Leaning ankles when ice skating....?

Question

I have a new pair of ice skates, I am a beginner by the way, and I have noticed that when I skate, Iean my ankles in slightly. Not the drastic 45 degree angles you see some people doing, but only slightly. What I wanted to know was that does it damage the blades and how can I stop doing it? Is there a certain way of skating that stops it?

Answer 1

It is normal for the ankles to roll in slightly for beginners. The fine muscle control needed to prevent this will take a few days to develop. Start doing exercises to strengthen your legs and ankles, including one leg stands on your toes. As you develop the strength and balance the ankle roll should decrease if your boots support your foot and ankle correctly and they are laced tight.

Answer 2

It won't damage the blades, because the blades cut through the ice and it's not solid enough to damage the blades. The people that you see doing it will have picked it up from ice hockey, where they do that so they can 'run' on the ice.

Just make a conscious effort to try and keep your ankles straight when you're skating, don't keep them tight though, just relax and enjoy it.

Answer 3

It wont ruin the blades by no means but it may affect your skating. If you are only a beginner and not planning on competing or anything then i wouldnt worry too much. Your ankles may feel a bit sore after skating for an hour or so like it but its nothing that could seriously hurt you or your skates.

A couple pointers though would be to keep your ankles strong, that will help you move around faster and easier on the ice as well.

Also make sure that you have the skates tied up tight enough, loose skates can be dangerous!

Also if you are planning on skating alot, even recreationally, i would invest in a cheap pair of figure skates, if you can afford them ( say about 50 dollars? )  because the support difference is amazing. You have so much more ankle support and even the blades are better quality.

But that is only if you can afford it and you have weak ankles or just like to hvae more support.

Since you are JUST beginning skating, and you just bought a new pair i wouldnt invest on more expensive skates just yet.

But your ankle bending, is pretty normal. I used to do it at first but once you get the hang of it you'll fix that little problem and you'll be on your way! :) Just make sure that you keep your ankles strong, knees bent, back straight and when youre pushing, push more with the whole inside edge of the blade rather than just the toe pick area, maybe that will help you :)