Ice Skating Turns: Back Outside Three Turns – Part 1 (Amy Brolsma)

Amy Brolsma explains how she teaches back outside three turns.  This turn is often difficult for young skaters and even very advanced skaters often have problems checking the rotation of this turn.  Because this turn is being used more and more as part of double and triple salchow entrances (back outside three turn and then a mohawk to get to the back inside edge), all skaters should become very proficient with this turn.

(This is a continuation of Amy’s discussion of the forward inside and outside three turns elsewhere on the website.)

Amy describes the development of the turn in detail.  She starts on two feet and works on blade usage and basic shoulder and head position.  Her tip to just “lift the toes” during the turn is golden!  Then she uses the hula hoop on two feet to get the proper shoulder usage for rotation and rhythm for the turn.  Then she proceeds to one foot and puts all the pieces together.

She also spends time on just the back outside entrance edge as many skaters find this edge difficult to control properly.  Many skaters need additional attention to arm and foot placement when transitioning to one foot.  Amy’s game of having the skater “hold the edge until told to turn” is invaluable as the vast majority of skaters anticipate the turn and end up out of position before they even attempt to do the turn.

Amy also talks about knee bend.  Many skaters that have all the other parts of the turn correct still lose control afterwards due to lack of knee and ankle bend.  Amy also discusses free foot positioning.  Notice that Amy’s description means the free foot is across in front of the skating foot at all times.  At 4:04 Amy shows one of the most common errors which is opening the legs to initiate the turn with the free leg.  This error should be eliminated immediately as it can turn into a bad habit that becomes hard to break..

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