Hockey stops and holder alignment

[Utterkaos94 11]

So this question is a two parter:

1. I'm able to hockey stop pretty well, but what I've noticed is that sometimes my feet feel like they're bouncing as I'm stopping. Does this mean that my weight isn't far enough forward? Also, when I see some other people stop they shoot ice up in the air. When I stop, I don't do that. Is there an advantage to that or does it just look cool?

2. I have flat feet and overpronate quite a bit, so I recently got my holders shimmed on the outside to push the blades down on my outside edges. However, now when I stand straight up with my feet at a 90 degree angle, I'm not able to scrape the ice with my inside edge, it catches on my outside edge. Is this normal and I've just been used to doing it the other way because of my feet?

Thanks!

[Vet88 674]

For both your questions, been there done that.

1: Typically it's because you have too much heel in your stops. Pronation is an issue here but you really need to get your weight balanced over the middle of the skate (re point 2) then learn how to control your edges.

2: After getting the boots shimmed you now have to learn to skate again. It's a big change for your brain / foot muscles to work out. I eventually moved the holder inwards as I believe this is a much better long term solution. Practice one foot balance drills - inside and outside edges, slaloms, one foot figure 8's (inside and outside edges), one foot circle drills (everything in both directions, both feet). Practice stopping on one foot (outside foot, inside edge). Repeat as often as you can.

[smcgreg 81]

For both your questions, been there done that.

1: Typically it's because you have too much heel in your stops. Pronation is an issue here but you really need to get your weight balanced over the middle of the skate (re point 2) then learn how to control your edges.

2: After getting the boots shimmed you now have to learn to skate again. It's a big change for your brain / foot muscles to work out. I eventually moved the holder inwards as I believe this is a much better long term solution. Practice one foot balance drills - inside and outside edges, slaloms, one foot figure 8's (inside and outside edges), one foot circle drills (everything in both directions, both feet). Practice stopping on one foot (outside foot, inside edge). Repeat as often as you can.

So, how did you move your holders in? Grafs?

[Vet88 674]

So, how did you move your holders in? Grafs?

Yes, purchased grafs (currently in G5 ultras) which have the holder mounted with screws. Took the holder off, filed away at the screw holes then remounted. Outside screws are fine, most inside screws are ok except the front one and maybe a rear which, depending on how much you need to file inwards and move the holder, may end up hitting on the blade holder support. A longer screw and some brass washers with one side filed down gives the screw head clearance. I thought I might have to back fill the holes with epoxy but I've never had a problem with the holder moving and that's skating every day, 2 - 3 hours a day for the last 3 years.

Graf manufacturing isn't the greatest for QC so if you do go this route try to get to a shop and look at all the skates in the model you want to buy, there is often a big difference in how the holder is aligned on the boot. Look for those that have the holder mounted nearer to the inside of the boot, it will make the readjustment process a lot easier.

With other models of boot you can move the holder but not as much as on a Graf and it would be difficult to do on your own unless you have access to a rivet machine etc Or you convert the boot using t-nuts and screws to secure the holder.

[Utterkaos94 11]

For both your questions, been there done that.

1: Typically it's because you have too much heel in your stops. Pronation is an issue here but you really need to get your weight balanced over the middle of the skate (re point 2) then learn how to control your edges.

2: After getting the boots shimmed you now have to learn to skate again. It's a big change for your brain / foot muscles to work out. I eventually moved the holder inwards as I believe this is a much better long term solution. Practice one foot balance drills - inside and outside edges, slaloms, one foot figure 8's (inside and outside edges), one foot circle drills (everything in both directions, both feet). Practice stopping on one foot (outside foot, inside edge). Repeat as often as you can.

Yeah, it's wierd because I'm able to do one foot glides perfectly on my right foot, but with my left foot, I can feel the outside edge digging in and it veers to the left. I'm worried that maybe I didn't need as much shim on my left foot as I did my right foot. I wanted to move my holders, but the guy in the pro shop said that the current holes are too close to the edges (Bauer Nexus 5000), and it could cause the holders to eventually move. I'm going to try putting a small wedge under my left arch to hopefully put more pressure on my inside edge so the pressure is even. If worse comes to worse, I just have the guy remove 2 of the 4 pieces of plastic he put in. Thanks for the suggestions!

[jimmy 194]

Did you have this same issue before you offset your holders? If so, you likely have the same issue many do and that is proper lean with their weak side. Using a slighly shallower hollow and practice will help.

[Vet88 674]

Yeah, it's wierd because I'm able to do one foot glides perfectly on my right foot, but with my left foot, I can feel the outside edge digging in and it veers to the left. I'm worried that maybe I didn't need as much shim on my left foot as I did my right foot. I wanted to move my holders, but the guy in the pro shop said that the current holes are too close to the edges (Bauer Nexus 5000), and it could cause the holders to eventually move. I'm going to try putting a small wedge under my left arch to hopefully put more pressure on my inside edge so the pressure is even. If worse comes to worse, I just have the guy remove 2 of the 4 pieces of plastic he put in. Thanks for the suggestions!

Very rarely will you pronate the same on both feet, each will be slightly different, just like most of us have one foot / leg longer than the other. Getting the skates aligned properly is the difficult part and something I have yet to find an effective way to do it other than trial and error by moving / wedging the holder. Have a read of this, one of the better articles I have come across on pronation in skates - http://www.ladyinredcreations.com/Ankles_Down.htm