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About Dr. Bruce Forciea
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can handle most questions regarding sports injuries, conditioning, jumps, spins, and basic skating.

Experience
Professional skating coach for 15 years. Former PSA Senior rated coach and ice show performer. Now a chiropractor and full-time college instructor in anatomy and physiology.

Organizations
Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Wisconsin Chiropractic Association

Publications
Wisconsin Technical College System course in General and Advanced anatomy and physiology. Author of Unlocking the Healing Code, a book on healing scheduled for release in December, 2007.

Education/Credentials
Doctor of Chiropractic from Parker College. B.A. Psychology Eckerd College

Awards and Honors
Midwestern Novice and Junior Pairs Champion and National competitor.

   

You are here:  Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Figure Skating > Figure Skating

Questions Answered By Expert  Dr. Bruce Forciea 
In Category  Figure Skating

SubjectDate Asked

Conditioning8/18/2008
  Q: I have all of my doubles except the axel and I need to do some off-ice training. I was wondering if ...
  A: Sounds like you are on the right track with your skating. There are a lot of exercises you could do ...
Back sit spin8/11/2008
  Q: I'm having problems on my back sit spin as I cannot seem to get it spinning on the back outside ...
  A: Its all about the center of gravity. Your center of gravity needs to be inside the circle on either ...
Popping jumps8/9/2008
  Q: i'm 13 years old, competing at pre-novice level(well i have passed my novice test already), and ...
  A: The way I understand the popping problem is that it occurs in your mind. In other words you make a ...
padding8/7/2008
  Q: I am 11 years old and im just starting figure skating. Do you think it is too late to think about ...
  A: I would recommend enjoying the sport as much as possible and seeing where it takes you at this ...
Can I start Skating?8/4/2008
  Q: i'm nearly 14 and after goin ice skating with my friends i quite like the idea of figure skating. is ...
  A: You are not too late to start. Figure skating is a wonderful sport you can enjoy for many years. I ...
alternative training methods8/2/2008
  Q: I've been skating about two and a half years, can land a double flip, lutz and a learning a double ...
  A: Sounds like a real problem with getting ice time. I can understand your situation. I had the same ...
Starting Up Again8/2/2008
  Q: I was a very competitive, and very good skater, when I was younger. I had to quit when I was 14 ...
  A: I understand your situation. I have made a few "comebacks" in my life after some time off. At age 20 ...
Figure Skating Age7/30/2008
  Q: This is Angela. Thank you so much for answering my question.So at 13 now, do you think I have a ...
  A: It would be nearly impossible to answer your question without seeing you skate... Unfortunately, ...
Figure Skating Age7/29/2008
  Q: and maybe even in the Olympics. I have been skating since I was 7 ( I moved when I was 9 and only ...
  A: Yes, competing at a national level and going to the olympics is a great goal and age is a factor ...
Knee pain, + PicSkates....7/27/2008
  Q: Im a counterclockwise skater, who`s practiced jumps off ice since my rink closed for the summer ...
  A: You have a lot of good questions here and I will try to give you some help. First of all regarding ...
how to do a biellmann off ice7/16/2008
  Q: i can do a split and i wanted to know how i can do a biellmann off ice like what exercises can i do ...
  A: The Biellmann position always makes me cringe when I think of the biomechanics as a healthcare ...
help!7/1/2008
  Q: Dr. Bruce, I have been working on my axel for 5-6 months now and after a lot of pain one day I ...
  A: You need to hang in there. Learning, much like healing, is non-linear and can fluctuate as you move ...
axel landing7/1/2008
  Q: Her coach complains she is landing on the inside edge of her blade, causing the free leg to step ...
  A: Assuming she is rotating the axel completely (if under-rotated the skater will land on a fwd inside ...
Shin muscle cramping up: beginner6/26/2008
  Q: I'm a beginner at ice skating, male, aged 32 yrs. Have been on the ice exactly 2 times now, over the ...
