Expert: Dianne DeLeeuw - 5/4/2009

Question
Hi Dianne,
I began skating about 4 months ago, I am 19 years old. At first I was afraid I
was too old to begin but I am very small for my age and the shortest in my
group class so I don't feel out of place.
At the moment I am learning spirals, back edges, back crossovers and
beginning the one foot spin. I take a private lesson each week and one group
lesson and I also try to skate another day each week. My coach says I need
more power/speed on my two foot spin (as I'm beginning to pick up one foot)
but I can't seem to get any! How can I gain more momentum from a
standstill? Are there any off ice exercises I can to do help me? I also like to set
goals for my skating and one I have set is to land all the single jumps by the
end of this year. Do you think that is a realistic goal?
Thanks!

Answer
Hi,
Wow you are doing great!  It sounds like you are progressing well.  Ask your coach to teach you how to wind up for the spin.  Learn it from back crossovers as soon as you can, that will help. There are many off ice "spinners" out there also to learn spins.  Just be careful where you do it!
Good luck,
Dinne