Figure Skating Turns Advanced: Forward Outside Rockers (Amy Brolsma)

Amy Brolsma begins her discussion of rockers by explaining how she teaches forward outside rockers.  Amy begins by making sure the skater has complete control and proper alignment of the entry edge.  The body faces inside the circle and the skater should be on the back part of the blade.

Next, Amy works on moving the free leg without changing any other body position or the quality of the edge.  After that Amy, introduces the actual turn.  Notice that Amy moves the free foot initially as a separate motion from the turn.  After the free foot is in place, the back shoulder and arm are used to initiate the rotation and the down up down knee action allows the turn to happen.  There is a strong check after the turn using the opposite or back arm.  The blade usage is heel, toe, ball of foot (on turn exit).

Amy notes that the arms should be very very strong over the free side.  Amy says, “Lots of rotation into the turn, and lots of rotation afterwards.”  Amy likes the hips level throughout the turn but to accomplish this, she finds it helpful to press down on the free hip after the turn.  Amy says, “Stand tall on the skating side, toe to toe, toe to heel, turn, tall on the skating side pushing down on the free side.”

Amy uses the hula hoop again for this turn.  The hula hoop helps the skater develop the proper rotation of the shoulders both in and out of the turn and it helps the skaters understand the concept of “how much” rotation is necessary.

Amy also offers a helpful training tip.  She suggests doing a back pivot on the exit of the turn by putting the free toe in the ice.

Amy covers common problems for the forward outside rocker.  The most common problem is not using enough counter-rotation on the turn exit.  Another common error is lifting the free hip during and after the turn.  And yet another problem is the skater leaning forward after the turn which is a result of not pressing down hard enough on the free hip after the turn and keeping the hips under with proper alignment.

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