Skating Basics: Backward Inside Edges (Karen Heng Olson)

Karen Heng Olson explains how she teaches the back inside edges for the Pre-Pre USFS Moves in the Field Test.  Notice that Karen goes back to the beginning and teaches backward stroking again, even if the skater already knows it (“Make a C, lift the foot in front”).  The “C push” is a critical foundation skill for this pattern.

Karen shares another helpful drill that gets the skaters used to turning their toes in.  The drill provides a way to get lots of repetitions with the most challenging movements of the move.

Karen makes a point to discuss one of the most common problems when learning this pattern.  Skaters have a tendency to step down before they push and Karen shows that you want them to push BEFORE they put their other foot down.

Karen also gives a nice way for skaters to remember which way to face to start the pattern and she shows proper arm placement and movement.  She gives the order of movements as “balance, foot, arms and head.”  Arms and free foot should pass close and not swing around.  Karen provides more detail about the C push, including final foot position and hip position.  At the end she stresses the need for proper alignment and edge control on a basic edge before working on the pattern.

Please leave a comment for Karen or other members below.

FavoriteLoadingAdd to “My Favorites” (Beta testing)

13 responses to “Skating Basics: Backward Inside Edges (Karen Heng Olson)”

  1. ysik2011

    thanks for this fantastic explanation

  2. Vojislava

    This is bringing me back to old days of figures…

  3. Karolina

    Fantastic little exercises for the back inside edges! Thank you so much!

  4. srswift

    This is all GREAT stuff!!! Thank you so much for sharing.

  5. Anna

    Great job Karen! You are such an amazing coach!

  6. Andrea Dover

    Yay, I’m so glad you’re posting videos Karen! I was actually going to suggest that they ask you to, haha 🙂 You helped me so much when I took field moves lessons from you several years ago. This advice will definitely help me teach my beginning students better! Please post more! 🙂

  7. Leah Nelson Osborne

    Well done, Karen. Great advice!

  8. Shari

    Great tips and exercises. Thanks!

  9. Page Lipe

    So thorough!! Thanks Karen!

  10. JC

    Thanks this is great especially with the new changes to moves-hope to see more.

  11. lsussman

    Really comprehensive and helpful. Thanks so much!

  12. Eileen

    Thank you so much, Karen. This information is a huge help! I love the exercises and references to the basic skills. It was just great!

  13. Sheila Thelen

    Welcome Karen! Great Presentation! THANK-YOU SO MUCH!