  A: It sounds like you are suffering from fatigue of the shin muscles. This actually happens quite a bit ...
Ankle Sore with a Bump6/26/2008
  Q: About 2 weeks ago my daughter who is 21 and a avid figure skater woke up with a swollen ankle on her ...
  A: Great question Susan. In order to accurately diagnose this problem I would need to see it but I ...
knee6/24/2008
  Q: hi i have been to the hospital and was told to carry that i had suffered soft tissue damage and a ...
  A: It sounds as though you may have damaged one of the menisci in the knee. This is also commonly ...
Achilles tendon problems6/18/2008
  Q: Bruce, I recently seem to have developed a problem with my achilles, likely tendonitis...I'm working ...
  A: Tendonitis can be a stubborn problem and how to treat it depends on many factors. Although I can't ...
Doubles off ice..6/17/2008
  Q: Im working on axel on ice, and practice axel, dbl toeloop, dbl flip and dbl loop off the ice (for ...
  A: I don't think I can answer all of your questions in a lot of detail but I think I can give you some ...
double toe6/14/2008
  Q: I have been learning my double jumps for around a year now and I can land up to double lutz, but for ...
  A: There are 2 basic reasons that I have seen for 2-footing landings. One is that the upper body weight ...
Cheating jumps6/8/2008
  Q: I asked you a question a few days ago and found it helpful, so I'm going to ask you another one. I ...
  A: Fear is a difficult thing to deal with. Generally, I recommend using additional padding or a ...
Double toe help6/5/2008
  Q: I am testing my novice freestyle in roughly a week. I need to be able to land a clean double toe in ...
  A: Some of your questions are difficult to answer without seeing you perform the dbl toe loop but I ...
Muscle strain due to blades6/5/2008
  Q: I had muscle strains for months and i solved it changing skates (with shorter blades) without ...
  A: Your name sounds familiar for some reason. Have you asked a question before? Anyway, I'm glad you ...
6 year old ice skater with pronating issues6/3/2008
  Q: I have a 6 year old girl who has been taking figure skating lessons the last 4 months. She's having ...
  A: Yes, pronation can be a problem. I have found 3 solutions that help skaters with pronation. One is ...
Ankle weights6/3/2008
  Q: What are you views on young figure skaters wearing ankle weights during on ice training?
  A: The basic idea behind using ankle weights (usually about 2.5 lbs) is to provide some resistance in ...
Skating and summer vacation..6/2/2008
  Q: Im a recreational figure skater (24 year old girl), who started learning spins/jumps 1 1/2 year ...
  A: Yes, I completely understand your situation. A number of years ago I moved to a state that had very ...
Loops3/6/2008
  Q: I am still skating figures if you can beleive it or not? How do you, or how did you, teach the 3rd ...
  A: Yes, I grew up in skating when figures were done in the early morning hours on what were called ...
Getting back to skating and close to 50 yrs3/6/2008
  Q: Dr. Forciea, It's been 12 years since I laced up a pair of skates, and I'll be 49 in May. As a ...
  A: It's great to hear that you are getting back into skating. To answer your question as to whether I ...
beillman3/1/2008
  Q: Sorry I have asked you so many questions lately, but I really love this website! I am doing a ...
  A: Great question. I'll tell you that in my opinion I really don't like hyperextension moves. From a ...
hockey skates verses figure skates2/28/2008
  Q: Is it better for a tot who plans on playing hockey when he learns to skate to start out immediately ...
  A: I have seen many tots learn to skate with either hockey or figure skates. Generally if he wants to ...
Science Fair2/26/2008
  Q: I am doing a science fair in school and I can do anything I want, and I am going to do something ...
  A: That's a great question! There are a lot of things you could do, especially with biomechanics. Here ...
beginner figure skater2/26/2008
  Q: I'm 15 years old and I'm a beginner figure skater and I would really like to be in competitions do ...
  A: There are a number of ways to compete in skating--not all paths lead to the olympics. You could ...
New Boots2/26/2008
