward Outside Swing Roll hold 4 beats, the the free leg is moved back, while going on an inside edge and an Left Forward Outside Edge. Step 8 is a very long edge, 6 beats, step 9, 2 beats continues the lobe created by the change of the edge of step 8. I feel the "secrets" on this step 8 are a strong stroke (from underneath you), an erect posture (the edge is impossible to control if you are leaning forward) and a strong press into the ice with the ankle of the skating foot. I used to group in my mind step 9 with the steps 10.11, the mohawk, kind of like a preparation for the mowhak. But I feel it makes more sense for firstly the rhythm count but also the technique to have it combined with the long change of edge step. I feel I kept the end of the long edge stronger (that ends as an inside edge), continuing with this step 9 that is the same lobe as the inside edge.
10.11.12. Right Forward Inside Mohawk to Left Backward Inside Edge and Right Backwards Outside Edge. (1-1, 2 total 4 beats). This is not your regular inside mohawk. It is very, very quick and the free leg stops at the ankle after the turn so it doesn't help in balancing. You have to have at this point a good posture and balance skating backwards (that is different than skating forward), I'll cover this in a coming post. I was sometimes hitting this and sometimes I didn't. At the test I didn't. As I said I used to practice steps 9.10.11. together but I feel grouping 10.11.12, finally made me keep steep 11 at 1 count., because I had to step immediately for step 12. I said "step", as per my instructor, you never "step" in Ice Dancing, you always "stroke". But at that time, I was stepping all this end pattern.
13.14. Left Backward Inside Edge and Right Backward Outside Edge (2-2, total 4 beats). These should be easy steps, just backward stroking, but you need that balance and posture for going backwards that I mentioned at the Mohawk.
15.16. Cross Forward Left Backward Inside Edge and Right Forward Inside (2-2, total 4 beats). I loved step 15, as I felt it showed the tango character, it is a pity that I couldn't do it strongly when the previous steps weren't solid. Step 16 is step forward, ready to start a new pattern.
Here is the video of my test and you can read about the day when I tested here.
The Pattern Dance I'll describe in steps from the diagram grouped into lobes.
1.2. Left Forward Outside Edge, Right Forward Outside Edge (2-2,total 4 beats). These are very quick edges. I've learned that the only way to do them is by starting with the upper body towards the inside of the circle of the edge (so left for the left step) and as you rise to re bend for the next stroke you pull the edge (like power pulls) and turn the upper body to the right to basically "check" the rotation of the lower body. That will leave you in the right position to start the right edge. It is also important to step on am outside edge.
3.4.5. Left Forward Outside Progressive. (1-1-2, 4 beats total) Ok, this is not a new step, but it is the only one that is not new. What is new is that you don't "check" the upper body as you rise, you keep it toward the inside of the circle to be prepared for the cross roll.
6.7. Right Forward Outside Cross Roll and Left Forward Inside Cross (X) Behind. (2-2, 4 beats total). At the point when I learned this dance I haven't done Cross Rolls, in fact I'm just learning them right now. Very short instruction: Stroke, then bring the free leg over the skating leg (like a crossover) but crossing the free leg over the knee and twist the upper body towards the inside of the circle simultaneously with the free leg movement. Hold the outside edge and the upper body position to slide the free leg in the cross behind inside edge. The new free leg (right) goes forward, like a slide chasse.
8. 9. It is a Forward Outside Swing Roll hold 4 beats, the the free leg is moved back, while going on an inside edge and an Left Forward Outside Edge. Step 8 is a very long edge, 6 beats, step 9, 2 beats continues the lobe created by the change of the edge of step 8. I feel the "secrets" on this step 8 are a strong stroke (from underneath you), an erect posture (the edge is impossible to control if you are leaning forward) and a strong press into the ice with the ankle of the skating foot. I used to group in my mind step 9 with the steps 10.11, the mohawk, kind of like a preparation for the mowhak. But I feel it makes more sense for firstly the rhythm count but also the technique to have it combined with the long change of edge step. I feel I kept the end of the long edge stronger (that ends as an inside edge), continuing with this step 9 that is the same lobe as the inside edge.
10.11.12. Right Forward Inside Mohawk to Left Backward Inside Edge and Right Backwards Outside Edge. (1-1, 2 total 4 beats). This is not your regular inside mohawk. It is very, very quick and the free leg stops at the ankle after the turn so it doesn't help in balancing. You have to have at this point a good posture and balance skating backwards (that is different than skating forward), I'll cover this in a coming post. I was sometimes hitting this and sometimes I didn't. At the test I didn't. As I said I used to practice steps 9.10.11. together but I feel grouping 10.11.12, finally made me keep steep 11 at 1 count., because I had to step immediately for step 12. I said "step", as per my instructor, you never "step" in Ice Dancing, you always "stroke". But at that time, I was stepping all this end pattern.
13.14. Left Backward Inside Edge and Right Backward Outside Edge (2-2, total 4 beats). These should be easy steps, just backward stroking, but you need that balance and posture for going backwards that I mentioned at the Mohawk.
15.16. Cross Forward Left Backward Inside Edge and Right Forward Inside (2-2, total 4 beats). I loved step 15, as I felt it showed the tango character, it is a pity that I couldn't do it strongly when the previous steps weren't solid. Step 16 is step forward, ready to start a new pattern.
Here is the video of my test and you can read about the day when I tested here.
Friday, September 13, 2019
Ice Dancing: Swing Dance
The Swing Dance is basically just chasses and swing rolls, it should be easy, right? Well, it is the first dance in a waltz hold so it's the first dance that requires skating backwards. Another new concept is the tracking, meaning that the skater going forward has to follow the one going backward in a certain way. And there is one more challenge, it is a longer dance. The pattern dances have to be repeated twice at these levels. The previous pattern dances were half of the ice rink so twice of that is once around the rink. The Swing Dance pattern goes around the whole rink, and twice that would mean you have to go twice around the rink.
Here is the form used for judging, and it shows the diagram of the dance.
Intro Steps: facing South lateral to the right side of the partner - Left stroke, Right Outside 3-turn and Left Back Swing Roll (on the hockey circle, finishing on the axis formed by the red dots on the length of the rink) during which you get into the waltz hold
The Pattern Dance I'll describe in steps grouped in lobes:
1.2.3. Right Back Outside Chasse (count 1-1-2, total 4 beats) (on the judges drawing these steps are (16.17.18.). I've described the Back Chasses here.
4.5.6. Left Back Outside Chasse (count 1-1-2, total 4 beats) (19.20.21). This should bring you to the middle of the rink.
7. Right Back Outside Swing Roll (4 beats) (22.), and I'll link the explanation of the Back Swing Roll soon.
8. Left Back Outside Swing Roll (4 beats) (23.)
9.10. Right Back Outside Edge to Left Forward Outside Edge (2-2, 4 beats total) (24.25.). Here at the end of the back edge you have to rise and bring your weight over the skating foot and hip and rebend the knees and ankles in order to step forward neatly (feet close together). On the step forward the waltz hold is released into just holding hands.
11.12.13. Right Forward Inside Edge to Left Forward Outside Edge to Right Forward Inside Slide Chasse (2-2-2, 6 beats total) (26.27.28.). I explained about the Forward Slide Chasse here. This is an optional step, meaning you can do just a regular edge, but the partner at this point does the second edge of a Mohowk and the extension of the slide matches nicely the extension of the partner's Mohowk.
14.15. Left Forward Outside Edge to Right Forward Outside Swing Roll that I described the technique here. (2-4, 6 beats total) (29.30.). These steps follow the hockey circle as in the intro steps. The waltz hold is reacquired during the left outside edge.
