Untied skates for ankle strength?

[<TJ> 0]

LOL... that would be the day. We actually have a couple of kids who can skate really well and have great stickhandling skills as well. But the lack of serious, organised competition makes them impossible to go anywhere with their game. Not to mention the 3 on 3 factor. I really dream of the day when we'll be able to play in a real sized rink here in Buenos Aires. Don't think it'll happen any day soon though. Guess I'll just have to move to Canada...

[Vet88 674]

Amazing. I really wouldn't have expected any hockey in South America. But then, I hear they even play some in Australia.

The scene isn't too bad down in the South Pacific (Australia and New Zealand). In ice they play div 2 or 3 at the worlds and inline is either div 1 or 2. They get a few pro players out of Europe that are nearing the end of their career so the league standard is quite high and quite a few of their young kids are starting to make it into scholarships in Canada and the US.

In inline New Zealand recently acquired Pat Lee to coach the national teams, he played for Team USA for many years. Watching him play is a lesson in it's own right.

[pelikano 1]

The scene isn't too bad down in the South Pacific (Australia and New Zealand). In ice they play div 2 or 3 at the worlds and inline is either div 1 or 2. They get a few pro players out of Europe that are nearing the end of their career so the league standard is quite high and quite a few of their young kids are starting to make it into scholarships in Canada and the US.

In inline New Zealand recently acquired Pat Lee to coach the national teams, he played for Team USA for many years. Watching him play is a lesson in it's own right.

Somehow I am not surprised.

I met a guy at power skating who is from NZ. Didn't find out how long he has been in Canada, but he said he has been playing about four years now. LOL typical Aussie/NZ kind of guy: jutting chin, shaved head, skates like the wind. And to top it off I put him at about 29. He said he is 40.

[<TJ> 0]

OK... here are some updates in case anybody is wondering.

I've been skating a lot more these past couple of weeks, and found out many of my problems were due to not having the best upper body position, and that having a negative impact on my balance overall. This was more noticeable with backwards crossovers and the efficiency of my strides. I can now actually feel how I get more power with less effort when I'm able to stay in "proper" position and balance. On top of this, I found a woman who is, most likely, the only US certified power skating instructor in Argentina, and I'm up for a couple of lessons in the next few weeks. We'll see how that goes.

On a separate note, I went in and got measured for custom molded orthotic inserts at a place that specializes in sport related issues. Took my skates for the doc to have a look, and she tested my feet in a standing position as well as walking. I should have the inserts within the next 3 weeks, and I sincerely hope that will be the end of my pronation issues (which seem to be much less noticeable the more I skate in the "proper" form). I bet they'll take some getting used to, since my foot will be in a completely different position inside of the boot, but it should all be for the best.

Anyway, that's about it for now. I'll let you know how those lessons and those inserts work out for me.

Cheers!!

[hunterphfr 12]

There was a picture I saw on this board a long time ago of a an NHL ref or linesman with skates that might as well not have had laces in them. Looked as though if he were to pick his foot up the skate would have fallen off. I've noticed as my son's skating improves he has preferred his skates tied increasingly looser.

[hyster110 3]

i think the main point is you need to lock your heel in the skates, i dont even tie the top eyelet in my skate because i get more ankle mobility. but without the heel lock, my feet slide in my skates and i have no stability

[Deerok 3]

I agree 100% with the above post.

Heel lock is key; I don't tie my top two eyelets and my ankles have great forward flex and my feet are locked in.