  Q: I just got new boots for my birthday but what if i want to break them in faster? How can I do that? ...
  A: Yes, breaking in boots can be a real project! I always dreaded doing getting new boots as I was ...
backwards cross rolls2/25/2008
  Q: Could you please tell me how to do backward s cross rolls? Thank You! ANSWER: Hi Jenny: For ...
  A: I thought this was a repeat question about dbl 3s but I see your last question was about fwd outside ...
Power Skating Class Ideas?2/24/2008
  Q: I've been skating for as long as I can remember and have recently (3yrs ago) transferred into ...
  A: Yes, I understand your situation. It was a challenge for me to come up with interesting exercises ...
Skates2/18/2008
  Q: How do you tell when you need new skates? I've only had my skates for 1/2 year and my coach says ...
  A: There are 3 basic reasons for getting new skates. Either you have outgrown them, they are broken ...
determination of figure skating2/16/2008
  Q: about a year ago i had a dream of figure skating and the i watched ice princess and that made me ...
  A: Sounds like you are really inspired about skating. It is not my place to make a judgement about your ...
science fair- axels2/16/2008
  Q: I am doing a science fair project on arm position in axels. For some reason the jumps actually went ...
  A: I think the answer to your question relies on one of ole Newton's laws of physics: F = ma or force ...
weight2/16/2008
  Q: I went for a skate with my wife today.She is interested in joining an adult synchro skating club ...
  A: I can understand your situation as a lot of us tend to gain a few pounds as we get older. I would ...
Figure Skating2/9/2008
  Q: Site where I can find figure skating trainers for my granddaughter?
  A: Check your local rink for coaches. Most rinks have group lesson programs that are an excellent way ...
R ankle2/8/2008
  Q: Doctors have told me it is brusitus. I have been off the ice for 3 weeks and it is no better. What ...
  A: Yes I have treated a number of ankles like yours in the past. Bursitis can be a chronic problem. I ...
Increasing speed into jumps1/29/2008
  Q: My daughter is just not going fast enough into her jumps. One coach has tried chasing her and ...
  A: I hear you when it comes to helping your own kids. I tried working with my daughter at age 4 to ...
Double blade ice skates1/29/2008
  Q: I am a 60 year old Grandma. I want to take my 5 year old grandaughter skating at a nearby rink. I ...
  A: I'm glad to hear that a 60 years old "Grandma" is skating. You are right in that the skates are very ...
Increasing speed into jumps1/28/2008
  Q: My daughter is just not going fast enough into her jumps. One coach has tried chasing her and ...
  A: Sounds like the injuries may be the problem. She may need to work through the fear of falling on ...
Increasing speed into jumps1/28/2008
  Q: My daughter is just not going fast enough into her jumps. One coach has tried chasing her and ...
  A: Yes that helps a bit more. Although it is hard to answer this question without seeing your daughter ...
Increasing speed into jumps1/24/2008
  Q: My daughter is just not going fast enough into her jumps. One coach has tried chasing her and ...
  A: Usually skaters with this problem need to go back to some of the basics. In other words if a skater ...
one-foot spin1/23/2008
  Q: I just start doing one foot-spin a few weeks ago and I am finding myself having a GREAT trouble ...
  A: Sometimes going back to the basics can help a problem like this. You might want to try entering your ...
my flip1/20/2008
  Q: I seem to have problem with my flip. I started learning it about 3 months ago and don't seem to do ...
  A: It sounds like you are not transferring your weight to your landing leg in the air. Landing on 2 ...
rotator cuff1/11/2008
  Q: I might have torn my rotator cuff, but I have not yet had an MRI. Is surgery a must if I ever want ...
  A: Your recovery depends on the extent of the tear. There are 3 grades of muscle tears. If your tear is ...
arms on jump take offs1/9/2008
  Q: I have a question about the arm action on the take offs for the toeloop , loop , flip and lutz. When ...
  A: Yes you are right in that all jumps require pre-rotation in order to rotate. It is a law of physics ...
Double Flip1/3/2008
  Q: I'm Alexus. I just landed my double loop jump today. After I landed that I was working on double ...
