Karen Heng Olson

Karen Heng Olson is a PSA Master Rated coach in Moves in the Field and Freestyle and she has a Level II PSA Ranking (Jr. Nationals and Sectional Coach). She’s been coaching since 1995 and she currently coaches at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN.

Karen has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Delaware in Physical Education with a concentration on Figure Skating and a Minor in Psychology. She also has her ISI Gold Judges Certification and has coached skaters through ISI FS 9 and USFS Senior tests. Karen specializes in moves in the field and freestyle. She has been a presenter at both ISI and PSA seminars.

Most recent videos at the top…

More Tips for Power Pulls (Karen Olson)

Skating skills and moves in the field specialist Karen Olson continues a discussion of power pulls. In Part 1, she discussed ways to make power pull practice more interesting, ankle and knee bend timing, and vocabulary misunderstandings. In this video, she shares additional insights to help those who struggle with the basics, and she suggests […] Continue reading →
Tips For Better Power Pulls (Karen Olson)

Skating skills and moves in the field specialist Karen Olson shares exercises and insights to improve power pulls. She begins by noting that many skaters don’t find working on power pulls interesting or enjoyable. One way to make them more interesting is to have skaters do them with both arms overhead, usually with hands clasped […] Continue reading →
Backward Crossovers to Backward Outside Edges (Karen Olson)

Skating skills and moves in the field specialist Karen Olson discusses the ‘alternating backward crossovers to backward outside edges’ pattern of the US Figure Skating Preliminary Moves in the Field test. When teaching this pattern, Karen often refers to it as ‘back crossovers to landing position’ and landing position development is one of her major […] Continue reading →
Forward Outside and Inside Consecutive Spirals (Karen Olson)

Skating skills and moves in the field specialist Karen Olson discusses and demonstrates important insights related to forward outside and inside consecutive spirals. As she notes, this pattern is part of the US Figure Skating Preliminary Moves in the Field test, although the details provided in this video are focused on how to perform and […] Continue reading →
Waltz Eight Pattern from Pre-Preliminary Moves (Karen Olson)

Skating skills and moves in the field specialist Karen Olson demonstrates and discusses the details of the Waltz Eight pattern from the US Figure Skating Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field test. Karen begins by drawing the figure eight pattern on the ice by scraping with her skate. She uses the red dot in the center […] Continue reading →
Forward Spirals Continued (Karen Olson)

Skating skills and moves in the field specialist Karen Olson continues her discussion of forward spirals, both as a solo skill and as part of the US Figure Skating Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field test. In the previous part of this discussion, Karen talked at length about how to teach a spiral to a beginner […] Continue reading →
Forward Spirals (Karen Olson)

Skating skills and moves in the field specialist Karen Olson discusses and demonstrates important insights related to forward spirals. As she notes, a forward spiral pattern is part of the US Figure Skating Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field test, although the details provided in this video are focused strictly on how to perform and teach […] Continue reading →
Forward Perimeter Stroking: Pre-Preliminary Moves Pattern (Karen Olson)

Skating skills and moves in the field specialist Karen Olson discusses and demonstrates important insights related to the Forward Perimeter Stroking pattern of the US Figure Skating Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field test. This is the very first pattern of the very first moves test, and Karen explains that it represents an opportunity to teach […] Continue reading →
USFS Senior Moves – Power Double Threes to Double Rocker Pattern (Karen Olson)

Skating skills and moves in the field specialist Karen Olson shares insights to improve the two Power Double Three Turns to Double Rocker patterns on the USFS Senior Moves Test. The ideas presented apply to both patterns. Karen begins by acknowledging that edge quality on the double threes is a major challenge for many skaters. […] Continue reading →
How The Body Jumps (Karen Olson)

In this video, Karen Olson discusses the importance of the entire kinetic chain of joint and muscle usage for powerful jumping. As she notes, it is common, especially for lower level skaters, to struggle with properly engaging the glutes and hips. She begins off-the ice by demonstrating and discussing how we stand up from a […] Continue reading →
Waltz Eight: Pre-Preliminary Moves Pattern (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson discusses and demonstrates key issues for the Waltz Eight pattern of the US Figure Skating Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field test. For simplicity and as a way to set reasonable circle sizes for young skaters, Karen likes to start the pattern on one of the hockey dots. The […] Continue reading →
IJS Footwork Tips – Part 3 (Karen Olson)