16.17.18. Left Forward Outside Chasse (1-1-2, 4 beats total) (diagram steps are 1.2.3. and described as the first steps for the man)
19.20.21. Right Forward Outside Chasse (1-1-2, 4 beats total) (4.5.6.) and this should bring you to the middle of the rink.
22. Left Forward Swing Roll (4 beats) (7.)
23. Right Forward Swing Roll (4 beats) (8.)
24.25.26 Left Forward Outside Edge to Right Forward Inside Edge to Left Forward Outside Edge (2-2-2, 6 beats total)
27.28. Mohawk that I described the technique for here is Right Forward Inside Edge to Left Back Inside Edge (2-2, 4 beats total)
29.30. Right Back Outside Edge to Left Back Outside Swing Roll (2-4, 6 beats total)
I mentioned "tracking" that is following the partner, and you can see that in the pattern dance drawing tracking is shown with an interrupted line at both ends of the pattern. Tracking also happens in all the other lobes, But I feel there is enough to be said about tracking to fill a whole post.
I also mentioned that learning the backward skating felt difficult. I was surprised how uncomfortable it was to go forward while the partner was going backwards in a waltz hold. I suspect it was a mental component, fear of hitting my partner... But it also felt that he was going faster then me and I was being dragged and a little off balance because of that. The coach's correction was to stroke each step, not step it. And here is the video from the test (test that i described here). I've got passing marks on each category, with the mention that I was "cautious".
Here is the form used for judging, and it shows the diagram of the dance.
The Pattern Dance I'll describe in steps grouped in lobes:
1.2.3. Right Back Outside Chasse (count 1-1-2, total 4 beats) (on the judges drawing these steps are (16.17.18.). I've described the Back Chasses here.
4.5.6. Left Back Outside Chasse (count 1-1-2, total 4 beats) (19.20.21). This should bring you to the middle of the rink.
7. Right Back Outside Swing Roll (4 beats) (22.), and I'll link the explanation of the Back Swing Roll soon.
8. Left Back Outside Swing Roll (4 beats) (23.)
9.10. Right Back Outside Edge to Left Forward Outside Edge (2-2, 4 beats total) (24.25.). Here at the end of the back edge you have to rise and bring your weight over the skating foot and hip and rebend the knees and ankles in order to step forward neatly (feet close together). On the step forward the waltz hold is released into just holding hands.
11.12.13. Right Forward Inside Edge to Left Forward Outside Edge to Right Forward Inside Slide Chasse (2-2-2, 6 beats total) (26.27.28.). I explained about the Forward Slide Chasse here. This is an optional step, meaning you can do just a regular edge, but the partner at this point does the second edge of a Mohowk and the extension of the slide matches nicely the extension of the partner's Mohowk.
14.15. Left Forward Outside Edge to Right Forward Outside Swing Roll that I described the technique here. (2-4, 6 beats total) (29.30.). These steps follow the hockey circle as in the intro steps. The waltz hold is reacquired during the left outside edge.
16.17.18. Left Forward Outside Chasse (1-1-2, 4 beats total) (diagram steps are 1.2.3. and described as the first steps for the man)
19.20.21. Right Forward Outside Chasse (1-1-2, 4 beats total) (4.5.6.) and this should bring you to the middle of the rink.
22. Left Forward Swing Roll (4 beats) (7.)
23. Right Forward Swing Roll (4 beats) (8.)
24.25.26 Left Forward Outside Edge to Right Forward Inside Edge to Left Forward Outside Edge (2-2-2, 6 beats total)
27.28. Mohawk that I described the technique for here is Right Forward Inside Edge to Left Back Inside Edge (2-2, 4 beats total)
29.30. Right Back Outside Edge to Left Back Outside Swing Roll (2-4, 6 beats total)
I mentioned "tracking" that is following the partner, and you can see that in the pattern dance drawing tracking is shown with an interrupted line at both ends of the pattern. Tracking also happens in all the other lobes, But I feel there is enough to be said about tracking to fill a whole post.
I also mentioned that learning the backward skating felt difficult. I was surprised how uncomfortable it was to go forward while the partner was going backwards in a waltz hold. I suspect it was a mental component, fear of hitting my partner... But it also felt that he was going faster then me and I was being dragged and a little off balance because of that. The coach's correction was to stroke each step, not step it. And here is the video from the test (test that i described here). I've got passing marks on each category, with the mention that I was "cautious".
Friday, June 14, 2019
Mid month update
These last 2 weeks were again, just ok... The reason is the same, I'm tired, I don't get enough sleep. It seems that in order to skate well, I would need uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep. And I'm registered to test the Pre-Juvenile MITF next week-end.
The good news is that I've had a good skating day each week. That keeps me confident. But that's what I've used those 2 days for, to keep my confidence up. Instead, I should have organized and get myself together for the test. I was planing at the end of last month to slow down and rework some technique and alignment and that didn't go that well. Now was the time to put together everything, see what levels of precision and power I can do at the same time, kind of marrying them. So that's my problem right now. Sometimes when I get more power I lose my balance and put the foot down. That's an automatic negative score... But then again, I cannot pull back too much from the power as it is a requirement of the test.
The other 2 days I skated on my own each week were hang in there days. I think it was still better then not skating at all. On a somehow positive note, those tired days accentuated my weakest skills, so in a way it pinpointed were I needed extra work and corrections from my coach.
On the private lesson days I choose to skate just the half hour lesson, no warm up. By warm up I mean working on my own for half hour before the lesson. And that's because on the lessons on the weeks before I was tired from my half hour working on my own. I think it was a good decision.
On my lesson 2 weeks ago, my coach wanted a full performance of the test starting with pretending I look at the judges for the nod to start, the lifting of the arms and en engaging the posture, the confident intro steps and the powerful ending steps. We worked on these before but he gave me extra feedback on how he wants me to display power after each move. Also he pointed 2 spots where he suggested I take a deep breath. And one feels almost sneaky. I used to go to my starting point, assume the posture, lift the hand and then look at the judges. He said, to skate casually at the starting point, look at the judges, and when I have their attention, assume the posture, lift the arms and take a breath... It makes such a difference. He also wants me to put in an ending pose after my t-stop when I finish each move, so I can take a breath right there. If you red my post about my first MITF test, these intro and ending "presentation" used to stress me so much. Now I can actually use them in my benefit.
On my lesson last week he said to stop after each move for corrections. And that gave me some of that test organizing that I was seeking. I've realized a while ago that I need same key words/ reminders to help at a certain point in a dance. My choreographer for the Freestyle program actually said he was using them himself and suggested places in the programs and words to use. Not to many, or it will stop being useful. So I've got some "reminders" for each move now:
1. Power crossovers (reminder for backward, posture- push hips underneath).
2.3. The 3-turns were rushed, and on the backwards one I'm turning often before the middle of the lobe. I told my coach that it was a crowded sessions and I was eager to turn so I won't bump into somebody, and you know, fall and hurt my hip. He said excuses, excuses... But with what feedback he gave me I was able to choose one instruction/ thought that helps. On all of them I have to really look at the boards to be parallel with them. This also help my posture be erect. For RFO is to let the left shoulder get back. For LFI is to turn my head to the right.
4. The power pulls, on all of them fall into the edges and lift up. Forward were fine (coach says hips forward but I would rather remember core engaged), backward there was always somebody in my way. I wouldn't say I'm worried about them, but I don't remember when was the last time I did them without obstacles, so really do them. Reminder: shoulders back.
