Making Snow Exercise

Series: Power: Push and Stop

How and why you should use the arch of the foot to create the most power

Learn the precise place on the blade to push for power. Once you’ve found it, use the inside edge directly under the instep to push sideways. You’ll make a visible three finger wide tracing on the ice. And you should see the ice shavings or “snow” as well!

This exercise is about learning where power comes from along the blade, and the start of how to use that to develop power in pushes.

An earlier clip on this same concept of “Making Snow” and developing power goes into a little more detail on the mechanics of the blade and where power comes from:

The Push area is three fingers wide under the center of the arch of the foot. The force presses the blade down into the ice, which creates the wide tracing as the blade moves directly to the side. The Push is completed once the knee of the Pusher leg is completely straight. What is not visible in this exercise is what happens when actually skating forward – that the force will move the other skate forward.

Try this exercise on your own. Make sure to bend both knees. The ankle is used to put pressure on the inside edge of one blade.

Series Navigation: Power: Push and Stop

You are currently within the Power: Push and Stop series. You can progress through in order by using the “Next Topic” button above, or jump to topic within the series:

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You are currently within Power: Push and Stop. Learning concepts are foundational and intended to progress in order using the “Next Topic” button above. If you wish to jump to a different series:

    1. The Feldenkrais Method©: The Foundation for GravityGlide®
    2. Vertical Axis and Forward Glide Point
    3. Precise Blade Use
    4. Power: Push and Stop
    5. Gliding Backward
    6. How to Skate on a Circle
    7. Changes of Direction: One Foot or Two Feet

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Beautiful skating technique can be learned. Foundational skills on ice are built from the blade up. GravityGlide® expands the way coaches describe and structure technique; built on principles of body mechanics of the skeleton. 

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