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Figure Skating/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| age | 12/24/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: What is the best age to start general group lessons and at what age should one start with a private ... A: We start them at 3 for some Tot classes. But this age only learns by playing. If a child is in ... | ||
| Back Camel | 12/14/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: How are you? Hope you are doing well. I am still having problem with back camel. I don't really ... A: I am doing fine, thanks, Peter. The angular momentum for spins comes from speed on a curving, ... | ||
| AXEL PROBLEMS! | 12/8/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I'm victoria and I 'am from Argentina! Thanks for answering the questions and all the tips, they ... A: Well first if good for you to have all singles in 6 months, That is amazing. But axl is another ... | ||
| switching from USFSA to ISI | 11/12/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: If a skater has passed USFSA freestyle 6, and wants to switch to ISI, will they have to start over ... A: There are 2 ways for you to compete in ISI events: There are "Open FS" events that have a minimal ... | ||
| When to up blade choice? | 11/2/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: At what point should skaters move up to a more advanced blade than coronation ace/professional. ... A: This is always a tricky question. Pro blades have been a good starter for doubles forever! But ... | ||
| butt pads | 10/31/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: Which butt pads is the best protection for triple jumps? Is there anything you could recommend? A: You have to experiment on what protects where you fall most. Tailbone is critical, the gel are less ... | ||
| Buying the right skates | 10/28/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: Can you please recommend a brand/style of ice skates for my beginner 6 year old. I had bought him ... A: You need to listen to your coach! Spend more on a better blade. At 6 you are light and growing fast ... | ||
| sit/back sit combo | 10/21/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: I'm a adult skater- I have a pretty good sit spin but I get stuck when I try to transition to the ... A: Practice the back pivot with the right toe in the ice. The smooth stroke of this pivot is useful in ... | ||
| Correct Blade Size for Mounting | 8/25/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: When I bought a new blade in the US, the man who was helping me told me my old blade had been a bit ... A: The blade size is partly a matter of what you get used to, but generally there is up to half an inch ... | ||
| I cant land my axel | 8/25/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I am working on my axel but im having trouble landing it properly. I am competing in a competition ... A: Well, this is tough! Is the Axel required? If it is you have a bit of a problem since it takes a ... | ||
| fear of falling | 8/4/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: My 12 year old daughter started skating privately with a coach 3 years ago after taking one year of ... A: Sorry this took so long...I was at 2 competitions. Fear of falling is lack of basic skills. Try ... | ||
| Single axel (air position) | 7/23/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I've been working on the axel for about a year now and it's so close! I can rotate it fully, but the ... A: Many times it seems perfect off ice but you can't do the same on ice. Work with your coach on doing ... | ||
| Reaching a certain level | 7/8/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I have been skating since August 2010, so I've been skating a total of about 10 1/2 months. I was 16 ... A: That is no problem, except that you may end up competing with alot of younger kids for awhile. But ... | ||
| Reaching a certain level | 7/4/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I have been skating since August 2010, so I've been skating a total of about 10 1/2 months. I was 16 ... A: Well, Sounds like you are doing great! But spend enough time on skating skills, not just "tricks". ... | ||
| Skating | 6/23/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: What's the difference between a death drop, a arabian and a butterfly? Can you teach me how to do ... A: All of these tricks look the same in the air, but they take off or land differently. The death drop ... | ||
| hockey to figure skating | 6/4/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: Okay, i have a dilemma. i was a figure skater when i was around fourteen, but due to my coach ... A: Get figure skates, Bethany, and find ice. Figure on figuring out how those figure skates work just ... | ||
| Nutrition and Off-ice | 5/20/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: I am a 16 year old figure skater and I have been skating for quite awhile (this will be me 12th ... A: We eat for reasons other than hunger, Emily. Social occasions, boredom, loneliness, sensual ... | ||
| Nutrition and Off-ice | 5/20/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: I am a 16 year old figure skater and I have been skating for quite awhile (this will be me 12th ... A: I have always focused more on quality of food rather than quantity. Then you can eat according to ... | ||
| Painful hip | 5/18/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I'm an adult skater (35 year old), started skating 3 years ago. I do all single jumps and started ... A: You may be trying to push up a little too hard. On ice you have speed etc. I would keep off ice ... | ||
| Triples?? | 5/14/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I'm a 17 year old figure skater. I've been skating for 2.5 year for around 2 hrs a wk. Ive learnt ... A: It is very tough to go from singles to doubles first of all. There is alot of technique involved. ... | ||
| 3 turns with speed | 5/9/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: I am working on my Preliminary MITF patterns and am having trouble executing my forward power 3's ... A: Turns are always more difficult fast, Nicole. It helps to rise out of the knee slightly over the ... | ||
| Dbl salchow and back camel | 5/3/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: I working on dlb salchow. I`ve figured out how to get or "start" the rotation (when Im on a back ... A: Work on your back spin, Catherine, with freeleg crossed to simulate the air position. Speed not ... | ||
