Me and my jumps/spins have a long distance r

[sk8chis]

Hi guys! So my skates finally came! I felt like a kid on Christmas. I waited by the front door for hours until my mom got tired of seeing me check the window every time a car passed by so she made me to leave the living room.... so i went to her room because it’s closest to the front door [emoji23] I got my blades mounted same day but it took too long so I wasn’t able to skate that day.

Me and a friend of mine, who both quit skating at the same time when we were younger (and also are getting back into skating at the same time now. how funny), went skating yesterday. My first time back on ice in years. Even though I wasn’t able to do much, i felt so much better, i’m really so excited to skate again. Having new boots + new blades left me doing edge exercises and such, just to break in the boots + get used to the new blades. The cross cut toe pick will definitely take adjusting, but I hear good things about it so I am hopeful.

The only really discouraging thing is that my jumps and spins feel like they are on vacation. Like i understand fully how to do them in my head, except my feet just aren’t coordinating. I had a little tantrum moment on ice and kicked a chunk of ice (sorry to whoever skated over that) but it was really frustrating. I thought I would be able to be practicing on my own for a while before doing lessons but now I’m thinking I may just have to jump straight into lessons again because I feel so alpha-beta beginner level haha. My dad tells me not to be too hard on myself and give myself a handful more tries because it was only the first time but it’s hard cause it’s there, i just cant get my feet to connect with my memory.


Any returning skaters have similar struggles? Any tips and/or advice?

 

[thesoundofice]

Hi sk8chis.. I'm so glad to hear that you started skating again. We're pretty much on the same boat since I've recently took up skating after years. First time on ice was a bit frustrating for me too. I knew that I wouldn't be able to jump and spin by magic but I didn't think I had lost so much of my skills. I still have problems with my back, since I underwent surgery years ago and something's changed. I had to relearn everything, even edges. Unfortunately, I can only meet my coach once a month so I had to practise on my own and It hasn't been easy. Now I regained pretty much everything except axel, (which I land but it's still far from being clean) and sit spins. If I were you, I'd take some lessons.
Being supervised by a coach will definetely help you regain your abilities faster.
Good luck

 

[sk8chis]

Hi sk8chis.. I'm so glad to hear that you started skating again. We're pretty much on the same boat since I've recently took up skating after years. First time on ice was a bit frustrating for me too. I knew that I wouldn't be able to jump and spin by magic but I didn't think I had lost so much of my skills. I still have problems with my back, since I underwent surgery years ago and something's changed. I had to relearn everything, even edges. Unfortunately, I can only meet my coach once a month so I had to practise on my own and It hasn't been easy. Now I regained pretty much everything except axel, (which I land but it's still far from being clean) and sit spins. If I were you, I'd take some lessons.
Being supervised by a coach will definetely help you regain your abilities faster.
Good luck

Hi there! I’m sorry to hear about your surgery. Yes I think I will get a coach. It’s a little difficult because I live between 3 rinks and one is closing for a month or so for renovations which sucks because I was hoping that would be my ‘individual skating practice’ rink, it’s always empty and it’s like a half priced freestyle session. The other two rinks are kind of popular. I skated at one as a kid so i know the coaches there, but the rink in general is becoming more hockey focused (ugh). The other is a little off the way since it’s on the complete opposite direction but I read some coaches bios and inquired to a few and I found a handful that i feel I may like.

How long did it take you to get your jumps back? How often did you practice, since you said you only met with a coach once a month? Also congrats on landing an axel, that’s a great milestone! [emoji4]

 

[thesoundofice]

We really have similar stories XD
I live "near" two rinks, one is 60km far from home and the other one 20.Obviously I picked the closer one, which is also the one I trained as a teenager.Unluckly my rink is now focused more on hockey and speed skating than figure skating. There aren't many coaches available there except from my actual one, that comes once a week and is superbusy,and another one who teaches synchro. I stepped back on ice on july 2017 and by the end of febraury 2018 I had my singles back.. I forgot to mention that I still have problems landing a loop but I've always had troubles with that jump. I don't know why.Anyway my axel sucks. Curiously, for some kind of grace, I didn't have to struggle more than necessary when I learned it
. With spins I still have some troubles because I'm ambidextrous and tend to mess up with direction, but that's easy to fix. Sit spins are a bit of a nemesis because of the back problems.
I practise 3 times a week for 3 hours. I've always been a fast learner , maybe you'll be faster

 

[sk8chis]

We really have similar stories XD
I live "near" two rinks, one is 60km far from home and the other one 20.Obviously I picked the closer one, which is also the one I trained as a teenager.Unluckly my rink is now focused more on hockey and speed skating than figure skating. There aren't many coaches available there except from my actual one, that comes once a week and is superbusy,and another one who teaches synchro. I stepped back on ice on july 2017 and by the end of febraury 2018 I had my singles back.. I forgot to mention that I still have problems landing a loop but I've always had troubles with that jump. I don't know why.Anyway my axel sucks. Curiously, for some kind of grace, I didn't have to struggle more than necessary when I learned it
. With spins I still have some troubles because I'm ambidextrous and tend to mess up with direction, but that's easy to fix. Sit spins are a bit of a nemesis because of the back problems.
I practise 3 times a week for 3 hours. I've always been a fast learner , maybe you'll be faster

omg we really do have similar stories! As a kid i jumped CW and CCW but spun CCW. Now i’m trying to figure out which direction to stick with because i plan to compete [emoji23] back then it didn’t matter because i wasn’t tearing or competing.