Coach Karen Olson continues a series of videos talking about how to approach IJS footwork sequences (choreographed sequences or step sequences) in order to prepare skaters for higher levels and to maximize points in competition. See Part 1 here and Part 2 here. NOTE: The rules of the International Judging System (IJS) are constantly changing. […] Continue reading →
IJS Footwork Tips – Part 2 (Karen Olson)

Coach Karen Olson continues a series of videos talking about how to approach IJS footwork sequences (choreographed sequences or step sequences) in order to prepare skaters for higher levels and to maximize points in competition. See Part 1 here. NOTE: The rules of the International Judging System (IJS) are constantly changing. This video was recorded […] Continue reading →
IJS Footwork Tips – Part 1 (Karen Olson)

Coach Karen Olson begins a series of videos talking about how to approach IJS footwork sequences (choreographed sequences or step sequences) in order to prepare skaters for higher levels and to maximize points in competition. NOTE: The rules of the International Judging System (IJS) are constantly changing. This video was recorded in 2018 so the […] Continue reading →
Double Toe Loop Development – Part 3 (Karen Olson)

Coach Karen Olson gives a double toe loop lesson to a skater, with the emphasis on developing good combination jumps. In Part 1, Karen shared two valuable toe loop exercises, and in Part 2 she offered additional insights and exercises. In this video Karen shares two more exercises. The first exercise is simply doing a […] Continue reading →
Double Toe Loop Development – Part 2 (Karen Olson)

Coach Karen Olson gives a double toe loop lesson to a skater, with the emphasis on developing good combination jumps. In Part 1, Karen shared two valuable toe loop exercises. In this video, Karen offers additional insights and exercises. A big focus here is keeping the hips moving throughout the jump. As with this demonstrator, […] Continue reading →
Double Toe Loop Development – Part 1 (Karen Olson)