  A: Getting the double loop is a major step toward landing the dbl flip and lutz since all 3 have the ...
Warming Up1/2/2008
  Q: I think I need to start warming up and stretching more before I go onto the ice (haven't done much ...
  A: Yes Allie you are right in wanting to stretch before getting on the ice. Here are a list of muscles ...
injury ??1/1/2008
  Q: I was wondering, since I started skating, my knee on my right leg has started to make funny noise ...
  A: The clicking in your knee could be from a number of things. Probably at the top of the list is the ...
Skate Weights?11/2/2007
  Q: I am 50. I didnt play hockey or roller skate as a kid,but a couple years ago I took up inline ...
  A: Glad to hear that you took up skating as an adult and are enjoying it. The skate weights will help ...
backsit10/28/2007
  Q: herllo! I have a good sit spin, can get all the way down, but recently my coach started teaching me ...
  A: Great question. For sit spins I recommend squatting exercises. You can do these as simply as leaning ...
falling10/27/2007
  Q: have fear of falling down. what should i do?
  A: For some of my skaters who had a fear of falling I would recommend the use of various protective ...
Abrasion on ankles from skating10/22/2007
  Q: I took skating lessons while growing up and had to quit when we moved to an area with no ice. As an ...
  A: Sorry to hear about the abrasions. Riedell Silver Stars are a good quality skate and can be very ...
crossovers10/18/2007
  Q: im having trouble with my forward crossovers. could you give me tips on it? thanks ANSWER: Hi Joel: ...
  A: Most problems with crossovers occur from not maintaining the outside edge during the cross. Sometime ...
Sit-spin10/14/2007
  Q: my friend Zoey and I cannot seem to straighten our legs whilst in this spin. Can you explain why?
  A: About the only thing I can think of without seeing you perform the spin is that you may be entering ...
warm-ups10/10/2007
  Q: !*
  A: Great question and being a chiropractor I can understand why you have back pain while doing a ...
I can't remember how to jump10/7/2007
  Q: Bruce, I can land my jumps cleanly but I seem to not remember how I do it. My coach reminds me ...
  A: I think what I am hearing is that your coach gives you instructions on your jumping and then the ...
beginner10/6/2007
  Q: Within the past month, I've grown very interested in skating and I've been at the rink almost every ...
  A: Excellent question because I'm sure a lot of people your age would also be interested in skating. If ...
Off-Ice10/6/2007
  Q: I am trying to become serious about figure skating. How much off-ice should I do and what should I ...
  A: I am such a firm believer in off-ice conditioning that I became a certified strength and ...
Triple Toe Loop10/3/2007
  Q: Do you have any tips on helping me with my triple toe loop. Also I have some swing music and I was ...
  A: Please let me know what your problems are with the triple toe loop. Are you rotating the full 3 ...
cant get axel10/3/2007
  Q: my friend, morgan, is having a hard time landing her axel, shes been working on it fro probably the ...
  A: I'm sure your friend Morgan appreciates your help. The axel is a tough jump because of the forward ...
Lace Bite - Ankle Pain..10/2/2007
  Q: Im sooo frustrated!!! I`ve had a 5 month break from skating, cuz the rink has been closed through ...
  A: Your problem is just the kind of thing I frequently see in my practice. Although to really give you ...
Spinning Problem9/30/2007
  Q: When I do low spins, like sit spins and sometimes other spins, my ankle falls. Well, what i mean is ...
  A: You asked a great question about spins. So the way I am understanding your problem is that while you ...
salchow jump9/28/2007
  Q: When taking off during my salchow jump i keep bending the leg that im not jumping on while swinging ...
  A: You asked a great question. Keep in mind the salchow is much like a waltz jump from a backward ...
learning9/21/2007
  Q: do you think i will be at the intermediate level in one year if i use a harness?
  A: Sorry, but I don't think I could answer that question without seeing you skate. Harnesses are good ...
competing9/19/2007
  Q: can i compete at the intermediate level and novice level in the same year? thank you!