5. On the back circle eight I'm just chocking when the coach is watching. Actually my theory is that the ice is more chopped then I'm used on my regular sessions. Also, the coach is coaching me trough it, so I feel I'm letting go on the balance and concentration as I try to hear him and incorporate what he is saying. Excuses? I don't think so, because when I do it on my own, is fine! Reminder: posture (and look up). I feel that if I'm erect the push is good, and the alignments is good.
6. On the last move he always wants something more, like flow, power, look, up, sell it, but there is no specific instruction, But to be honest is the last one and I'm probably giving up a little. So, I cannot do the at at the test. Reminder: don't give up.
The very bad news is that the schedule at my rink changes this coming week and while there are few practice sessions I don't know which of them will be less crowded. On a crowded one I don't think I can do much good. And my lesson is at another rink. So yeah, ready or not.. here I come...
The good news is that I've had a good skating day each week. That keeps me confident. But that's what I've used those 2 days for, to keep my confidence up. Instead, I should have organized and get myself together for the test. I was planing at the end of last month to slow down and rework some technique and alignment and that didn't go that well. Now was the time to put together everything, see what levels of precision and power I can do at the same time, kind of marrying them. So that's my problem right now. Sometimes when I get more power I lose my balance and put the foot down. That's an automatic negative score... But then again, I cannot pull back too much from the power as it is a requirement of the test.
The other 2 days I skated on my own each week were hang in there days. I think it was still better then not skating at all. On a somehow positive note, those tired days accentuated my weakest skills, so in a way it pinpointed were I needed extra work and corrections from my coach.
On the private lesson days I choose to skate just the half hour lesson, no warm up. By warm up I mean working on my own for half hour before the lesson. And that's because on the lessons on the weeks before I was tired from my half hour working on my own. I think it was a good decision.
On my lesson 2 weeks ago, my coach wanted a full performance of the test starting with pretending I look at the judges for the nod to start, the lifting of the arms and en engaging the posture, the confident intro steps and the powerful ending steps. We worked on these before but he gave me extra feedback on how he wants me to display power after each move. Also he pointed 2 spots where he suggested I take a deep breath. And one feels almost sneaky. I used to go to my starting point, assume the posture, lift the hand and then look at the judges. He said, to skate casually at the starting point, look at the judges, and when I have their attention, assume the posture, lift the arms and take a breath... It makes such a difference. He also wants me to put in an ending pose after my t-stop when I finish each move, so I can take a breath right there. If you red my post about my first MITF test, these intro and ending "presentation" used to stress me so much. Now I can actually use them in my benefit.
On my lesson last week he said to stop after each move for corrections. And that gave me some of that test organizing that I was seeking. I've realized a while ago that I need same key words/ reminders to help at a certain point in a dance. My choreographer for the Freestyle program actually said he was using them himself and suggested places in the programs and words to use. Not to many, or it will stop being useful. So I've got some "reminders" for each move now:
1. Power crossovers (reminder for backward, posture- push hips underneath).
2.3. The 3-turns were rushed, and on the backwards one I'm turning often before the middle of the lobe. I told my coach that it was a crowded sessions and I was eager to turn so I won't bump into somebody, and you know, fall and hurt my hip. He said excuses, excuses... But with what feedback he gave me I was able to choose one instruction/ thought that helps. On all of them I have to really look at the boards to be parallel with them. This also help my posture be erect. For RFO is to let the left shoulder get back. For LFI is to turn my head to the right.
4. The power pulls, on all of them fall into the edges and lift up. Forward were fine (coach says hips forward but I would rather remember core engaged), backward there was always somebody in my way. I wouldn't say I'm worried about them, but I don't remember when was the last time I did them without obstacles, so really do them. Reminder: shoulders back.
5. On the back circle eight I'm just chocking when the coach is watching. Actually my theory is that the ice is more chopped then I'm used on my regular sessions. Also, the coach is coaching me trough it, so I feel I'm letting go on the balance and concentration as I try to hear him and incorporate what he is saying. Excuses? I don't think so, because when I do it on my own, is fine! Reminder: posture (and look up). I feel that if I'm erect the push is good, and the alignments is good.
6. On the last move he always wants something more, like flow, power, look, up, sell it, but there is no specific instruction, But to be honest is the last one and I'm probably giving up a little. So, I cannot do the at at the test. Reminder: don't give up.
The very bad news is that the schedule at my rink changes this coming week and while there are few practice sessions I don't know which of them will be less crowded. On a crowded one I don't think I can do much good. And my lesson is at another rink. So yeah, ready or not.. here I come...
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Ice Dancing: Ten Fox pattern dance
This is the last dance from the set of three Bronze Pattern Dances. Here is a link to the Judge's Form where you can see the drawing of the pattern and the expectations for the dance. It has a 4 bit count and it feels fast to me. There are 2 different holds used, the waltz one like in the Willow Waltz also called closed hold and then an open hold. In an open hold the partners are lateral to each other, hips are parallel and hold square to the direction of moving but the upper bodies are towards each other and the arms like the waltz hold.
I use the next image to help me describe the direction of movement. And the dance I describe in groups of steps (that I put numbers for and the music bit count) that form lobes.
Intro steps: starting on the end line (near South to South West), not on the hockey circle as the others, 3 forward strokes towards East: Right (not starting with the regular left here), Left, Right, the last one on a slight inside edge to get you to the circle where you do a Left dropped 3-turn, on the circle, taking a quarter of that lobe. My challenge here is that I've got used to direct the 3-turn towards the opposite end of the rink, to the North, I hook it and that messes up the next step and the interaction with the partner. The 3 turn has to start with an outside edge going towards East, curving and then after the turn you end up moving towards North East not North.
1.2.3. RB Backward Progressive (4 beats, rhythm 1-1-2 in closed, waltz hold) Starting toward North East and finishing towards West. The second step should still go towards North East and my mistake is that I tend, again, to hook it to get me around quicker. Actually that makes the lobe shorter, and the upper body pre rotated and less efficient in checking to be ready for the next lobe and that messes up the next step (see the pattern here? just as the 3-turn messes up this progressive). This lobe doesn't go from starting towards East and ending towards West as regular lobes on axis. As I was saying, this is a fast rhythm, so the lobes are a little more flat than let's say the Willow Waltz.
4a. LB Backward Swing Roll (4 beats, closed hold). This has to be a correct Swing Roll, otherwise, you probably guessed, is gonna mess up the next step! So it has to start with a push straight back towards the West, and maintain a square upper body to the hips, don't allow the upper body to rotate after the push, let the lean and edge create the curve of the lobe. The free leg extend forward but knees are apart, so it looks forward- laterally. Rise on the skating hip at the top of the lobe and keep your weight over it and swing the free leg back, not laterally.The feeling is that you bring your right shoulder aligned over the left hip. The swing roll starts going deep into the middle of the rink and ends around the dot near the blue line, not farther away toward the board, so you have enough space for the next step. Update 9/9/2019 correction: sit on the left foot at the end of the edge (re bend) so you can stroke on the next inside edge not step onto it.
4.b Open Choctaw (that is while on the LBO edge bring the right foot at the instep of the left and step on a R Foreword Inside Edge (2 beats). The reason this step is called 4b not 5 is that the partner does only one change of edge step during the woman 4a and 4b. I usually enter a FI edge with the opposite shoulder forward, but in this case is important to get used from when you learn it solo, to enter with the same shoulder forward as the foot, so the right one, to accommodate the arm hold with the partner.
