Originally Posted by dbny

I respectfully disagree with some of the points made here, so I'll just list the things I think are most important, and hit the disagreements as I go.

3) Do not pretend to sit in a chair to get your knees bent. I have an adult student who fell twice doing that, once tonight! I did not see her fall the first time, or I would have caught the mistake. Instead, push your knees over your toes, keeping your back straight. If you still tend to sit, then stretch your arms even more forward. Sitting is going to slide you right off the backs of your blades, especially if you are in hockey skates. You can practice bending your knees while facing the railing and holding on. You should be able to feel if your weight goes to the backs of your blades (that's a no no) when you bend. Also, if you cannot get your knees over your toes, it's possible that your boots are laced too tightly at the top. Try lacing them tightly all the way, but do not lace the last hook. Do not wrap excess lace around your ankle.

Originally Posted by sk8guy71

I only have to put up with the rentals for a little while longer, though, since my Jackson Marquis are on order through the pro shop.

Originally Posted by dbny

Sounds good. Something else to check when you get your rentals (each time), is the sharpness of the blades. Don't be afraid to politely ask for a sharper pair or ones with more blade.

Originally Posted by dbny

Way to go!

At the outdoor rink where I work, there is invariably one poor kid in each class who has those &^%#$ flat blades. I am then caught with trying to protect the kid while trying to teach the others. The classes are at the back of the rink, so unless there is a parent present or a helper to get the kid off and into different skates, the poor thing is stuck.