Alignment Drill – Mastering Feet Underneath (Nick Perna)

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skating skills, alignment drill, adult figure skating

Figure skating coach Nick Perna offers a set of drills intended to improve a skater’s alignment and get them comfortable with their feet under them.  These drills fall under the category of “skating skills.”  Alignment issues plaque skaters of every age and level so mastering these drills is important for all skaters.  A large percentage of adult skaters are uncomfortable keeping both feet close together and under themselves.  This drill is particularly useful for those skaters.

Nick begins by having the skater skate forward in a straight line on both feet with the feet crossed and touching.  He has the skater switch which leg is in front and which arm is in front, for a total of 4 different forward drills.  After mastering forward, he has them skate backward in a straight line with all 4 arm and leg combinations.

After mastering this 2 foot gliding, he has the skater do the same series of drills in a straight line, but now he repeatedly alternates between which skate is on the ice by picking one up, then the other, etc.  He has them do this both forward and backward for a total of 8 combinations.

Finally, after mastering the straight line version of this drill, Nick moves it to a circle.  Because it now matters which edge the skater uses, there are a total of 16 combinations that the skater needs to master.  Many skaters will automatically be good at some of the combinations, but may need to work extensively on some of the others to master this entire series of drills.


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4 responses to “Alignment Drill – Mastering Feet Underneath (Nick Perna)”

  1. Nancy

    Great drills, Nick! Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Dalouie

    I LOVE the drills that you post! I skated as a teenager and I’m returning to the ice as an adult. I never had access to such quality coaching like you provide here. Your explanations are simple, doable and the drills really help. I’m working on the “Shut Up” and “Tin Soldier” and this one. Thank you so much for sharing your skills and talents. I’m loving skating again!

    Reply
  3. Michelle

    My daughter was given straight line drills to see who could get the furthest on the ice. Any idea what this drill was for? She didn’t get very far and wondering if her edges are too sharp.

    Reply
  4. Trevor

    Michelle, usually a straight line drill with one push and glide for maximum distance is used to develop the following skills: a powerful push, proper balance point on the blade, and stillness of the gliding position (which is usually related to alignment). Usually skaters that do not travel very far in this drill lack a powerful push. But many also rock on their blades which creates more friction with the ice. And if a skater is wiggling a lot, usually the blade is wiggling a lot too which also causes more friction. Sometimes this drill indicates that a skater has a skate sharpening with too much hollow for their weight, meaning they sink too far into the ice which also causes friction. But this is less common. Ultimately it has almost nothing to do with blade edge sharpness.

    Reply

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