5.6.7 L Forward Progressive (4 beats, 1-1-2) going from parallel to the long boards (north) to the middle of the rink (west). This Progressive continues the lobe started with the FI edge. Update 9/9/2019 correction: press the edge at the end of progressive, gather and re bend to be able to place the right foot on on outside edge on the next step and stroke into it.
8. R Forward Outside Edge (4 beats)with a rise on the skating leg while bringing the free foot down at the middle of the lobe. This is to match the partner feet while he is doing a dropped 3-turn and a BO edge. On this edge my coach cautioned me to keep it straight at the top of the lobe, don't rush the curve, because right there he is doing the 3-turn so I shouldn't cut his way. Update 9/9/2019 correction: press the edge at the and of lobe, same correction as before
9. L Outside 3-turn (2 beats). This is the step I'm having the most difficulty I'm not finishing the previous step perpendicular to the long boards, I suppose because I feel I'm late, but more probably because I'm anxious about it, and I'm not gathering so I can push into the 3-turn. I'm kind of dropping into it... Instruction: don't forget to flip the right foot on the inside edge before pushing to the left.
10.11.12 R Backward Progressive (4 beats 1-1-2)
13,14,15,16 Two L Forward Progressives of just 2 edges, so left, right, left, right (4 beats, 1-1-1-1) Here, the hips are square, upper body twisted outside (towards the partner). Corrections: don't drop left shoulder, push from the right shoulder...
17,18, 19 L Outside Open Mohawk into a L Backward Inside Edge (4 beats, 1-1-2)
-stroke LF outside edge
-rise on left foot over the left hip, using inner thighs, align back to circle, arched back, push left shoulder forward, right shoulder back, butt in, like not falling forward over a cliff, let foot come at instep not in front, don't rush!
-step on right pinky toe, free foot at back ankle, ideally feet parallel, pull left shoulder back, push right arm forward. Update 9/9/2019 correction: after setting the right foot on ice, lead with the right heal (push it towards your forward left (north west corner)
It took me a long time to get this. What finally made me do it, was the coach request to just do the L Outside edge, bring the free foot at the instep and hold it. This was as a result of me complaining that I never feel I'm totally ready to transfer on the new foot... In fact, I wasn't holding the weight on the entry edge... I suppose, as with the 3-turn, I was too anxious and so I rushed into allowing the weight to shift towards the new edge. During the exercise I also felt the free hip, totally opening before stepping on the free foot. The last piece of the puzzle is the strong and quick check into the turn and out of the turn, in fact it may be the first piece of the puzzle, you need this check when you bring the free foot in after the first edge...
There are two more little tricks here, at the last step. Firstly, because you step from an outside edge to an inside one, you shouldn't step too closely. You have to step few inches away so you can transfer the weight in a controlled manner. Secondly, the upper body is facing the outside of the circle during the mohawk and the last step. Now, as you rise on the BI edge you square the upper body on the hips, and you twist the upper body towards the inside of the circle as you re bend to push into the RB progressive of the new pattern.
My coach told me to think about these beginner dances as a way to build skills. A new skill that's introduced with the bronze pattern dances is the awareness of what step is the partner doing, as I mentioned few times during this post.
Corrections 03/07/2019
- flatten all the lobes a little to fill the rink, think go long
- I start to far, start closer to the middle so the 3 turn starts at the long axis on the hockey circle
- let the first part of the swing roll go towards the center so it comes back to the axis and not crosses the axes, finish around the dot
- while re bending twist the upper body to the right, to face the long boards for the step forward iside edge
- finish the progressive around the next dot
- don't hook the 3 turn so you can keep going long with the forward steps
- don't rush the end steps
- good mowhak :) I liked this one...
Corrections 6/27/2020
- dropped 3-turns; get on that skating hip, don't leave free hip behind, don't block with upper body (push skating shoulder back)
- finish backward swing, hold the weight on skating side and rebend for a good push into the forward inside edge, perpendicular to axis
- take progressive deeper into circle to have enough space for double knee bend that now runs in boards
- don't open hip on double knee bent, push free hip forward, don't concentrate in bringing the free foot up but on bringing it down, scissor motion, lifting over skating foot
- re bend while holding the weight on skating foot, but flip from outside to inside edge
- bring progressive more around and hold weight on skating side as stepping to stroke forward
- after mohawk step near foot, don't let free foot go back
I use the next image to help me describe the direction of movement. And the dance I describe in groups of steps (that I put numbers for and the music bit count) that form lobes.
Intro steps: starting on the end line (near South to South West), not on the hockey circle as the others, 3 forward strokes towards East: Right (not starting with the regular left here), Left, Right, the last one on a slight inside edge to get you to the circle where you do a Left dropped 3-turn, on the circle, taking a quarter of that lobe. My challenge here is that I've got used to direct the 3-turn towards the opposite end of the rink, to the North, I hook it and that messes up the next step and the interaction with the partner. The 3 turn has to start with an outside edge going towards East, curving and then after the turn you end up moving towards North East not North.
1.2.3. RB Backward Progressive (4 beats, rhythm 1-1-2 in closed, waltz hold) Starting toward North East and finishing towards West. The second step should still go towards North East and my mistake is that I tend, again, to hook it to get me around quicker. Actually that makes the lobe shorter, and the upper body pre rotated and less efficient in checking to be ready for the next lobe and that messes up the next step (see the pattern here? just as the 3-turn messes up this progressive). This lobe doesn't go from starting towards East and ending towards West as regular lobes on axis. As I was saying, this is a fast rhythm, so the lobes are a little more flat than let's say the Willow Waltz.
4a. LB Backward Swing Roll (4 beats, closed hold). This has to be a correct Swing Roll, otherwise, you probably guessed, is gonna mess up the next step! So it has to start with a push straight back towards the West, and maintain a square upper body to the hips, don't allow the upper body to rotate after the push, let the lean and edge create the curve of the lobe. The free leg extend forward but knees are apart, so it looks forward- laterally. Rise on the skating hip at the top of the lobe and keep your weight over it and swing the free leg back, not laterally.The feeling is that you bring your right shoulder aligned over the left hip. The swing roll starts going deep into the middle of the rink and ends around the dot near the blue line, not farther away toward the board, so you have enough space for the next step. Update 9/9/2019 correction: sit on the left foot at the end of the edge (re bend) so you can stroke on the next inside edge not step onto it.
4.b Open Choctaw (that is while on the LBO edge bring the right foot at the instep of the left and step on a R Foreword Inside Edge (2 beats). The reason this step is called 4b not 5 is that the partner does only one change of edge step during the woman 4a and 4b. I usually enter a FI edge with the opposite shoulder forward, but in this case is important to get used from when you learn it solo, to enter with the same shoulder forward as the foot, so the right one, to accommodate the arm hold with the partner.
5.6.7 L Forward Progressive (4 beats, 1-1-2) going from parallel to the long boards (north) to the middle of the rink (west). This Progressive continues the lobe started with the FI edge. Update 9/9/2019 correction: press the edge at the end of progressive, gather and re bend to be able to place the right foot on on outside edge on the next step and stroke into it.
8. R Forward Outside Edge (4 beats)with a rise on the skating leg while bringing the free foot down at the middle of the lobe. This is to match the partner feet while he is doing a dropped 3-turn and a BO edge. On this edge my coach cautioned me to keep it straight at the top of the lobe, don't rush the curve, because right there he is doing the 3-turn so I shouldn't cut his way. Update 9/9/2019 correction: press the edge at the and of lobe, same correction as before
9. L Outside 3-turn (2 beats). This is the step I'm having the most difficulty I'm not finishing the previous step perpendicular to the long boards, I suppose because I feel I'm late, but more probably because I'm anxious about it, and I'm not gathering so I can push into the 3-turn. I'm kind of dropping into it... Instruction: don't forget to flip the right foot on the inside edge before pushing to the left.
