Sharp Turns

Question
Hi. I'm sorry for all these questions! I have one more. I have no idea how people do those really sharp turns with the inside foot forward. I think I should learn that to have better skating abilities. I feel very limited in my skating. I can skate forwards, backwards, forwards crossovers, and stopping. I'd like to have a wider range of things I can do. So what I'm asking is, how do you do sharp turns?

Answer
Hi Ani

No problem...  this is what I "do"...  I love this game, it served me well, and love to give back as much as I can.

Improving a sharp requires a few basic understandings and then alot of practice.

#1. Like almost any skating maneuvre, you must have your knees and ankles bent to give you the maximum amount of flexible and balance.  This will require enough "strength" in your thighs at first, but will improve as you get a better hang of it.

#2. You should also have a slight forward lean - if too straight, the turn becomes wide.

#3. As you enter into a turn you must transfer your body from a more centered stance to one that leans into the turn as well.

#4. As you enter the turn - lead with the "inside leg" that is the leg towards the turn - where it will be ahead of the back leg.

#5. This will cause you to use the outside edges of your skates, so try and be aware of this to help with your weight transfer.

#6. Start relatively slowly, to get use to the feel and just make the turn nice and easy.  (If you have a friend or team mate who does it well - try and copy him or her).

#7 With each rep increase your speed and dare your lean.  Do it is center or open ice area so you are not afraid to fall (and not crash into boards).  Falling will actually teach you alot about the weight transfer.  So DO NOT FEEL discouraged by this.  It will speed up your skill building process.  Keep repeating it until you don't fall as much and then just keep increasing speed and your lean.  IT WILL COME.  Like anything, perfect practice makes perfect.

#8. Once you are getting better - start thinking about your stick position...  knowing it should be towards the inside of your turn...  i.e. use one hand on the stick turning opposite of your two hand side.  

Hope this makes sense - if not feel free to ask follow up questions!

Good luck, have fun and be safe!

Martial