  A: Good question and I'm sorry but I don't know the exact answer because it would depend on the type of ...
figure skating9/13/2007
  Q: On my double salchow I can take off and can easily get enough rotations, but how do I stop landing ...
  A: Most likely the reason you are landing on the wrong foot is because you have not changed your weight ...
boot and blade8/31/2007
  Q: I have a new pair of blades that I got from a friend and they are a size 9 1/2''. Currently they are ...
  A: That's a great question for a skate technician or pro shop. It will depend on the length of the sole ...
Skater who cannot feel her jumps8/29/2007
  Q: My daughter is a competitive figure skater, but she cannot feel her jumps in the air, thus when she ...
  A: Sounds like you're on the right track. I understand the situation with off-ice training. The dance ...
Skater who cannot feel her jumps8/29/2007
  Q: My daughter is a competitive figure skater, but she cannot feel her jumps in the air, thus when she ...
  A: This is a great question. I think what you are asking is whether your daughter can feel specific ...
This is...eccentric8/29/2007
  Q: Bruce , How do yot do?Well...I dont't mean to disturb you with my own problem...but there's really ...
  A: Sounds like you have a lot going on in your life. I think one thing that may help is to think about ...
Can excercice help and what kind?8/27/2007
  Q: My daughter is 10 years old she does freestyle lessons for 3 years. Since she is a baby she had ...
  A: You asked a good question. During my years of coaching I had many students who had such problems. ...
My axel...8/22/2007
  Q: and i am having some trouble landing my axel. i've done everything! I don't know what to do anymore! ...
  A: A difficult question to answer without seeing you perform the axel. I do know that it sometimes ...
To improve rotational power8/21/2007
  Q: I'm just learning single jumps (toe-loop, salchow and loop) but looking for doubles, is it good to ...
  A: Yes it is difficult to get the rotation when starting to learn doubles. Also, it is difficult to get ...
figure skating training8/20/2007
  Q: I work with a trainer 2x week and he does sqauts shoulders balance and also says cardio is okay for ...
  A: Good question. I like those training questions. That's great that you work with a trainer. The focus ...
Good choice?8/11/2007
  Q: I was wondering if it would be a good idea to start my daughter with figure skating lessons. She ...
  A: This is a great question. You are never too old to start learning figure skating. I have coached ...
Jump Issues8/4/2007
  Q: I recently asked you about landing a double toe loop and your advice did help. I'm now trying to ...
  A: I'm glad that the advice helped with your toe loop. With regard to the dbl flip and lutz the key to ...
Outside Edge on a forward sit spin8/3/2007
  Q: I am having trouble w/ my forward sit spin. Everytime I do a forward sit spin, I always spin on my ...
  A: That's a good question! Well, there are only 2 possible edges you can spin on when doing a forward ...
Axel8/1/2007
  Q: I have been trying to land an axel for over a year now and I just don't understand the jump. I have ...
  A: Yes the axel is a difficult jump and a milestone in skating. The feel and timing of the jump is ...
Jump trouble7/26/2007
  Q: I used to be able to consistently land my all my double jumps (except double axel). However, in the ...
  A: Yes that information helps Kelsey. Here is something that should help. Years ago I was a performer ...
Jump trouble7/25/2007
  Q: I used to be able to consistently land my all my double jumps (except double axel). However, in the ...
  A: I can understand your problem and there are many reasons for your problems with your jumps. It is a ...
double axel take off7/15/2007
  Q: ! My single comes off a "clean" edge. Coach says that the double absolutely needs to "step up" off ...
  A: That's great that you can do a single axel with a clean edge. Many skaters can't do that. The double ...
Toe-loop7/6/2007
  Q: I have been skating for four-and-a-half years now and can do all of my single jumps (except for ...
  A: Yes the toe loop is different from the flip and lutz toe jumps. For the flip and lutz the picking ...
Trouble landing double toe loop7/4/2007
  Q: I have been skating for a while now and have been able to accomplish a lot. However, I am trying to ...