I’m a little late for group lessons since they run in 8 week sessions and the next one starts all the way in july. I thought about just doing the remaining 4 lessons from the april-june session kind of as a refresher. I’m not really sure if i’ll be able to do the July-september session because in august I will be moving for school, although i’m deciding between 3 schools so i’m not sure yet.

The rink that’s in the opposite direction from me has a coach that I like that does private lessons in a packaged way. So you pay for the whole month upfront. I might so that. But i like it’s also less constricting if I was to just pay them individually each week.

Decisions, Decisions [emoji25]

 

[thesoundofice]

OMG you've so many options to take into account If I were you I'd be thrilled.. Choose carefully, let your parents help you and support your decisions. As for the coach.. I think it's vital to find a coach that you like , because this allows you to create a deep connection with him/her and will help you to better understand each other. This might be the key for your success in competitions . By the way, I'm glad to know you want to compete again. I can't do it at moment because of my work schedule and an odd physical situation. When I was a kid I participated in some competions at regional level and did well.. Of course I had so much to learn but I wasn't that bad. I had to quit for multiple reasons( family issues, school, injuries) but I was starting to learn double sal back then. Now I think I will never be able to do double jumps..My body just won't let me.
I mostly skate for the love of this sport, without having great expectations.
Good luck I wish you had a brilliant future
P.s: sorry for my English, sometimes I mess up and make mistakes.

 

[silver.blades]

How long it will take to get your jumps back is based on several factors:

1. How solid a jumper you were before you stopped skating.
2. How long it's been since you've been on the ice.
3. What kind of shape you're in.
4. What kind of non-skating activity you were doing when you weren't skating.
5. Any injuries you might have.

If you've stayed in decent shape, then you should probably get your singles back fairly quickly. It'll take longer to get them to the quality you had them before. Higher level jumps are much harder, but not necessarily impossible.

 

[sk8chis]

How long it will take to get your jumps back is based on several factors:

1. How solid a jumper you were before you stopped skating.
2. How long it's been since you've been on the ice.
3. What kind of shape you're in.
4. What kind of non-skating activity you were doing when you weren't skating.
5. Any injuries you might have.

If you've stayed in decent shape, then you should probably get your singles back fairly quickly. It'll take longer to get them to the quality you had them before. Higher level jumps are much harder, but not necessarily impossible.

Hi silver.blades,
1. I was a better jumper than a spinner definitely. Only problem with some spins was figuring out which direction to spin in.
2. almost 6 years. but on and off during the holidays to show off to friends with basic waltz jumps.
3. Im pretty much the same size I was when I quit. I've always been on the petite side. Fast metabolism and all that jazz. Physical activity and I broke up when me and skating did. Although I walk pretty much everywhere, I wouldn't consider it exercise.
4. Not really any activities. I learned how to play guitar, I did school, I did an internship. Nothing fun.
5. No injuries. Never had an injury in my life, even when I was skating. *knocks on wood*

 

[silver.blades]

Hi sk8chis

The no injuries is good. I quit skating because of every injury in the book and I'll be doing well if I get my singles back (minus axel) in the next 2 years. The lack of physical activity is probably what'll cause you the most difficulty. You'll need to get back the strength and awareness to regain the timing needed for free skate elements. You'll progress faster if you add some off ice workouts into you routine. Dance classes, swimming, Pilates, yoga, etc. would all help a lot. (You don't need to do them all. I personally don't like Pilates, so I avoid it at all costs.)

The actual time line is impossible to predict, but those things could help speed up the process. Just be careful to pace yourself and understand that you might not be able to return to where you were when you were younger. It's going to take time and you need to go at the pace your body wants, not that you want. Try not to be too hard on yourself. This is a crazy difficult sport.

 

[sk8chis]

Hi sk8chis

The no injuries is good. I quit skating because of every injury in the book and I'll be doing well if I get my singles back (minus axel) in the next 2 years. The lack of physical activity is probably what'll cause you the most difficulty. You'll need to get back the strength and awareness to regain the timing needed for free skate elements. You'll progress faster if you add some off ice workouts into you routine. Dance classes, swimming, Pilates, yoga, etc. would all help a lot. (You don't need to do them all. I personally don't like Pilates, so I avoid it at all costs.)

The actual time line is impossible to predict, but those things could help speed up the process. Just be careful to pace yourself and understand that you might not be able to return to where you were when you were younger. It's going to take time and you need to go at the pace your body wants, not that you want. Try not to be too hard on yourself. This is a crazy difficult sport.

I grew the physical activity is an issue haha. I didn’t really do off ice training much when i was younger either. I’m going to try contortion and flexibility classes. I hear great things about pilates so maybe i will try it and if i don’t like it then, :/ oh well.
and i’m very sorry to hear about your injuries! i hope you get your singles back!

 

[thesoundofice]

I grew the physical activity is an issue haha. I didn’t really do off ice training much when i was younger either. I’m going to try contortion and flexibility classes. I hear great things about pilates so maybe i will try it and if i don’t like it then, :/ oh well.
and i’m very sorry to hear about your injuries! i hope you get your singles back!

Pilates helps me a lot, even with injuries. I managed to control sciatic pain and consequent muscle stiffness. I also go hiking in the mountains regularly to increase legs and ankles strenght.

 

[vlaurend]

It's easy to forget little things after awhile off the ice, and little things are what make the difference between being able to land a jump and not being able to land a jump. Where should your shoulders be? What is the exact timing? Same with turns, edges and spins. For this reason, I'd suggest starting in lessons ASAP. A coach will see what it is you're forgetting to do and correct it so that you won't be wasting your time and getting frustrated.