Fast runner, bad skater?

[raygunpk 0]

I've always been a fast sprinter my whole life (but suck at long distance), and any sport that requires running I can "keep up" because of this. Soccer, tennis, badminton, etc. In touch football with some friends, I can usually accelerate by the guy defending me with a few steps and have sort of an edge.

But in hockey I never seem to able to have quick first steps and I seem to be average at best on a straight line. Anybody else like this?

I was talking to some friends about profiling/radius setups, and was provided a print-to-scale chart of what my radius might be. Mine looks a bit less than a 7'. Would changing this help in any way?

It's also pitched forward which makes me feel like I'm falling a lot of times, as I have superfeet in there as well.

[tamtamg 12]

Being a fast runner has no correlation to being a fast skater. It's a completely different bio-mechanical process. As for having a 7' radius, I think your you chart may be off, unless you already had them profiled to 7'. Most skates come stock with 10-11' radius. If you want to change your profile, your best option is to have a trainer or a sharpener watch you skate and give you recommendations on what profiles might help you.

[Kevin 5]

There is a correlation between sprinting speed and skating speed--both require fast twitch fibers and a high strength to weight ratio.

A longer radius and power skating lessons might help.

[chk hrd 164]

There is a correlation between sprinting speed and skating speed--both require fast twitch fibers and a high strength to weight ratio.

A longer radius and power skating lessons might help.

But....just because you are a fast runner doesn't mean you should be a fast skater. I would agree with power skating lessons, correct technique means alot

[sebseb 0]

There is a correlation between sprinting speed and skating speed--both require fast twitch fibers and a high strength to weight ratio.

A longer radius and power skating lessons might help.

But....just because you are a fast runner doesn't mean you should be a fast skater. I would agree with power skating lessons, correct technique means alot

+1 on all you said, I to am a fast runner on short distances, but I don't do that good on ice and it's because of technique, the muscle is there, the technique is poor, in both cases :P

[thugnation00 0]

I'm the exact opposite in that I'm the slowest human on the face of the planet when it comes to running, but although not super fast by any stretch, I am waaaay faster on skates relative to my running speed.

[Scoobersti 0]

I'm the exact opposite in that I'm the slowest human on the face of the planet when it comes to running, but although not super fast by any stretch, I am waaaay faster on skates relative to my running speed.

I'm the same with you, if I was running I'd probably be one of the slowest compared to the guys I play with or play against, but I skate about the same speed with them on the ice.

[K9 Unit 1]

I'm the exact opposite in that I'm the slowest human on the face of the planet when it comes to running, but although not super fast by any stretch, I am waaaay faster on skates relative to my running speed.

I'm the same with you, if I was running I'd probably be one of the slowest compared to the guys I play with or play against, but I skate about the same speed with them on the ice.

i'm different i'm fast running and skating...and i can tell u it might be the runner but its definately the technique...when running u don't use your heels as much as skating, correct me if i'm wrong

[raygunpk 0]

Being a fast runner has no correlation to being a fast skater. It's a completely different bio-mechanical process. As for having a 7' radius, I think your you chart may be off, unless you already had them profiled to 7'. Most skates come stock with 10-11' radius. If you want to change your profile, your best option is to have a trainer or a sharpener watch you skate and give you recommendations on what profiles might help you.

The chart may be off bit slight bit, by on my steel, very little touches the ice. It could be bad sharpenings?

Here's a pic:

Size 8.5 and 280 holders to try to put into perspective.

And with the speed, I understand with the full stride, that is pure skating technique. But with the first few steps, isn't that all fast-twitch fibers like Kevin said?

[Chadd 916]

I've always been a fast sprinter my whole life (but suck at long distance), and any sport that requires running I can "keep up" because of this. Soccer, tennis, badminton, etc. In touch football with some friends, I can usually accelerate by the guy defending me with a few steps and have sort of an edge.

