Nick Perna shares some important drills to help skaters develop power from their forward edges. Do not overlook this video as these exercises are an extremely effective way to help skaters of all levels learn to generate power in their skating.
In this video Nick talks about swizzles, basic slaloms, waterski slaloms (both sides), and finally the alternating waterski slalom. These are all two foot drills meaning that skaters of all levels can benefit from these drills. The drills are meaningless without the details that Nick explains. If you pay attention and apply these drills as Nick teaches, the power will come quickly. It is important to get the body, leg and hip positions correct as Nick discusses and demonstrates.
Nick spends some time discussing the ripping sound or crunching sound associated with power generation from the edges. He also explains it as a lion’s roar (which is particularly effective as a teaching tool for younger skaters!). Then he explains that he ultimately wants his skaters to create two crunching sounds for every lobe in the slalom drills, an inside edge crunch from one skate and an outside edge crunch from the other skate. Notice the proper timing of those crunches.
At the end of the video, Nick says that we should be creating a crunching sound every time we push and every time we transition from one foot to the other.
Add to “My Favorites” (Beta testing)
7 responses to “Figure Skating Education: Edge Power (Nick Perna)”
Thoroughly enjoyed both of these videos (fwd & bwd) great drills and explanations. Thank you!
Anytime there is a transition, or push from one foot to another – you should be ‘activating’ that edge…LOVE IT! Thanks Nick!
Thank you for sharing these drills and I have been putting into use and have received great results especially with one of my Adult students. Thank you again.
When I introduced the water ski slalom to a skater this morning, she didn’t readily grasp the under push. I related it to cross-strokes and had her do a few cross-strokes, it clicked. The rhythm in the alternating water ski slalom seemed to make it easier. These are fun!
I love the distinction between active and passive edges! I have never heard that before.
Great explanation! Thank you
I spent an hour today doing these slaloms and stomping and the noticeable differnece in my skating was fantastic! Thanks for these great drills. Such great explanations and demonstrations.