Teaching my friend

Question
i have recently begun teaching a friend how to skate. I have been skating for years, but as i taught myself to skate forwards and backwards i have never had any instruction in it, so i dont know how to teach others.I don't want to teach my friend the wrong way, i am currently sticking with the basics, but i am worried i might be teaching her bad techniques or habits. What would you recommend?

Answer
Hi Hannah,

It's hard to answer your question because I don't know what you're trying to teach your friend.  If you're just working on forward and backward...the easiest way to teach someone to skate forward is to tell them to turn their toes outward and start by taking small marching steps.  Keep a constant rhythm but make sure the toes are pointed outward.  If the toes go straight she won't get anywhere.  Once your friend feels comfortable with her balance and the small steps, she can start to take longer pushes.  

It's the same for backward except you point your toes inward and take small marching steps.  Keep your knees close and just press toward the inside of your foot while taking the small up and down steps.

If you plan on teaching her other things, just email me again and let me know what basics you're working on then I can explain how to do them to you.

Good Luck
Pat