But in hockey I never seem to able to have quick first steps and I seem to be average at best on a straight line. Anybody else like this?

I was talking to some friends about profiling/radius setups, and was provided a print-to-scale chart of what my radius might be. Mine looks a bit less than a 7'. Would changing this help in any way?

It's also pitched forward which makes me feel like I'm falling a lot of times, as I have superfeet in there as well.

If that is the chart I believe it is, it's worthless.

There is a correlation between sprinting speed and skating speed--both require fast twitch fibers and a high strength to weight ratio.

A longer radius and power skating lessons might help.

There are two ways to skate fast on ice, quick strides or powerful strides. Quick strides will let you accelerate faster than long, power strides but you can go fast with either.

My guess is it's just an inefficient stride that is wasting power and robbing you of speed. I would have the skates profiled and start with 9' or so. If you have problems with that, adjust as needed. Very, very few people feel comfortable with something as short as 7' and such a short profile will not help your speed at all.

[K9 Unit 1]

And with the speed, I understand with the full stride, that is pure skating technique. But with the first few steps, isn't that all fast-twitch fibers like Kevin said?

fast twitch fibers determine your speed but it doesn't determine your technique so just because your doing it fast doesn't mean your doing it right if u get me...

hey chadd i have a feeling the heel or toe acceleration conver's is gonna come in again xP

[raygunpk 0]

Chadd, it was the fluid motion site.

Another question: I know a forward pitched profile would technically keep you on your toes, but would there be any advantages to having a neutral profile?

[rebel96 0]

I've come to ice from a long inline background and guys who've got a longer ice background than I do have a jump on me. My legs aren't any weaker than theirs but they fly on ice and I don't. Conversely when they come to inline it's the opposite.

Aside from any profiling changes or other equipment modifications what would be some things to look out for or simple changes one could make to their stride to increase the efficiency?

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

Chadd, it was the fluid motion site.

Another question: I know a forward pitched profile would technically keep you on your toes, but would there be any advantages to having a neutral profile?

neutral may be better than forward pitch for backward skating and the transition.

[P5man 0]

Chadd, it was the fluid motion site.

Another question: I know a forward pitched profile would technically keep you on your toes, but would there be any advantages to having a neutral profile?

The profile should be used to help your balance. As with running, your power comes from the balls of your feet, and that is where your balance should be. Use what's best for your personal skating style.

[DVX 0]

I've come to ice from a long inline background and guys who've got a longer ice background than I do have a jump on me. My legs aren't any weaker than theirs but they fly on ice and I don't. Conversely when they come to inline it's the opposite.

Aside from any profiling changes or other equipment modifications what would be some things to look out for or simple changes one could make to their stride to increase the efficiency?

Dont hop around when taking off, its obvious you should start with shorter quicker strides when taking off but still try to dig in, then as you pick up speed elongate your strides and get a deeper bend in the knees. Another thing in regards to skating efficiency is skating posture. I bend s little too far forward at the hips so my centre of balance is a little off when skating, but it doesnt bother me. This results in a bit more energy used when going forward but ive seemed to adjust to it over the years. Also make sure your arms are swinging forward and back, swinging them side to side kills any forward momentume you may have. And finally when performing crossovers, dont hop as well, rather dig into the ice and push off hard, youll use less energy that way.

Ive always thought proper skating technique is something youre born with and fine tune as you get older, being an extremely strong and smooth skater myself i guess i was lucky. I just cant figure out why im faster with the puck than without it. I hope this helps, it would be a lot easier for me to demonstrate this in person.

[Chadd 916]

Chadd, it was the fluid motion site.

Yeah, he's full of shit.

[raygunpk 0]

Chadd, it was the fluid motion site.

Yeah, he's full of shit.

Yeah...chart is wrong. I just went my LHS and it's 9'. The problem was one foot was pitched forward, and one was pitched backwards... I'm getting them done both back to neutral so hopefully that will help my balance/weight transfer issues.