Balancing on 1 skate

Question
Hi,

   I am writing to ask your advice on how to improve my balancing on one skate.  I have no problems gliding, but after while a short distance, my skating foot just goes on the inside edge, thus forcing me to set my free foot down. As a result, I am also having problems with my T-stop as I can use the T-stop to slow down but can't stop completely.  Even if I do manage to stop with a T-stop, I don't have proper balance.  Can you advise me on how I can improve my one foot skating in a straight line?  Thanks.

Andrew

Answer
Hi Andrew,
   There's only 1 reason why anyone can't balance on 1 foot.  It's because your body is not completely lined up over that foot.  

   You need to keep your feet close together then move your nose and belly button over the foot you want to balance on.  You have to shift your entire body over the skate, not just part of your body.  Make sure your hips, shoulders and head actually move over that skate.  

   Sometimes our upper body leans towards the skate we want to balance on but we forget to move our head over also.  Check to see that your head isn't leaning the opposite direction.  The reason you skate goes to an inside edge is because you're allowing to much weight to stay over on the other side instead of bring it all to the side you want to balance on.

   You can try standing about 6 or 7 inches away from a wall.  Then let your body fall into the wall and that will tell you how much lean you need... making sure your ankle, hip,shoulders and head all have the same degree of lean.

   Also if your feet are too far apart it makes it very hard to stay on 1 foot.  Keep your feet straight under your hips then try balancing when you skate.

   As for the T-stop.  Depending on how much pressure you put on the stopping foot will determine how fast you stop.

   It all stems back to what we talked about above.....balance.  You have to actually balance on one foot then glide the other foot into the T position adding more downward pressure to stop.  

   So again, work on your balance then the T-stop will work better too.  

   I hope this info helps.....if you have any other questions, feel free to write me again.

Pat