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Figure Skating/Questions Answered by Expert gary beacom
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Back Camel | 12/14/2011 |
| 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, ... | |
| sit/back sit combo | 10/21/2011 |
| 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 |
| 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 ... | |
| Skating | 6/23/2011 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 ... | |
| 3 turns with speed | 5/9/2011 |
| 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 |
| 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 ... | |
| skating | 4/13/2011 |
| 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, ... | |
| Blades | 3/31/2011 |
| 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 ... | |
| Quad muscle pain | 3/4/2011 |
| 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 ... | |
| Single Axel | 2/21/2011 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 ... | |
| Off-Ice Training | 1/23/2011 |
| 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 ... | |
| Long Term Axel Problems | 1/22/2011 |
| Q: My name is Theresa, I am 19 years old and have been skating since I was 5 years old. I started ... A: It may take time to tone your muscles up to the point where you have the power to jump high enough ... | |
| Off-Ice | 1/9/2011 |
| Q: I have been figure skating for ten or eleven years, have passed novice moves in the field and am ... A: Part of learning how to skate is understanding the proper technique, Megan, and part is actually ... | |
| Back Camel Spin | 12/22/2010 |
| Q: My question is that I am fairly new to the back Camel. I could do back upright spin pretty well ... A: size of circles is function of lean, peter. if you go smoothly from deep forward inside leading into ... | |
| Camel Spin | 12/21/2010 |
| Q: I have problem on camel spin. For some reasons I can't seem to rotate more than 2 or 3 rotations on ... A: good question, peter. this raises the most important physics principle in figure skating. spin is ... | |
| Camel Spin | 12/21/2010 |
| Q: I have problem on camel spin. For some reasons I can't seem to rotate more than 2 or 3 rotations on ... A: arm motions are unnecessary, peter, and contribute to problems. step right on deep forward outside ... | |
| Axel problems | 12/15/2010 |
| Q: My daughter 8 is struggling with her axel, last year she had a coach who I hadn't realised was not ... A: i am not too sure how punching around can achieve rotation, karen. there is a lot of superstition ... | |
| blade rocker | 11/26/2010 |
| Q: When getting a new blade , if the blade has the correct amount of rocker on it from the factory , is ... A: Sharpening down the blade has nothing to do with rocker, David. This is a common misconception. A ... | |
| Overcoming fears | 11/15/2010 |
| Q: I am a novice competitive skater out of Calgary and I have been working consistently on my double ... A: overcoming fears is indeed important, dylann, for your development as an athlete. we have fears of ... | |
| blade radius and 3-turns | 11/1/2010 |
| Q: I am a senior (age-wise, not skill-wise!) skater. I used to skate on an MK Professional ( rocker ... A: It is not surprising that threes would be more difficult with the flatter Comets, Anne Marie. This ... | |
| Gaining Confidence | 10/30/2010 |
| Q: I am a 25 y/o beginner. I only have time for one private lesson a week right now, so my coach ... A: skate to improve your skating, rachel. just by spending time on the ice, you will naturally improve ... | |
| Food and skating | 10/25/2010 |
| Q: We often drive straight from school to the rink 90 minutes away and so I bring the children food ... A: karen. food intake is one of the most important factors in athletic success. i have also never ... | |
| sore knees | 10/15/2010 |
| Q: I am an Australian living in China and took up skating as a hobby and now am totally engrossed in ... A: we get sore when we do things we are not used to, melanie, especially if the motion is jerky and ... | |
| Skating | 10/14/2010 |
| Q: My daughte has been skating since she was seven - she is now 10. She seems to be stuck on her axel. ... A: i don't have enough info, heather, to give you a definitive answer. it is important to ascertain ... | |
| Public Skating | 10/13/2010 |
| Q: gary I realise you are a figure skating not hockey skating expert but I would think a good figure ... A: hockey players accelerate, sue, by the physics class definition of acceleration, which is the rate ... | |
| progression | 10/10/2010 |
| Q: What is the expected progression for children? My daughter started skating recreationally at 3 then ... A: if your daughter loves skating, f, then i assume she is making the most of the opportunity, and that ... | |
