Get really slow when going backwards?

Question

hi =]

ok, i can do frontward balloons really fast and swizzles. but when i try to go backwards and lift my leg up, all of a sudden i just kinda stop. so its quite frustrating, and I really really really want to fix this problem. how can i keep going backwards? [is there a certain part of the blade i should lean on?]

Answer 1

you are probly on you toepicks, try to lean a smige more back on the blade its called the rocker

Answer 2

i teach begginners to go backwards like this:

Start in the A position (toe's together heels out)

keep a soft knee bend

arms slightly forward

slowly lift of right foot and place halfway down the left boot and then lift up the left boot placing halfway down the right everytime you pick up the foot you should push off to gradually gain your speed.

whe doing this you are slightly on the outside edges

imagine you are pigeon toe'd!

always important to keep the knees nice and soft and bent at times

eventually when you have mastered this you can progress into proper bacward skating by pushing lifting one leg and bringing in front same way as staring in the A position you will push with the right foot by doing a tiny half circle push and bringing the right leg through to the front and then placing down feet together and then push with the left leg abd repeat

hope this helps?

Em x

Answer 3

you just need to be going fast when backwards then lift your leg.  i know that you should not lean on your toe pick because that makes you slow down!! hope i helped!