Isk8NYC
04-27-2007, 08:13 AM
I have an observation: sometimes students just need to hear the same thing in different words from a different person for the message to get through.
Last night, I was delayed by traffic, making me almost 20 minutes late for my group class. The instructor that started my class for me worked on three turns with the students. They could execute a 3turn, but there was no control or flow. I've had these skaters since September and they're now working on Basic 5/6 elements. Still, every week we did 3turns and it was holding them back. I was ecstatic to find that they were doing beautiful three turns when I arrived.
I could see that the biggest change was their posture and arm check. One of my students said "Is it okay if I kind of use the front of my blade. Just for an instant! Just while I'm actually DOING the turn?" (Yes, of course.) The other told me that it's easier when she bends her skating knee before and after the turn.
I guess my instructions of "Arms up, hug the circle, stand up straight, but bend your knee, come up to turn, bend your knee again" weren't cutting it with these kids. I'll have to start working on new keywords for teaching these - my usual banter is getting old and they've stopped listening. Or maybe I should be late whenever they're struggling and things aren't working. LOL
Last night, I was delayed by traffic, making me almost 20 minutes late for my group class. The instructor that started my class for me worked on three turns with the students. They could execute a 3turn, but there was no control or flow. I've had these skaters since September and they're now working on Basic 5/6 elements. Still, every week we did 3turns and it was holding them back. I was ecstatic to find that they were doing beautiful three turns when I arrived.
I could see that the biggest change was their posture and arm check. One of my students said "Is it okay if I kind of use the front of my blade. Just for an instant! Just while I'm actually DOING the turn?" (Yes, of course.) The other told me that it's easier when she bends her skating knee before and after the turn.
I guess my instructions of "Arms up, hug the circle, stand up straight, but bend your knee, come up to turn, bend your knee again" weren't cutting it with these kids. I'll have to start working on new keywords for teaching these - my usual banter is getting old and they've stopped listening. Or maybe I should be late whenever they're struggling and things aren't working. LOL