10.11.12 R Backward Progressive (4 beats 1-1-2)
13,14,15,16 Two L Forward Progressives of just 2 edges, so left, right, left, right (4 beats, 1-1-1-1) Here, the hips are square, upper body twisted outside (towards the partner). Corrections: don't drop left shoulder, push from the right shoulder...
17,18, 19 L Outside Open Mohawk into a L Backward Inside Edge (4 beats, 1-1-2)
-stroke LF outside edge
-rise on left foot over the left hip, using inner thighs, align back to circle, arched back, push left shoulder forward, right shoulder back, butt in, like not falling forward over a cliff, let foot come at instep not in front, don't rush!
-step on right pinky toe, free foot at back ankle, ideally feet parallel, pull left shoulder back, push right arm forward. Update 9/9/2019 correction: after setting the right foot on ice, lead with the right heal (push it towards your forward left (north west corner)
It took me a long time to get this. What finally made me do it, was the coach request to just do the L Outside edge, bring the free foot at the instep and hold it. This was as a result of me complaining that I never feel I'm totally ready to transfer on the new foot... In fact, I wasn't holding the weight on the entry edge... I suppose, as with the 3-turn, I was too anxious and so I rushed into allowing the weight to shift towards the new edge. During the exercise I also felt the free hip, totally opening before stepping on the free foot. The last piece of the puzzle is the strong and quick check into the turn and out of the turn, in fact it may be the first piece of the puzzle, you need this check when you bring the free foot in after the first edge...
There are two more little tricks here, at the last step. Firstly, because you step from an outside edge to an inside one, you shouldn't step too closely. You have to step few inches away so you can transfer the weight in a controlled manner. Secondly, the upper body is facing the outside of the circle during the mohawk and the last step. Now, as you rise on the BI edge you square the upper body on the hips, and you twist the upper body towards the inside of the circle as you re bend to push into the RB progressive of the new pattern.
My coach told me to think about these beginner dances as a way to build skills. A new skill that's introduced with the bronze pattern dances is the awareness of what step is the partner doing, as I mentioned few times during this post.
Corrections 03/07/2019
- flatten all the lobes a little to fill the rink, think go long
- I start to far, start closer to the middle so the 3 turn starts at the long axis on the hockey circle
- let the first part of the swing roll go towards the center so it comes back to the axis and not crosses the axes, finish around the dot
- while re bending twist the upper body to the right, to face the long boards for the step forward iside edge
- finish the progressive around the next dot
- don't hook the 3 turn so you can keep going long with the forward steps
- don't rush the end steps
- good mowhak :) I liked this one...
Corrections 6/27/2020
- dropped 3-turns; get on that skating hip, don't leave free hip behind, don't block with upper body (push skating shoulder back)
- finish backward swing, hold the weight on skating side and rebend for a good push into the forward inside edge, perpendicular to axis
- take progressive deeper into circle to have enough space for double knee bend that now runs in boards
- don't open hip on double knee bent, push free hip forward, don't concentrate in bringing the free foot up but on bringing it down, scissor motion, lifting over skating foot
- re bend while holding the weight on skating foot, but flip from outside to inside edge
- bring progressive more around and hold weight on skating side as stepping to stroke forward
- after mohawk step near foot, don't let free foot go back
Monday, October 22, 2018
Skating Technique: turns - Open Forward Inside Mohawk
turns - part 1.
Turns are what allows you to skate from forward to backward and backward to forward. Disclaimer :) this is my understanding of the technique...
Looking back, I'm surprised that the 3-turns and Mohawks, which are turns from an forward edge to a backward edge, are covered by ISI before the actual edges. They are covered in Delta and Gamma levels, which are the last to level of the Intro to Skating (read my view about skating levels here). More then that, my backward skating, when I started learning these turns, was less developed that the forward one. But, as I said two posts ago (Beginner Forward and Backward Skating), the backward skating takes time to develop because anything that messes your posture, messes the balance point on the blade. One thing that messes the posture is the backward push. From this point of view, the 3-turns and Mohawks are just another way to start going backwards, instead of the push... It will be equally hard, but they'll develop at the same time, and at the same time as the edges.
I vividly remember when I was first taught these turns, that I was laughing inside at the "crazy" idea that I will ever learn them. But I did... And I wish I've known at that point, that there are levels of precision expected for any skill, turns included. You first get "the idea" of them, you "kind'a... sort'a" (this is how an instructor in dance class was asking if we've got the choreography) do them. And then you improve them, and improve them more. My coach says that you still improve them on the expert level.
For me the Mohawks came a little easier so I'll start with those. I looked on youtube and most of the instructions there, are for a more intermediate quality, like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p-nKfrM2PU&t=29s
The instructions for a correct Forward Right Open Inside Mohawk (this is the easier side for me, the left one is the same but on the other side) are:
- stroke on an RFI (Right forward Inside) Edge on a bent skating leg with the free leg extended, facing the imaginary circle the edges curves on, right hand forward, left hand back, hugging the circle and hold the stroke for a length equal with your height
- at the point you want to turn rotate the upper body so the right arm and shoulder point towards the center of the circle, the left arm and shoulder press back. The skating foot increases the pressure into the ice at this point as you rise into your knee and bring your free foot at the instep of the skating foot. As a beginner I was bringing the heels together, not the heel to the instep. One tip I've got that helped me correct this was to bring the foot a little more forward then the instep. It helped at the time, but I have the feeling that messed up the turned out of my free foot and I started to bring the knees together too. Now, I'm trying to think of turning the foot out as I take the first stroke, and to lead with the heal when I bring the foot in and keep the knees separated (another tip I heard is make a diamond with your knees)
- immediately bend both knees, as a mini ballet plie, and put the left blade down on an backward inside edge (LBI), pressing into the ice and rising a little, then bend again to hold the edge. The right leg could be extended or kept at the back of the ankle. At the same time, the upper body checks the rotation, so the right hand and shoulder goes back and the left ones in front, hugging the circle and still looking inside the circle.
Finally I found one video showing exactly what I was doing as a beginner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHCmI7tAc94
- stroke on RFI edge, right hand forward, left one back, on top of the circle
- turn out your free foot as much as you can, don't mess up with the upper body
- just put the left leg down on a inside (LBI) edge somewhere where you are comfortable, it's ok if it's a blade length apart from the other blade, and it's ok if it's more near the heel than the instep... for now... Now extend the right foot between back and lateral, like 45 degrees (if it's back it won't hold the inside edge. And really tighten the right side of your lower back and buttock. And push your right arm and shoulder back.
The ISI Delta level also asks for this Mohawk to be put in a 7 step combination:
1 left LF stroke
2 right RF stroke
3 left LF stroke
4, 5 right Mohawk RFI to LBI
6 push with the left inside edge into a RBO
7 turn around keeping your weight on your right hip and step on a LFO
They call the steps 6 and 7, so the RBO to an LFO, a backward outside Mowhak. and while everybody agrees it is a Mohawk, nobody calls it a Mohawk, but simply "step forward", being implied that is from an back outside edge .
Turns are what allows you to skate from forward to backward and backward to forward. Disclaimer :) this is my understanding of the technique...