| Dbl salchow and back camel | 5/3/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I working on dlb salchow. I`ve figured out how to get or "start" the rotation (when Im on a back ... A: I hope you have a good coach to work with you! You sound like you have good knowledge of your body. ... | ||
| age,coaches, brands,technique | 4/22/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I have got a load questions if you don't mind, -What are the age limits of the USFSA levels ... A: The US Figure Skating rule book will answer all your questions on eligibility. You can find it on ... | ||
| skating | 4/13/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: My daughter just turned 12 and is abnormally strong her jumps are 3-4 higher than other skaters at ... A: Speed and power are ideals in our sport, of course, Brian. They may have to be bridled, however, ... | ||
| Double Jumps Problem | 4/8/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I got my axel and double salchow consist. Then I went and passed all my moves and came back to ... A: I thought I sent this answer already but... You will need to work closely with your on ice coach to ... | ||
| Axels | 4/4/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I've been having a hard time landing my axel. The thing is that i'm landing on my left foot, when ... A: Sounds like you are in abit of trouble here! You need to work with your coach on weight transfer. ... | ||
| cross legs on the double jumps | 3/31/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: My daughter has trouble to cross her legs on the double jumps. Her double toe, lutz and flip are ... A: This is tough. She must work on a tight backspin position. Work on the harness to over rotate in a ... | ||
| Blades | 3/31/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: My daughter who skates Intermediate just got new boots and we've ordered new blades based on the ... A: Lightness of blades is more of a help than a hindrance in general, Lynn. As for the rocker on ... | ||
| Hesitation and confidence | 3/25/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: All I ever do while skating is doubt myself. When I get ready to do a jump or even a spin I hear ... A: If it helps...this is a very common issue. You really need to build confidence. Make a check list ... | ||
| rotation on jumps after double toe | 3/20/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: hey, i have been skating since i was 6 and i am 15 now, at first i made loads of progress and got ... A: These are issues for you and your coach. That last little bit of rotation is tough. Work off-ice, ... | ||
| Same program for different competition? | 3/18/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: Do skaters skate the same program for different competition? If yes, why do they do that? A: Yes they normally use a program for a season or two. They will have a Short Program with required ... | ||
| age=fear! | 3/14/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I am 28 years old. I joined figure skating 5 months ago so I could be involved with my 2 daughters ... A: Bravo for you! Figure Skating is great exercise and challenging. there are competition ... | ||
| Quad muscle pain | 3/4/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: I am 16 years old, and have recently developped, in my quads, a muscle sensitivity to exertion. I am ... A: It does sound like your muscles get oxygen starved, Emily. It is normal for muscles to get tired ... | ||
| axels and unwritten rules | 2/24/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I've been doing axels for a year and have landed them before.Rotation is not a issue, its just my ... A: Good for you to get the rotation! That's the first hurdle. Now you need a strong check to hold the ... | ||
| Single Axel | 2/21/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: I am currently working on an single Axel as an adult. I can land it maybe like 2 out of five. I ... A: Lead with left shoulder and left hip, Peter. Your body will be facing more outside the curve even ... | ||
| Flexible bones, 21 yrs old, and no coach? | 2/17/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: I apologise for writing a lot; I tend to write too much when asking questions! I am a 21 year old ... A: It is possible to advance and stay motivated without a coach, Melissa. The experience and knowledge ... | ||
| criss cross landings | 1/30/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: I do have a problem on a student who is attempting double slchow, double toe and toe loop. Every ... A: It could be a weakness issue as you say, Klaus, either in legs or back. It is not enough to get all ... | ||
| Too old/Tall/Late..? | 1/23/2011 | Dianne DeLeeuw |
| Q: I was wondering what you thought would be the absolute latest anyone could start figure skating if ... A: Figure skating is a great sport for all ages but you need to be realistic in your expectations. ... | ||
| Off-Ice Training | 1/23/2011 | gary beacom |
| Q: I was wondering what would be some good off-ice exercises. I'm currently about to enter FS1 ... A: there is no exercise, julia, that will not benefit your skating. any added strength, power, or ... | ||
Dianne DeLeeuw
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions about figure skating, choreography, ISI or USFSA. Also questions about competing (my Olympic experience or your own competition). I`m a National referre for ISI. Recently I also have been appointed a National Technical Specialist for US Figure Skating. But remember I am not your substitute for a coach! They can see what you are doing! To correct or instruct you on manuevers is really not what I want to do.
Experience
Experience: World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist, coaching all levels of skaters at in California. I coach all levels and ages of skating from tiny tots to adults, first timers to International competitors. I also do choreography, music editing, teach specialty classes and give seminars.
Organizations: USFSA, ISI, PSA, Los Angeles Figure Skating Club
Publications: Recreational Ice Skater, The Edge
Awards: 1976 Olympic Silver Medalist, 1975 World Champion, 1976 European Champion, 6 time National Champion, US and Canadian Double Gold Medalist, 1999 ISI Great Skate Award, 2002 Woman of the Year
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