| Changing coach | 10/7/2010 |
| Q: I skate for 3 years. Because of the unsatisfactory academic result, I stopped my skating for half a ... A: if you have found a coach that you feel meets both criteria, polly, let your coach know that you ... | |
| Death drop and doubles | 9/20/2010 |
| Q: I`ve been doing back camel, camel-change-camel and flying camels for a while now, and want to start ... A: that sounds about right for a death drop, alison. i would note that a flying camel goes only as high ... | |
| IJS jump repetition rule and back spin entry | 9/9/2010 |
| Q: Can you help me understand this explanation for Intermediate Free Skate well balanced under jump ... A: the rule is not contradictory, dawn. the three jumps that can be repeated can appear only twice ... | |
| problems with my spin | 7/30/2010 |
| Q: Since I began figure skating 18 months ago, I have had difficulty keeping the heel part of the blade ... A: i don't know what type of blades you have, but with some blades for beginners you have to rock far ... | |
| Would this maybe work (pairs skating)? Am I too tall? How do I bring it up to my coach? | 7/22/2010 |
| Q: I have decided I would like to try pairs skating and it would be great if I could find a partner and ... A: kaylee. it sounds to me like you should definitely get started on pairs by asking the boy if he is ... | |
| Figure Skating Research Project | 7/4/2010 |
| Q: My name is Ruku and I am in the 11th grade. I am a figure skater and I have to conduct a semester ... A: As you may know, I studied physics at University of Toronto, so you are asking the right person. ... | |
| back spins | 6/14/2010 |
| Q: im doing my nisa level 5 at the minuite and while ive passed levels before with a back upright in ... A: stay on the front of the blade while spinning, zoey, and feel your blade tracing back outside ... | |
| double axels??? | 4/22/2010 |
| Q: First of all, I'm having trouble with my double lutz-double toe-double loop. It's good until I do ... A: for that three-jump combination, allie, you can keep your speed up by not letting your toe picks ... | |
| Spins | 4/12/2010 |
| Q: Hey When I do a one foot spin I always go up onto my toe pick. For my bronze I need to be able to ... A: sorry to have meandered, sara. the solution may be to upgrade equipment. check out how far raised ... | |
| Spins | 4/12/2010 |
| Q: Hey When I do a one foot spin I always go up onto my toe pick. For my bronze I need to be able to ... A: if you set your blade on a flat on a flat (not a typo!) surface with the toe pick touching the table ... | |
| needing height on jumps | 4/2/2010 |
| Q: My daughter is having trouble getting height on her jumps (singles). She is 9 years old and ... A: it could be a balance problem, marie. if she is unsteady on her feet, she may be scared of getting ... | |
| Roller blades for ice skaters | 3/28/2010 |
| Q: I'm wondering if roller blading or roller skating can help with ice skating technique. I'm just ... A: although in-line skates simulate figure skates closest, there are still some significant ... | |
| progress | 3/26/2010 |
| Q: My daughter has progressed quite quickly through the learn to skate and pre-preliminary levels but ... A: excellent question, jenny, and one about which one could write a book! is it necessary to peak at a ... | |
| axel jumps | 3/26/2010 |
| Q: What are the rules about double axels in free skating programs? It seems like all other jumps can ... A: double axel can be performed no more than three times, marybeth. the rules are different than for ... | |
| skate blade | 3/5/2010 |
| Q: When on a left forward outside lobe I can feel my blade slightly pulling to the right (the lobe goes ... A: check the sharpening first with a precision square to make sure it is level, liz. next check to be ... | |
| backward upright spin | 2/23/2010 |
| Q: I'm having a tough time doing the backward upright spin, and that in turn prevents me from doing the ... A: that back spin certainly is an important one! make sure the edge leading into the spin has enough ... | |
| double flip | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: My double flip is really inconsistent, like some days I land it every time and other days I can't ... A: your technique is not solid, lina. it apparently depends too much on your energy level, which ... | |
| Music! | 2/14/2010 |
| Q: I am a coach of an intermediate stroking class and I need some good music recommendations for the ... A: you can't go too far wrong with contemporary top forty pop, andrea. electronic music also works very ... | |
| too old to start skating? | 2/13/2010 |
| Q: i used to do figure skating when I was in 2nd through 4th grade, but i quit because I took a class ... A: you don't tell me how old you are now, zoe, but age is just a number anyway. the more important ... | |
