Powerskating: Get the most out of your edges

Get the most out of your edges

As published in USA Hockey Magazine, Coaches Playbook Section, March, '07 Issue

Any discussion of the mechanics of ice hockey skating should begin with an explanation of how to get the maximum power and grip from your edges... in other words, how to get the most out of them. In this article, we will discuss both edges (inside and outside), with the emphasis being on the inside edge (we will get more into the outside edge and turning in subsequent articles).

Using your edges well when you skate is vital to the success of any player… and yet, I find that many of our students at all levels of play have a problematic lack of understanding for how to get those "Mike Modano-type" edges (see photo).




GET ON THOSE EDGES!

Whether you are an experienced skater or not, you are aware that a strong grip against the ice is necessary for speed, balance and power. You get this grip by using the edges of your blade, shifting your weight onto the inside or outside of it.

The inside edge is the inner side of your blade (on your right skate it is the left edge of the blade)… and the outer side of the blade is your outside edge (on your right skate again, it is the right edge of the blade).

To maximize grip and control in the ice, you will want to roll your skate boot (at the ankles) at least halfway to the ice, creating a skate that is on at least a 45° angle (halfway to the ice). As you improve and get more confidence, you will be able to push the angle of the edge to even more extremes.

Make sure you apply as much downward pressure as possible into the middle of the blade, getting as much of it as you can in contact with the ice. Too much pressure to the front/middle of your blade (toward the toe), will make you come off the edge and lose your balance forward. And likewise, too much weight to the back of the edge (toward the heel), will rock you backward and take away from the forward momentum you will need to build speed.


FORWARD STRIDE EDGING

In the Forward Stride, you should try to start each push on one foot, firmly planted on an inside edge, rolled halfway to the ice. And the ability to maintain that grip while pushing through the ice for a long enough period of time is one of the vital elements in the quest for more speed.

At the same time, you will want to use 100% bodyweight on every push you make. The more bodyweight you get centered over the edge, the more power and thrust you will get on each stride.

In order to get 100% bodyweight centered on the inside edge, it is necessary that you recover the other foot so it is fully under your body, that gives you the ability to shift your weight properly to the pushing foot (See Zubov Photo on the right).


FORWARD STRIDE INSIDE EDGE DRILL

Drill: Inside Edge to Inside Edge

Techniques:

· The drill goes from one goal line to the other.

· Start with a couple of forward strides to build speed.

· Then, while facing the boards to your right, ride your right inside edge around forming a half circle until you are ultimately facing the boards to your left.

· Your left foot should be tucked in behind your right skate heel to maximize the grip of the inside edge (center your weight directly over the edge).

· Once you are facing the side boards on your left, snap the right leg to full extension (this will build up speed and momentum), switching to the left inside edge.

· Now, ride the left inside edge for a half circle, until you are facing the side boards on your right again and then push the left leg to full extension, again building momentum to switch to the right edge.

· Keep changing edges and building speed (while not shortening the time you are on the edge on one foot) until you get to the far goal line.

· Variation: Do the drill to the redline and at the redline skate full speed to the far goal line… making every attempt to apply the edge drill into your stride.


Body Positioning in the Drill:

· With the eyes forward, lean the upper body forward with the back of your helmet in front of your glide knee (don’t hunch over or look down however).

· Bend the knees deeply to get the most out of your muscles in your legs.

· Roll the skate, at the ankle, halfway to the ice (45°) for proper grip.

· Apply downward pressure into the middle of the blade (not the toe or heel), so the edge will hold throughout the turn.

· Keep the other skate off the ice, tucked in behind the skate that is rolling on the edge (maintaining a narrow base)… this will allow you to hold 100% bodyweight throughout the turn.

· Be sure not to bounce up and down (we call it yo-yo skating)… stay at one level throughout the exercise.


COUNTERBALANCING

As we discussed above, to get the most out of your edges it is vital that you work on being able to roll your ankles to an angle of 45°. Unfortunately however, it is not that easy to get the edges to the proper angle… and then, once you do finally begin to achieve the correct edge position you will notice one thing happening… you fall down...a lot!

Believe it or not, when attempting to improve your skating, falling down is an extremely beneficial tool. It shows you exactly when you have gone too far and where you have lost control. This is commonly known as breaking through the comfort zone.

Thus, it is very important that you begin to use your edges the way they were intended. To do this, you will definitely need to have an understanding of what I like to call Counterbalancing.

Counterbalancing, in skating terms, means to shift your upper bodyweight in the opposite the direction of your edges. For example, when edges roll properly in one direction (as discussed above), you must counter this action by shifting your upper bodyweight in the opposite direction (still keeping your shoulders level and parallel with the ice).

If you lean too much of your upper bodyweight in the same direction as your edge and the angle of the edge becomes too extreme, it will almost certainly slip out from under you and cause you to lose power or fall down.


COUNTERBALANCING IMAGERY

Picture a ski racer going downhill at top speed, when they push the edges in to go around a gate, they will counteract that movement by leveling out their upper body with the snow, which allows the edges hold for them… even when skiing at over 70 miles per hour!

Or, notice how a motorcycle racer shifts his or her weight to the outside in a sharp turn so the bike does not slide out.

KEEP PRACTICING AND DON’T GET FRUSTRATED!

Mastering the art of edge control and counterbalancing are certainly not easy tasks. It takes continuous trial and error, years of practice and the desire to push yourself through the comfort zone.

However, keep working on it and try not to get frustrated if you find yourself falling down or making mistakes… instead, channel that information as a springboard for improvement!

Related Article:

• How to Learn Crossovers?
• Outside Edge Drill
• Stops in Ice Skating
• Speed Skating Expertise - Powerskating
• Forward and Backward C-Cuts
  

Posted in: Edge,Instructions,Powerskating,Sharp turns