The Daring Book for Girls - Andrea J. Buchanan [107]
STARTING OUT
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Before you skate, find your balance and get comfortable in your skates by walking on a flat, grassy, or carpeted surface. First, just stand, feeling the sensation of your weight distributed evenly over the middle of your skates rather than in your toes or heels. Do not lock your knees. Then, stand with your feet in a “V” position, your heels together and your toes apart. Bend your knees slightly, put your arms out at your sides, and then march slowly, right, left, right, left, to get a feel for your skates. When you feel comfortable with this, move to a paved surface and try to balance on your skates. Bend only at the knees, never at the waist.
FALLING
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It sounds funny, because a fall should seem like something to avoid, but falling is one of the most important things to practice. When you fall forward on skates, your skate stops but your upper body keeps going. Practicing falling forward on your bed or another cushioned surface can prepare you for how it feels to fall, so that if a fall occurs your reaction can be reflexive and you can minimize injury. When falling forward, drop to your knees (which should always be protected with kneepads) and sit on your backside and thighs—avoid putting your arms down or falling forward onto your hands. When falling backward, try to regain your balance by leaning forward and resist the urge to flail your arms or put your arms out to break your fall.
SKATING FORWARD
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Begin with your feet in a “V” position, your heels together and your toes apart. With slightly bent knees and your arms held out to steady you, lean onto your right foot and coast forward, pushing off lightly with your left. Bring your left foot to meet your right foot, again in a “V” with your heels together, and as you place your left foot down, lean to the left, gliding on your left foot and pushing off lightly with your right. Repeat, alternating feet. Remember to relax, keep your knees bent, and lean your body in the direction of the foot carrying your weight.
STOPPING
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It’s possible to use the toe-stop to stop yourself by pointing your toe and dragging the rubber stop on the ground, but that can be a little tricky. A surer way is the four-wheel “T” stop: Gliding on your forward skate, lift your back skate and bring it behind your front skate at a 45-degree angle, creating a “T.” Gradually let the rear skate touch the ground and create a drag to slow you to a stop. Another method of stopping is to simply lean into a turn. If you keep leaning in the same direction, you will gradually spin to a stop.
STROKING
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Begin with your feet close together, shift your weight to the right foot and push off to the side with your left. Glide forward on your right foot with your left foot off the floor. Be careful not to bend at the waist, turn or twist your shoulders, or swing your arms. Bring your left skate alongside your right one and place it on the floor. Now shift your weight to your left foot and glide forward the same way. Keep repeating these glides, swaying right and then left, and remember to look ahead of you in the distance, not down at your feet. Gradually make each glide or stroke longer as you build up speed.
STEERING/TURNING
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To steer yourself into a curve, lean in the direction of the curve. For a left turn, lean left; for a right turn, lean right.
CROSS-FRONT
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After you are comfortable with stroking, you can practice the crossfront. Glide forward, your weight on your left foot, with knees bent and close together. Swinging from the hip, cross your right leg over your left and step your right foot as close to your left as you can. Continually crossing over in