skating techinque questions

[bulletproof_funk 0]

I've been playing hockey for the past 7 or so years now and while my skating technique *appears* to be correct, I can't help but feel as though there's something I'm still doing wrong because I'm slower than I think I should be. Let me elaborate:

First, I have very low arches, a true flat foot. I also have skinny ankles. I believe the combination of the two makes it harder for me to put proper pressure on the balls of my feet, so I have a tendency to push with my heels when skating forwards (and probably backwards, but that's another matter). I currently do not wear any orthotics or corrective type insoles like Superfeet.

I seem to have poor glide during turns and crossovers. When I do forward crossovers (or more correctly, crossunders), I'm pushing under (and forward) with the heel of my skate so that my leg underneath is almost straight. Now, when my crossed over leg glides, I seem to be gliding with more of my weight on the heel. When I do regular turns, I also seem to dig into the ice more with my heels with the leading foot, which I'm guessing is causing more drag. Should my lead foot's pressure be more on the middle to toe area of the runner instead of the heel to glide better?

Also, I'm skating in Graf 609 with Cobra 3000 runners, 10' or 11' neutral radius (yeah, I'm actually not sure which!). Is this the correct pitch to get? I've also tried a negative pitch and while that allowed me to put more pressure on the balls of my feet, but I just couldn't cross over well, and it felt totally weird. In fact, I seemed to feel like I'm about to fall over when I put pressure on the balls of my feet. Should I go with a custom profiling maybe? One person I spoke with a while back said he's always on his toes when skating, but I'm not certain this will also work for me. Should I just get orthotics first and then revisit my technique after?

Some expert insight would be appreciated. TIA.

[indaslot 0]

Not an expert at all but I think a orthotisist/podiatrist is a good place to start.OTG can probably advise you on profiling your skates and such, but first find out about your biomechanics.

[DamnLocust 0]

Getting a forward pitch (which is stock on cobras) would put you more on the balls of your feet, but if you're comfortable with the neutral you could stick with that. Did you try the Grafs on their stock profile, or did you immediately switch to the neutral?

The first thing that came to mind when you said you don't have enough glide was that perhaps you're skating on too deep of a hollow. Have you tinkered with hollow at all?

I'm not sure if orthopedics would do the trick to help you to get off your heels, but I'm admittedly no expert.

[bulletproof_funk 0]

I should clarify that the "neutral" profile I've been using is relative to the Cobra holder, so I would be skating on a slightly forward pitch compared to say a Bauer/Tuuk's neutral. I think I skated on the original profile out of the box, but I don't remember what it was like since it's been so long. From there I went straight to a forward pitch. I tried that for several months but that's been a long time too, last recollection was I was too much on my heels to compensate for the forwardness (it seemed to have the opposite effect?). I've been on neutral for the last couple years, 9' and now 10' or 11'.

As for hollow, I'm using a fairly shallow hollow for my weight. I weight 145 lb. and use a 9/16".

[Zamboni 6]

Before adjusting the pitch your used to-or the arch your used to lets try something basic with your stride. Do a google search on "Skating Toe Snap" and "Skating Toe Kick"....ensure pages you look at aren't intended for figure skaters.

Without viewing you skating I'm only guessing...but I've found having kids I coach concentrate on finishing their strides with a toe kick had a few benefits that might help you. When emphasising the pushing leg 'finishing' with that toe snap/kick the stride becomes longer, and naturally the gliding leg holds its position longer.

This proper technique will become your natural motion and incorporate itself into your cross-overs-that is the proper push off won't be off your heel. Its hard to get out over your toes on cross overs if your regular power stride is incorrect. All this is assuming proper knee bend, remeber theres 2 ways to skate, low and lower :) ....as I said, without viewing you skating I'm only guessing here.

[greatone 0]

Wow, 9/16" Thats deep. Try a different hollow. 3/8 or 7/16. I would start there first.

[hockeymom 2]

Wow, 9/16" Thats deep. Try a different hollow. 3/8 or 7/16. I would start there first.

It's the reverse.. a 3/8 is deeper, a 9/16 is shallower.

[bulletproof_funk 0]

A couple more questions to try eliminating some doubt:

1) When gliding forwards, where should your body weight be, toes, heel, or evenly distributed between both?

2) When you push off with the driving leg skating forwards, is your gliding foot on the ice during the entire push?

[bulletproof_funk 0]

Ok, so it seems I've found the answers to my own questions about where the balance points on the blades should be during different phases of skating. Here's the web site in case anyone else finds it useful: http://www.hockeyskating.com/articles_forward.asp