This is the first in a series of videos of Sheila Thelen teaching a young skater in a private lesson. If you work with young skaters, you’ll appreciate the clever concepts Sheila uses to get her young and easily-distracted skater to focus and learn. Sheila’s skater is a 6 year old boy named Milan. We shot this video shortly after Sheila’s husband was in a car accident and Sheila’s skates were damaged in the accident. (Now she has some brand new blue skates!)
Notice that Sheila starts with pivots that directly transfer to the back spin. Many coaches don’t start back spins at this level, but Sheila believes it helps to get them used to the concept as early as possible. Notice all the different ways Sheila uses to keep his interest and improve the spin. This should give you ideas to help your young skaters with backspin.
The references to apples and gummi worms are awesome. Also notice that Sheila constantly reinforces the same things over and over.
Add to “My Favorites” (Beta testing)
5 responses to “Learn To Ice Skate For Kids: Basic Jumping – Part 1 (Sheila Thelen)”
A really adorable little boy and what a great idea to use the gummy worm – kids just love visual images to help them skate. I have a couple of 6 year olds who are just starting pivots and I wouldn’t have thought of starting a back spin. I do agree that getting skaters on to more difficult movements as early as possible does let them grow into them so much more easily…a little step at a time!
How cute is he?!?! I love that you feel that a child this young can handle knowing they “why’s” for what we are trying to teach them. Some people under-estimate the brain power of a young skater!!!
This is fantastic! Thank you for the great idea of using forward and back pivots to help with the back spin 🙂
OH my gosh! Milan is adorable! Thanks so much Sheila. Great tips and perfect timing as I have a 5 1/2 year old student who is ready to try this. I actually didn’t think of teaching this to her yet, but I am going to do it! You are awesome and I had so much fun watching you interact with Milan!
Great video with some great tips. Thanks so much!