Looking back, I'm surprised that the 3-turns and Mohawks, which are turns from an forward edge to a backward edge, are covered by ISI before the actual edges. They are covered in Delta and Gamma levels, which are the last to level of the Intro to Skating (read my view about skating levels here). More then that, my backward skating, when I started learning these turns, was less developed that the forward one. But, as I said two posts ago (Beginner Forward and Backward Skating), the backward skating takes time to develop because anything that messes your posture, messes the balance point on the blade. One thing that messes the posture is the backward push. From this point of view, the 3-turns and Mohawks are just another way to start going backwards, instead of the push... It will be equally hard, but they'll develop at the same time, and at the same time as the edges.
I vividly remember when I was first taught these turns, that I was laughing inside at the "crazy" idea that I will ever learn them. But I did... And I wish I've known at that point, that there are levels of precision expected for any skill, turns included. You first get "the idea" of them, you "kind'a... sort'a" (this is how an instructor in dance class was asking if we've got the choreography) do them. And then you improve them, and improve them more. My coach says that you still improve them on the expert level.
For me the Mohawks came a little easier so I'll start with those. I looked on youtube and most of the instructions there, are for a more intermediate quality, like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p-nKfrM2PU&t=29s
The instructions for a correct Forward Right Open Inside Mohawk (this is the easier side for me, the left one is the same but on the other side) are:
- stroke on an RFI (Right forward Inside) Edge on a bent skating leg with the free leg extended, facing the imaginary circle the edges curves on, right hand forward, left hand back, hugging the circle and hold the stroke for a length equal with your height
- at the point you want to turn rotate the upper body so the right arm and shoulder point towards the center of the circle, the left arm and shoulder press back. The skating foot increases the pressure into the ice at this point as you rise into your knee and bring your free foot at the instep of the skating foot. As a beginner I was bringing the heels together, not the heel to the instep. One tip I've got that helped me correct this was to bring the foot a little more forward then the instep. It helped at the time, but I have the feeling that messed up the turned out of my free foot and I started to bring the knees together too. Now, I'm trying to think of turning the foot out as I take the first stroke, and to lead with the heal when I bring the foot in and keep the knees separated (another tip I heard is make a diamond with your knees)
- immediately bend both knees, as a mini ballet plie, and put the left blade down on an backward inside edge (LBI), pressing into the ice and rising a little, then bend again to hold the edge. The right leg could be extended or kept at the back of the ankle. At the same time, the upper body checks the rotation, so the right hand and shoulder goes back and the left ones in front, hugging the circle and still looking inside the circle.
Finally I found one video showing exactly what I was doing as a beginner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHCmI7tAc94
- stroke on RFI edge, right hand forward, left one back, on top of the circle
- turn out your free foot as much as you can, don't mess up with the upper body
- just put the left leg down on a inside (LBI) edge somewhere where you are comfortable, it's ok if it's a blade length apart from the other blade, and it's ok if it's more near the heel than the instep... for now... Now extend the right foot between back and lateral, like 45 degrees (if it's back it won't hold the inside edge. And really tighten the right side of your lower back and buttock. And push your right arm and shoulder back.
The ISI Delta level also asks for this Mohawk to be put in a 7 step combination:
1 left LF stroke
2 right RF stroke
3 left LF stroke
4, 5 right Mohawk RFI to LBI
6 push with the left inside edge into a RBO
7 turn around keeping your weight on your right hip and step on a LFO
They call the steps 6 and 7, so the RBO to an LFO, a backward outside Mowhak. and while everybody agrees it is a Mohawk, nobody calls it a Mohawk, but simply "step forward", being implied that is from an back outside edge .
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Ice Dancing: Willow Waltz pattern dance
As I'm working on this and have the instruction fresh I thought to write it down.
This is a bronze (or 3rd level) dance. I think of this level as an beginner-intermediate. It is done in a waltz position with a partner or can be done solo. Here is a link to the judges form with the pattern:
https://www.usfigureskating.org/content/willow-waltz.pdf
Starting point: facing the short board and having a third of the length of the rink in front of you (you are on the blue line) and a third of the width of the rink on your right (where the red X is).
Intro steps:
1. LF stroke toward North-West corner
2. RFO swing roll with the edge starting towards North and finishing towards East
3. LFO dropped 3turn starting towards East and finishing towards North
4. RBO progressive starting towards North, finishing towards South
The pattern dance: It's easier for me to remember the lobes than the steps, so here are the lobes with the numbers representing the steps:
1.2.3 LB back chasse (6 beats, rhythm (2-1-3) starting towards South, finishing towards North, the second step should happen at middle of the width of the rink. On both back chasse and progressive I get the corrections to lean into the circle, to hold the extension and to finish the lobe.
4.5 RBO to LFO turn forward (6 beats, 3-3) starting towards North, finishing towards South
I had problems with this lobe for a long time because of 3 errors. First, my back outside edge wasn't strong enough (see the description on the previous post on the outside Mohawk). Second, I didn't understand how to gather/ draw my feet underneath me when going backward. While rising and pressing with the skating foot into the ice again, with the weight onto the skating hip, you engage the core and the abductor muscles (inner thighs), so the free foot comes in effortless. Third, I wasn't re-bending underneath me, I was rushing and dropping forward out of control and blocking my partner. Another constant correction was to first turn forward just the upper body, while gathering/ rising over the feet and then re bend while still directed backward, just then step forward (so turn) the left foot.
Update Dec 26, 2018. I've got a new correction to this step forward, and that is to step on an outside edge, that's the point of all the other corrections...
6.7. RFI slip chasee and stroke LFO (6 beats, 3-3) starting towards South finishing towards East. Again I had to learn to draw/ gather/ rise when finishing each step and re-bend underneath me so I can have a strong push into the next step, especially important before the 3 turn
Update Dec 26, 2018. It seems that my slip chasse was usually flat not on inside edge, so to correct that I was advised to use the upper body, push the right shoulder forward.
Update Aug 27, 2018. Tracking is a tearm used when partnering so one partner leads (the one that goes backward sets the pattern) and the one that goes forward follows. The follower tracks don't go over the leader tracks. They are all curved as the edges, and they start on the inside side of the leader tracks, they meet at the top of the lobe, and, then they go towards the outside tracks of the leader. On Step 7 the woman stroke stars towards left , Step 8 (the first edge of the 3-turn) towards right.
8.9.10.11. (9 beats) 3 turn and back progressive This is a bigger lobe than the rest. 8. RFO dropped 3 turn (2-1) starts towards East and finishes towards East. Whaaat??? It is counter-intuitive for me but works. My coach says not to turn around, just backwards. And hold that RBI, don't drop (collapse) the dropped 3 turn second edge. After the initial stroke (that should be a stroke not a step), you gather/ rise and twist the upper body toward the inside of the circle on the count 2 1/2. The 3-turn turns on the 3rd beat. Then continue towards East the first edge of the 9.10.11 LBO progressive (2-1-3), which ends towards West. Say again??? Again, it works. You'll change direction after you start the edge, not while you start the edge.
A thing I don't like about this dance is here, it changes the waltz 6 count and rhythm during the progressive.
12.13.14.15. (9 beats) back chasse and stroke forward Again a bigger lobe.12.13.14 RBO chasse (2-1-3) starts towards West, finishes toward South, along the long board. And again it's important to draw/gather/rise and re-bend after the last step of the chasse to be able to step forward in a controlled way. You gather pointing towards East, then you step forward 15. LFO (3 beats) towards South finishing towards East- you stroke towards the middle of the rink.