| Figure Skates | 1/29/2010 |
| Q: My 7 year old is on the verge of outgrowing her skates in the next couple of months, but needs to ... A: i can't imagine the mounting would affect wear on the blade, maggie. it is almost impossible to ... | |
| foot position spinning | 1/23/2010 |
| Q: I've been working with a trainer on this problem with spins for months now and have found no ... A: make sure you are barely on an edge, adi. make sure you are very close to a flat when you spin. also ... | |
| nutrition | 1/18/2010 |
| Q: Can you please advise regarding proper nutrition for growing athletes. My 10 yr old daughter trains ... A: proper nutrition to me, jen, is one of the most important factors in a skater's development because ... | |
| Figure Skating | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: I am terrified of falling but I know it's the only way to get better. I am also scared to take ... A: there are a few ways of overcoming fear, gracie. one is to get so sure-footed on the ice that you ... | |
| Buying figure skates | 1/13/2010 |
| Q: I'm buying new figure skates and blades after a few years of not really ice skating. Before I quit, ... A: go for comfort, virginia. make sure you can bend in them without pain. you want a certain amount of ... | |
| what level can i expect to get to? | 1/13/2010 |
| Q: I was a level 9 gymnast who practiced about 15 hours a week until very recently when i was forced to ... A: i don't know if figure skating is easier on the back or not, emily. it is humanly possible for you ... | |
| Blades | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: Gary, My daughter needs new blades. She was skating in Super Teris with Coronation Ace Parabolics ... A: you're welcome, denise. thinness of a blade would not affect performance significantly. why she ... | |
| Blades | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: Gary, My daughter needs new blades. She was skating in Super Teris with Coronation Ace Parabolics ... A: i don't think that one rocker radius is superior to another, denise, although it will take some time ... | |
| skates | 1/7/2010 |
| Q: I need to look for new skates and blades since I've outgrown my current pair. I compete at the ... A: i don't think they ever become that important, haley. i think they are mostly just gimmicks. in fact ... | |
| skates | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: I need to look for new skates and blades since I've outgrown my current pair. I compete at the ... A: I don't know about wieghts of various boots, Haley, but as far as K-picks and parabolic blades, I ... | |
| painful feet | 1/4/2010 |
| Q: Good morning, I have loved ice skating my entire life. In the past 15 years though Ice skates KILL ... A: ask yourself if the skates hurt after lacing up or only after skating, pam. if the latter, then it ... | |
| lace bite | 12/25/2009 |
| Q: i am a hockey player and i've been dealing with severe lace bite for over a month. i've taken time ... A: you might try ankle protective inserts made by API Hockey, sarah. Google "lace bite". There are many ... | |
| Blade Issues.. | 12/14/2009 |
| Q: I`ve just got new boots and blades (Riedell + MK Vision). They were mounted by my grinding guy about ... A: i am sorry to hear of your blade woes, stephanie. the different mounting would take time to get used ... | |
| Double Axel | 12/14/2009 |
| Q: I have recently landed all my double doubles and they are consistent 80% of the time. The next step ... A: i generally don't encourage skaters to work on double axels until the single is good enough. are you ... | |
| Skates | 12/12/2009 |
| Q: gary I am a guy in his fifties. I played rec. hockey up until my 40's but decided to 'retire'. I now ... A: one of the reasons your skates hurt is probably that your skating skills have declined after so many ... | |
| age | 12/11/2009 |
| Q: I wanted to know the average time it takes to get to senior level, i am currently landing all ... A: hmm, i think it probably takes ten years or so to get to senior on average. that is just a guess, ... | |
| Axel Training | 11/29/2009 |
| Q: I've started working on an axel and I was wondering what off ice training can I do to land it ... A: you can do any jumping exercises to get your muscles used to the spring action necessary for jumping ... | |
| how to land an axel | 11/26/2009 |
| Q: Hey I can't land an axel quite yet and i want to know if you can help with giving me some tips. thnx ... A: it is difficult for me to help you without actually seeing your axel, julianna, but here are a few ... | |
| Too Advanced for My Level? | 11/20/2009 |
