In this small group class, Jackie has her students start on a backwards inside edge with double pulls down the rink.
She wants the students to ‘line up their belly button with their big toe.” Another tip she gives them is to let their spine go across the ice.
The push on the transition needs to be big, along with a big shift in order to generate the desired power.
Back inside edges are usually slightly easier for skaters to maintain since they can balance over their big toe, but to rock on the blade is a good challenge.
Next up is a back shuffle step to practice moving backward quicker without crossing their feet, thus decreasing the potential of getting stuck. “Step shuffle step” is the sequence.
Jackie discusses the importance of learning how to skate backward even if your skater is usually put in the forward position, because as they grow and change, the well-rounded skills will serve them well.
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