Update Dec 26, 2018.To control the step forward, i was advised to step with a squared upper body, so right hand forward somehow, then use the upper body to check the finishing of the outside edge
16.17 two forward strokes RFO to LFI . 16. RFO starts towards East, finishes toward South. 17. LFI starts toward South, finishes toward West. Very important to draw/ gather/ rise and re-bent after each step. After 16 there is an outside to inside transition and after 17 an inside edge to inside edge transition and you cannot bring the feet very close together as on outside to outside transitions. After 16 you need to either flicker a little the right foot from the ankle towards right as you push, either to kind of cross forward like in a progressive the left foot. Finish the inside edge (17) with the foot pointed at the boards. Is important to bring the feet together before the Mohawk and bend so you can get an inside edge.
18-19 RFI open Mohawk (6 beats 3-3) starts going toward West and finishes toward South. I was obsessed with this open Mohawk when I was doing the Swing Dance, a pre-bronze, level 2 dance. At that point I was transitioning from my 2 young coaches (one girl and one guy as partner) that were moving away to my 2 experienced coaches so I was asking them all but I didn't really get it. To my disappointment, my main coach ended the chapter saying that what I was doing was acceptable for that level. But he promised we'll fix it in the Willow Waltz. I was doing a Free Style kind of Mohawk, where the free foot doesn't really touch the arch of the skating foot. What it came down to was when to press into the ice and when to the rise... again.
So you have to press into the ice and rise on your knee as you bring the new foot in, and at the moment of transfer do a little, but tiny, plie (basically a re-bend), then rise again on the new foot. My main coach doesn't really do a plie, he seams to be in control from maintaining the pressure into the ice with the leg straight. Maybe I just cannot do it his way, still, I achieve the exit from the mohawk on a straight leg and I like the plie...
Update Dec 26, 2018. Guess that, at some point I lost my beautiful Mohawk, so I had to correct it again. Firstly I wasn't using the upper body to hold the first inside edge. As on the slip chasse, I had to make the right shoulder go forward. Then, I stopped doing that mini-plie so after I changed the edge I was left on an bent knee and not a beautiful extension of the free leg. That plie gives me a moment to press into the ice, so then I can straighten the skating leg knee and use it as a lever to hold the extension on the free leg.
20.21.22. RBO back progressive (6 beats 2-1-3) starts towards South, finishes towards North.
Exit steps: After you finish the back progressive you skate just the first edge of the chasse, then you step forward.
Looking back, when working on the 2nd level dances, my biggest problem was skating backwards. Skating with a partner in a waltz position felt like I was being pushed back, because I wasn't' skating backwards strongly enough. On this 3rd level dances, I had to strengthen both my backward skating AND forward skating, what was "acceptable" at the previous levels didn't carry my trough this level. It is all that draw/ gather/ rise and re-bend to push stronger.
Update Dec 26,2018. Close to the test I"ve got lost of correction on holding the extension both higher and for the correct amount of beats.
This is a bronze (or 3rd level) dance. I think of this level as an beginner-intermediate. It is done in a waltz position with a partner or can be done solo. Here is a link to the judges form with the pattern:
https://www.usfigureskating.org/content/willow-waltz.pdf
Starting point: facing the short board and having a third of the length of the rink in front of you (you are on the blue line) and a third of the width of the rink on your right (where the red X is).
1. LF stroke toward North-West corner
2. RFO swing roll with the edge starting towards North and finishing towards East
3. LFO dropped 3turn starting towards East and finishing towards North
4. RBO progressive starting towards North, finishing towards South
The pattern dance: It's easier for me to remember the lobes than the steps, so here are the lobes with the numbers representing the steps:
1.2.3 LB back chasse (6 beats, rhythm (2-1-3) starting towards South, finishing towards North, the second step should happen at middle of the width of the rink. On both back chasse and progressive I get the corrections to lean into the circle, to hold the extension and to finish the lobe.
4.5 RBO to LFO turn forward (6 beats, 3-3) starting towards North, finishing towards South
I had problems with this lobe for a long time because of 3 errors. First, my back outside edge wasn't strong enough (see the description on the previous post on the outside Mohawk). Second, I didn't understand how to gather/ draw my feet underneath me when going backward. While rising and pressing with the skating foot into the ice again, with the weight onto the skating hip, you engage the core and the abductor muscles (inner thighs), so the free foot comes in effortless. Third, I wasn't re-bending underneath me, I was rushing and dropping forward out of control and blocking my partner. Another constant correction was to first turn forward just the upper body, while gathering/ rising over the feet and then re bend while still directed backward, just then step forward (so turn) the left foot.
Update Dec 26, 2018. I've got a new correction to this step forward, and that is to step on an outside edge, that's the point of all the other corrections...
6.7. RFI slip chasee and stroke LFO (6 beats, 3-3) starting towards South finishing towards East. Again I had to learn to draw/ gather/ rise when finishing each step and re-bend underneath me so I can have a strong push into the next step, especially important before the 3 turn
Update Dec 26, 2018. It seems that my slip chasse was usually flat not on inside edge, so to correct that I was advised to use the upper body, push the right shoulder forward.
Update Aug 27, 2018. Tracking is a tearm used when partnering so one partner leads (the one that goes backward sets the pattern) and the one that goes forward follows. The follower tracks don't go over the leader tracks. They are all curved as the edges, and they start on the inside side of the leader tracks, they meet at the top of the lobe, and, then they go towards the outside tracks of the leader. On Step 7 the woman stroke stars towards left , Step 8 (the first edge of the 3-turn) towards right.
8.9.10.11. (9 beats) 3 turn and back progressive This is a bigger lobe than the rest. 8. RFO dropped 3 turn (2-1) starts towards East and finishes towards East. Whaaat??? It is counter-intuitive for me but works. My coach says not to turn around, just backwards. And hold that RBI, don't drop (collapse) the dropped 3 turn second edge. After the initial stroke (that should be a stroke not a step), you gather/ rise and twist the upper body toward the inside of the circle on the count 2 1/2. The 3-turn turns on the 3rd beat. Then continue towards East the first edge of the 9.10.11 LBO progressive (2-1-3), which ends towards West. Say again??? Again, it works. You'll change direction after you start the edge, not while you start the edge.
A thing I don't like about this dance is here, it changes the waltz 6 count and rhythm during the progressive.
12.13.14.15. (9 beats) back chasse and stroke forward Again a bigger lobe.12.13.14 RBO chasse (2-1-3) starts towards West, finishes toward South, along the long board. And again it's important to draw/gather/rise and re-bend after the last step of the chasse to be able to step forward in a controlled way. You gather pointing towards East, then you step forward 15. LFO (3 beats) towards South finishing towards East- you stroke towards the middle of the rink.
Update Dec 26, 2018.To control the step forward, i was advised to step with a squared upper body, so right hand forward somehow, then use the upper body to check the finishing of the outside edge
16.17 two forward strokes RFO to LFI . 16. RFO starts towards East, finishes toward South. 17. LFI starts toward South, finishes toward West. Very important to draw/ gather/ rise and re-bent after each step. After 16 there is an outside to inside transition and after 17 an inside edge to inside edge transition and you cannot bring the feet very close together as on outside to outside transitions. After 16 you need to either flicker a little the right foot from the ankle towards right as you push, either to kind of cross forward like in a progressive the left foot. Finish the inside edge (17) with the foot pointed at the boards. Is important to bring the feet together before the Mohawk and bend so you can get an inside edge.