| Q: I'm a basic 5 level skater and was wondering if I should start private lessons. Also, am I too ... A: private lessons will almost always help you advance more quickly because of the extra attention that ... | |
| Before Skating Warm Up | 11/20/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering what a good before competition and before practice warm up would include. I want ... A: any vigorous exercise will make you break a sweat and get your blood moving, emily, but why don't ... | |
| Practice | 11/17/2009 |
| Q: Gary I havent skated since I was a young guy. Never a great skater but good enough for pond hockey ... A: exercises that bend the ankle forward are very useful for a skater, barry. also, stand on one foot ... | |
| Blade rockers | 11/16/2009 |
| Q: I am an adult synchronized skater with limited experience on a semi-competitive recreational team. ... A: Rocker radius, Adrian, refers to the slight curve of the blade from pick to heel. Your edge matches ... | |
| 1 foot spin | 10/25/2009 |
| Q: I just passed my basic 4 evaluation and I am now basic 5. I am having a hard time learning a 1 foot ... A: It doesn't matter that much where you are looking when you spin. I sometimes spin with my eyes ... | |
| help with axel | 10/21/2009 |
| Q: My daughter has been trying to land her axel jump. She's been working on this for almost 4 months ... A: It is kind of scary to learn to cross the feet in the air, Jen, so having the security of a harness ... | |
| Rotation vs height | 10/15/2009 |
| Q: My daughter is 9 and manages her axel and double jumps well.However because her rotation is so fast ... A: height is itself a virtue, ashley. a jump that soars is grander than a spinny one and ought to be ... | |
| Nutrition | 10/2/2009 |
| Q: Is this a good sample diet for a Freestyle 3 figure skater who is 13 and trains 3 hrs a day?: ... A: This sample diet looks quite good, Emmaley. I admire your choice of brown rice, and your inclusion ... | |
| Jumps, Nutrition, and Gym Training | 9/29/2009 |
| Q: I am learning jumps now. I looked on the Internet to see what kind of jumps there are and it says ... A: That's all true, Emily. You can jump off either the left for a waltz jump if you turn ... | |
| Nutrition | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: I am currently in Freestyle 4 level an I train 3 times a day for an hour each. I am 13 and Icompete. ... A: I can share some general ideas, Emmaleigh. Your interest in nutrition at such a young age is ... | |
| K-Picks | 9/10/2009 |
| Q: can you tell me anything about how the K-picks are supposed to work? the science behind them? I've ... A: I have not heard of K-picks until your question, Alison, which is surprising, because I notice they ... | |
| Forward Crossovers | 9/2/2009 |
| Q: I am just starting lessons and I am now learning forward crossovers. I can do them, but my skate ... A: The most difficult part of learning cross-overs, Emmaleigh, is the outside edges. Inside edges and ... | |
| figure skating | 8/9/2009 |
| Q: My 13 year old daughter is a competitive figure skater. She has always scored high and advanced out ... A: I asked Shawn Sawyer if he works on flexibility, Lisa, or if it comes naturally. He replied that he ... | |
| Teaching | 8/7/2009 |
| Q: my names Katie. I'm 15 years old and I recently became a figure skating coach. I was wondering if ... A: Keep children busy and moving, Katie. No matter what they are doing on the ice, they will improve ... | |
| triple/quad jumps | 8/1/2009 |
| Q: Do you use the dartfish technique to teach triples/quads? Are you coming to Toronto in the near ... A: I don't have dartfish, unfortunately, Janis, as I do not coach full-time, but I am familiar with it ... | |
| crossfoot spin | 7/19/2009 |
| Q: I have seen footage of your crossfoot spin and it is amazing. What's the secret to doing it well? I ... A: David. Once you know the secret, you will no longer be amazed! Actually, there are a number of them, ... | |
| Off-ice warmups | 7/6/2009 |
| Q: I'm an adult skater working on my double salchow. I've been told ad infinitum to warm up before ... A: I would never trade ice time for an off-ice warm-up, Karen. Get your feet on the ice as soon as that ... | |
| Adult skating - how late in life can I expect to progress? | 7/6/2009 |
| Q: It's so amazing to see you on the AllExperts website! I always loved your creative and innovative ... A: Younger people are generally less afraid of trying difficult manoeuvres, aren't they, Jennifer? Our ... | |
gary beacom
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
all questions relating to figure skating technique, equipment, nutrition, training, and performance
Experience
see www.garybeacom.com
Publications
Gary Beacom's Vade Mecum
Education/Credentials
bachelor of science, university of toronto
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