In this video, Nick Perna discusses his system of teaching basic edge positions, and how he’s distilled them down to four basic positions.
In position 1, the skater’s torso is opened up with the skating foot leading and the free foot trailing behind. In position 1 the skating shoulder is forward and the free shoulder is back. It’s as if the skater is gliding down a narrow hallway with the skating side leading the way.
In position 2, the skater’s torso is the same position 1 with the skating shoulder in front and the free shoulder back. In position 2, however, the free leg is in front, although the free hip is still back.
In position 3, the free shoulder and hip is leading and the skating shoulder and hip are back. In position 3 the free leg is also back. The skater’s hips are turned “in” or are “closed” in this position.
And finally in position 4, the free shoulder and hip is leading and the skating shoulder and hip are back just as in position 3, but now the free leg is leading and is slightly turned in.
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6 responses to “Learn Figure Skating – 4 Basic Edge Positions (Nick Perna)”
WOW! Very powerful explanation! I love this and I am going to start using it tomorrow! THANKS NICK!!
Great explanation and breakdown of the positions! Thank you!
Nick, I’ve always thought you were a genius (for years)… but this really confirms it. I had NEVER thought to break it down, sum it up, and put it ALL together in 7:52. This made TOTAL SENSE to me (that wouldn’t have made as much sense – reading it vs watching it). THANK-YOU NICK! 1, 2, 3, 4. Genius.
[…] The drill consists of simply gliding around a full circle on one foot in one position, without straying off the circle. This is easiest using the hockey circles on the rink but Nick notes that smaller circles are also important for mastering edges. He also recommends a variety of positions and you can see Nick’s videos on these positions here. […]
Commonly people do a #4 with the toe turned out. Would you still count that as a #4? Or is it just bad practice?
Some coaches teach a #4 position with the toe turned slightly out…but if you turn it out too much, you will most likely start dropping your free hip and you will start to lose the “turned in” structure of the basic position. A forward inside bracket is a good example of a #4 slightly pigeon-toed entrance. Thank you!