Help doing forward drag?

Question

When i do a forward drag, its like my leg twists out from behind to the side and i fall over on my side.

how can i stop this from happening and what is the secret to pulling it off correctly. should i put alot of pressure on my back leg? or little?

any help will be appreciated!

thanks!

Answer 1

You shouldn't put any pressure on that back leg that's dragging.  All your weight should be on that skating foot . . . and that back leg just follows along (drag), straight but relaxed.  

Make sure you shoulders and hips are level and not turning.  If your upper body is turning, your drag leg may follow and go off to the side (either away from you, or cross behind you).  Staying "square" is essential for keeping your body alignment correct in a forward lunge/drag.  

Skate forward for speed like you would for a one foot glide, but instead of putting your freeleg knee up, extend the freeleg back, turn your hip out . . . then in ONE swoop, bend the skating knee and drop the free leg down (make sure the inside edge of the boot hits the ice - never the blade).  If you don't have a lot of speed going into it, or take too long to slam that boot on the ice, you might fight to balance (teeter tottering).      

It might help to flex your free foot (heel out instead of pointing the toe) to make the blade as parallel to the ice (so it ensures that your boot will hit the ice).   Also keep in good posture throughout . . . don't lean too forward and keep your chin up.  

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Don't put too much pressure on your back foot!!!!  I did that a couple of months ago on accident and I had to take a two month break because I injured my knee severely.  It twisted all the way around.  Try keeping you back straight and don't let your back leg move.

Answer 3

Always keep your head directly above your skating foot.  If you are putting any additional pressure on your drag foot you'll wear out the leather.