  A: I am assuming by your question that you are 2-footing the landing. If so it means that you are not ...
salchow7/1/2007
  Q: I wasnted to ask about the salchow, I live in England and have been taken classes since I was ...
  A: Yes the salchow can be tricky. The backward inside edge takeoff does not allow for a lot of height. ...
Flow from jumps6/26/2007
  Q: I have a question about flow on the exit of jumps. For the double toe sal, and axel, the flow out of ...
  A: This is a difficult question to answer since I cannot see you perform these jumps. I will try to ...
Conditioning6/20/2007
  Q: Bruce, Do you have any tips on achieving a better position for both Donut Camel and Biellmann Spin? ...
  A: A couple of years ago I was working with the local ballet company and the principal dancer I had ...
Art Therapy&Fear6/20/2007
  Q: Bruce Forciea Good day. If my memory serves me right...I know that some rinks offer physical ...
  A: Yes that is a good idea about skating therapy. When I think back of the hundreds of skaters I have ...
Jump combinations6/19/2007
  Q: I have a question about the second jump in a combination. I can't seem to do a double toe on the end ...
  A: I have had many students with similar problems when first learning combination jumps. The problem ...
Jumps - Dbl Axel and Triple6/19/2007
  Q: A couple of months ago, I was trying the double axel and I was getting the full rotation but ...
  A: That would ultimately be up to your coach. With some skaters I would let them work on dbl axel, ...
Jumps - Dbl Axel and Triple6/18/2007
  Q: A couple of months ago, I was trying the double axel and I was getting the full rotation but ...
  A: I am assuming that your fear stems from re-injuring yourself. You did not state what part of your ...
Summer break6/16/2007
  Q: I've been skating for a long time and now I'm going on vacation. Do you have any advice on how not ...
  A: Yes it is the time of year for vacations. I can relate to your question because when I was a skater ...
overcoming paralysis6/15/2007
  Q: Prior to this I was skating 3 times a week, doing most of my doubles and was a very competent ...
  A: First of all, I am very sorry to hear about your condition. It sounds like you have come a long way ...
training for young athletes6/14/2007
  Q: I am concerned about my son and future problems he may have due to training in figure skating yet I ...
  A: This is a great question and one that I would get quite often. I could write a couple of chapters on ...
Muscle distraction during ice-skating6/13/2007
  Q: I got a distraction on my left leg; i was said i came to the ice without warming. Could you suggest ...
  A: I am assuming what you mean by a muscle distraction is what we call a muscle strain. This is a ...
AXEL!6/8/2007
  Q: Everyone says that i have to jump but its not working. I think its becasue im scared how do i over ...
  A: I think every skater at some time in their training has experienced fear in learning a new jump or ...
Double Axle6/3/2007
  Q: Bruce, I've been working consistently on my double axle for about two years and I've only landed ...
  A: Yes the double axel is a difficult jump as it requires a high level of skill and strength to ...
off ice training4/18/2007
  Q: i'm trying to do a axel off the ice, but i cant seem to do even one. i watch some videos and it just ...
  A: Yes the axel is a difficult jump mainly because it is a forward takeoff jump and is 1.5 revolutions. ...
Problem with double flip & loop4/18/2007
  Q: I'm 14 i can land axel double toe and sough good. but whenever i do my double flip or loop i tend to ...
  A: If I understand you correctly it sounds like you are able to land axels and double toe loops but ...
not able to afford ice skating4/15/2007
  Q: i want to be a figure skater, but i don't have enough money to afford a coach or lessons for just ...
  A: Yes skating can be a very expensive sport and there is nothing that can replace an expert coach or ...
Double toe/double loop4/1/2007
  Q: What is the difference between the double toe, and a double loop...they look the same to me when I ...
  A: Yes, I know Sal; often the jumps do look similar. The key is in the takeoff. In the double toe loop ...

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