Requirements:
D&B: complete 8J: complete 9 CSA: complete 10
1) Make sure that your skates fit properly Try these tips for a proper fit • Length: is the foot resting comfortably flat in the skate and not putting excess pressure on toes? • Width: does the skate provide adequate comfort for the ball joint area of the foot and allow proper support of the arch? • Heel: is the heel of the foot seated comfortably in the heel area of the skate to provide maximum foot control? • Ankle: does the skate fit comfortably & properly around the ankle and shin area to allow the desired firmness and strength? The end of your toes should lightly brush the end of the boot. You do not want to be able to slide your toes side to side in the skate. If your toes slide sideways in the skate, this is a good indication that the boot is too wide and a narrower width is needed. Another way to determine if the skate is the incorrect width: look at the boot when laced up with firm lace tension. The lacing width should not be too close together, if it is the boot is too wide for your foot. Also, if the lacing width is too far apart, the width is too narrow. *Why is it important to have skates that fit your feet?
* 2)Protect the blades your skates while entering the rink Most indoor ice rinks are surrounded by a soft mat or carpet that makes it possible to walk safely to the ice rink's surface. The mat also protects ice skate blades. Do not walk on concrete or wood with your skates on. *What happens to the blades of your skates when you walk on hard surfaces? How will this affect the performance of the skates?
* 3) Hold the rail Start by making a lap around the ice while holding the outter hand rail. This will help you to get firmiliar with the feel and movement of the ice
4) Move forward Start with short "scooter" steps with one foot at a time. Pretend you are riding a scooter down the street. You can keep your arms in front on imaginary scooter bars for balance. When you are comfortable with the scooter steps, try alternating scooter steps. Take a step on the right foot, rest on two feet, and then step onto the left foot. Try pushing from one foot to the other.
5) Fall down While practicing your scooter steps did you fall down? Did you know that there is a proper way to fall to avoid injury? Practice falling by bending your knees and squat into a dip position. Fall to the side and lean a bit forward as you fall down. *Why would you want to fall to the side? Why would you avoid falling on your wrists or arms?”
6) Get back up To avoid a second fall practice properly recovering from the fall. Turn over on your hands and knees. Take one foot and place it between your hands. Then take the other foot and place it between your hands. Push yourself up to standing.
7) Practice gliding on two feet March or step across the ice and then "rest." Glide forward for a short distance on two feet.
8) Learn to dip skate forward on two feet and squat down as far as possible. The skaters' arms and the skaters' rear ends should be level
9) Learn to Stop Practice a snowplow stop. Feet are pushed apart and the flat of the blade pushed against the ice to make a bit of snow on the ice. Some new skaters will push their feet apart too far, and even start to do a split accidentally.
10) After you master these steps, play games on the ice or try to spin, skate backward, glide on one foot, or do forward or backward swizzles