Joe has his elite level skater work on push-unders while skating on a circle. She had previously worked on them with another coach, but he reminds her to keep her shoulders up and facing into the circle. He likens it to a ‘wheel’, and reminds her to avoid flicking her pushing foot. This drill is done in both directions.
To amp up the drill, Joe has her add a little hop into it. The front foot ‘slides up a little bit.’ As the pushing foot goes back, the front foot hops forward – but avoid a rocking motion. The front foot needs to stay low and flat, but does come up off the ice a little. They work on the motion while standing still then the skater works on it in the circle. This is a good mental challenge as well as physical.
This motion leaves room for the toe to slide behind the heel. She can feel this effect better by standing up a little more during the drill. There is a definite ‘hop’ to this drill. The purpose of this is to incorporate it into crossovers with speed.
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