Coach Karen Olson gives a double toe loop lesson to a skater, with the emphasis on developing good combination jumps. In the first part of this lesson, Karen shares two valuable toe loop exercises. The first exercise is similar to the more common backspin double loop. It’s a forward spin into double toe loop drill, […] Continue reading →
USFS Junior Straight Line Step Sequence (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson discusses and demonstrates specific details of the Straight Line Step Sequence from the USFS Junior Moves in the Field test. Karen walks through much of the pattern and discusses what makes certain sections or transitions difficult for skaters. She offers many coaching tips to speed […] Continue reading →
USFS Junior Rocker Patterns (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson begins a discussion of rockers, and especially how she teaches rockers leading up to and including the USFS Junior Rocker moves in the field tests (Forward and Backward Outside Rockers, Forward and Backward Inside Rockers). As Karen notes, the connecting steps in the USFS Junior […] Continue reading →
Choctaw Development – USFS Junior Choctaw Sequence Part 3 (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson continues her presentation on choctaws and in particular, the Junior USFS Moves in the Field Choctaw Sequence. Some of the information in this video is independent of the moves pattern and is applicable to every skater learning choctaws. In Part 1 of this series, Karen […] Continue reading →
Choctaw Development – USFS Junior Choctaw Sequence Part 2 (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson continues her presentation on choctaws and in particular, the Junior USFS Moves in the Field Choctaw Sequence. The information in this video is independent of the moves pattern and is applicable to every skater learning choctaws. In Part 1 of this series, Karen introduced the […] Continue reading →
Choctaw Development – USFS Junior Choctaw Sequence Part 1 (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson begins a presentation on choctaws and in particular, the Junior USFS Moves in the Field Choctaw Sequence. As we’ve come to expect from Karen, she begins by breaking down more basic skills to build up the basic choctaws themselves and then the moves pattern. As […] Continue reading →
Backward Rocker Choctaw Sequence: Novice Moves (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson offers insights and tips for the Backward Rocker Choctaw Sequence pattern from the USFS Novice Moves in the Field test. She begins acknowledging that many skaters struggle on this move with flow and speed. She recommends simply repeatedly practicing the undercut push to the back […] Continue reading →
Blade Usage and Drills for Turns (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson talks at length about blade usage in turns, and she demonstrates drills to help skaters master the necessary rocking on the blade. Few skaters have complete mastery of their blades, and even improving this skill a small amount can have huge benefits for turns and […] Continue reading →
Backward Outside Three Turns (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson discusses the backward outside three turn. This is a continuation of Karen’s series of videos focused on issues faced by adult skaters, but the information in this video is applicable to skaters of all ages. Right from the beginning, Karen focuses on proper alignment for […] Continue reading →
Backward Inside Three Turns, Especially for Adults – Part 2 (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson continues her explanation of some important details about learning the backward inside three turn, with special emphasis on the challenges faced by adult skaters with this skill. As Karen notes, this is a challenging skill because it requires good blade usage and initially uncomfortable (and […] Continue reading →
Backward Inside Three Turns, Especially for Adults – Part 1 (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field and skating skills expert Karen Olson explains important details about learning the backward inside three turn, with special emphasis on the challenges faced by adult skaters with this skill. As Karen notes, this is a challenging skill because it requires good blade usage and initially uncomfortable (and vulnerable) positions. Karen recommends […] Continue reading →
Using Moves in the Field to Improve Free Skating (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson explains how some aspects of Moves in the Field can be used to address issues when teaching free skating, including jumping. She begins by saying, “I like to take some of the things the kids have learned in moves in the field and use them to fix things in […] Continue reading →
Backward Loop Pattern – USFS Junior Moves (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson offers tips, advice, and exercises to help skaters and coaches master the Backward Loop Pattern from the USFS Junior Moves in the Field test. At the beginning of the video, Karen notes that doing loops in isolation is a bit different than doing them as part of a pattern […] Continue reading →
Serpentine Step Sequence – USFS Senior Moves Pt 5 (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson continues a discussion of the Serpentine Step Sequence from the USFS Senior Moves in the Field test. Make sure to watch Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 before watching this part of the presentation. In this video, Karen talks about pulling it all together. She re-emphasizes the need to […] Continue reading →
Serpentine Step Sequence – USFS Senior Moves Pt 4 (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson continues a discussion of the Serpentine Step Sequence from the USFS Senior Moves in the Field test. Make sure to watch Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 before watching this part of the presentation. In this video, Karen works on a challenging section of the pattern requiring excellent turn and […] Continue reading →
Serpentine Step Sequence – USFS Senior Moves Pt 3 (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson continues a discussion of the Serpentine Step Sequence from the USFS Senior Moves in the Field test. To see Part 1 of this presentation, click here, and to see Part 2, click here. In this video, Karen puts the pieces together for the sections she has worked in Part 1 and […] Continue reading →
Serpentine Step Sequence – USFS Senior Moves Pt 2 (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson continues a discussion of the Serpentine Step Sequence from the USFS Senior Moves in the Field test. To see Part 1 of this presentation, click here. In this video, Karen is focused on the section of the serpentine pattern that travels through the center of the rink. She begins by […] Continue reading →
Serpentine Step Sequence – USFS Senior Moves Pt 1 (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson begins a discussion of the Serpentine Step Sequence from the USFS Senior Moves in the Field test. As with all complex moves, Karen breaks down the move into its component skills. She builds the skills up and then integrates them into the full pattern. To begin the serpentine step, […] Continue reading →
Sustained Edge Step – USFS Senior Moves Pt. 2 (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson continues her discussion and demonstration of how she teaches the Sustained Edge Step pattern of the USFS Senior Moves test. In the first part of this discussion, she broke the move down into a series of exercises and drills to build the fundamental skills needed for the pattern. […] Continue reading →
Sustained Edge Step – USFS Senior Moves in the Field (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson explains how she teaches the Sustained Edge Step pattern of the USFS Senior Moves test. Much of this discussion is specifically about the pattern, but even those not teaching or skating this particular pattern can learn a lot from Karen’s approach to teaching a complex pattern like this. […] Continue reading →
Double Three-Turn to Double Rocker – Follow Up (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson continues her explanation of how she teaches the Power Double Three-Turns to Power Double Rocker patterns of the USFS Senior Moves test. You can see Part 1 of this discussion here. In this follow-up video, Karen begins by explaining the value of drawing the diagonal X directly on […] Continue reading →
Double Three-Turn to Double Rocker – USFS Senior Moves (Karen Olson)

Moves in the field expert Karen Olson explains how she teaches the Power Double Three-Turns to Power Double Rocker patterns of the USFS Senior Moves test. Much of this discussion is specifically about these patterns, but even those not teaching or skating these particular patterns can learn a lot from Karen’s approach to teaching a […] Continue reading →
Forward Crossover Circles – Juvenile Moves In The Field (Karen Olson)

