Is Ice Skating Difficult?

Caylie Chrismer
4 min readNov 15, 2022

Ice skating is a sport that is accessible to all ages. The key to learning ice skating is to find a good instructor. This will make the learning process go faster. The age of the beginner also has a bearing on the learning curve. Young beginners will have an easier time learning ice skating than older ones. This is because a young child’s mind is like a sponge. They will be able to make mistakes without hurting themselves.

Taking lessons from a qualified instructor will speed up the learning curve

Beginners need to start off by practicing the proper technique on the ice, starting with bent knees and arms outstretched. This will help them to improve their technique as they progress. Often, kids start playing hockey or skating together during their first half hour on the ice.

A qualified instructor can help students to progress more quickly. Lessons are inexpensive and usually offered in a group setting. This means that adult beginners may be in a class with kids and adults, and kids will be in a class with adults with years of skating experience.

Keeping center of mass aligned with a foot on the ice

When ice skating, keeping your center of mass (CoM) aligned with a foot on the surface of the ice is extremely important. If you lose this alignment, you will fall flat on the ice. While maintaining your foot underneath you during routine movements is not difficult, it becomes a much more complicated process when performing complex movements.

When ice skating, it’s important to remember that your center of mass is the point of your body that is motionless, while the rest undergoes circular motion around this point. This is especially important when doing spins. To achieve a spin, your center of mass must be aligned with a foot on the surface of the ice.

Learning quadruple jumps

Although learning quadruple jumps on ice is considered one of the most difficult jumps, many skaters can land them with ease. This is mainly because quadruple jumps are higher than triple jumps, so getting into the correct rotating position before hitting the highest point of the quad is important. Skaters also need to spin faster to compensate for the low jumps.

The quadruple jump is one of the six basic jumps in figure skating. Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen invented it in the late 19th century. This jump requires four revolutions and begins with a forward faceoff. The quad jump requires precision, quickness, and a tight body position and must be performed four-and-a-half times.

Fear of falling on a hard surface

Many ice skaters are afraid of falling on the ice, and that’s understandable. Fear of falling on a hard surface flattens the learning curve, but you can still be safe by wearing protective gear. During your first few outings, go slow and keep a positive mindset. It would help if you also practiced balance while wearing your skates.

One of the main reasons why ice skating is so difficult is fear. People who have this fear often fail to skate consistently. They may be able to land amazing jumps one day but not the next. They might even fall on their hips. And, of course, they worry about hurting their heads.

Getting up after a fall

You are getting up after a fall while ice skating can be tricky. There are a few tips to get you back on your feet faster. First, make sure you fall on your side and not your back. When you fall, bending your knees and keeping your hands close to your body are important. Also, try to avoid windmill action.

First, watch for obstacles and brace against them if possible. This will keep you from getting hurt. Another important tip is wearing protective gear such as gloves, and hip and knee pads. You should also wear a helmet to prevent head injuries. If you lose your balance, bend your knees and roll onto either hip, reducing the height of your fall.

Learning to stop skating

Learning to stop is a necessary skill for ice skaters. To stop properly, skaters must press their blades against the ice as gently as possible. They can practice this skill by imagining scraping the icing off a cupcake. They should also stay near a wall while practicing this skill to avoid colliding with other skaters.

While learning to stop ice skating, beginners must be aware that they will fall on their feet several times before mastering it. If they fall to the side or forward, try to catch yourself by tucking your chin to your body. They must also remember that recovering from falling on their sides is not easy, so they must practice their falls off the ice.

--

--

Caylie Chrismer

Caylie Chrismer has always been a go-getter. Returning to school and working as a Realtor while also serving as the BioSecurity Coordinator.