Ice Skating Training

The language and techniques used during skating lessons can be boiled down to three fundamental skills. Every student should perfect stopping, turning and going in reverse while taking lessons from instructors at Tempe area rinks. These skills allow ice dancers to complete magnificent moves and hockey players to glide around defensemen during offensive rushes.

Improve Skills on Ice With Skating Lessons

The first step toward becoming a great skater is learning how to stop without sacrificing body position. This skill is taught on day one to help kids learn to control their bodies on ice. Skaters need to keep their knees bent and arms at their sides as they prepare to stop completely.

The ability to turn left and right on the ice is fundamental for every student who wants to perform tricks and play games at public rinks. Instructors will spend several lessons on weaving in and out of obstacles as well as sharp turns to create a high level of comfort among students. Each skater should get comfortable leaning on the outside edge of the boot and shifting weight appropriately to complete turns.

An instructor will use the lessons of stopping and turning to teach his students to skate in reverse. "...The process of turning from front to back forces a skater to turn in place, maintain good form and learn to use the slick ice for backward motion."

The Ice Den offers public skating periods, lessons and hockey leagues for children in the Scottsdale area. The Scottsdale-based arena is sponsored by major organizations like the Phoenix Coyotes, USA Hockey and Marriott.