Step 5: Posture Improves Everything

Body alignment is extremely important in figure skating. You need good alignment in jump takeoffs, rotating position, jump landings and spins as well as when you are just doing simple skills such as stroking and crossovers. Great posture make a fantastic first impression when you step onto the ice at competition. It draws attention and commands respect.

What is proper alignment? To have proper alignment, your head must be held erect with the chin parallel to the ice, not pointing down toward the ice. It should rest on top of your shoulders without jutting forward. The chest should be lifted but relaxed; you don’t want to look like a soldier. Back muscles must be engaged, pulling your shoulder blades together. The abdominal muscles should be engaged to keep the pelvis in a neutral position. Essentially this means that you are not swaybacked nor rounded in the lower back. Bending should be done at the ankles, knees and hips. During normal skating there should be little to no tilt forward. When taking off for jumps there will be a greater tilt forward but effort should always be to maintain an erect carriage. The more you bend forward to take off for a jump the farther you have to go to get back to a vertical axis.

You can learn proper alignment by studying ballet, pilates or by having someone who is trained in these fields help you on the ice. Watching videos of yourself can help you to see when you lose your alignment and help you to focus on trouble spots.

• Marta Nilsen helps answer the Ask The Pros questions here at IceSkatingWorld.com. She is a master-rated coach teaching at the Lexington Ice and Recreation Center in Kentucky.