Karen Olson explains how she teaches the forward crossover circle pattern of the USFS Juvenile Moves test. Much of this discussion is specifically about the pattern, but a great deal of this discussion applies to all skaters doing power crossovers in a circle. Karen shows where and how she starts the pattern for maximum power. […] Continue reading →
Forward Outside Mohawk – 8 Step Pattern MIF (Karen Olson)

In this figure skating video, Karen Olson discusses the forward outside mohawk, particularly as it applies to the 8-Step Pattern of the USFS Junvenile Moves pattern. The forward outside mohawk is a difficult skill at this level, primarily because skaters at this level often lack control and body alignment of basic edges. Karen explains that […] Continue reading →
More Choctaw Drills and Exercises – Part 2 (Karen Olson)

This is the second video about choctaws with Karen Olson. In the first choctaw video Karen shared some drills including a powerful back outside pivot drill. In this video Karen provides additional exercises for skaters learning choctaws and tips for coaches teaching choctaws. One exercise Karen has her skaters do to help them feel how […] Continue reading →
More Choctaw Drills and Exercises – Part 1 (Karen Olson)

This figure skating video is the first of two on teaching choctaws. Karen Olson shares a number of helpful exercises for teaching choctaws required for the USFS Junior Moves in the Field test. Compare this presentation to that of Amy Brolsma teaching choctaws. Karen begins by addressing the common misconception that skaters with closed hips […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Moves – Backward Cross Strokes (Karen Olson)

Moves in the Field expert Karen Olson discusses backward cross strokes as required on the USFS Juvenile Moves in the Field test. Karen starts the skater at a standstill and slowly builds the feeling of the turned out hips and feet and the idea of keeping the feet close together. Notice she spends an entire […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Moves – Forward Cross Strokes (Karen Olson)

Moves in the Field expert Karen Olson discusses forward cross strokes as required on the USFS Juvenile Moves in the Field test. To begin the discussion, Karen touches on an aspect of cross strokes that is somewhat controversial. Notice that Karen recognizes that how the moves tests are judged often depends on geographic location. The […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Power Pulls – More Details (Karen Olson)

Karen Olson continues her discussion of power pulls. In two recent videos she covered forward power pulls and backward power pulls as independent elements and as they relate to the US Figure Skating Pre-Juvenile Moves in the Field test. In this video, Karen addresses one of the most common errors and offers ideas on how to […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Skills – Backward Power Pulls (Karen Olson)

Karen Olson explains and demonstrates how she teaches backward power pulls for skaters just learning power pulls and those working to pass the US Figure Skating Pre-Juvenile Moves in the Field test. This is a continuation of a recent video Karen did on forward power pulls. Karen also did a video a while back on […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Power Pulls – USFS Pre-Juvenile Moves (Karen Olson)

Karen Olson explains and demonstrates how she teaches forward power pulls for skaters just learning power pulls and those working to pass the US Figure Skating Pre-Juvenile Moves in the Field test. Karen did a previous video on power pulls but this video covers forward power pulls in more detail. As in the previous video, […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Moves In The Field – Forward Inside Loops (Karen Heng Olson)

Karen Heng Olson teaches forward inside loops. See Karen’s presentation on forward outside loopsbefore watching this video. As with the forward outside loops, the shoulders start twisted into the circle. Karen emphasized the need to go slow when learning this skill as many skaters will use too much speed initially. Just like the video on forward outside […] Continue reading →
Figure Skating Moves In The Field – Forward Outside Loops (Karen Heng Olson)

Karen Heng Olson teaches forward outside loops. As Karen notes in her introductory comments in this video, “as freestyle coaches, without taking as much time as they did for figures, it’s still a process to teach loops. It’s going to take a while. You have to be patient.” She explains how she only teaches one aspect […] Continue reading →
Forward Three Turn Pattern – Preliminary Moves (Karen Olson)

Karen Olson teaches the forward outside three turns and the forward inside three turns from the US Figure Skating Preliminary Moves in the Field test. At the beginning of this video, Karen shares an insight that is important for all skaters and skating parents to recognize. Coaches that teach higher level skills often have an […] Continue reading →