18-19 RFI open Mohawk (6 beats 3-3) starts going toward West and finishes toward South. I was obsessed with this open Mohawk when I was doing the Swing Dance, a pre-bronze, level 2 dance. At that point I was transitioning from my 2 young coaches (one girl and one guy as partner) that were moving away to my 2 experienced coaches so I was asking them all but I didn't really get it. To my disappointment, my main coach ended the chapter saying that what I was doing was acceptable for that level. But he promised we'll fix it in the Willow Waltz. I was doing a Free Style kind of Mohawk, where the free foot doesn't really touch the arch of the skating foot. What it came down to was when to press into the ice and when to the rise... again.
So you have to press into the ice and rise on your knee as you bring the new foot in, and at the moment of transfer do a little, but tiny, plie (basically a re-bend), then rise again on the new foot. My main coach doesn't really do a plie, he seams to be in control from maintaining the pressure into the ice with the leg straight. Maybe I just cannot do it his way, still, I achieve the exit from the mohawk on a straight leg and I like the plie...
Update Dec 26, 2018. Guess that, at some point I lost my beautiful Mohawk, so I had to correct it again. Firstly I wasn't using the upper body to hold the first inside edge. As on the slip chasse, I had to make the right shoulder go forward. Then, I stopped doing that mini-plie so after I changed the edge I was left on an bent knee and not a beautiful extension of the free leg. That plie gives me a moment to press into the ice, so then I can straighten the skating leg knee and use it as a lever to hold the extension on the free leg.
20.21.22. RBO back progressive (6 beats 2-1-3) starts towards South, finishes towards North.
Exit steps: After you finish the back progressive you skate just the first edge of the chasse, then you step forward.
Looking back, when working on the 2nd level dances, my biggest problem was skating backwards. Skating with a partner in a waltz position felt like I was being pushed back, because I wasn't' skating backwards strongly enough. On this 3rd level dances, I had to strengthen both my backward skating AND forward skating, what was "acceptable" at the previous levels didn't carry my trough this level. It is all that draw/ gather/ rise and re-bend to push stronger.
Update Dec 26,2018. Close to the test I"ve got lost of correction on holding the extension both higher and for the correct amount of beats.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Ice Dancing: weekly private lesson
This week I took my first Ice Dancing private lesson in 2 months. I used to take one weekly before getting hurt. It's a 30 minutes lesson and it goes fast, but I cannot concentrate trough more.
We always start with some exercises like stroking, progressives, chasses, swing rolls, dance 3 turns, edge presses. This is both to warm up, and to work on basic technique like alignmet, posture, edges, lobes, lean into the circle, partnering. Then I work on one or more dances on my own, with lots of correction, basic technique, pattern, timing. When I do well enough on my own, my coach will partner me. at this point there is no music and no counting of the beat. We often stop the dance to work on specific steps. Then we graduate to counting the beat, and then, on dancing on music.
Before the lesson I was complaining to my coach that I lost my "flow" on ice, so instead on giving me the usual corrections on everything, I think he decided to partner with me so I would readjust my rhythm and power.
We did 4 warm up exercises, one length of the rink for each: forward and backward stroking and forward and backward chasses, by myself and with my coach in a waltz position (so when one partner goes forward the other goes backwards). Then we jumped into the partnered Willow Waltz.
Before hurting myself I was working on testing the bronze level dances, or 3rd level. I just tested and passed the Hickory Hoedown, I was ready to test the Willow Waltz, and I was still working on my confidence on the outside mohawk in the Ten fox. I was happy to see that the Willow was not completely gone. It was a big bust in my confidence and that always helps. We worked on a specific step, an inside edge toward the end of the dance and ran the dance 4 time counting the beats.
With 5 minutes left, the coach asked if I had questions, and I asked to work on the Ten fox outside Mohawk... This also is tested in Juvenile MITF (4th level standard track) and Adult Silver MITF (3rd level adult track) but I'm not there yet. I did learn it in my Freestyle group class, but not at the quality required in Ice Dancing.
So, left outside open Mohawk is a two foot turn that goes from an LFO edge to an RBO edge bringing the free foot at the instep of the skating foot and in Ten fox has to be done in just 2 beats.
My first problem was that my back outside edges weren't strong enough, I wasn't leaning with the back into the circle and the hips underneath me. I was sticking the butt out, so I needed to learn to engage the core, press into ice, have the hip underneath me and arch the upper back towards back, into the circle. After improving the edge quality, I was able to do the Mohawk correctly at a low speed and rhythm, taking my time to bring the feet together. I was doing in in a 3 beats: edge, change of foot and edge. This week correction was again,to not bring the free foot (right foot) forward, there is no time for it. But how? The coach said to draw onto the skating foot (left foot) so that the right foot will come automatically at the instep, and cutting that 3rd beat. It worked... so hopefully I'll be able to keep it working...
And we had 1 minute left to run a solo pattern of Ten fox. I got a posture correction for the first 2 lobes, not to lean forward...
We always start with some exercises like stroking, progressives, chasses, swing rolls, dance 3 turns, edge presses. This is both to warm up, and to work on basic technique like alignmet, posture, edges, lobes, lean into the circle, partnering. Then I work on one or more dances on my own, with lots of correction, basic technique, pattern, timing. When I do well enough on my own, my coach will partner me. at this point there is no music and no counting of the beat. We often stop the dance to work on specific steps. Then we graduate to counting the beat, and then, on dancing on music.
Before the lesson I was complaining to my coach that I lost my "flow" on ice, so instead on giving me the usual corrections on everything, I think he decided to partner with me so I would readjust my rhythm and power.
We did 4 warm up exercises, one length of the rink for each: forward and backward stroking and forward and backward chasses, by myself and with my coach in a waltz position (so when one partner goes forward the other goes backwards). Then we jumped into the partnered Willow Waltz.
Before hurting myself I was working on testing the bronze level dances, or 3rd level. I just tested and passed the Hickory Hoedown, I was ready to test the Willow Waltz, and I was still working on my confidence on the outside mohawk in the Ten fox. I was happy to see that the Willow was not completely gone. It was a big bust in my confidence and that always helps. We worked on a specific step, an inside edge toward the end of the dance and ran the dance 4 time counting the beats.
With 5 minutes left, the coach asked if I had questions, and I asked to work on the Ten fox outside Mohawk... This also is tested in Juvenile MITF (4th level standard track) and Adult Silver MITF (3rd level adult track) but I'm not there yet. I did learn it in my Freestyle group class, but not at the quality required in Ice Dancing.
So, left outside open Mohawk is a two foot turn that goes from an LFO edge to an RBO edge bringing the free foot at the instep of the skating foot and in Ten fox has to be done in just 2 beats.
My first problem was that my back outside edges weren't strong enough, I wasn't leaning with the back into the circle and the hips underneath me. I was sticking the butt out, so I needed to learn to engage the core, press into ice, have the hip underneath me and arch the upper back towards back, into the circle. After improving the edge quality, I was able to do the Mohawk correctly at a low speed and rhythm, taking my time to bring the feet together. I was doing in in a 3 beats: edge, change of foot and edge. This week correction was again,to not bring the free foot (right foot) forward, there is no time for it. But how? The coach said to draw onto the skating foot (left foot) so that the right foot will come automatically at the instep, and cutting that 3rd beat. It worked... so hopefully I'll be able to keep it working...
And we had 1 minute left to run a solo pattern of Ten fox. I got a posture correction for the first 2 lobes, not to lean forward...
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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 ...
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I went on and on about edges because along with stroking they are the foundation of everything in skating, freestyle, MITF and even more in ...
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Review of last month: basically NO SKATING. At the very end of the month I've bought new boots that I'm breaking in now... Progres...
