The youtube clip above makes the push look deceptively easy. It's not. Again, I may be incorrect but I believe the Schafer Push is an important element in school figures (aka compulsory figures), which once part of international competition, were eliminated after 1990. But as my lesson tonight demonstrates, nothing is ever truly eliminated!
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Coming to grips with the Schafer Push
Just when I think I've heard all the jargon associated with this sport, up pops something new (at least new to me). Tonight during my group lesson (when I should have been working on FS-2 elements) I talked one of the assistant coaches (we have four students on Thursday nights and 3 coaches assigned to adults--is that lux or what!) into helping me with the steps behinds for the Rhythm Blues ice dance. After a few minutes of that I asked her to take a look at my back cross rolls. I knew I needed more curve and flow but also I told her that I'd like a better way to initiate them than starting off by doing back wiggles. She introduced me to the Schafer Push. The what? Although I may be wrong, I believe this element was introduced by the Austrian skater Karl Schäfer.
The youtube clip above makes the push look deceptively easy. It's not. Again, I may be incorrect but I believe the Schafer Push is an important element in school figures (aka compulsory figures), which once part of international competition, were eliminated after 1990. But as my lesson tonight demonstrates, nothing is ever truly eliminated!
The youtube clip above makes the push look deceptively easy. It's not. Again, I may be incorrect but I believe the Schafer Push is an important element in school figures (aka compulsory figures), which once part of international competition, were eliminated after 1990. But as my lesson tonight demonstrates, nothing is ever truly eliminated!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I've been practicing that. It ain't at all easy. It's very deceptive. I can sorta kinda do the right leg push. But the left, not happening. Yet.
ReplyDeleteI'll be trilled to get my right push working reliably! Ain't gonna lose any sleep over the left one.
ReplyDeleteGood Afternoon George, Inspired by the on-line photos of your wonderful 1953 Mint Moth, a set of 1942 plans and online info, I'm planning to have two classic wood Moths built this spring for my own use on a lake in Cold Spring, NY. I hope to make them as close as possible, in every detail, to the wood original. I am in discussions with one boat builder in Maine and wonder if you have any recommendations? I'm a restoration architect www.JosephPellLombardi.com and my email address is Lombardi55@aol.com. Thanking you for any assistance you can give me, Joe
ReplyDeleteJo: Nice to see that you read both my blogs. I'm sorry but I can't recommend any one up in Maine. I live in Maryland. Most Moth Boat guys build or restore their own boats and equipment. You might want to contact Carl Cramer (publisher of Wooden Boat magazine, via the wooden boat forum) http://forum.woodenboat.com/ for a recommendation. Carl lives in Maine and has an interest in old Moth Boats as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly.
DeleteYou're welcome. I'm sorry that couldn't help you more. Which design are you planning to build?
ReplyDeleteYup, that's a good one to know, and it's a bit tricky for sure!
ReplyDelete@Mary: Yep, it's still very much a work in progress but it's getting there... I enjoy your blog, btw.
ReplyDelete