I was over a Piney Orchard, Thursday afternoon, and after another frustrating day of getting no better with the single foot spin, the tempting thought occurred that perhaps I should play to my strengths rather than my weaknesses. Problem with that approach is that if I start experimenting with twizzles I'll probably (a). never center a spin properly for the rest of my life and (b). I may not learn enough to twizzle either. But who am I to kick temptation in the mouth? Sweet pipes, play on!
Showing posts with label Spins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spins. Show all posts
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Whirling dervish
Whirling dervish? Not me. I'm still struggling with my forward single foot spin. I
have what is known on the skating forum as a "Sarah Palin spin" (on a clear day it travels all the way from here to Russia). It's so bad that a junior competitive skater mistook it and congratulated me for having a great twizzle.
I was over a Piney Orchard, Thursday afternoon, and after another frustrating day of getting no better with the single foot spin, the tempting thought occurred that perhaps I should play to my strengths rather than my weaknesses. Problem with that approach is that if I start experimenting with twizzles I'll probably (a). never center a spin properly for the rest of my life and (b). I may not learn enough to twizzle either. But who am I to kick temptation in the mouth? Sweet pipes, play on!
I was over a Piney Orchard, Thursday afternoon, and after another frustrating day of getting no better with the single foot spin, the tempting thought occurred that perhaps I should play to my strengths rather than my weaknesses. Problem with that approach is that if I start experimenting with twizzles I'll probably (a). never center a spin properly for the rest of my life and (b). I may not learn enough to twizzle either. But who am I to kick temptation in the mouth? Sweet pipes, play on!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Scratch Spin
Went to the Sunday afternoon public today. The public was unflinchingly out enforce. I got in one or two Canasta Tango patterns before the place went totally nutz. After that I decided to migrate to the center circle, push a few wannabie ice tourists the hell out and work on my scratch spin. No, no, I'm not that intimidating--just a teddy bear, but don'cha know I actually managed to hook a couple of those spins.
After working on this particular element for weeks, without success, today the penny finally dropped. I think the thing that did it was me stepping back into almost to the beginning of the circle one creates, starting with the RBI edge. I know, I know-experienced spinners are saying "well duh". Granted, I can't cross my free leg in front of the skating leg, but damn it, I can occasionally hook the spin! For maybe 2, sometimes 3 revs. WooHoo! The crossed leg will come later.
The best part is that E., one of the rink coaches, sadly neither of mine, was out in the center circle when I hooked one of the better ones and she said "I saw that!"
Now, my rule of thumb is this: if a coach sees something, then it really happened. Time will tell if I can repeat this next Thursday when coach M. is watching...
Towards the end of the session, a tall, lanky kid in rental skates with zero skating skills cut across my path while I was winding up for a spin. I'd been watching him all session. He and his pals had been skating waaaaay beyond his particular skill level and he was, frankly, one scary fall away from a busted leg. Bottom line: I was standing after contact and he left the ice shortly thereafter (yes, under his own steam). Just doin' my part to keep the ice safe.
Did I mention that last Thursday (the 13th) was my two year "armaverary" wherein I broke my right arm? I tell ya, this figure skate crowd is rough--even rougher than the church choir singers and ex-English majors diaristwoman hangs with.
After working on this particular element for weeks, without success, today the penny finally dropped. I think the thing that did it was me stepping back into almost to the beginning of the circle one creates, starting with the RBI edge. I know, I know-experienced spinners are saying "well duh". Granted, I can't cross my free leg in front of the skating leg, but damn it, I can occasionally hook the spin! For maybe 2, sometimes 3 revs. WooHoo! The crossed leg will come later.
The best part is that E., one of the rink coaches, sadly neither of mine, was out in the center circle when I hooked one of the better ones and she said "I saw that!"
Now, my rule of thumb is this: if a coach sees something, then it really happened. Time will tell if I can repeat this next Thursday when coach M. is watching...
Towards the end of the session, a tall, lanky kid in rental skates with zero skating skills cut across my path while I was winding up for a spin. I'd been watching him all session. He and his pals had been skating waaaaay beyond his particular skill level and he was, frankly, one scary fall away from a busted leg. Bottom line: I was standing after contact and he left the ice shortly thereafter (yes, under his own steam). Just doin' my part to keep the ice safe.
Did I mention that last Thursday (the 13th) was my two year "armaverary" wherein I broke my right arm? I tell ya, this figure skate crowd is rough--even rougher than the church choir singers and ex-English majors diaristwoman hangs with.
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